London & South East

Samba meets sushi

Brazil and Japan are two cultures separated by thousands of miles and a host of differing traditions and yet at the Sushinho restaurant in London they meet on the menu.

Whilst at first seeming an odd couple, Japanese cuisine is more at home in Brazil than you might think – São Paulo is in fact home to the largest Japanese population outside of Japan. The Japanese arrived in great numbers in Brazil from the early part of the 20th Century, many destined for plantations on fixed-term contracts and with them they brought their food.

This hybrid cuisine has proved so popular that the owners of Sushinho have recently commissioned work on a second branch of the restaurant in Devonshire Square, City of London which is worth around £1million. The new restaurant is going to be housed on the basement and ground floor of a refurbished listed building. Existing brick and floorboards, encaustic tiles, oak and walnut and lime stone flooring have all been used in the project.

The first Sushinho is a 110-cover site located on Kings Road, Chelsea and has been open since 2008.

Speaking about the complex heritage of Sushinho, Co-owner Oliver Girardet, said:

“At Sushinho we serve Sao Paulo’s mix of traditional, perfectionist, linear sense of Japanese cooking and Brazil’s more laid back, indulgent philosophy. We’re not a fusion restaurant in the modern sense of the word. This fusion happened a long, long time ago.

“I just want as many people as possible to experience what I did when I visited Sao Paulo – food from a unique marriage of cultures that is just unlike any other and works incredibly well.”

The menu at Sushinho sees the Japanese and Brazilian cuisines complimenting each other, without calling for a choice between the two. A healthy cocktail, wine and spirit selection is also available to diners.

It is thought that the menu at the newly opened restaurant will evolve certain dishes as some sell more than others – whilst also offering many favourites from the original. Sushinho operates a family style service whereby all dishes are meant for sharing and are brought to the table as and when the kitchen serves them up.

The main contractor on the current project in Devonshire Square is du Boulay Contracts and the architect is Macaulay Sinclair Ltd. du Boulay Contracts has built up an enviable reputation over 35 years in the field of fitting out licensed premises – predominantly restaurants, bars, pubs and nightclubs.

On the new relationship with Macaulay Sinclair, Oliver Girardet added:

“When I first met up with Mike Sinclair, we clicked straight away. He’s clearly knowledgeable and conscientious, good at what he does and immediately knew how to develop Sushinho’s design credentials. The first drawings look amazing, I’m sure it’s going to develop into something unique.”

Maclen Property Services Ltd 

Maclen Property Services Ltd specialise in plumbing, heating, drainage and gas services within the commercial and residential markets.

They have been providing professional services for over 25 years, building up a wealth of experience and knowledge whilst working alongside many well known contractors, shopfitters and blue-chip companies.

Previous installation works have seen the company working on a variety of projects including Morrison’s Supermarket, Toni & Guy Academy, GLA Mayors Office, NHS Hospitals and a Primark Store.

They have also worked on restaurants such as Carluccios’s, Canteen and Giraffe, and have completed the plumbing to over 100 Starbucks coffee shops. They have also had some TV work, such as Big Brother and Hell’s Kitchen, and have worked on many high end residential homes.

Jason Stammers from Maclen Property Services Ltd said:

“du Boulay Contracts have contracted us to complete the full plumbing package on Sushinho including below and above ground cast-iron drainage, copper hot and cold services, gas pipework and all the sanitary ware including toilets.

“We work proactively alongside all personnel and trades on site, offering technical knowledge, a clear line of communication and a can-do approach. Where others see problems we offer solutions and this attitude helps us retain many clients.”

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Roma Publications