Turkish Delights (Sarastro)

Name: Mush

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Product:	Sarastro
Date:	15.12.00 (554 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Top food, top staff, really cool decor, convenient if you are going to the theatre!

Disadvantages: Christmas menu was a bit bland (for the price)

If you find yourself in the London Covent Garden and Theatreland area, and in need of a good meal, you could do far worse than pop down to Sarastro.

This Turkish Restaurant is innocuously tucked away on a corner of Drury Lane. Stepping through the door is like stepping into Narnia – the warmth and colour is a wonderful contrast to the cold, grey city…

The décor in the restaurant is reminiscent of a sort of Turkish Harem – lots of drapes and cushions, with many statues and pictures from around the times of the crusades – here and there are evidence of other styles such as Gothic or Old English. At one end is a massive treasure trove. Along the walls are ‘Opera box’ booths, both at ground level and raised, the latter providing a great view of the entire restaurant for the diners. We were in the largest of these raised tables – the ‘Royal box’, above the treasure trove, and although a tight fit for 13 of us, it really was rather comfortable.

The staff are lovely – not so much waiters/waitresses as hosts – it is likely that you will receive the attentions of more than one, who despite the fact that not all are brilliant at English, will really make you feel comfortable.

As our group had gone to Sarastro for our Christmas meal, we had the fixed menu. Starter was traditional Turkish fare (most of which I cannot remember the names of – my Turkish is poor) – stuffed vine leaves, cheese pastries, chopped veg, peppers, all with various dips...and absolutely scrumptious it was too! Servings were generous, and most present wondered whether they would be able to last to main course...

Main course (of which there was a choice of Turkey (the bird, not a Turk), Duck, Salmon or Vegetarian) was, I reckon, not the usual style of main course for Sarastro – although tasty, it was a bit standard and unoriginal. They did serve couscous instead of carrots
though! If you go, I would opt for more traditional Turkish fare... Nonetheless it was well cooked and presented, and helpings were adequate.

Pudding consisted of fruit or Turkish sweetmeats – of which I couldn’t get enough, polishing off my own as well as other peoples’ :)

The entire meal cost around £50 per head, including a vast amount of booze (and not cheap plonk either!) which left most of us in a fuzzy way. Although not the cheapest of meals, it isn’t too bad for London. Although nice, the food was not the greatest ever (again, I’d stick to the Turkish menu), but the ambience, style and friendliness of the place certainly made the meal good value.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and would advise anyone to go along.


One thing you must do...check out the décor in the gent’s toilet (whether or not you are a gent)... if you are lucky the Deputy Manager will give you a guided tour. I won’t disclose any more, but just don’t forget your camera.

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