Samba Montclair — Restaurant in Montclair

Samba is back!! My husband & I have been going to Samba ever since it first opened in Montclair approx. 14 yrs ago. It was our favorite restaurant in town and we never missed an opportunity to bring guests we were entertaining or recommend it to family & friends. Sadly, during Covid and the years that followed, things had changed so much that our favorite restaurant had become unrecognizable. Although the ambiance was still beautiful, the warm, welcoming environment was replaced with double-sided menu inserts and signs, shouting at you in all caps, bold print & red letters that you needed to leave within a certain amount of minutes, that you would be charged a laundry list of surcharges, that prices had gone up and would continue to do so etc. The aggressive, negative energy was everywhere and did not feel like the Samba we knew & loved. On top of this, quality had declined; food was coming out after a very long wait cold & stale, and the service was extremely poor. For a long time we kept going despite the flaws, but as the years went on and the overall hostile vibe only continued to increase it became growingly difficult to choose Samba for our nights out, Sunday brunch, or special occasions. At some point it was just too much to overcome & after a particularly bad experience, we finally stopped going entirely.

Which brings me to tonight: My husband and I decided to visit Samba for dinner after receiving a gift certificate from friends. At this point it had been about 2 years since our last visit. In all honesty, we were apprehensive about what the experience would entail and did not have high expectations. I walked in and was immediately greeted by a smiling, friendly hostess which was the first welcome surprise! She quickly seated us outdoors as we had requested and set us up with menus and glasses of water. We noticed that the menus no longer had any inserts which was another indicator that something had changed for the better. The outdoor tables and chairs were sparklingly clean, and the beautiful greenery around the awning was impeccably kept. We were pleased to see that the menu still had many of our familiar favorites so we ordered a basket of the Cheese Bread, the Chicken Stroganoff (which came with rice & beans - no upcharge) and the Pork Chop with collard greens & farofa. We became growingly optimistic as the wait staff went above and beyond attending to our needs. Our water glasses were always full and any necessary flatware/serveware was brought out seamlessly without us even having to ask. When the food arrived at our table my husband and I both lit up at the sight of the familiar dishes and their beautiful presentation. The food was piping hot, freshly prepared, well-seasoned and very generous in portion. We were shocked and delighted to find that the flavors and textures had returned to what they were prior to the years of downturn. And beyond that, somehow they tasted even better! I asked for a portion of my meal to be boxed up to take home, and almost did a double-take when the server kindly brought out my leftovers in a beautifully colorful, Samba-branded cloth tote bag. I couldn’t believe the level of care and attention, the thoughtful touches and excellence of the overall experience. To end the meal, we ordered another of our favorites for dessert, the Yuca Coconut Cake with Dulce De Leche. It was absolutely delicious!

We were blown away by the hospitality and generosity we had been shown along with the quality of the meal. In short it was absolute perfection from beginning to end. A night & day change from what we had experienced a few years ago. I can’t quite express the delight you feel when you receive something back that you thought was dead and gone. But that is truly the clearest way I can describe how we felt tonight at Samba. Our beloved “friend” was returned to us and it was somehow even more wonderful than we remembered. We can’t wait to go back. If you are a local and you stopped going to Samba for the same reasons we did, please revisit this local gem; you won’t be...

When folks say, “ A Taste of Brazil”in Describing the restaurant , Samba-Montclair, it’s an Understatement . It’s More than a Taste, it’s an Immersion! When you enter Samba the first time , You’ll stop for a few seconds just to assess the beauty and charm and magic Of this exquisite setting . Everywhere you look it’s intriguing , so romantic , so rustic and classy . You want to touch the wooden tables . You know you’ll have a fine dinner here tonight . I remember my First time dining at Samba , a few years back , I imagined a “Brazilian Set Designer “ had been turned loose here To create the most beautiful , Brazilian , Romantic atmosphere for a restaurant . (That Set Designer turned out to be Ilson Goncalves, Chef , Owner and Designer of Samba ) . I imagined I was dining in a beautiful old Brazilian farmhouse. Samba’s rooms are filled with a broad array of dramatic furniture and farm tables - all handmade of 1800’s barnwood - an exquisite 20ft. Long farm table runs down the center of the room . Each dining room boasts of deep , mossy , green walls , copper everywhere, Huge tropical trees dripping with orchids and fresh flowers . I look up and see 20 Ft. Antique farm ladders straddled across the ceiling with more flowers , orchids and candles cascading from above . I see a huge wall with a floor-to ceiling fabulous , colorful mural of the famous Carmen Miranda with her classic head- dress of fruit and bananas .I see a hundred pictures of “old Brazil” Framed in barnwood frames covering all the walls . Samba is surely a pleasure trip for the senses— and that’s just the Decor !! Samba’s authentic Brazilian dishes are 5 stars for me and my friends . Ilson , the chef and owner, — of course He’s Brazilian — has traveled to over 35 countries and studied spices throughout the world . Each dish incorporates his own personal culinary twist and his choice of spices . “Every dish , we say , Just tastes so good !” The Appetizer , Little Pastries , filled With cod or cheeses with a tasty avacado dipping sauce , just melts in your mouth . I particularly love the Baked Acorn Squash stuffed with shrimp in a delicious sauce . .I also love the Brazilian -style Chicken Stroganoff . I order it so often . My son always wants the Brazilian Sirloin Steak (with the spices ) Or the classic National Dish - Feijoada” A delicious beef stew everyone loves ! Let me not forget the Presentation Of these delicious dishes . Ilson’s attention to detail is evident here again . They arrive baked in old iron skillets Or handsome copper bowls topped with Spices , pretty greens or flowers. Desserts are so appealing served on slats of slate or wood . One of the many amazing features about Samba-Montclair is the fact that it is the First Certified GLUTEN-FREE Restaurant in the State of New Jersey !! Ilson is very proud of that . He has Ciliac Disease himself and he decided to share and help others by establishing a totally Gluten-Free restaurant. SAMBA - MONTCLAIR is a “ Must- Go” Dining Experience ! You will Never Go Just Once! ….. It’s Just...

If I could go lower than one star I would. Samba is so pretentious and likes to think they are a class above from other restaurants in the area.

I went here on a Tuesday evening and the place was nearly deserted. I was here with my GF because she's been wanting to try this place and I had some free time today after getting off of work. They gave us a table for 2, I noticed that the table was really small at the restaurant for two people and since I order multiple apps and entrees I would need a bigger table.

Shouldn't be an issue right? Especially since it's literally nearly deserted. NOPE, the girl went to ask the manager or someone and that lady came over and asked are we expecting more people to join us? I said no, I just needed more room because I'm going to order multiple dishes. She said no sorry please use the table for 2, at that point I just wanted to leave but GF said let's just try this place out so I relented.

The waiter we got was the only saving grace for this restaurant so the only star this horrid place gets is for him. I got a cup of espresso with 2 shots and maybe the best thing I had at the place. The espresso is really good so props to them on nailing that aspect.

GF got the "lauded" Camarao Na Moranga and I got the Picanha as our main entrees. She hated the Moranga and couldn't finish it, took it home and gave it to her roommate. Ravely reviewed by someone from a northjersey newspaper or something like that and they display it proudly litery on a sign post in the restaurant, not a news clipping on the wall mind you but on the floor among the tables.

My Picanha was fine, I asked for medium and they gave me nearly well-done so that was terrible on the cooks part.

The appetizer was dissatisfying as well. Got the the little cheese bread balls, don't know the official name for it. Fogo De Chao has cheese balls that are far superior. These ones at Samba has a hint of cheese and is all bread.

For dessert we shared the Coxinha Churros which came out looking like fried dough balls cowered in powdered sugar and caramel on the side. This wasn't too bad especially the caramel but the balls were too chewy and not well fried. Easily among the worst Churros I've ever had.

Also just FYI they have an automatic service charge of 20%. I didn't mind it since I usually tip that on the minimum usually going 25-30%. It saved me spending more money at this place so kudos on that.

Overall if you didn't gather from my review so far that I hated my experience let me literally say that right now, I HATED my experience at Samba and I definitely won't be returning here. I will try other Brazilian spots since their food, if done right is absolutely delicious. Save yourselves a rotten experience and...