SushiSamba: Edinburgh St James Quarter confirm newest restaurant partner

Upmarket fusion restaurant SushiSamba is the latest business to join Edinburgh’s St James development, according to owners.

The restaurant chain, which describes its menu as “a unique blend of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian culture and cuisine,” will occupy the rooftop levels of the 244-bedroom W Edinburgh hotel, when it opens in 2022.

The news comes after bosses announced the official name of the £1 billion development would change to “St James Quarter”, earlier this month.

Omar Gutierrez, Chief Operating Officer of SushiSamba, said Edinburgh was a “natural fit” for the restaurant chain’s brand, praising the Capital's “international appeal”.

“We look forward to unveiling our cutting-edge plans and are honoured to join the growing list of pedigree brands that make up St James Quarters’ iconic estate,” he added.

Commenting on the news, Ed Webb, Director of Development Management at St James Quarter, said: “From the start, we’ve focused on ensuring St James Quarter attracts world-leading brands and securing SushiSamba for the rooftop of W Edinburgh matches this ambition.

The SushiSamba brand and offer is a perfect fit for our vision and is a fantastic addition to the existing food line-up at St James Quarter.”

“SushiSamba will bring a new level of energy and excitement to Edinburgh, showcasing a joint vision and innovative concepts not yet seen in the Scottish capital.”

“Everyone is in the same boat”

Coronavirus has delayed the completion of the project by some six months, according to developers, who put the financial cost of the setback somewhere in the “many millions of pounds”.

The shops in the project were due to open in October but because of Covid are now expected to welcome customers soon after Easter 2021. All the other parts of the development are also due to open next year apart from the W hotel, which is scheduled for 2022.

Martin Perry, director of development for the project told the Evening News: “There are some additional construction costs, and if you delay a project of this sort for six months you’ve lost six months’ worth of income from rents, etc, lost six months of turnover and you have to pay your whole team’s salaries for an extra six months - but everyone is in the same boat.”

SushiSamba, which has outlets in London, Las Vegas, and Dubai, joins an illustrious list of businesses that have agreed to operate in the St James Quarter, including Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Zara, Pandora, and Russell & Bromley.

Developers have also touted the first phase of 24 luxury apartments at the “New Eidyn” complex that are now on sale.

The apartments, which start at £350,000 and feature floor-to-ceiling windows, are expected to attract buyers from Edinburgh, as well as across the UK and internationally.

New owners can expect to enjoy underground parking in St James Quarter, ground floor reception and concierge, 24-hour security and membership rights to the W Edinburgh hotel’s gym.

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