Dining Pick of the Week: Las Islas De Mexcaltitan

PICK OF THE WEEK:

LAS ISLAS DE MEXCALTITAN

701 N. Nellis Blvd. at Bonanza Road, 444-7906

This restaurant is an island of Mexican cuisine highlighted by seafood dishes. Large, colorful salads are topped with prawns, steamed shrimp and baby octopus. Other dishes have shrimp in special hot sauce, grilled with butter, stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon, sautéed in special sauce with bell peppers, onions and tomatoes, or lightly sautéed in butter and garlic salt (camarones al mojo de ajo). House specialties include mixed seafood ranchero or diabla (spicy), prawn trays, paella and empanadas de camaron (small shrimp pies). Among several Mexican favorites is chopped steak in ranchero sauce, fried quail or quail sautéed in hot sauce, carne asada plate and queso asadero camaron con chorizo (malted cheese with shrimp or Mexican sausage). There are fajita platters (steak, chicken, shrimp), assorted tacos and burritos, tostadas with an emphasis on seafood, quesadillas, guacamole and tortas or sandwiches made with grilled steak, tongue, chicken and al pastor (marinated pork). Popular soups are crab, shrimp and octopus, and 7 mares or mixed seafood. Two desserts are flan and a delicious all-American banana split. Seafood salads begin at $18 and fajitas at $11.99. Las Islas De Mexcaltitan is open from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. - Jack Bulavsky