db drinks: Zuma, Knightsbridge

the drinks business checks out Zuma in Knightsbridge, a stalwart of London’s hip bar scene which was wooing celebrities long before Chiltern Firehouse came on the scene.

The concept: Contemporary Japanese bar and restaurant Zuma opened its doors in London’s swanky Knightsbridge in 2002. Since then it has expanded throughout the world opening a further 10 venues, most recently in Rome at the iconic palazzo Fendi, with an eleventh due to open later this year in Las Vegas. Its laid back eastern charm and casual approach to dining has long been a hit with celebrities, with Lewis Hamilton, Nicole Scherzinger and Lady Gaga among its high-profile clientele.

The décor: Inspired by the four elements: earth, fire, water and air, Zuma’s interior was envisioned by Japanese design company “Super Potato”. Zuma’s warmly lit wooden interiors, cosy seated booths, private chef’s table and open plan dining area are inviting. While busy, it’s far from cramped. Limited stools are available at its bar, which benefits from an extended lounge seating area furnished with leather armchairs. Zuma operates a two-hour time limit on tables.

The cocktails: Zuma’s Chanoyu cocktail menu takes inspiration from a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, with each serve infused with a different tea sourced from around the world. Sake and Yuzu feature heavily on its very Japanese list. Cocktails start from £12.50.

Signature sip: One of db’s favourite serves was Wild (or Yasei) – a blend of bulleit rye whiskey, wild cherry tea syrup, fresh lemon juice and “Aphrodite’s essence”. The Strawberry Mango (Ichigomango) was also a hit, comprising flor de caña grand reserve 7–year-old rum, strawberry and mango tea syrup, fresh lime juice and Champagne.

The food: Zuma’s menu offers contemporary Japanese dishes in the “izakaya” style, which means they are generally intended to be shared. Its culinary offer comes from three components; the main kitchen, the Sushi Bar and the Robata Grill. Expect soft shell spider crab sushi, sashimi and California maki with crab and avocado alongside signature dishes such as tsubu-miso gako hinadori no oven yaki (barley miso marinated baby chicken, oven roasted on cedar wood) and karei no kara age (crispy fried sole with spicy ponzu sauce and green onions). The bar menu is smaller in its range but includes a good range of bitesize snacks.

Who to know: Zuma’s founder, chef Rainer Becker, who was the first to introduce a sake sommelier to Europe. As such, Zuma serves 40 different varieties including his own Biwa no Choju, which is brewed exclusively for Zuma from the waters of Lake Biwa in the Shiga prefecture.

Don’t leave without: Trying the chocolate caramel fondant dessert – like a Lindt chocolate truffle melting in your mouth.

Zuma, 5 Raphael St, London SW7 1DL

Zuma’s Robata Grill

Click through for a taste of Zuma’s Chanoyo tea-inspired cocktail menu…

Vanilla and Chai (Banirachai)

Bringing a touch of the orient to central London, Vanilla and Chai is a blend of Koniks Tail vodka, chai tea essence, vanilla liqueur and Zuma lemon cordial topped with Prosecco.

Nonconformity (Futekigo)

Pretty in pink, the delicate Nonconformity is made from a blend of Ocho Blanco Tequila, Oolong tea syrup, dandelion and burdock sherbet with fresh lime juice, orange and mandarin bitters.

Creamy Berry (Kurimina)

Creamy Berry is a blend of Zacapa 23 year rum, mixed berry tea syrup, fresh lemon juice, egg whites and chocolate bitters.

Honey (Hachimitsu)

Using the latest wonder powder, bee pollen, Honey really does live up to its name. This long cocktail is made from Johnny Walker Gold Scotch whisky, Zuidam honey whisky liqueur, green lemon tea, Zuma lemon cordial and pineapple puree. It’s topped off with a sprinkling of bee pollen.

Frozen Sweets (Korigash)

Frozen Sweets is a blend of Francoise Voyer Cognac, rhubarb and custard tea sherbet with yuzu sake and cherry bitters.