Mariscos Tampico

Mariscos Tampico Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant: Though Mariscos Tampico doesn’t offer much in the way of ambience, it makes up for it with nuanced dishes that capture the authentic nature of Mexico's take on seafood. Octopus ceviche is made with a tomato base, studded with tender wedges of tentacle and topped with chunks of avocado. It's accompanied by chips straight from the fryer, reflecting a sheen of oil and served with a slightly smoky salsa and plenty of lime wedges. Specialty seafood entrées include grilled mahi mahi tacos made with fish that's deeply flavored from a garlic marinade, and "Carmen's special," a giant shrimp stuffed with sweet crab meat and wrapped in bacon, topped with the house's zingy cream sauce. Other somewhat luxe dishes include stuffed Dungeness crab, lobster in Tampico sauce and oysters Rockefeller. For those who prefer meat, there are standard beef or pork tacos as well as surprisingly light albondigas (traditional meatball soup) filled with heaps of onion, garlic and stewed vegetables along with the tender rounds of meat. For dessert, guests may opt for cheesecake or flan.