A FLAGSHIP restaurant for a brand-new world banqueting brand is opening in Coventry following a £1million pound refurbishment programme.
Umami World Kitchen is set to open later this month in the former COSMO Restaurant unit in Corporation Street which has remained closed since 2018.
The first-floor restaurant will be the first Umami in the UK and the building will eventually contain shop units on the ground floor and apartments on the floor above the restaurant.
The building has been completely gutted during the extensive refurbishment programme and the luxurious East meets West interior features expensive stonework, marble fittings and contrasting pale and dark timbers. The buffets are in contrasting white terrazzo with blackened steel gantries which show off the fresh produce which is cooked and prepared in front of the customers.
Diners, who will pay one price for the eat-all-you-want buffet, will be able to choose from a range of 100 different cross-cultural cuisines including Chinese, Italian, Indian and Malaysian dishes.
There are a further five sites planned across the UK for 2024 in smaller units than the chain’s sister brand COSMO while the 900 sq ft Coventry branch will be the flagship for the group.
A Umami spokesman said: “We are absolutely delighted to announce the creation of a completely new casual dining brand which will launch just in time for the all-important Christmas period.
“The last three years have been extraordinarily difficult for everyone in hospitality, but we feel that the tide is turning within the pan Asian dining scene and hope that Coventry will embrace our new offering.
“Our investment in Coventry shows how committed we are to the city and our many years of experience means that customers can expect extremely high-quality cuisine, served by well-trained staff, delivered in a luxurious environment.
“Although Umami is an entirely new brand we think COSMO customers, families and students in particular will love our offering because nowhere offers such a wide range of dishes for all tastes and ages.”
The new brand comes during an exciting year for the COSMO group – the Derby branch recently won the Buffet Restaurant of the Year award at the Food Awards England and the Best World Cuisine in the Midlands title.
Like its sister restaurant, Umami will operate from eight food theatres, where chefs cook and serve diners’ food in front of their eyes and will serve a wide range of cocktails, mocktails and bottomless soft drinks.
The restaurant is currently advertising for staff including receptionists, chefs and bartenders and potential candidates can apply now.
