Samba Cafe specializes in Brazilian cuisine, specifically the food of Minas Gerais, the Brazilian state from which owner Paulo Caifa Botelho hails, known as Cozinha Mineira. Some distinguishing characteristics of the region include spices like green onion and garlic, beans thickened with flour, and aesthetics like orange tomato sauce and brighter rice. All salads at Samba start with a base of romaine lettuce and tomatoes and are then topped with unique offerings like cashews, hearts of palm, grapes, blueberries, and green olives. The main lunch special is "the Brazilian plate," which includes rice, black beans, romaine, vinaigrette, salsa, and meat, rotating daily between chicken, lime-marinated pork, and grilled steak. On Fridays, Botelho arrives at the restaurant at 4 a.m. to beginning preparing the feijoada, a traditional Brazilian stew made with black beans, pork butts, beef, sausage, bay leaves, and shredded collard greens served over white rice. By time the restaurant opens, the stew has been simmering for six hours, allowing all of the flavors to meld into a truly authentic dish. Don't show up late, though, as it is often gone after the lunch rush.

For the full review of Samba Cafe by City Newspaper's restaurant critic, click here.