Carmelo’s: Working Up a Sweat to Brazilian-Infused Beats

As chillier nights roll in, there’s at least one place along Coast Highway that’s turning up the heat. At Carmelo’s in Corona del Mar, the palm trees out front are now a harbinger to the Brazilian-infused beats going on inside courtesy of Los Tropicanos.

The six-piece band cranks out four one-hour sets, five nights a week, of what leader and percussionist Gino Garcia characterizes as tropical music--fun, danceable tunes with an exotic, warm-weather feel. In addition to selections sung in Portuguese by Argentine-born Anna Robles, Los Tropicanos interpret Latin pop covers such as the Gipsy Kings’ “Bamboleo” or Santana’s “Black Magic Woman” at speeds that keep up the charged Mardi Gras tone.

The same goes for the jazz-driven numbers led by guitarist Terrance Elliott and saxophonist Walter La Kota, followed by something more funked out, which could feature a rap break by Garcia, who goes by the name of Gino G. The combination of Latin sounds and rap reflects another side of the conga player, who will soon back a rap artist opening for Madonna in Argentina on the Material Girl’s current tour.

Rounding out the Los Tropicanos ensemble are keyboardist Eric Ruskin and (playing various hand-held instruments from tambourines to cowbells) Michael Jay, dubbed the “human gyrator” because of his hyperactive moves. A person can work up a sweat just watching him.

Crowd response to Los Tropicanos, who are scheduled indefinitely at Carmelo’s, is generally as fired up as the music. Yells of “bravo!” and “rico!” rise from the surrounding cocktail tables and the tiny dance floor as each song comes to an end. No matter how jam-packed the floor gets--and it overflows through much of the night--couples continue to cram it as if by some miracle a space will open.

That’s the one mark against the lounge at Carmelo’s: its size. The space seats about 65 patrons, and realistically the dance floor can hold about a half-dozen couples comfortably. But who’s counting? It takes patience and a friendly attitude to handle rubbing up against and frequently knocking into the other perspiring dancers on the floor.

But Manto has no plans of expanding the dance floor or the lounge; he says he believes the cozy ambience is what keeps customers coming back. So, if elbow room is what you’re looking for, try Tuesdays and Wednesdays, when there usually are fewer dancers.

Even after 11 p.m. on a recent Thursday night, the intimate lounge and bar, which is next to the restaurant, is still happening. At closing time the clientele of mostly professionals have to be herded out, apparently having forgotten that Friday is still a workday.

With no cover to shell out at the door, you can save your lire for the delicious Italian menu items served in the lounge--appetizers like fried calamari or bruschetta run $3.50 to $4.50, and entrees, including pastas and pizza al prosciutto, are less than $9. There’s a full bar offering glasses of wine for $4 to $7, beer at $3 to $3.50 and premium wells at $3.75 to $4.50.

Carmelo’s romantic environ and Los Tropicanos’ infectious jams should prove enough to turn even a date that starts lukewarm into a hot night--or at least a hot night for dancing.

* CARMELO’S

* 3520 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar.

* (714) 675-1922.

* Los Tropicanos perform Tuesday through Thursday starting at 8:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Sets usually end between 1 to 1:45 a.m.

* No cover.