El Pirata

It is a rare day when you can be the first to add a business to Unilocal and give it’s first review! THIS LOCATION IS A SWEET LITTLE SECRET ESCAPE!
Clearly a restaurant prized by the locals, Mariscos Al Pirata is an authentic Latino dining establishment. The restaurant will seat approximately 20 people. Upon walking in, you should expect to be greeted by an amazing young man, the son of the restaurant owners. He will gladly guide you through the menu (all prices include tax) and ensure you find just the right dish.
I am reviewing two trips in one post because I went back for a second visit almost immediately! It’s just that good!
First trip, the table ordered:
Pescado a la plancha: Grilled fish with salad, brown rice, potato salad. The fish arrived and the grilled coloring was super appetizing. We couldn’t wait to dig in. This plate is served in half sizes… which is recommend because it’s a lot of food! The potato salad is creamy and is a nice compliment to the grilled fish. We found that eating the fish alongside a fried corn tortilla really brought out the smokey flavor.
Pescado Madraso: Fish, shrimp, calamari, and crab steamed together in a foil pack with red sauce. This was enough to feed all four of our guests at lunch and it was decadent. This is highly recommended but come hungry as it does not come in half sizes. The sauce has a little spice and it was a crowd pleaser. All the forks kept dipping back for more!
Caldo de pescado: This soup comes served in a VERY LARGE PORTION. Imagine a salad bowl size of soup because that’s what you’ll get. There is at least 2 full fish filets in this yummy soup. The seasonings have an old bay flavor and the soup includes lots of veggies. If you ask for extra bowls, they will bring them to the table along with a serving ladle.
Second trip:
Pescado a la plancha: REPEAT THE ABOVE REVIEW. Still excellent
Pescado al mojo de ajo: Garlic Fish… this was pretty good. It came with sliced steamed garlic over the top. Served with the same sides as previously mentioned. It was good but we both agreed the a la plancha was the winner today.
I love love love horchata. If it’s served, I always try it in my quest for the best horchata in the metro. The horchata was served in a large cocktail glass and it was pretty good. Maybe not the best… yet…but good nonetheless.
Just a word on the «feel» of this restaurant. As soon as I sit down, I feel immediately transported to another place. Somewhere close to the shore. Almost as if I was invited into someone’s family dining room. Comfortable. Casual.
A note: There is a large condiment selection on each table. They appear to be well-​used. :)

Although I wanted to review as soon as I left, I had to let Donna have the first review for finding this gem and adding it to Unilocal.
I was absolutely blown away. It is a divey little place that is far from divey when it comes to the food. Mexican seafood has been on my must try list and I may never need to go anywhere else.
The fish is cooked perfectly. Flaky yet moist and the two options I tried were full of flavor. A plate of fish would satisfy me. The meals come with a nice creamy, minimal potato salad that I thought was perfect. Well cooked potatoes with just a touch of bite. The rice is a good Mexican rice. Nice flavor, I would bet cooked in broth. The salad is simple. The simpleness of the sides really highlight the fish and make them the perfect companions.
A basket of crackers and hard tortillas are served as you sit down. I pretty much ignore them, but decided to try a tortilla before and my meal. Alone, a nice crunch shell, with a little fish on it, both are elevated to an incredible level.
This is a must try. The restaurant is small. The booths are a little padding deficient. Service is great and the food is some of the best in the city!

This is a tiny little Mexican restaurant that specializes in seafood. We stopped in for a quick bite and ordered a small plate of ceviche and they bring you a basket of saltines and tostadas. They serve Mexican sodas in bottles, some beers, and had some candy at the counter. Their menu is pretty basic and without pictures, so I’d like to go back and try some of their other items. The entire restaurant is decorated in kitschy sea related items… shells, fish, nets, lighthouses.