New ‘Brazilian-Japanese’ fusion restaurant to open on the site of Artisan in Spinningfields

A new fusion restaurant blending Japanese and Brazilian cuisines is to take over the former site of the Artisan restaurant in Spinningfields. Called Sakku Samba, the new restaurant is set to open its doors in June.

It’s being launched by restaurateur Zack Isaak, who runs the Fleur Restaurant and Bar in Leeds - dubbed ‘Leeds’ most Instagrammable restaurant’ - and Casa Peri Peri in Wakefield. He also owns the chain of Estabulo Rodizio Bar & Grill restaurants, and will be adapting that concept along with his Sakku sushi restaurant, also in Leeds, for the new venture, in a first foray in Manchester.

The restaurant will span two floors, with downstairs being a cocktail bar and upstairs a dining room with enough room for 300 diners. There are also plans for a VIP room, and two separate private dining rooms.

Situated in Avenue North in Spinningfields, the unit has laid empty for four years since Artisan closed its doors. The development was also home to the ill-feted Manchester House.

Both places, which were run by Living Ventures, shut in 2018, with the company blaming a ‘difficult trading’ at the time, as well as rising costs and high rents. Manchester House had been aiming for a Michelin star when it opened, with chef Aiden Byrne at the helm.

The new restaurant isn’t the only fusion project blending Japanese and South American styles set to open in the city. It was recently announced that Chotto Matte is set to open its first UK restaurant outside of London in 2024.

The Peruvian-Japanese concept restaurant, founded by Hakkasan and Nobu alumnus Kurt Zdesar, will take up the rooftop floor of Gary Neville’s new St Michael’s development off Deansgate. The restaurant will feature ‘open sushi counters, robata grills, table