Tango Mambo: 40-19 20th Ave., Astoria

Cuisine: Argentine steak house

Hours: Weekdays 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.,
Sunday 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Parking: Street parking

Entertainment: Live Argentine music and professional tango and mambo dancing

Credit Cards: Major credit cards accepted

Tango Mambo is a delightful risk to those weak of heart with its combination of a great Argentine steak house meal and the tango and mambo.

The interior of Tango Mango is festive as murals capture scenes of a beach and couples locked into the rhythm of the tango. The interior is bright peach, before the lights get dimmed.

A great way to start a meal is Cocktail de Camarones (Shrimp Cocktail $11.50) or the Jamon Crudo con Mozzerella (Prosciutto with Mozzerella and Dried Tomato $6.90). For a salad there is the Waldorf ($4.50), which includes apple, celery, nuts and mayonnaise.

From the grill is a choice of steaks such as Bife de Chorizo ($16.90), which is a boneless shell steak accompanied with potatoes. A great choice is the unforgettable Lomita de Cerdo ($9.50), which is pork loin with mango sauce and yellow rice.

Though Tango Mango calls itself a steakhouse, it really is much more. The menu includes pasta like Canelones cons Salsa Blanca ($13.50), which is Swiss chard filled cannelloni in soft White Sauce with Nutmeg and Parmesan Cheese.

On the dessert menu, Tang Mambo has a range of crepes, including the Panqueque de Banana, which is banana crepes flambé with Grand Marinier. A very particular dessert is Tango Mambo’s Queso y Dulce, which is a native Gouda cheese with sweet potato paste. Though it sounds like a weird combination, it tastes great and can easily be shared by two. Desserts range from $3.50 to $6.50.

The sumptuous taste of a steak, or fresh seafood is only accented by cheery atmosphere and the live entertainment. On Friday and Sunday nights the hospitable owner Enrique Sanchez and his wife sing traditional Argentinean tunes as Enrique plays the guitar. On Saturday nights, professional tango and mango dancers are unleashed. But don’t be shy, because they’ll probably want to dance with you. Entertainment usually starts at 9 p.m.