Mi Lindo Nayarit: Fresh Seafood, Live Mariachi + Ice-Cold Michelada

Mi Lindo Nayarit is like taking a quick trip to Mexico, the coastal region of Nayarit, to be exact. We went to the 8000 S. Central Ave. location because the main Florence Ave. location was mobbed with people and the wait was almost an hour on a Sunday afternoon. The second location was, curiously, almost empty but we still had live Mariachis, which was cool.

The thing to order here is seafood. That's what the Nayarit region is known for. But first, I got an ice-cold Michelada, a sort of beer cocktail that mixes beer (Mexican brand of your choice -- I went with Corona) with lime juice, sauces and spices served in a salt-rimmed glass. Our server asked if I wanted clam juice in it, but I couldn't stomach it so just had it without. Note to self: must try it with clam juice next time. I liked the refreshing, citrusy note of the beer with a slight kick although I'm not sure it will become my beverage of choice anytime soon.

We got the aguachiles, raw, butterflied prawns served on a platter drizzled with a spicy lime juice sauce. It was similar to ceviche, only slightly spicier. Besides chiles, I tasted cilantro and it included chunks of thinly sliced red onions. At first, I didn't love the prawns. I thought I tasted something unfresh about them but when I combined the prawn with sides on the platter like a bit of sliced avocado and red onion, bingo. I venture to say I liked it better than regular ceviche. It had more layers of flavor and texture not found in the garden variety ceviche. The prawns felt more raw than in the standard ceviche coctel where the shrimp is not as translucent as the prawns were here. Or maybe they're just different and are to be enjoyed differently.

The piece de resistance was undoubtedly this beauty -- 2 lbs of open-faced red snapper seasoned with spices and grilled over mesquite fire with sides like piping hot tortillas and avocado. I didn't care for the rice but that fish was tender, perfectly seasoned and perfectly grilled, complete with charred edges.

The fish was great by itself but I changed it up with the quite spicy salsa verde they seem to make on the premises. It was a huge meal for good value. This meal could have easily fed a family of four although we were a party of two. We had leftovers.

The service was friendly, attentive and prompt. I can't wait to return to try other things on the menu. I'd like to try the main location but I was happy with the quieter and more desolate cousin. Big thumbs up!