2. March 2013: Restaurant Sushisamba

Sushisamba was recommended to me by a dear friend – and once more his recommendation was absolutely worth following. Sushisamba offers a combination of the Brazilian, Peruvian and Japanese kitchen. The evening started with “Padrón Peppers” (grilled spicy pepper, sea salt, lemon; GBP 6.00). Usually the peppers are good but not really something extraordinary and the peppers here were also not really that outstanding but the sea salt which was provided with them was definitely delicious in combination!

The next course was “Wagyu Gyoza” (kabocha purée and su-shoyu dipping sauce; GBP 12.00) – somehow it looked like a regular dumpling but it tasted a whole lot different. The stuffing was tasty, the dipping sauce rich, and last  but not least, the kabocha purée on which the dumplings were placed, was truly delicious (and tasted somehow like carrotts).

As some of our table were favouring vegetarian food, of course we had “Seasonal Tempura” (pumpkin, mushrooms, yuzu soy; GBP 7.00). I like fried vegetables I must say and they were definitely good but somehow for the fact that they were pretty much only regular vegetables i think they were a bit expensive.

Even more expensive was the “Seviche Trio” (Assortment of Seviches: Calamari, Salmon, Squid; GBP 20.00) but it was also absolutely mouth-watering. The three different kinds were very tasty, freshly prepared and just absolutely persuading in all aspects. Great dish!

Next was “Hamachi Kama” (key lime and su-shoyu; GBP 12.00) which was good fish but definitely nothing outstanding all in all.

Much better were the “Robata Lamb Chop” (fresh ingredients prepared over our traditional Japanese charcoal grill and served as small plates or ‘anticuchos’ – Peruvian skewers; GBP 15.00) and the “Black Cod Miso Robata” (GBP 16.00). The lamb was very rich in taste and the meat was tender. The fish was prepared in miso sauce making it luscious. Somehow the most surprising and amazing thing of the whole dish was the Peruvian corn which was served with the fish! You just could not get enough of it!!!

And this is the “Robata Grill Station” where this delicious food is prepared for you – does not look really impressive, I must admit, but the results are absolutely so!

Then the sushi part came into play – the “Sao Paulo” (scallop, masago, red onion, tuna, salmon, shrimp, yellowtail, avocado, truffle, hacho miso soy, chive oil; GBP 14.00) and “Samba London” (crab, tuna, salmon, yellowtail, prawn, scallop, wagyu, avocado, tempura crunch, wasabi mayo, aji panca, housemade soy reduction; GBP 15.00) were truly outstanding! While the Sao Paulo (front row) was already quite amazing, the “Samba London” beat it by various levels! Truly, absolutely, and incredibly mouth-watering!

Again our vegetarian friends were served with “Veggie Maki” (GBP 7.00) and “4 pieces of veggie nigiri & maki” (GBP 12.00). I must say that I was positively surprised by the dishes. I would not have thought that a vegetables only meal can be that tasty – especially not when it comes to “sushi” (or its vegetarian approximation).

Ordering the side dish was unnecessary as it was of course enough food – but the “coconut rice” (GBP 4.50) was good too. A slight hint of coconut, perfectly boiled, tasty all in all.

Now, as mains were over, desert was approaching: The “Mango Mousse” (sweet potato biscuit, passion fruit, mango-lime coriander sauce, kiwi-mojito sorbet; GBP 9.50) was delicious! Of course I loved the sorbet (as I am a huge lover of sorbet) but also the rest of the desert was great. Somehow London showed me that deserts can actually be damn tasty!

I loved the dishes at Sushisamba – but it was not only that the dishes were great but also that they were very fair in price as well as the beverages. Sparkling water accounts for GBP 4.00 and the Shisho Fine (tall and refreshing, this long drink is herbaceous and citrusy, Ketel One vodka infused with Japanese shiso leaves, crème de pêche, housemade red Thai basil syrup, lengthened with apple and lime and treated to a bleed of crème de cassis. Served tall; GBP 9.50) is refreshing but a bit girly. Overall, the dishes are breath-taking, mouth-watering and truly mind-blowing.

The service is highly professional – our waiter knows his business and was definitely delivering a great performance. Only, when we re-ordered water, it seemed they forgot. Only when we asked again, it was brought immediately. The view is also pretty breath-taking as you are on the 38th floor of the Heron Tower and get to see all over London! Lovely!

If you can, try to book a table in advance – it is pretty difficult to get one and, therefore, highly recommended to book way in advance! Make clear that you would like to get a table by the windows though. In any case, if you are in London, it is absolutely worth a visit!

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Contact Details:

Restaurant Sushisamba

Heron Tower

Bishopsgate 110

EC2N 4AY London (UK)

Tel.: +44 20 36 40 73 30

E-Mail: londoninquiries@sushisamba.com

Homepage: http://sushisamba.com

About the Author: Sven

I started the blog in October 2009, while living in Milan which I definitely consider to be one of the food capitals of the world. I was in touch with food since my early childhood (as my father is a former chef). Whenever I can, I travel the world to discover new places, to meet people but mostly to try local dishes and to find hidden gems! If you know a place worth going, please drop a line to: info@thediningexperience.org. Currently, I am a member of the following food-related associations: Chevalier @Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Zurich-Ville; Membre Gourmet Dégustateur @Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs [OMGD]; Gesellschafter @Goldener Fisch and Member @Slowfood Convivium Zurich City.