Sushi Samba 7
Last week I planned a dinner at Gabi Hamilton‘s place, PRUNE on the LES but the reservations they had were too late as was Minetta Tavern once again. Sushi was at the top of the list so I called up Sushi Samba 7 and made a reservation for 3 at 8:45. My best friend Alex and Jess were joining me and we couldn’t wait for it. I was supposed to have my birthday party here back in September but a friend of mine opted to throw me a bash at Woo Lae Oak in SoHo,a stellar Korean restaurant. So our mouths were watering for some Samba Sushi. We hopped a cab on broadway and drove right up to the doors where a hostess met us with our name on the list and reserved us a table atop their infamous rooftop canopy. The evening was gorgeous, a very clear warm night overlooking Seventh avenue and the West Village.
Having practically starved ourselves for this meal, there was some ordering to be done.
We ordered an apertivo for the table Otsumami: assortment of Edamame, green bean tempura and Shishito ( mini, sweet-hot pepper with sea salt) a recommended dish for a group to pick from, very delicious and light. The dipping sauce was a mayo horseradish which is always fun for tempura foods.
We each ordered a Samba 7 Roll: crispy Lobster, scallion,cucumber,celery,jalapeno with wasabi chimichurri dipping sauce. These rolls came equipped with the Claw in tempura batter as well as part of the tail and displayed very well, so between the 3 of us we had an entire lobster in our rolls.
Jess ordered a few pieces of thinly sliced Yellowtail Sashimi Seviche ginger, garlic, soy.Simply refreshing, ultra thin and filled with surface taste. Nothing like it.
Alex ordered an Avocado Roll and Spicy Tuna both classic rolls and both very common yet often made terrible, these were great. Small and not stingy on the ingredients.
I ordered as an appetizer 2 Crispy Yellowtail Taquitos: Shiso,avocado,roasted corn miso,spicy aji panca sauce I loved these, I wish I had ordered more but there was a minimum of 2 per order. Nice and bite size…and fun to eat.
On top of my Samba 7 Roll I also ordered something that really caught my eye. The BoBo Brazil Roll: seared Kobe Beef,avocado,kaiware,shiso,red onion, chimichurri ponzo. This roll took the prize that night, for the best roll and it wasn’t even fish. The kobe was so tender and layered thinly on top with a dab of ponzu. Very tasteful and presented like a true piece of art.
I ordered a piece of Fluke sushi and Salmon sushi as well, that were just right and very fresh( of course).
Some of the local in the West Village hate the Samba rooftop canopy and put together petitions to take it down, but that was over-ridden by the state. But I may have to say sitting up there enjoying a meal with great friends on a beautiful evening is something that can’t be matched. The food is spectacular and the view amazing,all you need is right up there just a few feet above seventh avenue. And for those who think that samba 7 is pretentious and overrated, take a stab at it one day with an open mind, and I am sure you will soon realize the place is truly amazing.
Sushi Samba 7
87 Seventh Ave. South, at Barrow St.
New York, NY 10014
212.691.7885
Sushisamba.com
