Restaurant Review: Muelle 8

Restaurant Review: Muelle 8 (October 2008)

Cuisine: seafood. Setting: an open, airy restaurant just off Prolongación Montejo, with marine décor and colorful furnishings. Price for 2 including 2 drinks per person, 2 appetizers, and 2 main courses: $570. Seats: 74. Schedule: 11:30 am to 6 pm every day. Location: Calle 21 No. 141 Col. Buenavista, tel. 944 5343. Credit cards: VI, MC, Amex.

If you are looking for the best in fish and seafood, Muelle 8 is a must. Their comprehensive menu will tempt you to try some of the freshest and most delicious seafood in Mérida. The setting is a coastal color scheme with marine décor and white furniture, in an open, airy room where you can imagine the ocean breezes.

As you ponder the menu options, try a glass of ice cold white wine to get you in the mood for your seafood lunch.

For cold appetizers, consider cocktails and ceviches, carpaccios, and various shrimp dishes. The house salad (no seafood) and the Smoked Paté of Red Snapper are both prepared to perfection. The salad includes such delicacies as baby corn and hearts of palm. The paté, served with herbed butter and a fresh baguette, is full of flavor.

The hot appetizers include crab, octopus, shrimp crepes, cream of squash flower and snail soup, and shrimp with chipotle.

Shrimp and lobster are specialties at Muelle 8. Shrimps can be prepared on the grill, shish kabob, with coconut, with garlic and butter, or the delicious olive oil, garlic, and guajillo chile preparation. Lobster can be prepared as you like it and is priced by the gram.

Fish options include trout, grouper, red snapper, and hogfish, with as many preparation options as you can imagine. The red snapper on the grill is plentiful, cooked to perfection, and simply delicious. All main courses are served with saffron rice and lightly steamed vegetables.

If you still have room for dessert, consider flan, coconut créme, pecan pie, or ice cream, any of which can be accompanied by a delicious hot coffee.

You don't have to drive to the coast for perfect seafood...just visit Muelle 8 in Mérida and see for yourself.

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