SumoSam Olympia Grand Launch: Big and Better Buffet in the Heart of Makati

Wazzup Pilipinas!

It's time for the ceremonial cutting of the Maki by SumoSam co-owner Marvin Agustin to signify the official launch of the newest SumoSam branch. The event was witnessed by the media and guests a few nights ago.

I got an invite to witness this somewhat "historical" event that formally launched one of the newest branch of SumoSam Restaurant that's a lot different from the previous branches. It's that Japanese restaurant owned by three partners namely Marvin Agustin, Ricky Laudico, and Raymund Magdaluyo.

SumoSam Olympia located at the lower ground floor of the Somerset Building (just right beside the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati) offers a buffet style unlike the other SumoSam branches. For only Php 499 per person, you can get to try a variety of delectable dishes and delicacies done best at SumoSam. They also offer breakfast from 6am to 10am and happy hours menu .

They are also open 24 hours a day and is actually the biggest and the most elegant Sumosam restaurant in the Metro, in the heart of the Makati commercial and business district. The place is very ideal for private meetings, special functions, and corporate events.

Interview with SumoSam Marketing Director, Miguel De La Rosa

Ceremonial Cutting of the Maki by co-owner Marvin Agustin 

Interview with Chef Nikki Part 1

Interview with Chef Nikki Part 2 

Interview with Guests

Press Conference with Marvin Agustin

SumoSam Olympia Buffet

They have an impressive menu that boasts of authentic Japanese cuisines that Filipinos would surely love. Many of the dishes are available also at their other branches but they've also introduced new dishes that are currently only available at SumoSam Olympia.

They offer FREE valet parking for those coming in with their vehicles, and FREE WI-FI for their guest to keep being connected and online. They also accept delivery by just dialing 2121212.

During the press conference, Marvin also announced that there would be an upcoming project capitalizing on the buffet style of offering. That is something many would surely watch out for.

I've read somewhere from another blog about a certain history of the name SumoSam that goes like this: "According to legend, Sam was an American baby who somehow ended up under the care of sumo wrestlers and thus grew up to be like his adoptive fathers as well as a champion for good. In fact, one of his deeds led him to rescue a beautiful maiden who repaid his valiance with the same mouthwatering delights you can now enjoy at the restaurant named after the sumo-wrestling hero."

But I guess that was just a fictional story as Marvin revealed that the name SumoSam was taken from the name of a friend who suggested to use Sumo based from sumo wrestlers which are known icons of Japan. The idea came when they were struggling to come up with a name to their approved Japanese dining concept, and at that moment they were watching a sumo wrestling event on TV.

Regardless of the origins, they capitalize on the idea and made SumoSam as it is right now. Continuously getting bigger and better, just like their tag line of "Big is Better".

The location of SumoSam Olympia is at the former Roboto restaurant, which was also the former RJ Bistro restaurant. It is housed at the Somerset building

A priest was invited to do the blessing for the restaurant. He went to every room within the restaurant, and even blessed the uniquely designed rest room adorned with silver decors (this you've got to see when you visit the place), and even blessed the sound system area.

Candles were given to each guest to be lit during the blessing ceremonies.

They used chocolate coins as their giveaway coins. I'm not really sure if its OK to have it that way and not use real coins. But I got myself a few out of picking them up from the floors.

 
Plenty of guests from the media, including highly influential bloggers, were invited to witness the grand launch and formal blessing of the branch. This was originally scheduled on an earlier date, but for unknown reasons it was rescheduled last April 12 instead.

The guests were treated with great food at the buffet, plus some prizes to whoever will be able to answer questions in their Q&A portions during the event.

While some won twice, I somehow got so lucky I won four times. Wow! Very smart, huh!

Nah! it was pure coincidence I know some of the facts because it was my second time to attend a SumoSam event.

I saw a lot of familiar faces from both media and blogging community....and everyone out there was friendly and polite, especially Miguel "Migs" De La Rosa, the Marketing Director of SumoSam who greeted and entertained everyone. He also kept the event lively by providing humor and lots of complimentary prizes to the guests.

 

  

Just some of the people behind the SumoSam group of restaurant. I think all of them are from the Marketing department.

Our hosts for that evening, though a little shy, they'll soon outgrow it because I'm pretty sure SumoSam will be opening more branches soon which will be an opportunity for them to make up for that night.

Plus their guest performer for the night who gave the guests a few serenades.

Marvin Agustin officially opened the restaurant by making the ceremonial cutting of the longest Maki I've ever seen. He carefully sliced the Maki into smaler pieces and placed them into some Maki plates to be distributed later to the guests.

 

I fortunately got a hold of one and the joke that night was this Maki should sell at a higher value, like Php 499 per piece, because it was personally touched by Marvin Agustin himself.

The foods available at the Buffet area are the following (missed the sushi and other "fresh" offerings as they seem to be among the first to quickly disappear from the buffet):

 

 

  

 

There were several wines on display but we only got served with red or green tea, plus a cocktail that were given to just a few of us. I gave mine to a friend since I'm already full for the night.

I took the liberty of touring myself inside the restaurant with its elaborate and elegant designs and decors. The feel is no longer similar to other SumoSam Restaurants as it is more similar to other events venue that normally is active at nigh time.

This branch caters to both day and night walkers. If you want great food, and a great venue to hold your events, or just a simple meetup with a few friends, then later decide to hang out for a few more hours, the 24/7 venue is the ideal place to unwind after a hard day at work.

 

The flooring is awesome! Stones under see thru fiber glass with LED lights to boot! It is really a sensational sight to set the mood!

 

 

 

 

Did I already mention the rest room- all "silvery"- a truly "kakaiba" sight that you should see for yourself!

You not only get satisfaction over eating sumptuous food from the buffet area, you'll also enjoy your stay at the bathroom! What an experience!

To find out more About SumoSam Olympia, check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sumosamolympia

Lower Ground Floor, Somerset Building Makati Avenue corner Sto.Tomas St. Urdaneta, Makati