A beacon of style, beckoning holidaymakers and staycationers into its architecturally striking corner of Brisbane, The Calile Hotel has become a hub for polished yet relaxed dining experiences – served with a side of aesthetically appeasing settings. Now, a chic Japanese restaurant from Simon Gloftis – the restaurateur behind The Calile’s in-house Greek restaurant Hellenika, SK Steak & Oyster, and soon-to-open Sunshine – is set to open its doors in March 2022.

When a venue is helmed by Gloftis, and designed by heavy-weight architect duo Richards and Spence (see The Calile, Ada Lane and Fish Lane), diners tongues are bound to wag. And Sushi Room has Brisbane restaurant-goers not only speculating about what’s going on inside the timber-clad space, but readying themselves to be first in, best dressed, with preemptive reservations even before its completion.

So, what can we expect from Sushi Room? A lot, actually.

Gloftis has appointed Head Chef Shimpei Raikuni (formerly of Kiyomi) and has connected with the best in Australian seafood suppliers, including Ocean Made, and speciality Japanese suppliers to secure the finest ingredients.

Gloftis has revealed that each fish and fillet will be handpicked before being flown in, to ensure Raikuni’s dishes present fresh, high-quality ingredients.

It’s a big call, but Gloftis insists, “There is no restaurant in Australia that will offer better seafood than us. This is something I can hang my hat on. We’ve done it for a long time, and we have those contacts in place.”

The ethos behind the offerings is to showcase the finest quality ingredients in a paired back and sophisticated fashion. It’s about simplicity and elegance. And, as Gloftis has said, no shortcuts will be made.

“We are not going to torch every piece of fish – some will need a little heat – we are not going to put a thousand cuts in every piece of sushi. Things will be done properly for what they need – not to build a flavour that doesn’t need to be added. Where there doesn’t need to be an ingredient there won’t be one,” says Gloftis.

The interiors of Sushi Room will honour Japanese tradition with stone and timber features and a minimalist approach. In an Australian first, the sushi bar’s benchtop will be crafted from hinoki (a type of Japanese cypress), which retains a natural scent that conjures images of Japanese dining spaces. A counter chest will display seafood within the benchtop, allowing diners to ready their appetites for the catch of the day.

A selection of top-notch Japanese whiskeys and sake will be poured alongside a list of French wines, chosen to match the seafood being served.

The intimate restaurant will be home to an eight-seater private dining space – and the main dining room will accommodate 60 guests, plus 14 at the sushi counter.

“Japanese just makes sense. There is a lack of high-quality traditional Japanese at this time….the space at The Calile makes sense, the timing makes sense and most importantly the offering is perfect.”

Sushi Room will open March 2022 at The Calile Hotel on James Street, Fortitude Valley.

Related restaurant news: A new vegetarian restaurant by the Hellenika team is coming to Fortitude Valley