Samba-Le

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23 Ave A
New York, NY 10009

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(212) 529-2919
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Reviews
( 51 )
( 8 )
( 3 )
( 3 )
( 8 )

Best

this is a hidden jewel in the ES. Make reservations as it gets packed quickly. Pros: food, prices, atmosphere Cons: not really

Worst

One hour and fifty-seven minutes. It was one hour and fifty-seven minutes from the time we were seated until our entrees were served. The service was so ridiculously bad that I we...

Feels like Brazilian carnival!! 2/8/2007

Just got back from Rio and wanted to feel like I was still on the Beach in Ipanema. And it worked!! Pros: atmosphere, value, salads Cons: corn, noisy at times more
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Service so bad it's funny... 2/4/2007

One hour and fifty-seven minutes. It was one hour and fifty-seven minutes from the time we were seated until our entrees were served. The service was so ridiculously bad that I went from being irritated to being amused in a very short time. Our party of seven was also seated next to the computer terminal that the waitstaff of three (three! At 8:30 on a Saturday night!) uses, so I was privy to the conversations irate customers were having with the staff. One particularly pissed-off patron was waiting for a table (our table, I beleive) and was expecting to be seated at 10:00 PM. Since our entrees weren't served until 10:27, that wasn't happening...which led to the guy getting in a fight with his girlfriend. I did hear the manager offer them a round of shots in compensation. Pros: Good location, good for groups Cons: Service is amateur at best, food just average, crowded, very noisy more
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Highly Recommended 1/29/2007

This was my first time at Samba-Le. We enjoyed ourselves very much. The inside was adorable and everything about the restaurant just fit into place. The food was delicious. I ate things that I never thought would taste good when put together but it was phenominal. My waiter was a doll and the entire staff was nothing but nice. I went with my husband and we both agreed it was money well spent. more
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GREAT FOOD AND VALUE 1/29/2007

Went there for a Sangria tasting last Wednesday and I loved it (especially their Strawberry and Mango flavors). Pros: grilled meats, sangria, decor, value Cons: cheese bread more
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LAME. PERIOD. 1/27/2007

This is what happens when an italian decides to catch onto the ""brazilian' trend just to make his lame food spot an attraction for people in search of instant coolness. 'Fusion Restaurants' are a trap. I am just back from Brazil, and I can say they have no idea about what they are serving. Food was cold, when the restaurant was empty around 7pm! Service was lame. decor was lame. food was lame. very curious it rated 9.5!? i will never go back. Pros: wood chairs and floor Cons: everything else more
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TRY IT! 1/22/2007

I love their tropical, cozy ambiance. it reallly transported me to a tropical beach (I love the lighting. Loved the food, especially their bahian fish stew and sausages). more
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I LIKE IT A LOT ACTUALLY 1/22/2007

I've been a regular of this place for a few months (I live in the area) and I feel like responding to the review below. First the music starts at 10:30-11, so if you go sooner than that you will not be able to hear the live music or to dance. Pros: authentic, value Cons: none, maybe their sausage more
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Truly disappointed for my birthday dinner... 1/20/2007

I felt compelled to write a review after having my b-day party there this past weekend. I was truly disappointed because there is no live music nor dancing -- which was one of the top reasons why we picked this place! The place was really packed and super noisy which made it difficult to hold a conversation at a normal voice level. In addition, the much recommended sangarias tasted a bit watered down. The menu selection was very limited and the entrees we ordered tasted only okay (striped bass, beef shank, short ribs). There were a few things that was good on the menu and if you had to go there you should have the sea scallops with pancetta, spicy sausage and steak. As for me, I don't think I'll go there again. Pros: sea scallops with pancetta, spicy sausage, steak Cons: no dancing, noisy, sangaria, striped bass, beef shank, short ribs more
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NEW WINTER MENU 1/6/2007

I have been going here aftewr work for drinks for a few months (they have $10 pitchers of mojito and sangria until 7pm!!) Pros: authentic, value, cozy atmosphere more
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Brazil around the corner 12/9/2006

Was attracted by the beautiful music playing (think they play live music 4-5 times/week). Really charming place with red and yellow lights and bamboo on the walls that make this place very romantic and festive (you really feel you are on some tropical beach...) Pros: price, authentic, atmosphere, many sangrias Cons: mashed yucca was only thing so-so more
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blah brazilian? 12/8/2006

Grease, no taste. Was looking to take out my Brazilian gf to a simple cute spot and was disappointed and embarrased. Tiny portions and fried everything. Blah. Pros: cute decor, sangria Cons: food, price-portion ratio more
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NEW MENU!! 12/7/2006

Became a regular of this place few months. Always enjoyed the food and atmosphere, amazing live music. They recently introduced their new fall menu, and i was very very pleased. Its definetely Brazilian. A lot of choices for everyone. I tried their b-b-que chicken with rice and it was sublime. All the menu options are very attractive yet simple enough for everyone to find something to eat. Try their meat crispy dumling as app and their roasted beef in banana leaf. Good job to the Brazilian chef Pros: good value, authentic brazilian, simple but very good menu more
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Drinks & Food - YUM! 12/1/2006

Went here on the recommendation of my Samba teacher and it was a blast. My brother and I opted for the entrees rather than the tapas, the lasagna was INCREDIBLE and we also had the ribs - which were medium rare and all meat (no bone). Both were excellent. We sat at the bar rail in front, which meant great people watching and easy access to the house homemade sangria. I recommend the white or champagne sangria - we also had the coconut, both the champagne was my favorite. A brazillian band came on later in the evening, and towards 11 or 12 people were dancing on the tables! It was easy to go there and spend the entire night, instead of running around looking for a fun bar after dinner. I will definitely go again. Pros: great location, easy to get a table, fun bar scene more
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fgfgdfg 11/24/2006

Blah Pros: good location Cons: service, weak drinks more
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Enjoyable though loud 11/19/2006

Place: good east village (almost LES) location, outdoor seating for smokers, dark colors, high ceiling, good use of lighting (amber tones), round tables for larger parties, small tables for two, bar in front and window seating. Food: Tapas mostly; sauces are good; focus on food seems second to sangria and mixed drinks both of which can be served in pitchers. The entree sizes seemed large -- relative to the small tapas. Overall, the food was well above average and seemed fresh and well presented. Service: very accommodating if not a tad bit flighty on a busy Sat night. Issue: it can be very loud in this place due to the design and use of materials, the round tables seem to encourage yelling across them, do not go here to be subtle or if you/or your date are a low-talkers. Value: very good value. Note: Latin bands play here later in the evening... so if you thought it was loud before, then this will just about preclude any conversation save being able to order 'mas sangria'. Pros: location, service, sangria pitchers Cons: loud space more
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GREAT MUSIC, GREAT FOOD, GREAT PRICES 11/5/2006

Went to Sambalee last Wed to check out their live Samba show. Highly recommended. Was lots of fun, practiced my dance moves for this years carnival, enjoyed great food at very cheap prices. Try their short ribs and rabbit entree. For drinks, they had a $10 mojito pitcher. Pros: great choices, value, live music show Cons: I live in Queens.... more
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As said before, real value brunch! 10/28/2006

We went to Samba-Le for brunch after reading the review below, and we must say that it is indeed very good. Food is excellent, portions are generous and, on top of that, you get 2 drinks and coffee/tea! For $10! We both had omelets (meat and vegetables) and we enjoyed them a lot. Pros: good food, price, ambience Cons: lack of service (at least, for brunch) more
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THE BAND IS BACK!!! 10/27/2006

Went last night to see the samba music show and had a blast!! They played for about 3hours, we danced all night and almost felt as if I was back in Rio. I believe they play almost every night. And admission is free!! Pros: Samba music, cheap cocktails more
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excellent bruch 10/21/2006

I went for brunch with my parents who were visiting. Pros: ambiance food Cons: cannot think of any more
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BEST DEAL IN TOWN 9/30/2006

I saw on the blackboard in front of Samba-le that they were serving sangria for $ 10 a pitcher from 6 to 7:30 PM. WOW! We had a couple of pitchers and excellent tapas (I would recommend the duck, the calamari and a wonderful bruschetta) for very little money. Pros: great sangria, wonderful tapas Cons: cannot think of any more
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Menu for Samba-Le


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Editorial

  • In Short
    Stained-glass windows catch eyes from the street while the raucous Latin rhythms foster a moving mood inside the fun, rustic room. The Brazilian and Italian flavors feature...

  • 3/19/2007 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon-Thu 5pm-12am Fri 5pm-2am Sat 12pm-2am Sun 12pm-12am
  • Payments: Cash
  • Neighborhoods: Alphabet City, East Village, Downtown
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