By Michelle Gross

“A restaurant is like a child, it needs a lot of time and attention”, Mark Dabundo, Owner and Executive Chef of Samba, said. In October, this child hit its first birthday, a major feat in the restaurant business.

Samba, a Nuevo Latino restaurant and cabaret, is the ‘child’ Chef Dabundo has always dreamed of. Last October, Mark introduced Samba, the next up and coming Nuevo Latino restaurant, to the culture rich and food diverse Brooklyn neighborhood of Bay Ridge.

Samba’s cuisine is simple foods spiced with tropical flavors and is definitely not the usual taco place. Nuevo Latino is a cuisine inspired by Latin countries such as Argentina, Cuba, Peru and Mexico. As owner and chef, DaBundo has come up with a unique menu that combines both authentic Latin dishes and American favorites.

The atmosphere of Samba is warm and festive with a bright red floor, yellow frosted glass and discretely placed palm tree. Immediately you feel like you have left New York and been dropped in a Latin hot spot. After 11 p.m. the restaurant turns into a cabaret and nightclub. Dancing goes on until about 3 a.m. with a mix of Latin, salsa and hip hop music, but there is definitely no rap playing at this restaurant.

You are greeted at your table with a plate of warm tortilla chips that have the consistency of Chinese noodles and garlic hummus. Samba has a great bar with nightly specials and house drinks. Try a glass of wine from their extensive list or one of an array of original martinis. I highly recommend starting your meal off with one. As for appetizers, go for something different, like the shrimp and calamri ceviche. Ceviche, raw marinated fish, is a Latin version of sushi. The presentation is clean, drawing attention to the natural colors of the food. Chef Dabundo combines mango, other tropical fruits and cilantro with pieces of shrimp and calamari. The combination of flavors is well balanced and refreshing. Appetizers are big enough for two to share.

The main course is incredible. The Chilean Sea Bass was cooked to perfection. It is placed on a bed of sautéed spinach and mashed yucca potatoes. The potatoes were creamy and could have been a meal on their own. If you are more a turf then surf person then you will love the Grilled Skirt Steak, which is one of the chef’s favorite dishes. Served with salsa and sweet potato fries, the steak was tender and juicy. Usually, I’m not a meat eater, but this is one exception I am willing to make. Other menu items include Salmon, Roast Pork and others that vary seasonally. Samba offers a late night menu, which includes all of their ceviches and an authentic Cuban sandwich. Samba’s popularity in the neighborhood has even caused a need for them to deliver.

Samba’s desserts are all made in house. A few even come from Marc’s mom. Being a chocolate lover, I had a hard time deciding which I liked better-the chocolate cake or the bread pudding topped with caramel and Dulche de leche ice cream. My solution was to enjoy both and share. They also offer different flavors of sorbet, home made cheesecake and rice pudding.

The experience of Samba does not stop with the taste of the food. The service at Samba is some of the best I have experienced. The wait staff is friendly and very knowledgeable about the menu. They make you feel relaxed and are in no rush to push you out of the door.

Samba has something to please everyone’s palate. You don’t have to be an adventurous diner to enjoy the Latin flavors. One thing is for sure; no matter what you eat your taste buds will surely be doing a samba of their own.

Samba is located at 9604 3rd Ave. Bay Ridge in Brooklyn. The phone number is (718) 439-0475. The Price Range is $21 to $40 per person.