Covent Garden is the city’s catalyst for festivities, a sparkling display of Christmas chaos that each year becomes bolder, brighter, and more beautiful. Situated in one part of the historic grade II-listed market building, Sushi Samba has jumped aboard the fabulous festivities that surround its central London location with the launch of the new winter terrace. Located on the iconic cobbles, wrap up and embrace the winter season with the terrace heaters, branded blankets, and bar. Here I visited to try some twists of our favourite festive drinks from the ‘Gingerbread Latte’ to the mulled wine ‘Samba Style.’
In partnership with the ever-glamourous Grey Goose, the Covent Garden site (which is often overlooked by its sky-high sister site in the Heron Tower) is making a festive statement with this new terrace, letting everyone know of their Covent Garden site is not to be missed. Going under a full makeover to fit with the festive theme, whilst you go about your Christmas shopping, here you’ll find a cosy winter hideout that is the perfect pitstop for a Japanese-style snack and one of the creative new cocktails.
Among a sparking LED light installation of cherry and maple trees, a bespoke new cocktail and food menu has been created to best suit the frosty al fresco setting. Enter the sparkling, white light archway and order from a limited-edition cocktail menu which features seasonal twists of our beloved cocktail classics. This includes the aptly named ‘Snowball Margarita’ which is a blend of white chocolate patron silver tequila, lemon juice, triple sec and cinnamon and the warming ‘Hazelnut and Fig Toddy’ which sees hazelnut infused Aberfeldy 12yr scotch and sweet fig liqueur finished with lemon juice. There is also a unique twist on a gingerbread latte featuring walnut and vanilla-infused Grey Goose vodka, a gingerbread infused plum sake, oat milk, cinnamon syrup and chocolate bitters and a ‘Snowplow Espresso Martini’ which is poured on tap.
The terrace’s food menu meanwhile features a parade of hand-picked highlights from the restaurant’s exotic signature dishes. These favourites include my personal favourite – the crispy lobster taquitos, some meaty wagyu gyoza and rock shrimp tempura. This is in addition to a selection from the flaming Robata grill which includes the ever-popular black cod, pork belly with butterscotch miso and a lamb chop.
Serving up a vibrant fusion of flavours from Japan, Brazil and Peru, Sushi Samba’s menus offer a dynamic portfolio of plates that are fresh, spicy and decadent with culinary creativity which they describe as ‘limitless’ for every palate. Offering some guidance on what to order from this exciting line-up of flavours, upstairs in the restaurant at both the Covent Garden site and at Heron Tower in the city, is also Sushi Samba’s chef-curated ‘Taste of Samba’ tasting menu.
Showcasing a multi-course selection of the brand’s most beloved dishes that can be perfectly paired with the extensive wine and cocktail menu – this gourmet snapshot highlights the best signature dishes from the Samba team. Once again, this includes the crispy lobster taquitos and rich wagyu gyoza. The set menu then follows on with churrasco rio grande ribeye, with chorizo, fillet mignon served with black beans, sautéed greens, farofa and dipping sauces that have been created in house by the team. For those looking for a lighter main, there is the robata black cod with Peruvian asparagus and miso. To finish, the ‘Welcome to the Rainforest’ dessert is a medley of flavours asháninka chocolate, asháninka coffee, vanilla, pistachio, macadamia nut, and sugarcane.
Located on the 38th and 39th floors of the Heron Tower at 110 Bishopsgate, the original Sushi Samba London features some of the highest outdoor dining terraces in Europe with impressive 360-degree views of the English capital. Two panoramic glass elevators will transport you quickly up to the 39th floor, setting the scene for incredible views from the pavement at ground level up towards the skyline.
Meanwhile, the newer Covent Garden site which opened back in 2018 embodies the heritage of its location in the famed Opera Terrace atop the historic Grade II-listed Market Building. Set beneath the Eric Parry-designed glass roof, here Sushi Samba runs along the entire east side of the market with rooftop views across the piazza. In addition to the main dining space with its firing open kitchen and the terrace downstairs, there is also a bar and private dining room for intimate, fine-dining experiences.
Factbox
Address: 35 The Mkt, London WC2E 8RF
Phone: 020 3053 0000
Website: sushisamba.com/locations/uk/london-covent-garden
