01/10/09

A dining out disaster....

by minaustin

Honestly, I was shocked to see many positive reviews from this restaurant on Citysearch. My mother and I ate at Sampaio's for the first time a few days ago. The problems were numerous. When we arrived, half of the tables were empty. We were told we would have to wait 5 minutes. There was an older woman assisting with seating and when we inquired why it was taking so long, she spoke to us in a very harsh, rude manner. After waiting for 25 minutes, we were finally given a table. If half of the tables were available, why weren't we seated immediately? There were about 10 other people waiting with us all jammed in to a very small area immediately by the front door.

We wait 15 minutes for a server once seated. We then wait another 15 minutes for our drinks to arrive. The server takes our order. We wait another 20 minutes and the server comes over and says "What do you want to order"? This was after he had taken our order 20 minutes ago! When we told him this, he said "Really?" with this perplexed look on his face... he had no memory of us at all. So, of course, our order had not been given to the kitchen so we wait another long period for our food.

We order an appetizer of baked cheese bread. We get 6 bite-size rolls...tasty but not worth the ridiculous price of $8.00.

The food finally arrives and is not good at all. My meal that was described as chicken in a coconut cream and peanut sauce mainly consists of shrimp. When I question the waiter about this, he says that even though it doesn't say it on the menu, a large portion of this dish is shrimp. Huh? Why would a main ingredient not be included on the menu description? The shrimp and chicken were overcooked and the general taste is marginal at best. Definitely not worth the $20 price.

The restaurant was way too loud.

The hostess was clueless and seemed overwhelmed with her job.

Save yourself a night of poor service and lackluster food, do not eat here.

• Cons: terrible service, lackluster food, long wait time

10/20/08

FIND ANOTHER RESTAURANT!!

by bentol888

After a week a few days with a reservation, a group of about 6 of us showed up excited to try the new restaurant we all heard so much about. So, here we go! First of all our table was ready after 45 minutes. While we were at the bar we ordered a round of drinks that were great, but when we finally got to our table and ordered another round of drinks, one of them wasn't as good (rum/coke) so we sent it back to the bar and said that there did'nt seem to be much rum in it. The waiter came back and said if we didn't like it the bartender would make another one but charge us for it! From then on, our waiter did not seem to want to be waiting on us. Lack luster, seemed annoyed when asked what some of the dishes were and pretty much wasn'nt interested. What really sucked is that we still payed a good amount for the meal. Food was good but sorry to say I will NEVER be back.

09/21/08

Austin's Finest

by JoJoATX

Sampaio's is a true Austin treasure and perhaps the pinnacle of Brazilian dining this side of the Sao Paulo. The food has never been less than amazing and the ambiance sets the perfect mood for the perfect dining experience. The steak is always cooked to perfection, the seafood always fresh and the vegetables and sides always compliment the main course and touch the palette in all of the right places. The waitstaff and service is always friendly, willing to make recommendations and attentive but never overbearing nor ever present. When enjoying all that Sampaio's has to offer make sure never to make the mistake of leaving without the coconut flanlike desert, truly the best possible ending to the best Brazilian dining experience Austin has to offer.

• Pros: Food, Service, Price
• Cons: There's only one!