London & Partners

DINING & NIGHTLIFE“The Show After The Show”Located in the heart of theatreland can befound one of London’s most spectacularrestaurants. Sarastro is not only a treat forthe palate but for the eyes and ears aswell. Dine in the flamboyant operaticsurroundings and feast upon the finearray of Mediterranean dishes.Every Sunday matinee and Sunday andMonday evenings there are live operaperformances from up and coming stars,not only from the Royal and NationalOpera 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 alsoavailable at £14.50 for two courses.Private function room for all occasionsavailable for up to 300 guests.126 Drury Lane, London, WC2Tel: 020 7836 0101 Fax: 020 7379 4666www.sarastro-restaurant.comE: reservations@sarastro-restaurant.comfalafel. ££.136 Brompton Road, SW3. 020 7581 7777. mamounialounge.comË Knightsbridge/SouthKensington. Map D3.MANGAL 2An award-winning Turkishocakbasi (open charcoalgrill) restaurant that servestraditional fare at great prices.Fresh dips and starters, plusgrilled meats and vegetabledishes feature. Finish with asweet baklava pastry. Britishartists Gilbert & George areregulars. £.4 Stoke Newington Road,N16 (and branches). 020 7254 7888. mangal2.comË Dalston Kingsland.Off map.MOMOA wonderful North Africanexperience with an outdoorterrace, plus lighter bitesat its adjacent sister venue,Mo Café. Enjoy a range ofdelicious hot and cold mezzesuch as wood pigeon pastilla(filo parcels) and samosa-likecheese briouats, or heartierdishes like succulent chickencouscous (spiced to taste)and lamb tagine, cooked ina pot. ££-£££.25 Heddon Street, W1. 020 7434 4040. momoresto.comË Piccadilly Circus/Oxford Circus. Map C5.Modern EuropeanBALTICDelicious Eastern Europeandishes, from Polish andRussian soups, pickled fishand dumplings, to heartyHungarian stews. Jazz onSunday evenings. ££.74 Blackfriars Road, SE1. 020 7928 1111. balticrestaurant.co.ukË Southwark. Map C7.CRITERIONRESTAURANTA bejewelled Victorian room,made famous in Sir ArthurConan Doyle’s SherlockHolmes stories, providesthe setting for an equallyimpressive dining experience.UK ingredients includeGloucester Old Spot pork loin,Aylesbury duck breast andHereford beef Chateaubriand(p. 20). ££-£££.224 Piccadilly, W1. 020 7930 0488. criterionrestaurant.com Ë Piccadilly Circus.Map C5.THE DELAUNAYThe latest eatery from theWolseley team. Situatedin Theatreland, the interiorand menu are inspired byEurope’s grand cafés. Dishesinclude schnitzels, moulesfrites (mussels with Frenchfries) and steaks. Mon-Frifrom 07.00; Sat from 08.00;Sun from 11.00. ££-£££.55 Aldwych, WC2. 020 7499 8558. thedelaunay.comË Temple. Map B6.EL PIRATA OF MAYFAIRThe buzzy atmosphereattests to the quality andvalue of the Spanish tapashere. Try the chilli prawns,bean stew and patatasbravas. Closed Sun.A second branch, El PirataDe Tapas (115 WestbourneGrove, W2. 020 77275000), has sleeker décorand equally good dishes. £.5-6 Down Street, W1. 020 7491 3810. elpirata.co.ukË Green Park. Map C4.QUAGLINO’SAn iconic dining room anda menu of modern classicsare good reasons to visit.Expect dishes such asconfit duck, fish and chips,and pork belly with crackling,mash and apple sauce. Apleasantly lively cocktail barprovides a good meetingpoint. Special menus for thelunch crowd and theatregoersoffer extra value. ££-£££.16 Bury Street, SW1. 020 7930 6767. danddlondon.comË Green Park. Map C5.R.S. HISPANIOLAEnjoy excellentMediterranean cuisine andfantastic views aboardthis restaurant ship, which86| visitlondon.com|LONDON PLANNER|January 2013