The opera may be classic, cultured and traditional, but it’s definitely not trendy. However, we’ve been noticing a pattern lately with London restaurants – opera singing. That’s right, whilst you eat you’ll be serenaded by opera singers (no guarantee how good they are, of course) and it’s a huge draw for the crowds. Although the saying is ‘It’s not over till the fat lady sings’ – referring, of course, to the over-the-top opera solo, usually by an, er, zaftig woman with some stereotypical long blonde braids and a horned Viking helmet – London restaurants are showing no signs of slowing down when it comes to the opera.
Although Gilgamesh’s opulent opera nights from last year are alas, no longer, Little Bay’s opera nights have been going strong for months now. The restaurants are huge with locals (there are five locations across London) and the seats are quite like opera boxes themselves – little booths perched on precariously narrow staircases – plus there’s loads of drapery and gilded furniture, kind of like an old school opera house.
Sarastro is a Covent Garden stalwart, and with decor like Little Bay (think lots of red velvet and gold trimmings) you can easily imagine in a turn of the century opera house. Check out their special opera menu along with performances by students from some of the world’s most famous opera houses.
The latest London restaurant to get in on the act is Tentazioni. For one night only (for the foreseeable future, anyway) the restaurant is hosting a performance by opera stars Fiona Oliver Smith and James Heath – a soprano and a tenor, respectively, in case you’re wondering.
Of course, if you want to actually go to London’s famous Royal Opera House there are a couple of restaurants there that might strike your fancy, Amphitheatre and Balconies. You might have to order in advance, but it’s worth it – and plus you’ll even get to finish your meal during the interval.
Get those Viking helmets ready, ladies and gentlemen…