RESTAURANTS

I'd heard of "Brazilian Barbecues" for years. Highly touted by carnivores, I
avoided them. I'm just not a big meat eater. Sure I've had some wonderful
cuts of meat prepared perfectly which has swayed me not to cheat myself
of all that life has to offer, but Samba totally took me by surprise.

As the boys checked in with the hostess, I quickly scanned the menu for
something I could get by with. Happy to make do with my plan to order an
appetizer, I joined group en route to our table.

Along the way I admired the fearless use of color here with the brightest of
yellows and fiery reds dangerously close to screaming shades of greens
and blues. It was an exciting backdrop for an adventure. When we'd
arrived at our reserved table there were baskets of bread already waiting
with two places for dipping; a bean puree or an addicting garlic oil with
offensive amounts of minced garlic.

As the dinner progressed a bottomless bowl of salad arrived and after that,
bowls of farofa carrots, rice, black beans, creamed spinach and sweet fried
plantain. The plantain was curious, slightly charred, chewy and rather
meaty in itself. Throughout the meal meat on large skewers would arrive
at random which had been marinated or seasoned before grilling. They
looked and smelled so good I had to sample, just to be sure. I was
pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed so many of the offerings. The boys
went crazy over the Rare Steak, but I was impressed with the Slow Roasted
Pork & Pineapple, Teriyaki Chicken and Honey Brushed Turkey Breast
Roulad Wrapped in Bacon. The meat kept on coming with skewered "Alho"
Style Chicken Legs, Brazilian Style Baby Back Pork Ribs and "the poor
man's lobster": Monkfish.

Besides the All-You-Can-Eat Barbecue ($34.95) Samba has a full menu
with specialty entrees which include 1# Australian Lobster Tail Surf & Turf
($100) and Rigatoni Pasta ($19) with peas, pecorino cheese and garlic
cream. Though I would have been happy to have my own plate of endless
meat, I was happily with my Empanadas ($8.62). These couldn't have
been made any better with hand made pastry wrapped around perfectly
seasoned beef and served with a slightly thick spicy puree.

A Cuban classic Mojito ($10) muddled with rum, fresh mint and lime went
beautifully with everything, but mostly I'd hoped the mint would conceal
the enormous amounts of garlic I'd consumed from the bread and oil. Not a
chance, but it was all worth it anyways. This place is a dream.

Located inside the Mirage in Las Vegas

Telephone (702) 791-7337 or for reservations (702

Wow! I have never seen a place like this. A bit of a trek off the beaten path
of Palm Springs is a stylish place to taste good things. Admittedly pulling
up to the front I felt a let down, parking in front of an indiscrete suite
alongside a deserted mall, The Atrium. Once inside though I was tickled to
death.

Tastings is unique. The owners, a husband and wife team, dreamed up their
restaurant after a night of entertaining friends in their own living room.
Seeing everyone enjoy themselves over good wine and appetizers they
thought it a unique idea to gamble on. Their restaurant is a mix of various
rich living room arrangements in tans and browns brought to life with black
and turquoise. Comfortable leather and suede sofas and chairs are
arranged around their own coffee tables accented with funky fur and animal
print pillows making guests feel at home.

I immediately felt at ease sinking into our sofa admiring such mod
surroundings set to moody jazz. "Oh look!", I pointed at the window sills
which were lined with so many candles. So were the shelves, the table and
bar. How long must it have taken to set this place aglow. At the other side
of the room was a glass partition with a long dining room table just on the
other side. Beyond that was the wall with floor to ceiling shelves displaying
wine and gourmet foods found along travels.

Their seasonal menu offers a variety of small portions at a premium I must
say. Pan Roasted Duck Breast ($18) was reminiscent of pork tenderloin.
This was accompanied by a most excellent grilled Humbolt Fog Panini and
fig balsamic glaze. We enjoyed this over a bottle of St. Helena Road
Vineyards 2004 Cabernet "Roy J. Maier" ($90) with lingering notes of
raspberries.

The bill adds up quick here which is hard on a budget, but any easy way to
impress a date or client. Pan Seared Sea Scallops ($18) was such a homey
dish with firm seared scallops set in a roasted garlic cream sauce chock full
of garden fresh peas and crisp corn, applewood smoked bacon and
tomatoes. Their Spaghetti Carbonara ($12) wasn't the familiar version I'm
fond of, here it was dryer and less sinful. The Mushroom Risotto ($15) was
intriguing with the nutty earthy combination topped with fresh blueberries.
It worked! This was very filling and heated up beautifully later that night. A
couple of "Tastini's" ($8) each and an order of the Curried Jumbo Prawns
($15) grilled with lime and sprinkled with cashews garnished with a Napa
cabbage cucumber salad and we had to stop.

A light ending was all we had room for if our evening was to continue and
the Panna Cotta ($8) couldn't have been a better choice. The firm creamy
custard paired with fresh berries and a berry sauce was my kind of ending,
not overly sweet.

A weekly Prix Fixe menu pairs a starter, main course and dessert for $30
per person. For an additional $18 wine tastings are paired with each
course. Tastings focus is on fine wine, and while waiting their liquor license
"Tastini's" are mixed with a vodka that is less than 15% alcohol. It's too
bad I'm not rich, cause I could sit here all night.

Located at 69-930 Highway 111 in Rancho Mirage

Telephone (760) 324-4044