Flair and fusion meet style and tradition at London’s renowned celebrity hotspot, Sushi Samba, with their Covent Garden location introducing an Afternoon Tea menu.
If you live in or have visited London, you’ll know of Sushi Samba. Perhaps you’ll have even heard of Sushi Samba if you’re from anywhere in the UK. In fact, unless you happen to be a hermit crab, we’re pretty sure you’ll have heard of Sushi Samba – the restaurant bearing such global repute for serving it’s unique blend of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisine in it’s famous stylishly glittering setting. You’ll understand how thrilled we were, then, to be invited to their newest location in the heart of London’s Covent Garden for the launch of their Afternoon Tea.
Opening it’s doors in 2018, Sushi Samba Covent Garden has become a mainstay for diners looking to add a little chicness to their afternoon or evenings, enjoying Sushi and cocktails housed inside one of London’s oldest landmarks, the famous Covent Garden market. Up on the top floor, we were visually awestruck as we gazed up at the greenery and glitter delightfully dangling from the glass ceiling, which absorbed some of the equally delighted chatter floating up from the diners and drinkers below. After being seated at a teal velvet banquette, we had to spin our heads and double-take at some of the other tables: Sushi Samba is a known celebrity haunt, and in the heart of London’s theatreland, we wondered who we might be sat next to!
Sushi Samba’s stylistics were on point as expected – the tea setting was formed of a dappled teal green china, offset by the starburst orange Sushi Samba branded napkin holder and menu. A smart hostess offered a choice between brut and the rose champagne, from which we chose the former, but we could see that the rose must have been yummy, as many table around us were happily sipping away on some lovely pink fizzes. There’s a small selection of teas here at Sushi Samba, as the location is perhaps best known for it’s more potent beverages instead of their teas, however we did enjoy a Chocolate Noir and an Earl Grey variety, both of which were very pleasing.
Dainty sandwiches were off the menu at Sushi Samba – they’re not so traditional in Peruvian, Brazilian, or Japanese cuisine it seemed! Instead, we were treated to a chunky wagyu beef katsu Slider with truffle mayo, sesame seared tuna which just melted in the mouth, and our personal favourite, the playful Peruvian lobster taquito! Our younger guest enjoyed the veggie tempura and ‘tiger’ crab maki, which was fun and kid friendly as she could eat with her hands and try her luck with the chopsticks. Sushi Samba isn’t known for being a place for children, but a family wanting to make a day of being in Covent Garden, perhaps for Dad or Mum’s birthday, would enjoy a trip here, as high chairs are available and a live DJ kept little ears entertained.
Something arrived at the table wrapped in a smart white napkin jacket… and to our surprise and delight, it’s our scones, not Sushi! The clotted cream and yummy strawberry jam went down an absolute treat – the chefs at Sushi Samba had obviously come to the conclusion to just stick with the classics for this part of the high tea and we were not disappointed in the least. They’d chosen to exercise their flair and imagination on the other sweets on the tray!
We had not seen Pandan (a coconut based jam) on a high tea menu since a visit to Asia, it’s inclusion in the custard tart felt inspired, paired with a chocolate cream puff with caramalised banana that just felt downright naughty. Tradition met modernity in the form of the mandarin and yuzu battenburg, which we felt was the highlight of the sweet courses.
Sushi Samba Covent Garden is so well located for an afternoon tea. The tea is served from 2pm-5pm, making it ideal for those wanting to continue the day wandering the streets shopping, seeing theatre or ballet, at a museum, or simply those wishing to serenade the early evening with a few more cocktails at their bar.
Sushi Samba Signature Afternoon Tea Menu:
Savoury:
- Wagyu katsu slider – heritage carrot slaw, truffle mayo | *veg option available
- Crispy lobster taquitos – avocado, pickled shallots
- Sesame seared tuna – oscietra caviar
- Gunkan – salmon avocado, miso glaze
yellowtail jalapeño, aji amarillo, truffle - Tiger maki – crabmeat, tiger prawn tempura, wasabi mayo, beetroot yogurt, eel sauce
- Vegetable tempura – spiced soy, shichimi togarashi
Sweet:
- Scones – seasonal fruit jam, clotted cream
- Pandan custard tart – meringue, amarena cherry
- Chocolate cream puffs – caramelized banana
- The Battenberg – yuzu, mandarin, marzipan
Afternoon Tea London – find more experiences
in our High Tea Venue Directory
