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A Brazilian Menu Inspired by Mom
A blast of warmth hits you as soon as you enter Samba Montclair, a tiny Brazilian restaurant in the heart of Montclair, though it’s not a matter of temperature, even if the place does offer a blessed respite from a frigid winter evening. It’s a subtler, enveloping glow: the soothing Latin music, the weathered rustic decor, the low lighting, the young, easygoing staff. That, and the large chalkboard toward the back that offers up bits of homespun wisdom, like “The torch of love is lit in the kitchen.” …Read MoreSamba Montclair Offers More Than Just the Most Familiar Brazilian Dishes
Brazil? Rio, Carnival and steak 24/7. Not so fast, says Ilson Goncalves.”People think Brazil is just Carnivale and that we just eat meat all day,” the 32-year-old owner of Samba Montclair says, laughing. You won’t find rodizio at Samba Montclair, which opened last year in what was once the Park Street Cafe…Read MoreChoice Cuts: Dining at Samba Montclair
“You are really missing the boat on Samba,” a foodie friend confided some weeks back. “It’s totally charming, the owner is really nice, and it’s a great new place to go for breakfast or lunch.” I filed the info in my mind field…Read More

NJ Monthly
The warm multigrain bread was a perfect sponge for the irresistible garlic and olive oil that came with the sauteed shrimp appetizer. Other worthy starters were a dish of three little fried pastries, one filled with chicken, one with cheese, and one with beef…Read More

Baristanet
When I saw the sign for Samba go up this fall (located in the Park Street Cafe) I thought,”Please, please don’t be another Churrascaria!” Well good news, it is not. True Southern Brazilian Home-style as owner Ilson Goncalves describes his menu, has come to Baristaville. Ilson is from the area of Santa Catarina and told me he is trying to recreate the meals his mother would make. She would make Feijoada* (a traditional black bean dish) on Thursday for Friday but it was even better on Saturday…Read More

Hot From The Kettle
When trying to compile a list of Montclair’s Sexiest Restaurants, Montclair’s hottest newcomer, Samba, led the charge…Read More