AFTER DARK

Mambo Jambo's a good match in Springs

By GABE BERMAN

seize18@aol.com

``Hey there, you're not going to believe this. I finally met a great guy on Match.com.''

She waited for a response, but I said nothing.

She took a deep breath and said, `We e-mailed back and forth for weeks and we finally met up at Mambo Jambo in Coral Springs. We were just gonna meet for a quick drink but we ended up having dinner.''

I attempted to interject but she just steam-rolled right passed me with, ``And you're not going to believe this -- we kissed! And I never, ever kiss on the first date.''

''That's awesome,'' I said but it was obvious that I wasn't very excited by the news. That's because I had no idea who this woman was. I was just flipping through magazines in the bookstore and out of nowhere, she accosted me with her story.

On the bright side, however, at least I knew the next nightspot I'd be reviewing.

Although Mambo Jambo, dubbed ''A Nuevo Latino Seafood Café'' has a chic ring to it, I still expected the typical trimmings of a Mexican restaurant. You know the drill: faded piñatas hanging from the ceiling, Corona banners, a few strands of holiday lights wrapped around the bar and Tejano music blaring from the speakers.

But when I pulled up at 1933 N. University Dr. in Coral Springs, percussion-heavy Latin music flowed into the parking lot from their canopy-covered, outdoor patio. So much for preconceived notions.

I almost bumped into a sushi bar. A sushi bar? It turns out that Mambo Jambo truly is a chic, nuevo Latino seafood café because the sushi and ceviche bar can barely keep up with all the orders.

Branching off from the sushi spread is the well-stocked bar of cherry and oak woods. The back wall of the barroom is covered by a mural of women dancing in a trancelike state, painted by a local art student.

''There's no place like home'' might be your mantra if you spend too much time with the liberally pouring bartenders.

The adjacent dining area tapers like the inside of a Mayan pyramid. Faux marble columns rise from the Spanish tile floor. Figurines and knickknacks rest on cigar cases and the original works of Milena De La Pena and Brent Miller are proudly displayed. Milena's artwork obviously nods to European modernism (according to the manager of Mambo Jambo) and Brent's style is a cross between Salvador Dali and Pink Floyd's The Wall (at least according to me).

The massive wine rack holds about 100 bottles. Along with dozens of tequilas and homemade sangria, the drink list features Cabo Wabo Reposado Tequila: fresh sweet-sour, Cointreau, Fruja Raspberry Liqueur by Hiram Walker and a splash of orange juice.

Try one of the eight premium rum cocktails. The Dirty Banana is made with Appleton Estate V/X 5-year rum, Kahlua, créme de banana and milk. They also offer 17 premium martinis. The Strawberry Shortcake is shaken with Stoli Strawberry Vodka, a splash of Bacardi Coco Rum and Tequila Rose Strawberry Cream Liqueur.

Mambo Jambo is open until 10 p.m. during the week and midnight on the weekends. On Friday and Saturday nights, enjoy live Latin music on the patio. The dance floor is quickly filled to capacity with a pretty diverse crowd.

If you're looking for a happy hour, head next door to the Miller's Coral Springs Ale House (1915 N. University Dr.) from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. The drink of the day is $1; house wines are $2 and well drinks are $3.

Dozens of TVs are tuned to sports, there are two pool tables and framed pictures of Bird and Magic remind you of who the real legends are. The outdoor patio bar can be reached through a door that swishes open automatically, like the bridge door on Capt. Kirk's Enterprise.

Thirty beers are on tap and the bar is stocked with enough alcohol to supply a fraternity house for at least a few months. Thursday night is ladies' night and they drink free from 10 p.m. until closing at 2 a.m.

The Ale House is also fitting for a first date, but whether or not you kiss your date -- I'd rather not hear about it.

ON THE HORIZON

• Local reggae legend Fourth Dimension will be opening for international reggae legend Maxi Priest Friday at Culture Room, 3045 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale. Doors open at 8 p.m. $19.99.

• See Loose Cannon at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Toad Bar & Grill at 2153 N. University Dr. in Coral Springs.