Papageno Restaurant

Went there on a friday night in early Feb for a friend's birthday meal and had the fixed 'opera menu' - set meal with mixed hot and cold mezes/starters and then a choice from 6 mains. Fruit and 'turkish pastries' to finish.

it was pretty gross and the service was rubbish.

Starters: the hummus, despite the review below, was not good, and the weird orange goo was nasty - still have no idea what it was supposed to be! The other dips and bread were fine. They changed the menu half-way through the course so the two hot dishes we were looking forward to (garlic mushrooms and falafel) were replaced for over-salted grilled halloumi and squid rings. A pity. The cheesy samosa-like parcels were pretty good though (if you like cheese...).

Mains: the chicken with asparagus was a truly vile dish - smothered in nasty cheese-like sauce and massacred asparagus. The lamb shank was fine, as were the sides of boiled potatoes and mixed-veg (not the trickiest dishes...). Think other people were happy enough with the duck too.

Dessert: fruit platter was just a load of whole fruits chucked onto a platter, including a whole pineapple, kiwis, apples, oranges etc. Wouldn't be so bad if we'd had a sharp knife, but were left with a fork to mangle them! The turkish pastries looked like mexican churros, but we were deceived! They were gross - about 3/4 syrup and a bit of deep fried ming. Bland and Yuk.

To top off the bad food, the service wasn't much better - we had to wait 25 minutes and re-ask four times for our second bottle of wine. Given we were a party of 17, that first bottle really didn't last that long, and it just got worse from there. The waiters were fairly rude and ignored us a lot.
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Lizzie
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Friday, February 15, 2008

We had lunch in Papagenos last Saturday.

We would rate the food higher than the review above. We had the set lunch menu, 2 courses for £12.50.

The hummus was delicious, the lamb just fell off the bone and the chicken was tender and tasty. The creme brulee was creamy with the addition of plum pieces working well.

Also the staff were attentive and friendly - a really fun lunch.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, February 13, 2008

I went here for a birthday last night and let me just say, DONT DO IT!!! I found the service to be really quite awful, we waited for what appeared to be ages before even our drinks order was taken; the food was average, but the wine was good!
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Jenny
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Wednesday, February 13, 2008

I read the various reviews with interest. Sure, if you're looking for a 5 star dining experience this ain't your restaurant, but it's also not 5 star prices.

I had previously been to and loved the 'sister' restaurant, Sarastro which is a great experience, but considerably more expensive. Several years ago I was unable to get a table there and they recommended Papageno - I went there with friends and I've been back many times since over the years.

From the outside it looks great and once you're inside the quirky decor is lots of fun - Morocco meets the opera. Very colourful, lots of interesting things to look at - perhaps a tad on the tacky side but it creates a great atmosphere. OK, perhaps you'd want to leave the kids at home (or not let them use the loos) but the pictures in the loos add to the quirkiness of the place (it's more graphic at Sarastro!)

I've always found the waiting staff very friendly, English ain't their strong point, but find me a restaurant who doesn't have students/foreigners waiting tables! Crisp british accents would certainly be out of place in a middle eastern style restaurant anyway. They certainly make up for any language challenges with friendliness and I've had several long and interesting chats with waiters.

As for the menu, I've never gone past the delicious Lamb Shank where the meat virtually falls off the bone. The crudites - which are perfectly OK, contrary to other reviews - with a tomato salsa like dip, are quite filling and tasty. Sometimes when it's very busy service is a little slower, but unless you're rushing off somewhere, you've got a drink and a snack to relax and enjoy yourself! I seem to remember the set menu has ice cream or fruit salad for dessert which was a nice end to a meal with a turkish coffee. The wine is perfectly OK - each time we've enjoyed the house wine. Most occasions I've been there a free glass of wine or coffee was thrown in.

My favourite part is that I have always been made to feel welcome and never rushed out of the place so someone else can take my table (all too common in central London restaurants).

In all, I've taken several friends there and we've enjoyed the atmosphere and food which is reasonably priced. Give it a go for a casual night out that's a bit different to your usual bland dining experience - or a big birthday party with a difference!
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Kylie
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Saturday, February 09, 2008

what a bizarre place!! when the waiter discovered that we hadn't booked at this half-empty restaurant he offered to find us a table at an increase in his cover charge at £10.00 /person.i.e. £40.00. When we refused and walked out , he changed his mind.

Whilst the service was fine , the food was truely appalling,restaurant filthy, and the bathrooms would not be out of place in a brothel,
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heidemarie Hansson
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Thursday, January 31, 2008

Having walked past this restaurant many times and being impressed with the flamboyant decor my husband and I decided to to try it out on Friday evening after a visit to the theatre. Oh how appearances can be deceptive. Look beyond the velvet drapes and nude pictures, and you will see bare plaster and infact a restaurant in desperate need of a good clean and a lick of paint. However, this could all be perceived as being quite charming, that is however, until the food is served! We ordered the Boss Fish Selection and the grilled Hallumi Cheese to start. The fish selection was a disgrace. Consisting of frozen tasteless seafood that was served with no imagination. The Cheese must have been under the grill for all of 2 seconds -looking pale an unappetising. Both starters could easily have been tasty and satisfying. Something even a novice could master. Obviously not so for the chef at Papageno! Again the main course of Turkish meatballs, a dish one would assume could not be messed up. Wrong!! It was dry and non descript! I did mention our disappointment to our waiter who merely thanked me! Misunderstanding maybe! Although I would say the waiters must just be thankful when diners are prepared to pay for their meal!!

I find it sad that a restaurant with such a fantastic location and such interesting and fun decor falls down so badly when it comes to the food. The meal we had was exceptionally bad, astonishingly so. There are some fantastic restaurants in the Covent Garden area, so my advice is to avoid this restaurant at all costs! Don't be fooled as we were by the charm on the surface as you will only be disappointed!!
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Sunday, January 27, 2008

I have been to this restaurant with my 5friends that visited London last year and we all had a great time!!

Food was nice and the atmosphere even better! We really enjoyed a wonderful and relaxing music there.

Papageno’s staff was very friendly and we even received a complimentary bottle of wine and a huge plate of fresh fruit in the end!!

I would recommend this place for a small party or even a romantic date!

I am definitely planning to go back and have a good time again ;o)

Mira
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mira
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, January 21, 2008

I've read many of the comments on this establishment with a sense of increasing incredulity!

I've known Riachard Niazzi for over 20 years and followed his progression from 'Caligula' & 'Caligulette' in Bromley; through to 'Sarastro' and now 'Papagenos' in Covent Garden.

Many of his staff have been with him for years (how many restaurants can boast that?) They take a pride in their calling, unlike many following this profession in Britain where it is perceived as a sort of a 'second-rate' job.

The standard of the food I have consumed there has always been, without exception, of the highest degree. The manu, it has to be said, doesn't change very much, but that, for me, is one of the good aspects of the eatery.

The wine list is of good repute and the vintages on offer represent value for money. I echo the comments of at least one critique which considered the House Wine to be exceptional value.

I, and my daughter, dined there again last saturday evening. Although we had not a reservation and they were 'bursting at the seams', we were led to a comfortable sofa, ordered some House Red, and within 40 minutes a pleasant table had been found for us.

Cheese Borek proved to be a tasty starter and Chicken Florentine as a main course was a tasty choice. This was served on a bed of Couscous with an 'imaginative' salad.

So replete where we that we decided to forgo a dessert but notwithstanding a charger of fresh fruit was brought to our table. There was, of course, no charge for this.

The musical entertainment was as eclectic as the decor. A sort of 'Mariachi' band without the trumpet and sombreros. The made a happy sound which seemed to be appreciated by the majority of diners. The DID wander about with a tambourine for people to show their appreciation, but there was no pressure to do so if one felt disinclined.

As we left to wend our way homeward we met Richard at the door who greeted us, with due deference and friendliness.

IN short, this is a 'quirky' and 'individual' restaurant and that, for me, is the beauty of it.

One should enter without preconcieved ideas, relax, soak in the atmosphere and accept whats on offer with an open mind. You will enjoy!
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Peter M
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, January 21, 2008

Truly one of the most memorable restaurants I have ever seen, for all the wrong reasons.

Now, I like graphic adult imagery as much as the next guy, but the work on the bathroom walls has taken some serious imagination...if only some of that flair had found its way onto the menu.

I'd never go back, but memories of the interior decoration and the very existence of the place will stick with me for a very long time. If you weren't expected to sit and eat, it'd be worth having a look, but shock-tactics aren't enough to mask what's really a very poor restaurant.

In response to Albert's review below, (who is an experienced consultant for trendy bars and restaurants all over Europe) if you think this is good, you should try the McDonalds down the road; it'll blow you away!
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Andy
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Appalling, a typical tourist trap that relies on customers visiting only once.

Waiting staff that were miserable beyond belief, basic menu that would not be out of vogue in the seventies. Decor that could only be described as "Junk Shop/Magic Shop mess"

Dry Crudités(Carrots, Olives and Jalapenos peppers??), that had obviously been left out uncovered all service, waiting for the next saps to arrive. Starters served so quickly that microwave and deep fat fryer working overtime, all served with a limp salad garnishes that a 5 year old could have mustered up.

Main course order that took over 30 minutes to arrive, which was also wrong and the fish was so overcooked I could not eat it. All sent back and we walked.

The only reason I went to this restaurant was the original place I was going was booked up, it looked interesting form the outside, but don't be fooled. The menu boasts the owner is "passionate about his food, opera and art"?? I have to question this and believe he has gain a passion for ripping off tourists.

Worst restaurant I have been to in years, even when we complained to the manager/owner sat watching over his nightmare, he tried to make out that he was not the owner but a friend.
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Chris
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, January 14, 2008