"Cyprus’ dining culture is accustomed to moving comfortably between tradition, on the one hand, and cosmopolitan influences, on the other, as people who live and work in Nicosia frequently travel around the world, from Tokyo and London to Dubai. The combination of Asia and the Mediterranean, therefore, is not unfamiliar to them; it is simply an extension of the culinary experiences they already enjoy," suggests the General Mnager of Sumosan Cyprus, a Japanese restaurant whic recetly opnened its doors to the public inside the Landmark Hotel in Nicosia.
Sumosan Cyprus, which has a presence in leading international destinations, chose Nicosia and, more specifically, The Landmark Nicosia for the next chapter of its development, bringing with it a hospitality philosophy based on consistency, quality and experience.
In an interview with the online edition of Xenodochos magazine — August issue — Christos Bouritis, General Manager of Sumosan Cyprus, discusses the challenge of establishing an international brand in the Cypriot market, building a team that upholds Sumosan’s standards on a daily basis, and the importance of authentic hospitality in a market where a personal relationship with the guest holds particular value. He also explains how Nicosia can strengthen its position as a gastronomic destination and why, for an international brand, true success is measured by whether guests choose to return again and again.
Sumosan is already a leading presence on the restaurant scenes of major destinations such as London, Dubai and Berlin. What were the main challenges, as well as the opportunities, that arose from bringing this global brand to Cyprus and, more specifically, to Nicosia?
Certainly, one of the main challenges was to convey the essence of the brand — a brand with a clear global identity — without compromising it, so that guests could experience the authentic Sumosan experience every time they visit, rather than a local version of it. After all, as an international brand, we knew that we would be judged more strictly, with very little room for error on our part.
At the same time, this opening presented an important opportunity: to build a team from the ground up that could meet our high standards from day one and introduce the local public to a level and style of service they had not previously been accustomed to enjoying. This team is also what can establish Sumosan Cyprus as a destination in its own right — one worth travelling to. In other words, whereas people may previously have had to travel as far as Limassol to enjoy the experience of an international brand, we now hope that Sumosan Cyprus will bring them to Nicosia.
The space combines Asian tranquillity with Mediterranean references. Is the local public ready to embrace such a modern combination?
Cyprus’ dining culture is accustomed to moving comfortably between tradition, on the one hand, and cosmopolitan influences, on the other, as people who live and work in Nicosia frequently travel around the world, from Tokyo and London to Dubai. The combination of Asia and the Mediterranean, therefore, is not unfamiliar to them; it is simply an extension of the culinary experiences they already enjoy.
And I am pleased to say that, although we are only in the first few months of operation, Nicosia’s public has already welcomed us very warmly, for which we are particularly grateful.
People in Cyprus love gastronomy as well as travelling. What new experiences have you come to offer the local public and the capital’s nightlife and dining scene?
Local guests are looking for more than just good food. At the same time, they want a distinctive space, impeccable service and the feeling that they have somewhere to go for a special occasion. And that is precisely what we offer: a complete night-out proposition, featuring a space with impeccable service, a destination bar and a restaurant suitable for business dinners, a night out with friends or a family gathering — whether it is a special occasion or simply an enjoyable get-together.
What matters to us is that our guests always feel comfortable at Sumosan, “as if they were at home”.
If you had to design the perfect dining experience for a group of businesspeople visiting the restaurant for the first time, what would you recommend?
We would certainly begin with a selection of cold and hot starters to share, to help get the conversation flowing. Perhaps the duck salad, some taquitos and the crispy rice with salmon. There are, quite honestly, so many dishes to choose from that our guests often find it difficult to limit themselves to just a few options.
From there, we would move on to one of our signature sushi selections, followed by main courses such as the Black Cod and Wagyu Sando. We would finish the dinner with a dessert to share. As for drinks, we would begin with a cocktail, continue with wine or chilled sake during the meal and finish with a digestif.
During the preparation of the space, were there any design or operational details that you had to change at the last minute?
Every new venture and every opening is a unique journey, with its own requirements and moments of creativity. What remains, however, is the moment when you open your doors and welcome your first guests, seeing your vision become reality.
Today, our focus is exclusively on the future — a future filled with distinctive dining experiences, authentic moments of hospitality and the unique, cosmopolitan atmosphere that Sumosan Cyprus aspires to offer every guest.
Every country perceives luxury differently. What is the most important “unwritten rule” of Cypriot culture that your team had to learn in order to deliver the perfect service experience to your guests?
I genuinely believe that the concept and principles of hospitality are shared across every country. However, something that certainly differs in Cyprus is that things here are more personal and less formal. Guests want to feel that you recognise them, not simply that you are serving them properly.
Our team had to learn that a warm conversation with the General Manager can be more valuable than perfectly executed but impersonal service.
Tell us a little about yourself as the head of the team. How did you decide to take on the restaurant, and what motivated you to say “yes”?
Taking on Sumosan Cyprus was a great honour for me, but also a challenge. It is an internationally recognised brand, with a strong identity, high standards of quality and a unique philosophy that combines Japanese cuisine with contemporary gastronomy.
What made me say “yes” was the opportunity to become part of this story and contribute to the further development of the brand. I was motivated by the possibility of working with an outstanding team, preserving the values that have made Sumosan a global point of reference and, at the same time, offering our guests an experience that goes beyond the food itself.
For me, Sumosan is a brand that represents excellence, consistency and hospitality at an international level, and that is what inspires me every day.
Of course, the fact that Cyprus’ first Sumosan opened in the landmark setting of The Landmark Nicosia, Autograph Collection — a historic hotel that, thanks to MHV, the group to which The Landmark Nicosia belongs, aspires to once again become a point of reference for life in the capital — is itself a source of inspiration for all of us.
Personally, what would you like Sumosan Cyprus’ impact on Cyprus’ restaurant scene to be, say, one year from now?
I would like Sumosan Cyprus to become the point of reference to which local people bring their guests when they want to impress them with the image of their city. I do not want it to be simply a restaurant that people visit once for the concept or the experience, but a destination to which they return again and again.
I hope that, one year from now, we will continue to receive the same affection from the public that we are enjoying today. As I mentioned earlier, we are truly grateful for the welcome Nicosia has given us, while remaining deeply humble in the face of the trust people are showing us.
For us, success will not be measured solely by accolades or brand recognition, but primarily by whether Sumosan Cyprus manages to become part of people’s everyday lives and important moments. We want it to be the place people choose to celebrate an achievement, host a business dinner, enjoy a special evening with friends or simply experience complete hospitality.
That is our goal: to build relationships of trust and, every time, offer an experience worthy of the Sumosan name.
