Would you like Sushi with that Samba

While western food is lovely and who doesn’t like a good burger or roast dinner, my heart lies with what I call ethnic food - steaming hot noodles, fiery Thai curries or crisp golden borek straight from the oven.  And nothing generally upsets me more than when some white suited culinary school graduate decides that they can improve on these tastes and introduces the concept of fusion!

By all that is good in the world, why would I want chicken tikka lasagne or smoked salmon tacos or even kebab pizza?  So, I was sceptical when invited to eat at Sushi Samba – after all which Japan and Brazil are not too far geographically, they are rather different places.

So it was with trepidation that I climbed in the lift and was delivered to the 39^th floor of Heron Tower as heart-stopping break-neck speed.  Rather than stepping out into the restaurant, you go through a warren of passages before walking into the bar and then through to the dining room.

The restaurant which is trendy and decked out in chic Shoreditch with accents of Japan has a truly spectacular view – with outside terraces for when it actually gets warm enough.    The room is very light and while I visited for lunch, I would imagine at night it takes on a fairy tale quality.

Photo from weheart.co.uk

Having sat down, I started reviewing the menu and realised that they had cleverly simply introduced the best – and most complementary – dishes within each culture rather than trying to create a bizarre hybrid.   Annoyingly the waiter did try to explain the menu and while I might want help once I had chance to review it, to be faced with a barrage of information to start with was a little off putting.  However we soldiered on.

We probably over ordered but the food was utterly glorious – juicy padron peppers and chicharonn de calamari which used plantain to add sweetness to the crunchy fried goodness of the squid.  With Rock Shrimp Tempura (little sickly if you eat too much), a portion of Seabass and then assorted Samba Rolls.

Of all of them, the calamari was my favourite and the Rock Shrimp my least as it was not quite up to the exceptionally high standard of the rest of the dishes.  Would I go again?  Absolutely but it isn’t cheap so it is likely to be a treat rather than a regular occurrence.

Rock Shrimp Tempura - Photo from Adamismiles.com

Lovely food, fusion cooking which works by not being too try hard as well as a nice trendy atmosphere and a brilliant view – Sushi Samba I salute you.

Lx

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