Quirky (or whacky), original and dramatic, Papageno’s is one of those restaurants you have to visit just to experience. As it boasts on its website, Papageno is appropriately located in the heart of theatre land with its very busy colourful interior filled with “stage props, flamboyant artwork, gilt furniture and heavy drapes.” The opera music playing in the background simply adds to the atmosphere. I’m sure that they get a lot of tourists with their cameras in there so I guess I fit right in. Heh heh.

For a Friday night they didn’t appear to be too busy – which was a good thing as that meant Rehana and I weren’t pressured to leave despite having finished our meals and drinks a very long time before we left. To that extent I was very pleased with the service which was attentive in the beginning but when they realised we were there to have a bit of a gossip session pretty much left us alone.

Food-wise I think it was pretty decent, if not spectacular. I had a starter of calamari followed by a grilled salmon, which literally was only a grilled salmon so needed to order a side of veges, and both were well cooked and tasty. I think Rehana was also pleased with her meal. When I visit the sister restaurant, Sarastro, I might try and be a bit more adventurous with my choices (though to be honest I think their menu is exactly the same) and see how they fair.

For something a little different be sure to drop in to Papageno’s.