Dining pick of the week: Mar y Tierra

PICK OF THE WEEK:

MAR Y TIERRA

712 N. EASTERN AVENUE, NORTH
OF BONANZA ROAD, 384-5151

Mexican seafood is delicious when prepared with the fiery sauces and spices common to Mexican cuisine. Seafood is king here, but the restaurant also has "land" dishes. Parrillada del mar for two is tilapia, fish filets, shrimp and octopus with potato, onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, rice, salad and soup. If you prefer meat, enjoy a similar two-person platter with steak, Cornish hen, beef tongue, green chiles, potatoes, rice, beans and soup. Other specialties include paella (seafood and meat combo with rice), beef tongue Mexicana, chicken in mole sauce, steak picado or milanesa and chicken, beef or shrimp fajitas. Several seafood entrees are whole fish (red snapper, tilapia, catfish), shrimp (diabla, rancheros, steamed, grilled) and lobster stuffed with shrimp and octopus or al mojo de ajo, meaning with garlic and butter. There also are enchiladas, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tostadas and chile rellenos. Featured soups are Seven Seas, clam chowder, and chicken and shrimp. Menudo is served throughout the day. Several cold cocktails are shrimp, oyster or abalone. Among the desserts are flan, fried ice cream, and rol de queso, a sweet cream cheese roll. Entrees begin at $7. Mar y Tierra is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday. -- Jack Bulavsky