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Photo: Sushisamba Singapore
The glitzy dance floor is set for Sushisamba Singapore. The New York hot spot, famously name-checked in Sex and the City, will open its first Asia-Pacific location on July 18 on top of the 52-storey Capital Tower, taking over the members-only China Club.
Founded by prominent restaurateur Shimon Bokovza in 1999, Sushisamba quickly gained popularity for its bold medley of Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian flavours and dynamic party atmosphere.
Giving us a taste of what’s to come, James Oliver Burton, vice president of Asia at Sunset Hospitality Group (SHG), says that Singapore was the top choice for the brand’s expansion into Asia due to its strategic position as a global financial hub, following outlets in other cosmopolitan cities like London, Dubai, and Las Vegas.
“It is also renowned for its diverse culinary scene, with a cosmopolitan and sophisticated audience that appreciates an upscale, multifaceted dining experience aligned with what we offer at Sushisamba.
James Oliver Burton, vice president of Asia at Sunset Hospitality Group. (Photo: SHG)
“The 250-seater, which will feature a theatre-style open kitchen and robata grill, three private dining rooms, and a cocktail bar, is set to wow guests with its panoramic 360-degree views of the glittering cityscape. Designed by the award-winning Kokaistudios, the experiential dining space is naturally flourished with custom 3D printed bamboo vaulted ceiling and lush hanging greenery, echoing the design language established at Sushisamba Dubai.
“The focus will be on a sophisticated culinary experience,” Burton explains, speaking to The Peak from Bali. “We’ve transitioned from a fun, entertaining space for people in their late 20s and early 30s to a more sophisticated atmosphere for those 35 and older, offering an amazing F&B experience and a fantastic beverage platform for those who are looking for a night out in a nice, chic place with a lively (but not loud) ambience, where they can chill and connect over a fabulous dinner and drinks, all in one destination.”
SAMBA Chilli Crab Roll. (Photo: Sushisamba Singapore)
With its location at the heart of the Central Business District, the group is also banking on becoming the venue for executives to host business lunches and client engagements.
The dining programme, led by the group’s culinary director, chef Kyung Soo Moon, will feature signatures like the ‘Seviche’ (or Peruvian ceviche) as well as its iconic Samba Rolls, sushi rolls with Latin American flair. It includes Singapore exclusives like the Samba Chilli Crab Roll, an homage to one of Singapore’s most beloved delicacies, and the Samba Singapore Roll, which is filled with Maine lobster, mango, and avocado, drizzled with aji honey truffle and wrapped in soy paper.
Cocktails are poised to be one of the central highlights of Sushisamba Singapore. The menu was designed in collaboration with bar legend Giancarlo Mancino, who is also the beverage director of Rosewood Hotel Group and the creator of the Mancino Vermouth.
It’ll also be the first city in the Sushisamba group to feature a draft cocktail — the El Capitán, a Peruvian twist on the classic Manhattan.
“Singapore already has a fantastic cocktail scene, and an integral part of the Sushisamba experience lies in its bold, inventive cocktails,” Burton explains. “Sushisamba Singapore is more than just a standalone restaurant, cocktail bar, or lounge; it is an all-encompassing F&B destination with spectacular sea and city views and some of the best Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian cuisine in town. There isn’t any place like this here in Singapore, which sets it apart.”
The Samba Room. (Photo: Sushisamba Singapore)
After the launch of Sushisamba Singapore, the brand will continue its expansion into other vibrant, high-demand markets, with openings planned in Abu Dhabi and Milan later this year.
Spanning two floors, the Abu Dhabi outpost will feature an awe-inspiring bar and terrace boasting panoramic views of the Arabian Sea, an intimate private dining room, and the exclusive Samba Room, a bar, lounge, and private dining space.
The address of its Milan branch is equally lofty. It takes up residence in the city’s historic Torre Velasca tower, a 1950s building designed as a modern representation of a mediaeval Italian castle.
