Having sampled the delights of Duck and Waffle, it was time to go see its neighbour and trying some fanciful fusion of Japanese and European cuisine in the form of Sushi Samba. Was it any good? Time to find out...
Ideal for:
Those who like to try some funky fusion
Dinner with a great view
All Occasions
Ambience & Décor
Sushi Samba looks classy and in keeping with the nouveau dining experience it offers. The twin-levelled restaurant has the highest outdoor terraces in London, which adds to the restaurant’s wow factor and provides great photo opportunity. The winding decorative staircase reveals the unique bamboo lattice structure enveloping the ceiling, the ornate chandeliers and the entire dining area. Very trendy and all with the stunning London skyline in the backdrop. The interior makes it perfect for dinner dates and casual Sunday brunch. The high ceiling and glass enclosure amplify noise, creating a lively vibe for lunch.
Service
One commonality with Duck and Waffle is the professionalism of the service. Friendly, smartly-dressed waiters await to take your coats, suggest menu items and pairings, and effortlessly attend to the table.
Food
Fusion cooking can either create a genius dish or be a bust. The Kuromitsu Glazed Pork Belly Lettuce Wraps had beautifully cooked pork, with the glaze being the standout. The lemon zest garnish tempers the sweetness from the glaze, but for the price, wanted more pork.
The Sea bass tempura with heritage tomatoes and beetroot ceviche, aji verde and lime had overcooked fish, despite a light batter. Tomato and beetroot ceviche do not pair well.
The Wagyu Gyoza with Kabocha purée, sesame and su-shoyu dipping sauce (left) was a big hit with me. Wagyu beef packs plenty of flavour. The succulent South American style beef complemented the sweet pumpkin-like purée in the gyoza and the accompanying tangy dipping sauce. This dish was an example of fusion at its best, with nothing being too overbearing.
The Samba London platter includes crab, tuna, white fish, prawn, avocado, rice crackers, tempura, wasabi mayo and Japanese pickles. The vibrant Latino-esque presentation made the platter look appealing but the items themselves were nothing amazing.
The Lamb chops with red miso and lime (top right) were succulent. The red sweet miso and lime gave a much-needed kick, but I felt the dish needed more spice to elevate it further. The final Poussin with teriyaki, Japanese-style mayonnaise and yuzu kosho (bottom right) was delicious and a crowd pleaser, but the portion was criminal. A poussin is a whole small chicken, so the fact that only 2 skewers was a joke.
All the dishes were palatable, with the Wagyu Gyoza being the stand out dish. Dysfunctional flavour combinations, lack of Latino fire and absurd portion sizes left big room for improvement. With a stunning décor and sublime service, Sushi Samba has the ingredients to be a great restaurant, but the food needs to be better, given the high prices. B- Rating.
Photos of Sushi Samba and more can be found on Instagram here.
Final grade: B-
Final comment: Fantastic décor and service but the food needs work for the high prices.
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