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| - Unbelievably good food. I heard about Samba years back and since then have had several recommendations from friends that it was a place I had to go to. I wish I had listened to them sooner because this place could arguably be the best restaurant I've ever been to in my life (and I've been to far too many).
We called in to make reservations on Saturday night, but unfortunately found out that they were booked up until an hour later than we originally planned. That gives you an indicator of its popularity on weekends, but it was well worth the wait. When you walk in, you're greeted by the Cabana Room, which I'd also recommend although more for the casual bar night where you want to relax with a few friends in upscale atmosphere.
You'll then proceed up to the second level where they provide a free coat check service and seat you in their nice restaurant. The environment will surely put you in the mood as you take in the aroma of grilled meats, the reddish-yellow candlelight, and the closed-off curtains on the windows. Your server then gives you a wooden hourglass with a red indicator on one end and a green indicator on the other. Basically, flip it green-side up and you're advertising that you're hungry, red-side up means you need a break (my group thought it'd be nice to have a triangle with a third side for I can't breathe because I'm so full).
By the time we got done with all the pleasantries, I was starving (I had only eaten one thing that day) so I was a little disappointed when a guy came by with a giant skewer of top sirloin and only gave each one of our party one small piece of meat. I soon learned though that there was no way I'd go hungry as they kept bringing out round after round of different meats - 8 total, ranging from chicken, parmesan pork, asian steak, flank steak, ribeye, top sirloin, sausage, and lamb. And they don't bring each one out just once, they KEEP bringing them for as long as the place is open. I'm normally not a huge fan of all-you-can-eats, but this is the most delicious meat I have ever had and I can only imagine what the real-deal is like in Brazil. All four of the people in my party were extremely satisfied and easily thought that we got our money's worth. Even girls that were with me that normally wouldn't eat a lot were chowing down as you just couldn't say no to this food.
But wait, it gets better. They have an incredible salad bar and hot food line as well. Often, we'd turn our hourglass over to red to take a break, but then march over to the bar where they had more choices than I've ever seen at any other one before. There were at least 2-3 types of potato salad, plenty of leafy greens, nuts, berries, exotic choices like maracan almonds, etc etc. The hot food line had delicious mashed potatoes, cuban black beans, and a tasty broth. Honestly, it's a shame that these sides and salads are at Samba because anywhere else they'd probably suffice for an excellent meal on their own. Regardless, you will end up trying some if you can fit it in between the rush of meats.
Lastly, there's entertainment involved too. The servers bring all the beef over on giant skewers that look just like what greek gyro places use for cooking up their daily loads and you have to use a grabber device to take your meat to your plate as they slice down with a knife. Make sure to have a good grip though; I didn't see one of the guys cutting mine in time and got a little splash on my dress shirt. Thankfully, this place is pro, so they came out with club soda and a portable stick of oxy clean to help get the stains out. Your servers will also be dressed in comical costumes; usually a park ranger hat with khaki oufits and funny-looking pants. Towards the end of the night, we witnessed some people roll/fall down the stairs from the third floor (they got up and were laughing so nobody was hurt) which definitely capped the night off.
Overall, I can't do this place justice with some words in a paragraph box. Samba is SO GOOD, and if you can put aside your quibbles in regards to the cost, you will surely not be disappointed in the least. Budget well, $45-60 a person (you'll probably want drinks, etc), and have a good time.
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