Let’s begin with a translation: In Spanish, mariscos is seafood, Pacifico refers back to the large ocean, and Nayarit is a state in southern Mexico, simply north of Jalisco. In complete, the identify conveys that this newish Mexican-food restaurant makes a speciality of seafood. That distinction was sufficient to attract me and The Grub Partner to its Kingston Pike handle, previously occupied by Casen’s Steakhouse and, earlier than that, a spot known as Slawger’s (a horrible identify for a restaurant).
Inside, issues didn’t look a lot totally different from what I bear in mind, besides that the coat of light-blue wall paint the brand new house owners have added makes the place appear a lot brighter than the tomb-like Casen’s environment.
The voluminous, spiral-bound menu does, certainly, provide many seafood dishes and in all kinds of classes. For instance, appetizers embrace fried calamari and fish quesadillas. There are whole classes dedicated to ceviche (uncooked fish cured in citrus juices) and aquachiles (uncooked shrimp submerged in liquid seasoned with chili peppers, lime juice and extra). Even scanning the listings of tostadas, soups and molcajetes, elements like prawns, tilapia and scallops have been outstanding. Home specials embrace dishes like langosta estilo Nayarit (lobster) and pulpo al carbon (grilled octopus).
We have been tempted by the camarones rellenos (bacon-wrapped shrimp with cheese) appetizer however wound up ordering the empanadas de camaron — shrimp and cheese empanadas ($9.99). For our essential dishes, I made a decision to strive the Filete Rey ($19.99), described on the menu as being a fish fillet filled with seafood (no additional particulars given). I had come very near ordering a fried snapper dish however modified my thoughts on the final second, once I discovered that the Filete Rey was grilled.
The menu additionally contains a part known as Tex Mex Grill, a restricted choice of extra conventional Mexican-food dishes, equivalent to tacos and quesadillas (though the Hen Alfredo was a head-scratcher). We thought it vital to pattern that facet of MFN’s choices as effectively, so The Partner ordered the Fajita Texana ($16.99), which comes with grilled parts of steak, rooster and shrimp along with the standard assortment of grilled greens, tortillas, bitter cream, guacamole, Mexican rice and refried beans.
Some service-related commentary: Our server was not a local English speaker. She wanted help in translating a few of our menu questions and in taking our order. I actually have zero difficulty with that. I used to be, nevertheless, very dissatisfied in her basic high quality of service. There have been lengthy absences between appearances and little follow-up, despite the fact that the eating room wasn’t that busy. We waited ceaselessly simply to get our examine and to request to-go containers.
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(There have been different service-related quirks although not associated to that individual worker. Chips and salsa didn’t present up at our desk till lengthy after we ordered; our appetizer was introduced out with our entrees; and there was a five-minute interval between the arrival of The Partner’s entrée and mine.)
However the meals went a great distance towards redeeming the expertise. The empanadas have been tasty, although the inside filling was extra of a shrimp-cheese mush than intact seafood. The avocado slices on prime have been a pleasant contact. The Partner’s grilled rooster, steak and shrimp have been muy deliciosas, and with the veggies and different toppings added to the combo, they made for some mighty high quality fajitas.
I by no means did study what sort of fish was featured within the Filete Rey, but it surely was gentle and flavorful. And quite than being filled with seafood, it was smothered with beneficiant quantities of white fish, shrimp, octopus and different briny goodies. It was all great, and though it wasn’t talked about on the menu, this dish got here with heat, buttered bread, seasoned French fries and white rice (or what Dr. Sheldon Cooper from “The Large Bang Idea” would confer with as “carb-filled redundancy”).
We ate till we have been stuffed and nonetheless had metaphorical tons of meals leftover to take house. And contemplating the financial system’s inflationary standing and the costs of seafood on the whole, I believed the costs have been greater than honest.
So if you happen to’re a fan of Mexican meals or seafood or each, put Mariscos Pacifico in your checklist of eating places to strive. In fact, relying in your server, you may put together your self for a number of service-related bumps on the highway to Nayarit.
Mariscos Pacifico Nayarit
Meals: 4.25
Service: 3.25
Ambiance: 3.75
Total: 4
Handle: 9507 Kingston Pike
Cellphone: 865-288-4129
Full bar service
Youngsters’ menu
Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays via Sundays
Do this new Kingston Pike Mexican-food eatery to expertise an abundance of south-of-the-border seafood dishes.
