VA2007 - Samba Brazilian Steakhouse

Vancouver's Only Authentic Churrascaria Experience

Photos: Bruce Law

In the heart of the downtown core, Samba's successfully captures the festive, carnival atmosphere of Brazil. Specializing in churrascaria de rodizio, Brazil's most popular form of dining, a visit to this convivial room is an experience like none other. Voted Best Latin American Restaurant at the Golden Plate Awards, Samba's is Vancouver's first and only authentic Brazilian barbeque steakhouse, evoking a rousing environment for merrymaking and unbridled culinary abandon.

Without question, the main event is the all-you-can-eat rodizio; 12 –14 different meats slow roasted over a traditional Brazilian rotisserie grill, carved tableside. The origins of this distinctly South American experience go back to the 16th Century, when southern Brazilian gauchos would roast meats over open campfires. Savour various cuts of tender, fire-roasted beef, lamb, venison, ostrich, pork, house-made sausages, bacon-wrapped chicken, Cornish hen and turkey as they are paraded by your table. The roaming passadores, dressed in traditional Brazilian garb, carefully explain each creation and carve it as thick or as thin as you want it.

Complimenting the rodizio is the fully loaded hot buffet and salad bar, featuring a wide variety of unique dishes. Standouts include the homemade guacamole, feijoada (an amazing Brazilian black bean and pork stew), and fresh mahi mahi with savoury moqueca, a traditional sauce made from coconut milk, fresh vegetables and palm oil.

Welcoming palm fronds brushing against high ceilings and inventive cocktails add to the mojito-fueled merriment. Sample their boozy, fruit-filled sangria or a perfectly crafted caipirinha, made with muddled limes and imported sugarcane cachaca. Most nights offer live Latin music and the weekend evokes the carnival feel of Rio de Janeiro with a Brazilian dance show. "This is the ultimate spot for any celebration," says Director of Operations Desmond Chen. VIP rooms, accommodating as many as 50 people, offer exclusivity for private parties and special occasions.

Completely unique, Samba Brazilian Steakhouse will satisfy even the most voracious appetites for extraordinary food and entertainment. Their motto says it best: Eat Well. Live Well. Be Happy.

Menu Highlights

All You Can Eat Buffet

Signature “Rodizio” de Churrascaria which offers All-You-Can-Eat BBQ’d meats and poultry with an award winning Salad Bar and hot buffet

Appetizers

Corcovado Chicken Wings

Grilled Fresh Pineapple

Brazilian Cheese Bread

Entrées

Camarao na Cachaca
Tiger prawns pan seared in Cachaca (A Brazilian styled Rum) served with rice and vegetables

Halibut Moqueca
Fillet pan-seared with coconut milk and palm oil, served with rice and farofa de dende

Mariscada Style Bouillabaisse
Seafood pot stew with garlic, onions, green peppers, coconut milk, tomato and malagueta pepper

Surf & Turf
Classis 8oz tenderloin and tiger prawns in a Brazilian mustard sauce served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes

Rack of Lamb
Grilled with mango demi-glace served with fettuccini picante

Desserts

Dessert Platter for Four
Papaya shooters, Brazilian Pudim, featured Cheesecake, Bananas with Ice Cream

Brazilian Pudim
Traditional custard served with caramel sauce

Brigadeiro
Chocolate fudge cake

Signature Dessert
Papaya vanilla ice cream topped with Cassis

Best of the Cellar

White Wine

Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand
Tommasi Le Rosse Pinot Grigio from Italy
Bonny Doon Big House White Blend from USA
Carmen Reserve Chardonnay from Chile

Red Wine

Carmen Winemakers Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Petite Syrah Blend from Chile
D’Arenburg Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier from Australia
Robert Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon from USA
Sumac Ridge Black Sage Vineyards Merlot from Canada

Martini and Cocktails

Sao Paulo Del Mar: Vanilla infused vodka with sour apple, golden pear liqueur mixed with lime and pear juices
The Famous Caipirnha: Cachaca muddled with fresh limes and sugar
Brazilian Carnival: mixed with orange and pineapple juice
Ipanema Nip n Tuck: Hpnotiq, cachaca mixed with orange and mango juice

Above: Top Sirloin Steak.

Samba Brazilian Steakhouse
1122 Alberni Street, Vancouver, B.C., 604-696-9888
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