Asia Pacific’s First SUSHISAMBA Opens in Singapore

Asia Pacific’s First SUSHISAMBA Opens in Singapore

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on July 21, 2024

July 18, 2024, marks the grand opening of Asia Pacific's first SUSHISAMBA in Singapore, located on the 52nd floor of Capital Tower in the bustling Central Business District. This new venue promises a unique dining and entertainment experience with its blend of Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian cultures and cuisines, complemented by stunning 360-degree views of the city and sea.

SUSHISAMBA Singapore is managed by Sunset Hospitality Group, a leading lifestyle hospitality company with over 80 venues in 22 countries. Their portfolio includes METT Hotels & Resorts, Aura Skypool, MOTT 32, Azure Beach, SUSHISAMBA Dubai, and more.

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“Following the great success of the iconic SUSHISAMBA Dubai, we are very excited for this new chapter in bringing the acclaimed brand to Singapore. Taking this exceptional dining experience to Singapore after its success in Dubai is a natural expansion for Sunset Hospitality, signifying the Group’s rapidly growing portfolio and innovation.”

Antonio Gonzalez, Chairman and Group CEO of Sunset Hospitality Group. 

“We are thrilled to bring the spirit of samba to Singapore, which marks our foray into the dynamic Asia Pacific region. SUSHISAMBA Singapore is a landmark addition to our portfolio, taking pride of place alongside other iconic SUSHISAMBA locations around the world.”

James Burton, Vice-President of Asia for Sunset Hospitality Group

The restaurant's design, crafted by KokaiStudios, features floor-to-ceiling windows that offer breathtaking views, and a spectacular 3D printed bamboo installation made from 9,000 pieces. The 12,000-square-foot space includes lush greenery, plush booth seating, and a theatre kitchen with a robata counter, charcoal grill, Josper oven, and a sushi counter showcasing Tsukiji Seafood Market offerings.

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Left: James Burton, Vice-President of Asia for Sunset Hospitality Group; Right: Chef Kyung Soo Moon, Group Culinary Director, SUSHISAMBA

Diners can enjoy a vibrant menu of Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian dishes, including colorful sushi rolls, sashimi platters, refreshing ceviches, and charcoal-grilled anticuchos. The culinary direction is led by Chef Kyung Soo Moon and Executive Chef Paul Hallett.

“At SUSHISAMBA, we are more about ‘fun dining’ than fine dining. Our aim is to create shared experiences, which is why our menu is designed to be savoured among friends and loved ones. The flavours in our dishes are just as memorable as the vibrant presentations and the beautiful surroundings in which they are served. We present a harmony of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian influences, each true to its own essence, yet complementing one other in its own special way.”

Chef Kyung Soo Moon, Group Culinary Director, SUSHISAMBA

The dining experience is further enhanced by innovative cocktails crafted by renowned Italian mixologist Giancarlo Mancino. SUSHISAMBA’s cocktail and mocktail repertoire features premium spirits from Japan and South America, alongside Mancino’s exclusive labels.

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The venue offers a lively atmosphere with a blend of Afro House, Brazilian, and Latin music, and an engaging service team. SUSHISAMBA’s iconic Samba dancers and percussionists bring the energy of Carnaval to life.

For a more exclusive experience, the SAMBA Room on the mezzanine floor provides a secluded setting for guests and private events. Additionally, three private dining rooms, each reflecting the aesthetics of Japan, Brazil, and Peru, are available for a more intimate dining experience.

SUSHISAMBA Singapore will begin serving dinner from 18 July and lunch from 2 September.

For more information, visit sushisamba.com.

Images: Copyright ©SUSHISAMBA.


The House of Makeba Sets Sights on National Expansion with Rs 45 Crore Investment Plan

The House of Makeba Sets Sights on National Expansion with Rs 45 Crore Investment Plan

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 6, 2025

Ahmedabad’s homegrown vegetarian restaurant chain, The House of Makeba, is preparing for a significant leap beyond Gujarat. Founded in 2018, this bootstrapped startup—known for its north Indian and global cuisines—has already crossed Rs 125 crore in cumulative revenue, scaling from Rs 1.2 crore in FY 2018-19 to an estimated Rs 24 crore in FY 2024-25, all without external funding.

“With every outlet and milestone built organically through belief, discipline, and reinvestment, we’ve focused on profitability over chasing valuations. We’re proud to have scaled sustainably in a fiercely competitive market,” said Ram Singhal, co-founder, The House of Makeba.

Today, the brand operates seven outlets across Gujarat, serving over 12 lakh diners, with nearly one in three being repeat customers. Its distinctive rooftop dining concept and regional-first strategy have helped it carve a niche in India’s crowded vegetarian F&B space.

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The House of Makeba follows a hybrid model, blending company-owned flagship locations with carefully chosen franchise partnerships in cities like Gandhinagar, Vadodara, and Anand. This scalable approach is now set to drive its national rollout, with plans to enter five new states by 2026, targeting markets such as Indore, Jaipur, Udaipur, Mumbai, and Pune.

To power this growth, the company plans to invest Rs 45 crore by 2028, potentially scaling to Rs 60 crore by 2030. It aims to have 20 outlets operational by 2028 and 25 by 2030, emerging as a premium, homegrown alternative to legacy vegetarian dining giants.


L’Opera Unveils Le Cafe at The Chanakya, Bringing Parisian Elegance to Delhi

L’Opera Unveils Le Cafe at The Chanakya, Bringing Parisian Elegance to Delhi

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 6, 2025

L’Opera has unveiled its latest culinary gem—Le Cafe at The Chanakya, New Delhi—marking a refined new chapter in the brand’s journey. Nestled within Le Gourmet, Le Cafe is a thoughtfully crafted space that blends the everyday charm of Parisian cafes with the luxury shopping destination’s elegance, inviting guests to pause, savour, and enjoy an elevated French dining experience.

Rooted in L’Opera’s hallmark dedication to authenticity and craft, Le Cafe adds a fresh layer of warmth and versatility to the brand’s expanding portfolio. It captures the quiet joys of French living—from the scent of freshly baked baguettes to the delicate flakiness of croissants—transforming each visit into a sensory retreat.

Speaking on the launch, Laurent Samandari, Founder & Managing Director of L’Opera, shared, “With Le Cafe, we wanted to create a space where every detail from the aroma of fresh bread to the last spoon of risotto reminds you of the quiet pleasures of French living. It’s our way of bringing a little Paris to your daily life.”

The new cafe is anchored by four elegantly designed counters, each offering a distinct experience:

  • The Pastry & Bread Counter, showcasing signature L’Opera delicacies.

  • A Live Kitchen for freshly prepared classics.

  • A Salad & Sandwich Bar blending fresh flavours.

  • An Artisanal Pasta Counter celebrating European culinary traditions.

The menu itself is a sophisticated balance of comfort and creativity, carefully curated to suit every mood and moment. True to L’Opera’s ethos, there’s an emphasis on premium ingredients, mindful preparation, and catering to diverse dietary preferences, including vegetarian, gluten-free, and protein-rich options—often featuring fresh, organic, and locally sourced produce.

Whether shoppers stop by for a quick pastry or linger over a leisurely meal, Le Cafe seamlessly adapts, offering both refined takeaways and leisurely sit-down experiences. With this launch, L’Opera continues to infuse Delhi’s culinary landscape with authentic French finesse, turning everyday moments into delightful rituals.


FES Cafe Raises Rs 3 Crores in Seed Funding from Aakash Anand and Wolfpack Labs to Scale India's First 100% Eggless Dessert Cafe Chain

FES Cafe Raises Rs 3 Crores in Seed Funding from Aakash Anand and Wolfpack Labs to Scale India's First 100% Eggless Dessert Cafe Chain

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 5, 2025

India’s dessert scene just got a major upgrade as FES Cafe, the country’s first scalable 100% eggless, dessert-first cafe chain, raised Rs 3 crores in a seed round led by serial entrepreneur Aakash Anand and his venture studio, Wolfpack Labs. Known for backing breakout consumer brands, Wolfpack’s involvement brings not just capital but deep strategic support across innovation, franchising, operations, and brand-building.

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With this backing, FES is gearing up for its next phase of aggressive expansion, beginning with its Delhi debut this July, followed by a second outlet in Gurgaon and a Jaipur launch by year-end. The brand plans to scale to over 100 outlets across Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities by FY 2027 through a hybrid COCO and FICO model, along with delivery-first hubs and packaged dessert formats to broaden its footprint. Since its inception, FES has carved a niche with its gooey cookies, whipped puddings, alt-ingredient cakes, and seasonal desserts served in vibrant, Gen Z- and Millennial-friendly third spaces. 

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Signature experiences like Coffee Raves and limited-edition menus keep their ever-growing community hooked. In just four months, FES achieved EBITDA-positive status at the company level, saw a 347% spike in delivery revenue, and recorded over 10,000 monthly orders as of June 2025.

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“FES was born out of one belief: desserts deserve better,” says Vidur Mayor, Founder & CEO of FES Cafe.

“With Wolfpack’s backing, we’re building not just a cafe chain, but a national movement powered by community and creativity.” Aakash Anand added, “FES has all the right ingredients—buzz, brand love, business smarts, and a founder with the hustle to go big.”

With a vision that blends indulgence and inclusivity, FES is well on its way to becoming India’s Central Perk of desserts—personal, powerful, and primed for scale.

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