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It’s a Carnaval Celebração at SUSHISAMBA Strip

Let’s get louco! Join SUSHISAMBA strip for the annual Carnaval celebration, one of the world’s most lavish festivals. Beginning Saturday, February 21 through Tuesday, February 24, SUSHISAMBA will host a special Carnaval menu to mark Rio de Janeiro’s most extravagant celebration. The Carnaval event kicks of a 10-month countdown to SUSHISAMBA’s 10-year anniversary. In addition to a delectable menu, there will be live samba entertainment on Tuesday, February 24 to celebrate the final day of Carnaval.

The Carnaval celebration in Rio de Janeiro is the most famous in the world. Scores of spectacular floats surrounded by thousands of dancers, singers and drummers dressed in elaborate costumes, masks and headdresses parade through the enormous Sambódromo Stadium in the heart of the city. Droves of revelers dance and party throughout the days leading into the start of Lent.

The origin of Brazil’s Carnaval dates back to a Portuguese pre-Lent festivity called “entrudo,” a chaotic event where participants threw mud, water and food at each other in a street event that often led to riots. Rio de Janeiro’s first masquerade Carnaval parade took place in 1840 where the participants danced to polkas and waltzes.

The sound closely associated with the Brazilian Carnaval, the samba, did not become part of the festival until 1917. Samba music is a mix of Angolan semba, European polka, African batuques, with touches of Cuban habanera and other musical styles. The arrival of samba music to Rio de Janeiro is a result of the arrival of black Brazilians of the north, to the impoverished slums or favelas surrounding Rio following the abolition of slavery in Brazil in 1888. Today the Carnaval celebration is organized by the escolas de samba (samba schools) of Rio de Janeiro. Carnaval Menu Specials

Bossanova Roll – $14

Farofa crusted tiger shrimp, torched pineapple, avocado and toasted coconut sushi rice

Salada de Palmito – $16

Hearts of palm, papaya, king crab, caipirinha vinaigrette and candied cashews

Peixe Frito – $26

Copacabana Beach-style fried whole fish, lime, chiles and cilantro

Lietoa Pururuca de Paulista – $32

Crispy suckling pig, torresmo and tangerines with Brazilian beans and rice

Carnaval Sambatini – $12

Cachaça, strawberries, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, honey and lemon juice

Located inside The Shoppes at The Palazzo, SUSHISAMBA strip offers inventive fare uniting bold Brazilian flavors, precise Japanese technique and exquisite Peruvian culinary traditions on one plate. In addition to the Las Vegas location, SUSHISAMBA also has outposts in New York, Chicago, Miami and Tel Aviv. Reservations can be made by calling (702) 607-0700 and all major credit cards are accepted.

For more information, visit www.sushisamba.com