About Santa Fe

Mariscos "La Playa"
Lunch for 6

Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, the famous gourmand, could predict what Parisian restaurants would survive their first year of business. "Never charge more than a moderate price. You will fill your tables when you are new and turn customers away once you are established. Your good, honest reputation will be your best success."

For an object lesson in this principle, visit Santa Fe's Mariscos "La Playa." A few years ago, my wife and I discovered the first Mariscos on Cordova Road. Within a year, the little twelve-top eatery had an 8 table wait during weekend nights. Now with two locations these restaurants are a Santa Fe triumph of excellent food at excellent prices. Ninety percent of the menu is seafood and that is 100 percent of what you should order, there are only a few rather uninteresting non-seafood choices. All seafood servings are plentiful, affordable and delicious.

On this particular Sunday, the six of us found ourselves seated immediately and surrounded by a loud din of happy customers. Obviously, families can afford to come here as a large group. Children ran in circles or ate contentedly of the avocado dip with saltines. Service always begins with generous portions of a creamy guacamole, homemade salsa and chips. These are delicious and they will bring more if requested. Also notable were the Oysters on the half-shell; a dozen came to us quickly, large and juicy, fresh and flavorful.

The caldo vuelve a la vida-"come back to life" soup-bursting with shrimp, octopus, scallops, clams, crab and calamari in a rich broth is especially recommended. Ready to eat? Close your eyes and pick any of their choices, you will love it. From the simple shrimp steamed in butter or garlic to the majestic Filete ala Veracruzana (a Veracruz style red snapper fillet served in a special sauce), every seafood entrée is a delight. All Entrees come with fries, rice, avocados and tomatoes.

The menus are the same at both locations and you will find the restaurants to be clean, bright, bustling places with entrees priced between eight and twelve dollars.

Mariscos La Playa
2875 Cerrillos Road (505) 473-4594
537 Cordova Road (505) 982-2790