Tequila & Sushi For Christmas? The SUSHISAMBA X Patrón Winter Terrace Is Open

Covent Garden is one of the most festive squares in London to get into the Christmas spirit. Speaking of spirits, if tequila is your tipple of choice, there’s a new winter terrace pop-up to add to your party plans. We visited the new SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden Winter Piazza Terrace in association with Patrón Tequila, to see if tequila plus sushi equals the perfect seasonal dining experience. 

The SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden X Patrón Tequila Winter Piazza Terrace

Sitting on the square below its glitzy Covent Garden restaurant, the new SUSHISAMBA Winter Piazza Terrace is opposite the Royal Opera House, a square pop-up bar ringed by pretty frosted Christmas trees, twinkling lights, and an eye-catching entrance archway adorned with gold and silver foliage. It treads the line between glam (like the main restaurant upstairs) and rustic, with wooden tables and chairs, fluffy seat cushions and cosy blankets to stay warm on the back of chairs. Despite the blankets, wrapping up is a must, especially if you’re visiting late in the evening or seated away from the central heaters. 

What’s On The Menu?

The terrace boasts an exclusive cocktail menu, including the Chocolate Old Fashioned made with Patrón Añejo tequila, the warming Citrus Remedy with Patrón Reposado tequila, and the comforting Jimador’s Hot Chocolate. Complementing these are SUSHISAMBA’s signature dishes on a special Terrace menu, a blend of Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian cuisines, such as crispy Crab Taquitos and Robata-grilled Ribeye Steak. It’s the perfect spot for a cosy festive lunch or impromptu afternoon cocktails.

(c) Johnny Stephens Photography

The Cocktails

Chocolate Old Fashioned 

Patrón Añejo tequila, Pineau de Charentes aperitif, Demerara, and a dash of Angostura & cocoa bitters. Stirred, served short over an ice block.

Liberación 

Patrón Silver tequila, Amaro Averna herbal liqueur, Cynar, and lime, topped with Coca-Cola. Built over ice and served long.

Citrus Remedy

Patrón Reposado tequila, citrus essence, ginger, and lemongrass-ginger tea. Served hot.

Jimador’s Hot Chocolate

Patrón Reposado tequila, chocolate-coconut cream, Demerara, topped with steamed coconut milk. Served hot.

Wintergreen

Patrón Reposado tequila, Midori, elderflower cordial, lime, and cherry blossom essence. Stirred, served up.

SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden X Patrón Tequila Winter Piazza Terrace (c) Johnny Stephens Photography

The Verdict

While you might want to book a table inside in the warm and soak up the glitz and glamour beneath the bauble-adorned ceiling for a really special dinner (where you can take off your coat), the Winter Terrace is the perfect spot for a pre-dinner drink or an impromptu bite while you’re soaking up all that a festive visit to London’s Covent Garden has to offer. The food is superlative, as you would expect from any visit to SUSHISAMBA, with the Green Bean Tempura with black truffle aioli and Samba Covent Garden Roll stand-outs that will have you planning a return visit on the cab journey home, while the Patrón special cocktails are innovative, festive and fabulous. The atmosphere is buzzy and the service is outstanding: it’s the kind of visit you find yourself trying to extend with just one more plate, one more drink, ‘oh go on then, there’s room for a pudding to share’. In a month of turkey and mulled wine menus, tequila and sushi for Christmas is just what Santa ordered: so take a seat at the bar and toast to a very merry Christmas.

BOOK

SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden, 35 The Market Building. London WC2E 8RF | Open daily from 12pm to close | Reservations: sushisamba.com or walk in.