The humble entrance, at the corner of Drury Lane and Kemble Street in Covent Garden, betrays the visual surprise awaiting you. Be prepared for a feast of the senses when you visit Sarastro which truly is 'the show after the show'.

The restaurant layout is much like a theatre: balcony seats, a royal box, a dress circle and stall seats. The decoration, rich in gold, red, silver and green. Generous drapes of material, silk and velvet, hang from the ceiling and walls and theatrical props fill every corner. The ceiling is covered with murals, the walls are hung with portraits, the toilets... well... let me say that the queue was not only for necessity but perhaps to view the risqué artwork adorning the walls therein! I will leave it to you to make your own assessments!

The food was good and plenty. My partner and I ate three courses for about £25 each. We sat behind a table of theatre 'luvvies' dressed to kill. They were a lively bunch and made dining a very interesting and funny experience. The group on the table next to us were on a weekend out from Manchester. They regularly make the trip to London to go to the theatre and they always make a point of eating at Sarastros. It was a very busy night yet all the Sarastro staff were personable and friendly. On the whole Sarastro is not a restaurant to be easily forgotten and I for one will not leave it too long before visiting again.

A Night at the Opera
review by Helen Oon - Feng Shui Magazine

"A night out at Sarastro leaves one felling like the central character of a classic opera, say La Boheme, Tosca or La Traviata. It's all in the decor: Arabian Nights meets La Scala meets Roman orgy. And, as Helen Oon discovered when she visited, the restaurant has fantastic feng shui.

Click to read more...

Isis und Osiris!
Michael Hepworth enjoys a night at the opera

I keep reading elsewhere that people dining out regularly are looking increasingly at restaurants that not only offer good food, but also that have a real buzz about them, and preferably with some kind of theme. Sarastro in Covent Garden fits the bill, and since it is close to the Royal Opera House, opera lovers who like a slap up feast before or after the show have a place where they can instantly feel at home.....