Great Mojitos
DESCRIPTION: I really liked the mojitos. They are served in a tall glass with a stick of sugarcane and they do a nice job of blending the rum, lime, and mint leaves. A definite must when you go there. Food was very good, but a bit overdone with the seasonings for me. I am somewhat of a traditionalist. Although I like the fancy flare of how they present the food, I appreciate more the original dishes that this chef tries to dress up with his own variations.
DATE: 2003-05-15
FOODRATING : 4
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : chorizo with clams, ceviche

Excellent Food, Excellent Service
DESCRIPTION: This is by far one of the best places I have ever ate dinner at. It was the first place I went on a date with my boyfriend, and I continue to go there. The pork I had was the most tender meat, as well as the steak that my boyfriend had. The food here runs a little expensive, but you get what you pay for. The mashed potatoes are something that you cannot miss, order it as a side dish if you must! The mojitos are excellent, as are all the other drinks. The bar is an area not to be missed. The staff is extremely attentive, and pleasant to be around. I have absolutely no complaints.
DATE: 2003-09-05
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10

Excellent
DESCRIPTION: By far, the best restaurant I have ever been to. Unique nuevo Latino foods with amazing presentations, Chef Michael Kelley blew me and my girlfriend away. Service was outstanding with instant answers to every little question we had. When in West Hartford Center, this place is a must!
DATE: 2003-10-05
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : chilean salmon, lamb shank, duck quesadillas

The Worst Service Ever
DESCRIPTION: Ignored at the bar. Had to repeatedly ask for a drink. Having an empty glass in front of me for 45 mins apparently was not enough of a clue. Waited an hour for an appetizer only to find out they never ordered it. The bartender didn't even have enough class to apologize and sent someone else over to do his dirty work.
DATE: 2004-02-28
SERVICERATING : 2
OVERALLRATING : 2
RECOMMENDED DISHES : woudn't know

Did Not Know Service Could Be This Bad
DESCRIPTION: Drinks made incorrectly, had to ask for bread, wine served after dinner. Waiter never asked about the entrees, 2 out of the 3 were not well done.
DATE: 2004-04-12
FOODRATING : 4
SERVICERATING : 2
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 2

P-YOOOO, Yuck Yuck!!!
DESCRIPTION: This is Cuban food made for Anglos, no flavor what so ever. I'd recommend Copa Cubana before the Samba room, but even that place is lame.
DATE: 2003-06-18
FOODRATING : 4
SERVICERATING : 4
AMBIANCERATING : 4
OVERALLRATING : 2
RECOMMENDED DISHES : N/A

Try it, you might like it!
DESCRIPTION: Samba room was nice. It was a pleasant change instead of going to downtown Chicago, so that was an experience in itself. The place was nice, the food was good. I recommend the "Churrasco". It's NY steak with rice and beans, but it's much better than I'm describing it. Also the platanos are good, although we thought they would be a good side dish and actually they make a good dessert. They have brown sugarr and cinnamon, so, you may want to hold off until after the main course. The only complaint is the music. Ok, I know the theme of the restauran is Cuban, and I know Gloria Estefan is Cuban, but that doesn't mean you have to play her CD ALL night LONG! There are many other great Cuban artist that they could have played, and they didn't even have to be Cuban to give it a Latin flavor. Overall, good! I put down minor flaws for ambience cause believe it or not, the chairs we were sitting in were probably the most uncomfortable I've sat in ever!
DATE: 2003-06-23
FOODRATING : 6
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 6

The Worst!
DESCRIPTION: Absolutely the worst "Cuban" cuisine I have ever had. This is just another "theme" restaurant. Avoid at all cost.
DATE: 2003-07-09
FOODRATING : 2
SERVICERATING : 4
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 2

It was lovely...
DESCRIPTION: The food was good. The service was good. The atmosphere was nice. We all had terrific meals. The Sangria was the only disappointment.
DATE: 2003-09-21
FOODRATING : 6
SERVICERATING : 6
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : The Plantain encrusted Mahi-Mahi

Do they really think they are food critics?
DESCRIPTION: I have taken the time to read all of the above reviews and I have to ask, "do they really think they are food critics?" Where do they come off criticizing the most trivial facets of the dining experience. The Samba Room is fantastic...food, drinks, ambiance, service, etc. This is a nice restaurant designed with Cuban flair and should be absorbed accordingly.
DATE: 2003-10-30
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 6
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Any fish entree is delightful

I agree - I love it.
DESCRIPTION: My husband and I have been to the restaurant four times in the past year and we've had fantastic food each time. The ambiance is great; the service is really nice. I highly recommend the Samba Room and I'm a picky person when it comes to dining out.
DATE: 2003-12-03
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8

I thought it was great!
DESCRIPTION: Nice atmosphere, my dinner was wonderful and came out hot, the service was great. I wonder if some of the other reviewers here went to the same place?
DATE: 2004-02-11
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10

wonderful blend of flavors
DESCRIPTION: This has become one of our favorite restaurants. The red snapper is absolutely delicious and the presentation in great. It's a fun atmosphere with out being over the top. In warmer weather it's a great place to sit outside and enjoy yourself. Also the iced coffee is really good.
DATE: 2004-02-11
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8

Nice blend of different influences
DESCRIPTION: By looking at the menu, I thought the restaraunt's influences were Carribean/South American, not strictly Cuban. (which I believe is a good thing)Hard to compare since I think many of the flavors were a unique blend. I thought the wine list was a nice offering. Overall experience was very good.
DATE: 2004-03-08
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 6
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Fish

Recent changes aren't for the better...
DESCRIPTION: I used to absolutely love samba room but within the last few months they have had a menu change to more fried foods and reduced portions and quality of preparation. Overall I wouldn't go back now.
DATE: 2004-04-24
FOODRATING : 4
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 4
RECOMMENDED DISHES : I used to like the sashimi tuna but no longer!

My Worst Dining Experience
DESCRIPTION: I really feel bad for my friends, because I recommended we dine here, and it was a disaster! The Sangria is awful! I sent it back and replaced it with a pitcher of Mojitos. They taste good, but I drank half the pitcher and only caught a sugar buzz. $28 for lemonade is ridiculous! We drank and ate appetizers, then we ordered at 8pm and they were already out of the dish recommended by the waitor. The waitor did not know the menu at all and made up answers to my questions--which I discovered were wrong AFTER the food came. I told him that I wanted protein and vegetables, so he suggested their 'award winning' dish featured in some recent magazine: scallops and stir fry vegetables. It took them over an hour from the time we ordered our meal to bring it to us. When I got my meal, there were 5 scallops and a tiny pile of pasta with a few onion slivers in it. Even if I wanted pasta, I would have gone hungry. It looked like an appetizer. Thank goodness I got some fuel from all the sugar water I drank before the meal! The Coconut creme brulee had no coconut in it, nor did it taste like it did. On top of all of this, the waitor asked consistently if everything was OK and we consisitently gave him kind feedback, but he could have cared less and did nothing about it, except not charge us for the pitcher of so called Sangria--which I had requested anyway. I like the atmosphere, but he music is repetative and too loud--it is difficult to have a conversation. The food was presented very well and tasted decent (not authentic, but they don't claim that it is), but the dining experience as a whole was horrendous. To sum it up: there was no rum in the Mojito, no vegetables in the stir fry, no coconut in the coconut creme brulee and no service in the restaurant. I know you are probably thinking that I am one of those who complain about everything, but, let me tell you, when I was in the ladies room after the meal, I heard another woman say, "That was the worst meal I have ever had. I'm not coming back here." I knew it was not me! You have been warned! Please bring back the Copa Cubana to Naperville--it was wonderful!
DATE: 2004-06-07
FOODRATING : 4
SERVICERATING : 2
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 2
RECOMMENDED DISHES : plantain chips and black bean salsa

The Best
DESCRIPTION: I had enjoyed the food here many times. We had great service, wines and freshly prepared, best tasting, appitizers and main entrees. Love the decor and the ambiance.
DATE: 2005-03-23
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8

Wonderful Experience
DESCRIPTION: Roomba was a wonderful experience. It was excellent and the service was outstanding. I will definitely go back again!
DATE: 2003-02-10
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Anything

Excellent!
DESCRIPTION: Unique, delicious, large portions - save room for dessert! The service was top notch. There was a quiet confidence amoung the entire staff that is usually reserved for much more mature establishments.
DATE: 2003-10-23
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Bannana Tres Leche and stick with staff recommendations - they satisfied all in my party.

Outstanding
DESCRIPTION: Great service, delightful dishes, good drinks (one of the few places here in CT where you can get a Caipirinha). The service was excellent all in all I had one of my best evenings there.
DATE: 2004-03-06
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Lamb, empanadas appetizer, fish

Sublime
DESCRIPTION: The food was wonderful - very creative and delicious. The staff was very attentive and knowledgeable.
DATE: 2004-08-06
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Seviche, coconut creme brule, anything they recommend

Excellent food and lovely, fun atmosphere.
DESCRIPTION: Excellent food and lovely, fun atmosphere. Unfortunately the restaurant is very loud and so we often have to bypass Roomba when organzing business type meals or any meal where you want to actually have conversation!
DATE: 2005-05-12
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Salmon and anything with plantains

What a neat place
DESCRIPTION: Best kept secret in Central Florida
DATE: 2004-10-20
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 2
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Fish specials

Something Different for Breakfast
DESCRIPTION: Maria's Cafe, located in Franklin Avenue's Ancient Traders Market, looks small as you walk in, but there are two other unseen dining rooms. On Sunday mornings, the line is out the door. The breakfast scene is much more peaceful on weekday mornings, though. The food is very reasonable priced, the pancakes are the size of a large plate, and everything on the menu tastes wonderful. The wait staff is very nice, and quick to recommend the corn pancakes to everyone who comes in. Indeed, the corn pancakes are really good, and I would DEFINITELY have them again. Maria's also serves omeletes, other types of pancakes, tropical juices, REALLY GOOD COFFEE (she is Colombian, after all) and some normal breakfast fare as well (bacon, sausage, etc.).
DATE: 2005-03-22
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Corn Pancakes, Pablo's Omelet

Best Margarita in Pagosa
DESCRIPTION: Great maragritas, good mexican food. The salsa is fresh and delicious, the service quite friendly.
DATE: 2002-02-10
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Fajitas, Margarita

DESCRIPTION: We loved the menu, the people, the art and the Margaritas!!!! I felt that I was back in Mexico...with real athentic food. Thanks for the experience.
DATE: 2005-12-22
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 8

DESCRIPTION: The people are friendly, the food is fantastic, and the Margaritas are free. We have visited Tamarindo's on several occasions and have loved it each and every time. The food is coded so you know which is spicy to your liking, and all dishes are well presented. The specials are intriguing and the presentation of the dishes rivals that of many of the better known restaurants in this area. Buen Provecho!
DATE: 2006-03-05
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Carne Asada, and Pollo con Mole

If Buena Vista Social Club had been filmed in the Bay Area
DESCRIPTION: If Buena Vista Social Club had been filmed in the Bay Area, Nuevo Frutilandia would ve made the perfect backdrop. Tucked away off hustling 24th St, it s the kind of place where regulars ask, What do you have today? Think of a casual lunch counter dishing out Caribbean comfort food. Meaty daily specials like roast pork with pigeon peas ($8.50) and chicken fricasse ($7.75) are popular choices. Avoid the sopa de frijol negro ($5), a thin black broth drained perhaps from the more robust side of black beans? The large appetizer platter ($7.25) includes sweet and greasy fried plantains; alcapurrias (unidentifiable meat-filled yucca fritters); and fried plantain pancakes (maduros). Carne guisada con papas ($7.95) equals four bite-size chunks of stringy beef and two huge potato chunks wading in a salty broth. The fresh-blendered batidos de frutas ($2.50) are a summertime essential. Three matrons direct, dashing to the corner store when supplies run low..
DATE: 2000-05-18
FOODRATING : 6
SERVICERATING : 6
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : un batido de fruta, roast pork

Bringing home closer to the heart...and the stomach
DESCRIPTION: My friends treated me to birthday dinner at El Nuevo Frutilandia. It was an absolutely wonderful meal. The aromas and flavors were intoxicating. For someone who is far from the flavors of home, it was nice to enjoy nostalgia on a plate.
DATE: 2003-07-25
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Mofongo, Vaca Fritta, maltas

DESCRIPTION: Very delicious Salvadorean Food. Makes you go back for more!!
DATE: 2004-06-20
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Mixed & Bean Pupusas, Fried Plantains

Food
DESCRIPTION: Yes
DATE: 2002-10-07
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Costilla