Sushi Samba Park

Went there for a friend's birthday on July 19, 2006. The service was horrendous. We paid the bill and left. The waitress didn't know what she was doing. She ran after us ACCUSING we owe her $20. She counted the money in front of us 2 blocks down from Sushi Samba Park and found out she calculated it WRONG. How ridiculous is that?

The place was noisy, small and crowded. The food was subpar. I expected better. I could get similar quality at my local sushi restaurant. I DO NOT recommend this restaurant if you want a good time and good food.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND!

Pros: Ambience

Cons: Service, Food, Capacity

with all the hype about this restaurant, i'm surprised at how disappointed i was with my experience. the servers continuously tried to rush me and my date, which is extremely unfortunate because they interrupted conversation numerous times. furthermore, the food itself was just blah. the yellowtail ceviche was so-so, being masked with onion and too much soy sauce, it destroyed the flavor of the fish. then, the chirashi was a pathetic attempt at a meal: 6 thumb sice pieces of mixed fish ontop of 6 small beds of rice is not equivalent to $20+. the only good thing about my meal was the beautiful hostess and my sapporo, which was twice as expensive as it should have been.

Pros: nice neighborhood, beautiful interior

Cons: service, poor food

My last day visiting NYC, I went last night to great Thai food ( Tiny Thai ) and today I had lunch at the unique sushi samba restaurant. It was a great lunch again. Great value meal.

It was crowed at first, kinda meat-markety. Young execs looking to score a quickie after a hard day buying long and selling short. After 10, it quiets down. The DJ was good and not too loud for once! The food, Japanese, Brazilian, Peruvian mix, was good, though on the pricey side. We were treated well by the staff, and folks in the surrounding tables were friendlier than a stockbroker on payday. Nice atmosphere if you can get past the suits in front. (Drink Club is a roving group of NY drinkers)

Pros: Good food, friendly atmosphere, not too loud

Cons: post-work yuppies

I was happily surprised by the number of vegetarian options, and by the curteousness of the staff. It was honestly one of my better dining experiences in the city.

Pros: veggie food, corteous staff, funky decor

Cons: wait

Great experience-- if you can tolerate the wait for a table and the close quarters. I have eaten here about 10 times, and sampled nearly everything on the menu. I have never had a bad meal or service (on a couple of occasions I waited past my reservation time). Yes, it's expensive and the room is loud. Mercifully, they have moved the bar next door and added a lounge, where "partyers" hang out while they wait (imagine the chaos when the bar was located in the corner of the dining room). But I don't mind a crowd when I am surrounded by happy people (a testament to their skilled bartenders). If you are looking for traditional sushi, I recommend you go somewhere else. If you are looking for creative sushi, trendy latin/sake themed drinks, and a variety of appetizers entrees, and desserts, make a reservation and bring your credit card.

Pros: exciting food, lively atmosphere, drinks

Cons: wait for a table, budget-buster

I love this spot, great food, great drinks.
The crowd is beautiful, you definitely get an eyeful at this place.
The atmosphere can't be beat.
The staff is friendly and fun! JD you're the man!

Pros: staff, specialty cocktails, beautiful people

Cons: a little costly, wait for table

As others have noted this is really latin-japanese fusion, not a sushi place. Unfortunately none of the dishes my companion and I sampled exhibited any "fusion" at all, but merely a schizophrenic mix-and-match of different cuisines. Yes the sushi was very good, but we paid for that. Coupled with the fact that we were seated just inches away from neighboring parties on both sides made this experience largely forgettable. Don't try so hard to make me feel swanky--work on the fundamentals instead.

Its a joke to see all the idiots that walk in and out of this place thinking they are "cool" hanging out at Sushi Samba. The food is horrible, the scene in done with and washed up..

Why don' they put a red carpet with velvet rope outside..All the Hummer-limos can drop them off

Pros: None

Cons: Loud Expensive, Outdated Wannabes, All B&Tunnel

Obnoxius drunks everywhere..Tool and bimbos..Perfect for bridge and tunnel sleeze

It was horrible..All bridge and tunnel crowd..Food was expensive and horrible

Ok, my fiancee and I went here last night. We'd been to the one in Miami before, but our first time to Park Ave location. It was a Monday night and the place was half-empty. The snooty hostess just stared at me blankly when i asked for a table for 2. And then I asked her if there was a wait, and she said yes and tried to sit us at the bar. Then my fiancee spoke up and said no, we'd like to be seated at a table as soon as possible. So then she showed us right away to one of 4 empty tables right in a row. I hate places like this, that give you such an attitude, when they're not even busy. However, the food was very good. I recommend the yellowtail ceviche and the miso chilean sea bass.

Pros: good food

Cons: bad service, bad attitud

ok food, high prices, space too crowded... food was little different but not worth the $100+ check.

TWO hours for a sushi lunch is crazy! A party of two waited 10 min for a waiter and lunch when the place was empty. Our sushi, which was sitting at the counter for 20 min, came out before the soup and salad. We sent it back and waited another 15 min for the soup and salad. The check took another 20 min to get. For $45 for lunch I COULD NOT believe haow terrible the place is. The food is the olny thing that saved me from freaking out! and the bus boys were the only reeding thing about the place. Constant green tea refills. Thanks for Nothing!

Pros: taste of food, bus boys

Cons: Service, Price, Attitude

this place is too packed. regardless if you have reservations or not, you still have to wait. which sucks!

overpriced sushi/latin flair. ambiance was alright. drinks are too weak.

Cons: too small, mediocre food

the food's not bad, but the restaurant is way too small and loud to have any conversation. i went for my friend's bday dinner but a couple next to us was having an argument so we could barely even hear each other.
if i'm paying $100 a person for a meal then i really expect more than 1 foot space.

it's really one of the most uncomfortable restaurants i've ever been to.
there are so many other good japanese fusion restaurants in the area. this place is realyl not worht my time.
WAY overrated.

Cons: no space to move, long wait time, slow service

Even if you can afford to pay $12.00 for a California roll (with fake crab meat), it doesn't mean you ever should.... unless it's encrusted in gold. Not worth the trip. Mediocre at best and highly overpriced.

I've been to A LOT of Sushi places around the country, and this was definitely the best. Seating was prompt (without a reservation, no less!) and the staff could not have been more helpful. They recommended the 5 course tasting menu for 60$. Truly amazing. Everything from Octopus to Veal Chops to little tiny hard shelled crabs that you eat whole! (They're a little crunchy, but worth it!) Dessert was a chocolate lovers paradise. Their sushi menu is extensive and really fresh, as is their drink menu. Try the Banana concoction to cap off your meal. I can't wait to go back!

Pros: Food, Service

We went with a group and everyone loved it!! The service was prompt and professional. We had a "sake tree" in their lounge and finished with dinner in the restaurant. We were guided through the menu and had some great appetizers,(especially the kobe beef with spice scent) and sushi.

It's funny that this morning I wrote a not so good review and then had such a great lunch!
The sushi here is delicious, especially the lobster tempura roll. A must try!
The service was great and the environment was upbeat yet relaxed. :)

Sushi Samba Park is truely one of the best Sushi Resturants that you could possibly find in NYC. Along with their welcoming hostess' and colorful atmosphere, Sushi Samba has a lively/friendly vibe to it. This is deffinately the place that you would go for a Fancy girls night out! The Sexy atmosphere is to die for. The food is the best cuisine that you could ever find. I love this resturant so much. If you are ever in the city, You should deffinately visit this resturant, because i promise you that you WILL have the time of you LIFE!

Pros: friendly vibe, colorful atmosphere, sexy resturant

my brother got together 15 of my dearest friends and threw my a surprise party in there private dining room the "Sugar Room" it was one of the most amazing rooms i have ever seen!!! we did a tasting menue of 7 courses it was the best meal i have ever eaten at sushisamba, and i eat there atleast once a week. the waitress Taylor was ontop of everything and the managers Andrew Udi and Uriel were so good to us as usuall and that samba tree they got us filled with shots was NUTS!!!

Pros: fun, great service, amzing food

First, making reservation meant nothing. We had to wait for 50 mins while seeing other people who came after us being seated first. The host was extremely rude when we asked when we'd be seated. The coat check was a disaster...they couldn't find people's coats! Finally, we had to SHARE our table with others...we left since they are too snobby for its quality.

Pros: specialty drinks

Cons: service, service, service

My girlfriend and I happen to go on a night where the corporate chef was visiting the location and was cooking his own tasting dishes. It was absolutely fantastic food and I don't even like this type of food normally. The Service was also excellent. The only somewhat negative is the ambiance as the tables are close to each other and it is not romantic but otherwise I highly recommend it.

Pros: food, service

I've not been to the 7th Avenue Sushi Samba and can't wait to go in the summer! This was a good experience. Great speciality drinks (I had the Pisco, it was great!) The appitizer of soft-shell crab started our mouths watering, and the sushi was intersting and well done. I'll save my final decision until going to the 7th Ave Sushi Samba.

i would go back for the tuna frois gras sushi, which is not on their sister branch's menu -- the stuff melts in your mouth. other than that though, the wait's long even with a reservation, it's loud and crowded, not to mention overpriced. but if you like that kind of thing -- including the bright colors -- it's a pretty nice place.

it can get crowded here, but it is with good reason. their sushi is slightly above par, but the special sauces they put on it is what really gives it that wow!!!

i highly recommend their drinks and the service was great despite being full.

Nice place.

Pros: great food, great drinks, great people

Most of the wait staff had a bad attitude starting with the hostess. I mean come on; it's far from the hottest spot in town. Thought may be the food would make my experience more pleasant, well... it appeared to be simply OK. Decor could definitely be refreshed. Tables for two people are ridiculously close.

the food is great... completey different then say Nobu... and with that I highly recommand this place for the people who love sushi but want a twist in there normal sushi style... we have amazing dishes with tuna w/ mango type flavors.

The fish is as fresh as it could be... and they have a great drink menu... the lemon Samuri is great.

they also have a great mix have latin style music playing to a funky bass (some would say a Acid jazz with latin over tones)

Pros: Decor, music, crowded

Ppl should know what they should expect when going to Sushi Samba. It's more of a hip, trendy spot than an authentic sushi-serving Japanese place! Dishes are both Japanese and Latin-inspired.

This was my 2nd visit actually, but 1st in taking advantage of the lunch prixe-fixe. Had the fire roasted shrimp, florida keys grouper and crema de pina for dessert. Shrimp was real good, grouper was ok, yet the crumb and the sauce was awesome. Dessert was simply blissful.

Altho I never tried their special sushi dishes, Im not planning to, just becuz I have eaten real great sushi at other authentic sushi places. Yet I still love this place for its great diverse culture inspired unique dishes and great atmoshphere at night.

I <3 Sushi Samba Park

Pros: Unique dishes, Ambience

I hadn't been to this place since it opened in the 90s, and it's still packed! Not too much so, but enough that there's a great scene. The food was great - sushi was good, but the cooked food amazed us. Get the miso sea bass and a killer cocktail; it's a great date spot and fun for girls' night out!

Pros: Excellent cocktails, Fresh Food, Good service

tried just about everything on the menu with a large group. ceviches were poor with overpowering sauces masking bad fish quality. sushi and sashimi were disgraceful. sashimi came out half-frozen, and their highest grade toro was full of tendons. why go there to deal with staffs' attitude and eat bad food?

Cons: , attitude, slow service

I'm am appalled at how long I waited for my meal. The table next to us arrived 30 min after us, ordered the same meal and received it WAY before we did. Our dessert took just as long and upon complaint, we received nothing in return. I could not enjoy what would have been an otherwise good meal because we had to wait so long!

I went to Sushi Samba Park last week and had a great time..this place is still it. The food was excellent...the cocktails were great as usual....the restaurant was rocking. I always enjoy stopping in here.

i went there for dinner on friday night, the waiter had a terrible attitude. when i try to order sake he asked for my id , i showed him my driver's license and he called it a fake!! the food was overpriced i would not go there again!

Cons: , overprice

My friends visiting from Tokyo made a special request to visit Sushi Samba - now I know why! Amazing sake, delicious sushi and an atmosphere that wipes out any memory of a bad day. I didnt realize that the restaurant served Brazilian foods and the fusion of South American and Japanese flavors is spot on. Will definitely go back.

Pros: hip music, food

Our server took the time to give us brief intro to sake and shochu - he was knowledgeable and entertaining. Ceviches were fresh and unique and our server made excellent recommendations. A great place to catch up with friends in a upbeat, trendy atmosphere.

Pros: potent cocktails, fresh sushi, upbeat

I went to Sushi Samba on Park and was very happy with the food and service. The space is small and reservations are definitly needed. We found ourselves very cramped and could not get into or out of our seats with out bumping into uor neighbors and sucking our bellies in. I think the place is definitly worth while if you like places that are in the "scene" and trendy, but if you just want quality sushi many other places might come to mind. Overall I recommend this place for couples and those looking to go out to a nice club afterwards.

Pros: Food, Service, Atmosphere

Cons: , Pricey, Few Vegetarian items

I had been wanting to check out this restaurant ever since it opened. When I finally did, I was quite disappointed. I've been to many sushi places and although their menu was very creative and the ideas were all about thinking 'outside the box', the food itself was nothing special. Some of what I ordered was hard to eat, as things were piled one on top of the other. The service was too fast- the second we finished one course, they shoved the next one in front of us, as if to get us out the door. I enjoyed the atmosphere, but that's not enough reason for this place to be so successful.

Pros: creative menu, atmosphere

Cons: , service

The food and cocktails at SushiSamba were very good; however the seating is so tight and uncomfortable and the service so rushed that I will probably never go back.

I use to go to Sushi Samba on Park ave S. almost every month. I havent been there in almost a year since I moved. I went back about a week ago and was terribly disappointed. They stuck in about 5 more tables into the restaurant, the only way for my date to get up was for the busboys to pull out the table, everyone around us was saying the same thing ( why are the tables so packed in, this is ridiculous).

The food was no better then average, and the waitress rushed us through our meal in less then an hour ( drinks, appetizer, entree, desert). I have never had such an unpleasant experience at what WAS one of my favorite restaurants.

I would rather go to Asia De Cuba or Tao, they are much nicer, costs the same and it blows Sushi Samba away in every respect.

Pros: location

Cons: , average food, bad service

The restaurant tried to be trendy. The serivce is bad. Everyone there has an attitude. The food is not great. They put too much sauce, which covers the freshness of the fish. Totally overated! We made a reservation for 6. We had 5 people arrived, they still didn't want to give us the table even though the table was empty there. They put us in a 4 people table. Paying for that price, I could have gone a lot of better places. I definitely wouldn't go there again!

I had reservation at 7p for 6 ppl. 1 of my friends was late for 10 mins, the host wasnt allowed us to get the table until the whole party was there. It's the stupidest thing to have 5 of us waiting at the tiny bar with people pushing around while our table was empty and ready!

Not recommended for group with more than 4 people. 6 of us got jammed into a 4-person table!

However, food is great, but order was missing & the bill didnt come out right. I had my coat & a shopping bag checked, but the girl only gave me back the coat. The staffs are very unprofessional & rude. I do expect more from a 9.1-rated restaurant. They really need to streamline their management and customer services!

Pros: Great food, Nice neighborhood

Cons: , Crowded-not for group, Noisy

bad service, not great food, terrible atmosphere, tables on top of each other, rude hostesses... need I say more? Why bother? this place is such a disappointment!

Cons: loud, bad service, overpriced food

The Park Ave Sushi Samba is such a cool restaurant. It's always packed. And the food is ALWAYS good.

The TUNA PIZZA SPECIAL with jalapeño sauce is OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! I can't get enough of it.

I love this place. I've been here a few times and definitely enjoy this location better than the village location. First off, this place has an amzing drink list. Their mojitos are perfect and their apple martinis are the best I've had. The yellowtail cerviche is unbelievable and every roll I've ever had here is exceptionally good. I will definitely keep coming back!

Pros: yellowtail, drinks

Cons: small, expensive

beware of B&T! the sushi is so-so, the 70s orange-themed atmosphere is 2000ish, and there is no reason for the staff's attitude. maybe impressive for out-of-towners, but locals should go elsewhere.

Pros: roofdeck, mixed drinks, ceviche

Cons: attitude, sushi freshness, value

My wife and I go to the 7th Ave. restaurant quite often. We start with the Caipirinha's because it takes a while to get seated, but after one or two of these great drinks with the great latin music playing we don't mind the wait for a table. It's also fun to sit at the sushi bar. We usually go for the Brazilian food. Try the Moqueca Mista and the Snapper. We haven't been to the Park Avenue restaurant but we did go to the Miami Beach location on Lincoln Avenue and it was pretty darn good also.

Pros: Brazilian dishes, Caipirinha's, the Music

Cons: A little pricey

I was at Sushi Samba Chicago and had to see if NYC SUSHI SAMBA lived up to its younger sister.It did! The sushi was great and the drinks were strong and tropical. You must catch the vibe and enjoy. I recommend it!!!!!

Pros: Drinks, Music, Scene