Sushisamba Hosts Brazilian Carnaval Festival

Special Menus and Entertainment Mark Four Days of Festivities to Honor Rio de Janeiro's Most Extravagant Celebration

SUSHISAMBA brings Brazil's 2009 lavish Carnaval festival to the streets of New York this year with a 4-day extravaganza of live samba dancing, drummers and special menus. In addition, from February 20th to February 24th, SUSHISAMBA (SUSHISAMBA park at 245 Park Avenue South, 212.475.9377 and SUSHISAMBA 7 at 87 Seventh Avenue South, 212.691.7885) will feature live video feeds from the annual festival in Brazil to further bring the holiday to life for a New York audience. The Carnaval event this year is even more special for SUSHISAMBA as it kicks off a 10-month countdown to the restaurant's 10-year anniversary.

This world-famous Carnaval celebration is known for its flamboyantly dressed dancers, dazzling parade floats and pulsating Samba rhythms. The word "Carnaval" is thought to have originated from the Italian carne vale, or "farewell to meat," which was traditionally avoided for 40 days preceding Easter. Introduced initially in Brazil as "entrudo," a Portuguese celebration in which revelers took to the streets, Carnaval has evolved into one of the most spectacular festivals around the world. With the possible exception of soccer, Carnaval is Brazil's most popular cultural celebration. SUSHISAMBA is proud to bring the festive occasion to its New York restaurants where diners can experience the popular celebration first-hand.

SUSHISAMBA offers inventive fare that unites bold Brazilian flavors, precise Japanese technique and traditional Peruvian culinary traditions on one plate. The growing restaurant group opened their newest outpost in Las Vegas at The Palazzo Hotel and Casino Resort late last year. Please see www.sushisamba.com for more information about this dynamic restaurant group.

Carnaval 2009 Specials
"Bossanova" Roll $14
farofa crusted tiger shrimp, torched pineapple, avocado & toasted coconut sushi rice

"Salada de Palmito" $16
- Hearts of palm, papaya, king crab, caipirinha vinaigrete & candied cashews

"Peixe Frito" $26
Cocacabana beach style fried whole fish, lime, chiles & cilantro

"Lietoa Pururuca de Paulista" $32
crispy suckling pig, torresmo & tangerines with brazilian beans and rice

Carnaval Cocktail Recipe $12
1.5 oz Cabana cachaca
2 whole strawberries (each cut in half)
Two pinches of cinnamon
One pinch of cayenne pepper
1 tbl of honey
1 oz lemon juice

Muddle cinnamon, strawberries, cayenne pepper and honey in a glass. Add cachaca and lemon juice, shake and serve on rocks with cinnamon stick garnish with � strawberry spear.