There's a tendency to take certain liberties with unfamiliar cuisines - on the theory that on one will know better - and I think that's what's happened at Samba Room. We went there Friday night,... More

There's a tendency to take certain liberties with unfamiliar cuisines - on the theory that on one will know better - and I think that's what's happened at Samba Room. We went there Friday night, July 11th, 2008 with modest expectations. I love Cuban food but this was Denver, after all, a place even less likely than my home, Seattle, to offer anything more authentic than a passable attempt at such a niche cuisine. I've eaten a fair amount of Cuban stuff in the past and, as a chef, have made quite a bit. This stuff was nowhere on either spectrum. I ordered crispy chicken. The only thing "crisp" about it was the conversation around it. The whole thing was soggy, listless and vastly under-seasoned. The "Gringo" rice side that came with it was some jumbled, undistinguished mess of stuff that seemed stalled out between Cajun dirty rice and Spanish rice. The chicken sauce, described as a "lemon-caper garlic sauce", was wimpy and passionless and was almost overpowered by the aromas coming off the rice. My companions had a an Argentinian(?)-style skirt steak (Isn't this a ...Cuban restaurant?) with a Chimichurri sauce that tasted, basically, just like my lemon-caper garlic sauce. I suspect that, to save time, they actually ARE the same sauce, hold the capers for the Chimichurri - which is not even close to the truth for the two sauces. One of us also had the Pork Barbacoa which, to my palate, was tarted up beyond reason, with the basic cumin/ancho spices augmented with something herbal and a couple of other rather gratuitous spices that just muddied up the flavor. Any restaurant, of course, can take whatever liberties with their recipes and Lord Knows I've played fast 'n' loose with almost every recipe ever put in front of me BUT this meal didn't seem like the product of a guiding influence concerned with expanding and illuminating the experience of Cuban food. It seemed like what I used to do when I was twenty-three and just working as a full-fledged chef for the first time: being Different for the sake of being Different. And the result was a distinctly half-baked effort. This restaurant, I suspect, is like most of the other restaurants under the E-Brands umbrella: as much concerned with the sizzle as the steak...or in this case, with the wrapper as much as the fine Cuban cigar. The food tasted and felt mailed in; a half-effort merely intended to support a trendy young atmosphere and get by, rather than actually trying to put a great meal on the plate. And, you have to give them credit: the place was packed with exactly the sort of twenty-something, dressed-to-kill, upwardly-mobile young see-and-be-seens they've obviously built it for. So, maybe I just chalk it up to "my bad" for even setting foot inside a place that set off my BS detector. But, being the fan I am of Cuban food, I tried it. Lost. Expressed my disappointment to the server and maitre'd. Was offered NO compensation other than, "Well, our other guests LOVE those dishes!" That, in a nutshell, is the problem with places like Samba Room: when criticized, they argue..instead of doing what a truly great restaurant would do - try to make every guest leave happy. That's what you should expect when you're touring Denver and happen upon the Samba Room. If you're about food, DON'T. If you're young and pretty and just want to find atmosphere and other Young Pretties, dive right in. Pros: See And Be Seen (If you're into that) Cons: FOOD. atmosphere, service
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My husband and I finally got into this place for dinner and loved it! We sat upstairs in the dining room and loved the d??cor and atmosphere. It felt quaint and romantic up there and we were... More

My husband and I finally got into this place for dinner and loved it! We sat upstairs in the dining room and loved the d??cor and atmosphere. It felt quaint and romantic up there and we were immediately greeted by our server. We started with a sampler style appetizer and LOVED the teriyaki salmon. The timinig of all courses was perfect and our entrees were delicious. The service was great too and better than what we had received during crowded bar evenings there. I highly reccommend this place for dinner. It's a bit pricey but worth it for a special occasion. We would return!
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The Samba Room features one of the best atmospheres in town. The music is outstanding and the food is great. A nice place to go for a dessert and a mojito. Definitely a place to relax and have... More

The Samba Room features one of the best atmospheres in town. The music is outstanding and the food is great. A nice place to go for a dessert and a mojito. Definitely a place to relax and have fun or have a nice dinner on a date.
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I had my bachelorett party at the Samba room, and we had a lot of fun. I've also been their for after-hours drinks. I like the atmosphere a lot; it feels upscale, but you pay for that ambiance, too.... More

I had my bachelorett party at the Samba room, and we had a lot of fun. I've also been their for after-hours drinks. I like the atmosphere a lot; it feels upscale, but you pay for that ambiance, too. I enjoyed my meal, right up until the bill came!
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I love the food at this restaurant. They have great fish dishes. The atmosphere is lively but really loud if you want to have a conversation over dinner. It's a great place to stop for a mojito on... More

I love the food at this restaurant. They have great fish dishes. The atmosphere is lively but really loud if you want to have a conversation over dinner. It's a great place to stop for a mojito on your way to a quieter place for a date.
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This place has won lots of awards for their food. They call it a latin fusion but I call it great food. Beautifully spiced and prepared grilled meats and seafood all with a wonderful background of... More

This place has won lots of awards for their food. They call it a latin fusion but I call it great food. Beautifully spiced and prepared grilled meats and seafood all with a wonderful background of Latin and Brazillian music.
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I love this resturant, everyting about it was great. I have come for a romantic dinner date, and I have had a large dinner party. Both situations the food was great, the service was great, and the... More

I love this resturant, everyting about it was great. I have come for a romantic dinner date, and I have had a large dinner party. Both situations the food was great, the service was great, and the drinks are great. Best mojitos in town! Pros: Great Mojitos, Great Food, Great Serivce Cons: none
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Try the Mojitos, you won't be disappointed! If you like something a little different, samba room is for you. I love cuban food and although this is more of a south american restaurant it is... More

Try the Mojitos, you won't be disappointed! If you like something a little different, samba room is for you. I love cuban food and although this is more of a south american restaurant it is wonderful! Service was terrific and the location right off 15th near Larimer is easy to get to and close to Denver Center for Performing Arts, Larimer or a short walk to Lo Do! Pros: Drinks and Food Cons: None come to mind!
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We went to the Samba Room for dinner during Denver Restaurant Week (the $52.80 for two special). It was outstanding. We didn't have a reservation, but we came in at a slow time and were seated... More

We went to the Samba Room for dinner during Denver Restaurant Week (the $52.80 for two special). It was outstanding. We didn't have a reservation, but we came in at a slow time and were seated right away at the table of our choice (the second level is great for romantic dinners - the decor is outstanding and it's quiet). The waitress was really great and friendly, helpful with explaining the menu and helping us choose. Everything we tried was outstanding. Especially recommend the pumpkin soup. The salmon was great and so was the chicken. The plantains were something unusual but very tasty. Their sangria is great, and the desserts are also excellent. Really can only find positive things to say about this restaurant. Also loved the atmosphere and the decor - it was wonderful to sit at the table by candlelight and listen to cuban music playing in the background. Pros: Great ambience, tasty food, romantic atmosphere
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Got off of work downtown on Monday and my friend and I went to Samba Room. Little did we know but they have the best happy hour in town, 7 days a week from 4-7!! 1/2 priced mojitos, sangria, margs... More

Got off of work downtown on Monday and my friend and I went to Samba Room. Little did we know but they have the best happy hour in town, 7 days a week from 4-7!! 1/2 priced mojitos, sangria, margs and more. For sure get some of the $2 tapas (empanadas, yum...)or try the tapas sampler with alittle of everything. Great bar! Pros: Great happy hour, food awesome Cons: None that we saw
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