London & Partners

DINING & NIGHTLIFE
“The Show After The Show”
Located in the heart of theatreland can be
found one of London’s most spectacular
restaurants. Sarastro is not only a treat for
the palate but for the eyes and ears as
well. Dine in the flamboyant operatic
surroundings and feast upon the fine
array of Mediterranean dishes.
Every Sunday matinee and Sunday and
Monday evenings there are live opera
performances from up and coming stars,
not only from the Royal and National
Opera but from all over the world as well.
On Thursday evenings enjoy live swing &
Motown with West End star Colin Roy.
A pre and post theatre menu is also
available at £14.50 for two courses.
Private function room for all occasions
available for up to 300 guests.
126 Drury Lane, London, WC2
Tel: 020 7836 0101 Fax: 020 7379 4666
www.sarastro-restaurant.com
E: reservations@sarastro-restaurant.com
falafel. ££.
136 Brompton Road, SW3.
020 7581 7777.
mamounialounge.com
Ë Knightsbridge/South
Kensington. Map D3.
MANGAL 2
An award-winning Turkish
ocakbasi (open charcoal
grill) restaurant that serves
traditional fare at great prices.
Fresh dips and starters, plus
grilled meats and vegetable
dishes feature. Finish with a
sweet baklava pastry. British
artists Gilbert & George are
regulars. £.
4 Stoke Newington Road,
N16 (and branches).
020 7254 7888.
mangal2.com
Ë Dalston Kingsland.
Off map.
MOMO
A wonderful North African
experience with an outdoor
terrace, plus lighter bites
at its adjacent sister venue,
Mo Café. Enjoy a range of
delicious hot and cold mezze
such as wood pigeon pastilla
(filo parcels) and samosa-like
cheese briouats, or heartier
dishes like succulent chicken
couscous (spiced to taste)
and lamb tagine, cooked in
a pot. ££-£££.
25 Heddon Street, W1.
020 7434 4040.
momoresto.com
Ë Piccadilly Circus/
Oxford Circus. Map C5.
Modern European
BALTIC
Delicious Eastern European
dishes, from Polish and
Russian soups, pickled fish
and dumplings, to hearty
Hungarian stews. Jazz on
Sunday evenings. ££.
74 Blackfriars Road, SE1.
020 7928 1111.
balticrestaurant.co.uk
Ë Southwark. Map C7.
CRITERION
RESTAURANT
A bejewelled Victorian room,
made famous in Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle’s Sherlock
Holmes stories, provides
the setting for an equally
impressive dining experience.
UK ingredients include
Gloucester Old Spot pork loin,
Aylesbury duck breast and
Hereford beef Chateaubriand
(p. 20). ££-£££.
224 Piccadilly, W1.
020 7930 0488.
criterionrestaurant.
com Ë Piccadilly Circus.
Map C5.
THE DELAUNAY
The latest eatery from the
Wolseley team. Situated
in Theatreland, the interior
and menu are inspired by
Europe’s grand cafés. Dishes
include schnitzels, moules
frites (mussels with French
fries) and steaks. Mon-Fri
from 07.00; Sat from 08.00;
Sun from 11.00. ££-£££.
55 Aldwych, WC2.
020 7499 8558.
thedelaunay.com
Ë Temple. Map B6.
EL PIRATA OF MAYFAIR
The buzzy atmosphere
attests to the quality and
value of the Spanish tapas
here. Try the chilli prawns,
bean stew and patatas
bravas. Closed Sun.
A second branch, El Pirata
De Tapas (115 Westbourne
Grove, W2. 020 7727
5000), has sleeker décor
and equally good dishes. £.
5-6 Down Street, W1.
020 7491 3810.
elpirata.co.uk
Ë Green Park. Map C4.
QUAGLINO’S
An iconic dining room and
a menu of modern classics
are good reasons to visit.
Expect dishes such as
confit duck, fish and chips,
and pork belly with crackling,
mash and apple sauce. A
pleasantly lively cocktail bar
provides a good meeting
point. Special menus for the
lunch crowd and theatregoers
offer extra value. ££-£££.
16 Bury Street, SW1.
020 7930 6767.
danddlondon.com
Ë Green Park. Map C5.
R.S. HISPANIOLA
Enjoy excellent
Mediterranean cuisine and
fantastic views aboard
this restaurant ship, which
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| visitlondon.com|LONDON PLANNER|January 2013