THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Samba Room

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Samba Room Restaurant Review:

On busy “restaurant row” on Sand Lake Road, this eatery has a retro supper club ambience, a sort of Desi Arnaz-meets-South Beach appeal. A beautiful bar curves just inside the front door, the perfect place to flirt over a mojito or sangría. Tables spill out onto a small patio overlooking a lake, conjuring up moonlit island nights. Behind gauzy curtains, a cigar lounge, outfitted with comfortable chairs and couches, is a fine place to linger after dinner. Samba Room, however, is not the place for meaningful conversation---the place is loud and fun. If you're there for the food, the menu offers an intense fusion of flavors. Tapas range from chicken lollipops with blue cheese fondue and guava barbecue sauce to lamb meatballs with tzatziki and truffled tater tots with rosemary aïoli. Larger plates include paella, Florida grouper with lobster succotash and a grilled filet mignon with Cabernet butter. Skip the American coffee and order a press pot of strong black Brazilian or a shot of Cuban coffee.