BY Anna Schemper &

Maria Post

Guest Writers

Restuarant reviewed:

7 Mares Mexican Restaurant

1403 Kalamazoo Avenue, SE

Grand Rapids, MI

Phone: 452-3872

Directions:

To get there from Calvin College: Take Burton Street West to Plymouth and turn right (North). Continue on Plymouth and turn left (West) onto Adams. 7 Mares is on the Southwest corner of Kalamazoo and Adams.

Rating Scale:

5 Fingers: Fantabulous

4 Fingers: Good `n' Great

3 Fingers: Good, But Not Great

2 Fingers: Still Better Than the Dining Hall

The Finger: I'd Rather Pick My Nose

Knuckle Sandwich: Rot-Gut

Restaurant type:

Traditional Mexican and seafood

Average breakfast/lunch cost:

$5.00

Average dinner cost: $9.00

Overall rating:

Three Fingers

The name ``7 Mares'' threw these reviewers for a loop. For all you Spanish illiterates, ``mares'' refers to ``seas,'' not female horses. That said, this small family-run restaurant serves a variety of Mexican dishes, ranging from traditional tacos, enchiladas, fajitas and chimichangas, to the less familiar seafood dishes of Mexico's Caribbean coast. They serve breakfast throughout the day in addition to lunch and dinner. We decided to try an assortment of tasty delights.

Before our main courses arrived, we snacked on corn tortilla chips and homemade salsa with a kick. However, beware: a refill of chips and salsa will set you back $.50. Our waitress spoke English well and was personable, yet unobtrusive. Although she was a bit lax on refilling drinks, overall the service was satisfactory.

We chatted in the dining area in a cozy four-person booth accompanied by a shiny red jukebox playing Latin tunes (Our favorite: a Spanish rendition of Olivia Newton John's ``The One That I Want'' from ``Grease''). A trip to the clean unisex bathroom revealed a crazy killer whale theme in keeping with the restaurant's name.

Ten minutes after placing our order, the meals arrived. The Huevos con Chorizo (fried eggs with Mexican sausage) were fairly standard: ``Eggs are eggs,'' said our dining companion who chose this meal, ``but the chorizo is a little overcooked.'' Another one of our feasting friends ordered Camarones a la Veracruzana (shrimp made with chef's special sauce, sautéed with onions and bell peppers), which she hastily devoured, barely saving any for the rest of us to sample. The chef's ``special sauce'' was indeed special and included plenty of green olives. The shrimp were tender and succulent, not at all overcooked, and were fresh from 7 Mares' own fish counter, where patrons can also purchase fish by the pound. Anna opted for Chicharròn de Pescado (deep-fried red snapper made with, and we quote, ``chef's special touches,'' served with french fries), a decision soon regretted by all present. While the french fries were delicious, the deep fried red snapper left much to be desired. The texture was pleasing, but the taste was not. The snapper was suspiciously fishy, deep-fried in a coating that lacked any sort of spice or season. However, the portion was generous: three sizable filets, two of which remained untouched on the plate. Maria went for a more traditional meal, Chiles Rellenos (cheese-stuffed poblano peppers) once again smothered in the chef's delectable special sauce. Although a tad bit greasy (it is stuffed with cheese, after all), this dish was easily the favorite: somewhat spicy with a pleasing blend of Mexican cheeses and flavor.

Surprisingly, everyone agreed that the side dishes were the highlight of this dining experience. Every meal was served with creamy refried beans, perfectly light Mexican rice, and a bed of garden-fresh lettuce topped with juicy tomato slices and ripe avocado wedges. Best of all were the freshly prepared corn and flour tortillas, which were moist, spongy and all around first-class.

A trip to 7 Mares is worth it just for these fixings, which could be made into a meal by themselves.

For dessert, a platter of Sopapillas con Nieve Frita (fried dough strips with cinnamon and sugar served with fried ice cream) provided a sweet parting treat. The fried ice cream was truly impressive and is highly recommended.

For those of you who only buy American, there is a section on the menu dedicated to American favorites. There is also a Wet Burrito section, a fine meal we're sure, although one would be hard-pressed to find it outside of the USA. 7 Mares serves fare for vegetarians and children as well.

In parting, let us offer a few helpful hints. Although the restaurant is called 7 Seas, these reviewers suggest that you inquire about the freshness of the seafood before ordering.

Otherwise, stick with the more traditional Mexican cuisine, unless you're feeling adventurous and aren't very hungry. Also, do not heed the sign on the door indicating that 7 Mares accepts Visa and MasterCard: they don't. Only cash and checks are accepted. This restaurant's atmosphere is ideal for a lot of people and can easily accommodate large groups.

We'll definitely be back -- we hope to see you there.

Chow for Now,

Maria and Anna