Let's talk SUSHISAMBA London: I don't always get such a huge reaction when I mention I'm going somewhere for dinner 'n' drinks. From the lofty location to elegant surrounds and sumptuous food, gasps of jealousy were heard all around. But it gets better, as the famous restaurant opened an exclusive cocktail parlour named SAMBA ROOM earlier this year to huge fanfare... so, naturally, we stopped by to see what the fuss was about... 

Keep reading to find out more about the extraordinary SAMBA ROOM London.

One of three SUSHISAMBA UK restaurants, the other two being Covent Garden and Edinburgh, Liverpool Street’s outpost is arguably the most well-known. We’ve all seen the (borderline nosebleed-inducing but still extremely enjoyable) glass-panelled lift that shoots you up 39 floors at lightning-quick speed, landing you straight in front of a striking gold and mirrored palm tree entrance. This’ll give you a good indication of what to expect at your SUSHISAMBA experience, where luxe meets tropical in an effortless swoop.

The SAMBA ROOM positions itself a level higher from the restaurant and was nicely separated by meandering floor lights that gave off a lovely, warm golden hue. We found the main bar to the left, nestled next to an intimate lounge with a private dining hideaway opposite. Speaking of which, if you’ve checked out the SUSHISAMBA London photos you’ll have seen the table that impressively comes down from the ceiling, easily switching the space into another cocktail area. Very Instagrammable indeed. My date and I had the pleasure of taking over a small nook, nicely sectioned off by a chainmail curtain, boasting unmatched views of The Gherkin, Greenwich and St Paul’s.

Entrances don't get grander than this, that's for sure.

As we sat down in a plush, rust-coloured velvet booth, ideal for cosying up, the knowledgeable and friendly team guided us through the SUSHISAMBA London menu, tailored especially to the SAMBA ROOM. They explained the love of Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian cultures, from Tokyo-inspired sweet ‘n’ sour whisky cocktails to fruity pours drawing influence from lush Amazonian rainforests. Our evening started off strong with a duo of delectable sips: Wabi-Sabi (£18) and The Rhythm Of Rio (£18). Decorated with a rose petal and presented in a slender, long-stemmed vessel, the former was a fine balance of aromatic and sweet notes, due to the vanilla vodka mixed with white tea-infused vermouth and lychee cordial. The latter, touted as a 'carnival in a glass', blended homemade lemonade with rum, sherry, elderflower liqueur and pink grapefruit juice (giving it a gorgeous blush colour). I adored the heady cachaça and refreshing sprigs of mint, reminding me of my travels to Brazil, plus the bitter aftertaste was a nice change too. If we closed our eyes, we could just imagine the waves crashing on Ipanema beach…

Bar snacks? Yeah, the SUSHISAMBA London reviews will tell you they’re tasty as hell. A twin of crispy vegetable taquitos (£13) was my favourite dish of the night. Think mighty mouthfuls laid out on an unusual, branded brick; the shell staying remarkably crunchy despite the fresh-as-you-like stuffing of smooth avocado, radish, red onion, peppers and divine pickled shimeji mushrooms. Don’t know about you, but my go-to holiday snack is edamame beans (£8), but this time they were elevated by being served warm with smatterings of sea salt and juicy lime. The plates continued to come out thick and fast; my date’s wagyu gyoza (£23) benefitted from an almost drinkable sweet soy sauce, sat on a bed of heavenly kabocha purée. These perfectly grooved parcels were full to the brim with succulent (and very indulgent) meat, and quite frankly, he couldn’t get enough. Finally, our seaweed salad (£14) delivered on its promise of being a taste of the ocean. The yuzu caviar spheres burst with citrusy flavour, while the green and purple strands had contrasting crunchy yet silky textures. Also, how on earth do they make everything so pretty?

The Heron Tower Sushi Samba bar is a stunner, right?

As the rainclouds cleared, revealing even more of the London skyline, we were treated to more great cocktails that celebrated the dynamic and beautiful country of Peru in South America. My Amazonia (£21) proved to be the night’s standout tipple. From the baby blue shard of wasabi meringue to the sherbert-y pear flavours, this dainty-looking drink really packed a punch. The trio of pink flower garnishes, anchored by a sweet dab of yuzu, finished it off nicely. On the hunt for a properly quirky (and delicious) cocktail? Try the Lord Of Miracles (£18). Best described as a boozy milkshake mixed with Parma Violets, this unusual quaff was served in a short glass, blending Thai basil pisco, a red wine aperitif and ube milk. The concoction slid down our throats like satin; a fab showstopper that closed our evening in style. 

The DesignMyNight Digest 

After starting out in New York around the late 90s, SUSHISAMBA Heron Tower opened in 2012, closely followed by Duck & Waffle above. The new SAMBA ROOM takes things to the next level (literally) by proving to be a glossy affair that wasn’t all front. The cocktails were incredible, panoramas unrivalled and we’d love to return at night to see the space lit up in all its golden glory. Our advice? Maybe order a couple more dishes to not only feel fuller but to also try more of the mouthwatering, globe-trotting fare.  

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