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Mariscos Polo

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bzychild
bzychild
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
3
Reviews
5
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Editor Pick

Scrumptious Seafood

  • June 16, 2009
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Andariega from Boca de Tomatlan, Mexico
Scrumptious Seafood

Located east of Insurgentes, in the less touristed section of Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic Zone, Polo’s is a seafood restaurant with a strong following of expats and long term foreigners. I always enjoy my time here but tend to forget about it. Spying an empty parking spot, we were reminded it was time to visit Polo’s once again.

Just through the entrance there is a dining area to either side. We were ushered toward the left and told to choose any table. It was early for dinner and we were the first one’s there. The room is small with large windows facing the street, the tablecloths are festive and the minimal décor is ocean themed. The other space is much the same.

The friendly waiter, who spoke both Spanish and English, told us what was fresh, and offered suggestions. He quickly returned with our drinks. The beer was frosty cold. The menu is almost all seafood. There are appetizers, soups, and salads, all seafood based, and a long list of fish and shrimp entrees. There are some wonderful combination plates. For fishyphobics there are only two choices – the grilled chicken breast stuffed with spinach and cheese, served on linguini and covered with mushroom gravy and the grilled fillet mignon covered in a red wine sauce and served with a baked potato. Both are good. Guacamole and dessert are the only options for vegetarians. Prices are reasonable with dinners running from 90 pesos for the garlic mahi-mahi fillet to 495 pesos for the huge seafood platter for two.

With so many wonderful sounding choices it took us a while to decide. We wanted to try something new. The waiter was patient, not hovering. When we were ready he was there in a snap. It seems like dinner was served just minutes later. I don’t remember things being so speedy here on other visits. Maybe it was because we were the only ones here this time.

Sails had the Shrimp Selene – shrimp sautéed with mushrooms, bell pepper and green onion, served in a white wine cheese sauce. We were not disappointed (I snagged a bite). The shrimp were plump; the sauce was smooth and flavorful. Like everything we have eaten here, it was wonderful. I had the Mahi-Mahi del Pacifico – a thick fillet of dorado (mahi-mahi) sautéed with capers, onions, mushrooms, beer and wine. I loved it. The chunk of fish was perfectly cooked, flaky but with no raw spot in the middle. It had a strong lime flavor that went well with the beer undertones. I would only recommend this dish to people who like their food tart.

I can’t write about Polo’s without at least giving a nod to some of our favorites.
Mariscada – We only eat this when we are very hungry. It is a seafood combination platter for two and comes with grilled lobster, red snapper, shrimp, crab and scallops served with rice veggies and loads of garlic butter.
Fiesta del Mar – lobster, fish, shrimp and scallops served in a white wine cheese sauce.
Polo’s Combo – garlic lobster, scallops sautéed with mushrooms and a shrimp brochette with a dried chile sauce.
Camarones Rosy – a brochette with shrimp, bell pepper, tomato, onion and bacon served in a dried chile sauce.
Dorado al Chipotle – a mahi-mahi fillet, covered with mushrooms, shrimp, cheese and a chipotle sauce and wrapped in a banana leaf.
The scallop salad and the chipotle seafood soup are our favorite starters.

The servings were abundant so unfortunately we couldn’t pack in any of the wonderful coconut flan we usually finish our meal with. As we were leaving we noticed the place was full. Good. Even though we don’t eat here often we would be heartbroken to see it close.

Sails said, "The seafood is always fresh and well prepared here. The service is good and the prices are reasonable."

sample menu
Scallop Burritosish Salad................60 pesos (US$5.70)
Cream of Crab Soup.......................48 pesos (US$4.60)
Hectors Dorado Filet......................120 pesos (US$11.40)
baked mahi mahi with scallop mousse,
caramelized onions and a rosemary
and red wine sauce
Whole Red Snapper.......................110 pesos (US$10.50)
grilled, fried, garlic or spicy
Rosy's Shrimp...............................158 pesos (US$15.00)
sautéed with bell pepper, chives and mushrooms
served in a white wine cheese sauce
Cri's Combo..................................240 pesos (US$22.90)
garlic lobster, coconut shrimp and
a seafood stuffed fish filet

Polo's is open from Wednesday through Monday from noon until 10:00 pm. Credit cards are not accepted.

Directions – Polo’s is on Francisco Madero between Aguacate and Insurgentes. From the northeast corner of parking/plaza Lazaro Cardenas (the ocean is to the west) head north one block. Turn right on Francisco Madero. Go three and a half blocks. The restaurant is on the right.

From journal Romantic Seafood

Mariscos = Seafood

  • January 20, 2009
  • Rated 4 of 5 by garyrbeck from San Francisco, California
Mariscos = Seafood

This is the definition [above] and Polo has made a fine niche for himself in SouthSide, serving very fresh fish and seafood in creative ways. His shrimp piri is renown for its spicy mango salsa on the side of crisp sweet coconut shrimp. The seafood pasta is so refreshing and tasty! Whole huachinango is a dish we always discuss and delight in. We order ceviche and calamari for sharing and invited guests almost to a tee agree this is one fine place. Just to see Polo's smile as we enter is worth the visit. Why keep going back to the same big popular spots, although good? Check them out, ya hear?

garyrbeck
from my restaurant guide

From journal Time for 2009 Plans

Editor Pick

Mariscos Polo

  • March 25, 2002
  • Rated 3 of 5 by bzychild from Minneapolis, Minnesota
I’ve been trying to eat here my last 3 trips, and last night I finally succeeded. First it was closed, then it was full and I was too hungry to wait and the last time, we couldn’t eat because silly me forgot her money. This time, we got lucky, I was hungry, there was a table available and Viola! I had pesos!

I have heard great things about this place from locals, the best source of dining information. Plus plenty of locals were dining, the best sign if it is good or not. My rule of thumb: less gringos, more locals, it must be good, as word travels fast in Vallarta.

Mariscos Polo isn’t 5 Star asthetically, nor is it anywhere near the beaten path, BUT, it has excellent fresh seafood, great prices, delightful staff and an eclectic mix of recorded music. I had the shrimp burrito which is plenty full of shrimp, nicely seasoned with a Thousand Island type sauce, poblano peppers, lettuce, tomato and cheese. My friend had the shrimp bisque soup, which was full of nice sized shrimp in a huge bowl and fresh baked bread on the side. We chose these as we weren’t very hungry, but hungry enough to have something more than an appetizer. While we were waiting for our food, we looked around at huge plates of shrimp and fish the other diners were enjoying. Lack of conversation from the tables told me it must be good! The only sounds were the Bee Gee’s, the Eagles and K.C. and the Sunshine Band from the stereo…that and my stomach starting to growl. I almost wished I had ordered more, but by time the food was served, I saw the burrito was more than enough to quiet the beast.

The menu mainly features seafood, shrimp, chicken, catch of the day and some traditional Mexican favorites. The prices are very reasonable and the portions are large enough to satisfy.

Hours are from Noon to 10:00pm.

From journal VIVA Vallarta!

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