Dinner -- 1/25/08

El Siete Mares
1915 Dutton Ave.
Waco, TX 76706
254.714.1297

http://www.elsietemares.net/

5:20 - 6:45 PM

Ramona: Tostada de Jaiba (flat, crispy tortilla with crab, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, & lime juice), we shared Cocktail de Camarom (shrimp, cilantro, onions, cocktail sauce, avocado), Camarones Al Acuyo (Fresh shrimp sauteed with olive oil, garlic, and acuyo, an ancient leaf, well-known in Southern Mexico), rice, steamed vegetables (red & green peppers, squash, cucumbers, green beans, broccoli, mushrooms), chips and queso, iced tea with lime.

Jim: Tostada de Jaiba, Alvarado's Combination de Mariscos (oysters, shrimp, octopus, crab, crayfish, squid, frog leg, & mussels in mild chipotle sauce, garlic butter), rice and steamed vegetables, chips and queso, iced tea with lime.

Over the years, El Siete Mares (The Seven Seas) has steadily improved. From a small corner restaurant on 18th street, to the current location, things seem to improve a little every visit. The dining room is now nicely decorated with a huge sailfish, photos, and glass and ceramic fish of all colors, sizes, and varieties. Recently, new tables a chairs were added that replaced the mix and match furniture they had.

Despite these physical changes, the food has not changed -- it always comes out hot and plentiful. I had to help Ramona finish her shrimp. We were both full, but not stuffed when we left. The queso had just a hint of spice (perfect for us), but they do have hotter available.

We both love one dessert, Tres Leches Cake, but they were out last night, so we settled for a slice of Tiramasu with two spoons. This Mexican version of the Italian dessert was made with tres leches (three milk) cake, instead of the traditional lady fingers, and it was a nice treat.

El Siete Mares is one of Waco's treasures, different from anywhere else we've ever eaten. Give it a try, you will be hooked!

-Jim