SUSHISAMBA Coral Gables will open the doors of its highly-anticipated seventh location on May 23, 2013. Located in the Westin Colonade Hotel at 180 Aragon Avenue and part of the Samba Brands Management (SBM) successful restaurant concepts, the opening signals the arrival of SBM’s third restaurant in the region, which includes the internationally acclaimed SUSHISAMBA Miami Beach and the James Beard nominated SUGARCANE raw bar grill.
The menus at SUSHISAMBA Coral Gables are a thrilling mix of new and signature dishes with an emphasis on piquant flavors, the finest ingredients and artful presentations. The ever-evolving menu selection features items from a Robata grill (the only one in the Gables), which will deliver deliciously roasted and flavored meats, vegetables and fish, along with wood burning oven showcasing an array of dishes from whole roasted cauliflower to a to a sumptuous bone-in ribeye, in addition to a variety of Seviches and Tiraditos, Samba Rolls and numerous sharing plates. There are many enticing SUSHISAMBA classics such as the Moqueca Mista (shrimp, squid and lobster stock, coconut milk, cashew and chimichurri rice) and the El Topo® roll (with salmon, jalapeño, shiso leaf, fresh melted mozzarella and crispy onion). Other options range from Mushroom Tobanyaki (coconut milk, charred green onion, poached organic egg) to Wagyu Gyoza (with kabocha purée and su-shoyu dipping sauce). The Sushi Bar offers traditional styles as well as daily-changing contemporary options. Desserts are a piece of art in itself including among other confections, Key Lime ‘Tart’ (sugar sphere, crispy key lime, strawberry gelée, yuzu basil granite) and Chocolate Chili Peppers (Peruvian chili mousse, red pepper tuile, raspberry-red pepper sorbet, chocolate crumble) and Peach Tiradito with coconut lime sorbet, white peach tuile, and five spice.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing SUSHISAMBA to Coral Gables,” says Samba Brands Management CEO and Founder Shimon Bokovza. “It’s one of South Florida’s most historic and beautiful locations in the midst of an exciting restaurant renaissance. We’re proud to be calling Coral Gables our new home.”
For the new Coral Gables location Richard Woods, head of SBM’s cocktail & spirit development and a self-taught cocktail wünderkind, has created a list of brand new libations, including Shiso Fine – an herbaceous and citrusy vodka drink infused with Japanese shiso leaves, crème de peche and house-made red Thai basil syrup and the Kaffirinha, a creative take on the classic Caipirinha featuring Leblon Cachaca infused with Kaffir lime, as well as SUSHISAMBA signatures, the Nina Fresa® (Svedka Vodka, freshly muddled strawberries, orange liqueur, lime and guava) and the Chu-Cumber (shochu, Hendrick’s Gin, freshly squeezed lime juice, Japanese cucumber and homemade plum bitters).
In addition to the cocktails SUSHISAMBA Coral Gables will also offer a well-curated list of wines, beers, champagnes and one of one of the largest premium sake selections in Florida.
Award-winning architectural firm CetraRuddy designed the 6,500-square-ft space, complete with a lounge, and indoor and outdoor bar and alfresco dining. The main dining room seats 160, the patio 72.
SUSHISAMBA Coral Gables will be open daily for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. And, for the first time, SUSHISAMBA Coral Gables will offer a daily breakfast menu, featuring freshly baked breads, exotic juices and a batida bar among the classic offerings. As of May 23, only dinner service will be available; lunch, breakfast and weekend brunch to roll out later.
SUSHISAMBA Coral Gables is located in the Westin Colonnade Hotel at 180 Aragon Avenue in Coral Gables, Florida. Dinner served nightly beginning at 5:00 p.m. Telephone: (305) 448-4900.
SUSHISAMBA restaurants are operated by Samba Brands Management, which was founded by Shimon Bokovza, Matthew Johnson and Danielle Billera. In addition to the new Coral Gables location, SUSHISAMBA has sites in New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, Miami and London as well as SUGARCANE raw bar grill in Miami and Duck & Waffle in London. With over 13 years of experience, the company continues to expand their cutting-edge concepts. Their projects are unpredictable, their venues are impressive, and their visions
