Sarastro: Getting Old With Drama
“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.” I tried to keep these comforting words of the brilliant American writer, Mark Twain, in my head when I hit the scary Two-One yesterday.
Finally, the age of responsibility and self-funding had arrived. The journey to the good old midlife crisis debacle had begun. To commiserate, I booked a table for myself and three friends at the decadent restaurant Sarastro, in the heart of Drury Lane.
This was definitely a good decision. Priding itself on being “the show after the show,” Sarastro makes you forget everything that is real and dull as soon as you enter it. A cross between a Turkish Harem and Alice in Wonderland - with a sprinkling of magic mushrooms - the restaurant’s architecture and décor is tailored like a majestic theatre. Guests may dine behind velvet drapes, in between golden pillars twined with plants, underneath canopies, or, if they are organised and place a request à la moi, in a voyeuristic gallery box, accessible by higgledy-piggledy stairs. There is an assortment of luxurious bric-a-brac everywhere: velvet cushions and table cloths, gilded vases, tasselled and faded lampshades, oil paintings of bourgeois actresses in Byzantine frames, embroidered hardback books. And all to the soundtrack of opera and guitar.
The cuisine, unfortunately (and unsurprisingly) did not quite live up to the dazzling surroundings. The menu consists of a tempting mix of Mediterranean-inspired fish, meat, and pasta dishes, although my vegetarian friend’s choices were somewhat limited. I ordered Mediterranean prawns, which came with a side salad in a sweet dressing. Tasty, though small. My friend’s seafood linguine received a similar review. However, the service was fast and without fault, and I was touched when they smilingly presented me with a surprise chocolate cake with candles in it.
Whether you want to eat out before or after the theatre, or just experience something more eclectic and entertaining than your usual haunt, I definitely recommend Sarastro. My evening of champagne, laughter, and teetering on the tiny stairs (due to untimely ankle breakage rather than alcoholic paralysis) was certainly a wonderful way to enter the world of seriousness. We all left feeling like main characters in a play of exoticism and indulgence, and quite rightly so. For, to end with another lovely quote, this time by the literary George Bernard Shaw, “We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”
This was definitely a good decision. Priding itself on being “the show after the show,” Sarastro makes you forget everything that is real and dull as soon as you enter it. A cross between a Turkish Harem and Alice in Wonderland - with a sprinkling of magic mushrooms - the restaurant’s architecture and décor is tailored like a majestic theatre. Guests may dine behind velvet drapes, in between golden pillars twined with plants, underneath canopies, or, if they are organised and place a request à la moi, in a voyeuristic gallery box, accessible by higgledy-piggledy stairs. There is an assortment of luxurious bric-a-brac everywhere: velvet cushions and table cloths, gilded vases, tasselled and faded lampshades, oil paintings of bourgeois actresses in Byzantine frames, embroidered hardback books. And all to the soundtrack of opera and guitar.
The cuisine, unfortunately (and unsurprisingly) did not quite live up to the dazzling surroundings. The menu consists of a tempting mix of Mediterranean-inspired fish, meat, and pasta dishes, although my vegetarian friend’s choices were somewhat limited. I ordered Mediterranean prawns, which came with a side salad in a sweet dressing. Tasty, though small. My friend’s seafood linguine received a similar review. However, the service was fast and without fault, and I was touched when they smilingly presented me with a surprise chocolate cake with candles in it.
Whether you want to eat out before or after the theatre, or just experience something more eclectic and entertaining than your usual haunt, I definitely recommend Sarastro. My evening of champagne, laughter, and teetering on the tiny stairs (due to untimely ankle breakage rather than alcoholic paralysis) was certainly a wonderful way to enter the world of seriousness. We all left feeling like main characters in a play of exoticism and indulgence, and quite rightly so. For, to end with another lovely quote, this time by the literary George Bernard Shaw, “We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”
Here Is The Writer : Ing Chua-Lee
Ing was born and bred in London, and is absolutely in love with the city. She lived in Singapore as an expat for two years, interned in the City, then graduated from the University of York where she studied English Literature and History of Art. Excited by anything beautiful, hilarious and expensive, she is now enjoying being back and spending her time and money swanning around like nothing's changed.
view more articles by Ing Chua-Lee
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Busy city Bee 22nd Apr, 2:37pm
Ing does Sarastro proud with her honest write-up, and her great choice for a coming of age celebration. Love the quotes too!
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