Last Updated on January 18, 2022

Stylish dining in Belgravia

Sumosan Twiga is not a fusion restaurant as you might expect but one where the east meets the west by colourfully pairing contemporary Japanese cuisine alongside an Italian inspired menu. Launched in 2016, it brings together the critically acclaimed Japanese restaurant Sumosan, which was founded in 1997 in Moscow by the Wolkow family and is also famed in London for its legendary Mayfair outpost, and Formula One tycoon Flavio Briatore’s glamorous Twiga brand who is renowned for his Monaco Twiga restaurant.

Sumosan Twiga is situated in London’s swanky Sloane Street, south of Harvey Nicks, nestled among the high-end designer shops in Knightsbridge. It is set over three floors with a super elegant restaurant, a mixology focused bar and a separate late-night lounge. The latter two were unfortunately closed on the night of our visit due to ongoing Covid led disruptions.

The restaurant oozes Italian charm, with its effortlessly chic and stylish interior, designed with flair by Italian architect, Michele Bonan, who is renowned for his prestigious portfolio with the luxurious hotel group, J.K. Place.

Powder white walls and ceilings, a light parquet floor, white linen table cloths, with racing green coloured chairs and banquettes, shelves adorned with coffee table books and black and white art photography hung on the walls all add to the allure. We arrived early evening and sat sipping a glass of the house champagne, Louis Roederer Collection 242 (crisp with sweet apple notes) whilst enjoying the jazzy chill-out music and watching the tables fill with a well-heeled clientele.

The innovative menu comes in two halves with both Italian and Japanese dishes, presented side-by-side with each cuisine being prepared by different chefs. The option is yours you can choose one or the other or mix and match as we did. There are Sumosan favourites such the signature lobster salad, truffle hamachi tiradito plus a wide selection of sushi, sashimi and maki from the sushi bar or from the Italian menu a choice of luscious handmade pasta, risotto, meat and seafood favourites all made with wonderfully fresh ingredients. We were brought the chefs choice after being consulted on our dietary requirements by a smartly dressed waiter.

We started Italian style with fresh and creamy burrata with juicy Datterino tomatoes and salty olives, one of those simple dishes that pleases completely. And, a bowl of velvety avocado with a restrained spike of chilli, which the waiter smashed at the table, it was served with crunchy homemade corn crisps ideal for dipping,

We didn’t stick to an Italian wine but instead drank a crisp Spanish, Lebranzas Albariño with peach and pear notes and a zesty grapefruit palate, perfect pairing for our meal.

Next, time to pick up the chopsticks to enjoy a sublime dish of lightly seared melt in the mouth salmon with a light lime and miso dressing, and some beautifully presented, plates of mouth-watering Maki rolls, buba, seabass with jalapeno and cucumber and spicy tuna with mayo, both given a kick by wasabi tobiko.

Then back to the Mediterranean for a truly delicious ricotta ravioli, cooked al dente with shavings of truffle, bathed in a luscious glistening butter sauce.

I couldn’t fault our next dish, a generous and meaty portion of Alaskan marinated miso black cod, sweet and flaky and full of flavour, served with a mound of tasty vegetable fried rice laced with incredibly tiny diced vegetables.

Mid-evening, a soul band quartet took the stage providing great entertainment, a fabulous gospel-influenced soul singer with a tight funky band played a set that included some wonderful Stevie Wonder soul classics. Meanwhile, our desserts arrived, they were a feast for the eyes, a magnificent looking halved pineapple, filled with fresh fruit salad, a selection of refreshing mochi in three flavours, and the piece de resistance a glorious white chocolate fondant covered with a white delicately spun sugar dome lattice, rich, gooey and indulgent, the perfect post-dinner sweetness kick.

Who would have thought that these two very different cuisines could sit so slickly cheek by jowl, but it works. Sumosan Twiga’s sophisticated luxe surroundings combined with great food and good music make for a very glamorous, old fashioned proper night out.