Let’s begin with a translation: in Spanish, seafood is shellfish, Pacifico refers back to the nice ocean, and Nayarit is a state in southern Mexico, simply north of Jalisco. Altogether, the title conveys that this new Mexican meals restaurant makes a speciality of seafood. That distinction was sufficient to attract me and The Grub Partner to its Kingston Pike handle, beforehand occupied by Casen’s Steakhouse and, earlier than that, a spot known as Slawger’s (a horrible title for a restaurant).
Inside, issues did not look too totally different from what I bear in mind, besides that the sunshine blue wall paint added by the brand new house owners makes the place appear a lot brighter than the tomb-like ambiance of Casen.
The voluminous spiral menu gives, in actual fact, many seafood dishes and in all kinds of classes. For instance, appetizers embrace fried calamari and fish quesadillas. There are complete classes devoted to ceviche (uncooked fish cured in citrus juices) and aquachiles (uncooked shrimp dipped in liquid seasoned with chiles, lime juice, and extra). Even leafing by the lists of tostadas, soups and molcajetes, substances similar to shrimp, tilapia and scallops stood out. Home specialties embrace dishes like Nayarit-style lobster (lobster) and pulpo al carbon (grilled octopus).
We have been tempted by the Camarones Rellenos (bacon wrapped shrimp with cheese) as an appetizer, however ended up ordering the Empanadas de Camarón, Shrimp and Cheese Empanadas ($9.99). For our entrees, I made a decision to strive the King Filet ($19.99), described on the menu as a fish fillet filled with shellfish (no additional particulars given). I used to be very near ordering a fried snapper dish, however modified my thoughts on the final second after I discovered the King Filet was grilled.
The menu additionally includes a part known as Tex Mex Grill, a restricted choice of extra conventional Mexican meals dishes like tacos and quesadillas (though the Rooster Alfredo was a head scratcher). We thought it was necessary to strive that side of MFN’s choices as effectively, so Partner ordered the Fajita Texana ($16.99), which comes with grilled steak, hen, and shrimp parts, plus the same old assortment of grilled greens. grill, tortillas, bitter cream, guacamole, Mexican rice and refried beans.
Some feedback associated to the service: Our server was not a local English speaker. I wanted assist translating a few of our menu questions and taking our order. I actually haven’t any downside with that. Nonetheless, I used to be very upset within the general high quality of their service. There have been lengthy absences between appearances and little observe by, although the eating room was not that busy. We waited eternally simply to get our examine and request to go bins.
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(There have been different service-related quirks, although not associated to that individual worker. The chips and salsa did not present up at our desk till effectively after we ordered; they introduced our appetizer with our entrees; and there was a five-minute interval.) minutes between the arrival of The Partner’s essential dish and mine.)
However the meals did quite a bit to redeem the expertise. The empanadas have been tasty, though the inside filling was extra of a cheese and shrimp mush than intact shellfish. Avocado slices on high have been a pleasant contact. Partner’s grilled hen, steak, and shrimp have been so scrumptious, and with the greens and different toppings thrown into the combo, they became some very skinny fajitas.
I by no means knew what sort of fish was featured within the King Filet, however it was comfortable and attractive. And as a substitute of being filled with shellfish, it was topped with beneficiant quantities of white fish, shrimp, octopus, and different savory goodies. It was all fantastic, and whereas it wasn’t talked about on the menu, this dish got here with heat buttered bread, seasoned fries, and white rice (or what Dr. Sheldon Cooper of “The Massive Bang Principle” would name “carb-filled redundancy”). ”).
We ate our fill and metaphorically nonetheless had tons of meals left to take dwelling. And contemplating the inflationary state of the financial system and seafood costs usually, I believed the costs have been greater than truthful.
So, when you’re a fan of Mexican meals, seafood, or each, put Mariscos Pacifico in your checklist of eating places to strive. After all, relying in your server, you may put together for some service-related bumps on the highway to Nayarit.
Seafood Pacific Nayarit
Meals: 4.25
Service: 3.25
Environment: 3.75
Common: 4
Handle: 9507 Kingston Pike
Phone: 865-288-4129
Full bar service
Kids’s menu
Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday by Sunday
Do this new Kingston Pike Mexican restaurant to expertise an abundance of south-of-the-border seafood dishes.