Yucan’t go wrong at

La Paz restaurant

This authentic Mexican seafood restaurant was opened 16 years ago in Calabasas by Oscar Iturralde, host, chef and owner. Hidden on the ground floor of an office complex at 4505 Las Virgenes Road, La Paz is a fine Mexican restaurant that features Oscar’s native Yucatan specialties.

Over the years the décor and staff haven’t changed much and the food has stayed consistent. The seasoned professional wait staff really cares. When you sit down, you are presented with a basket of warm chips with a dish of marinated carrots, jalapeños and garlic served with both a red tomato and a roasted green pepper salsa.

La Paz really has two menus, a specialty seafood menu and a Mexican menu. Appetizers include nachos and quesadillas. The empañadas are okay, but the seafood appetizers are terrific. You have to try the shrimp and chorizo with melted cheese and tomato sauce. It’s fabulous and costs $9.75. I also suggest the half dozen oysters Oscar-style, baked and sautéed with garlic and melted cheese for $9.50. I would pass on the fried calamari; it’s boring and lacks flavor.

All dinners are served with a choice of albondigas soup, a delicious fresh vegetable-based soup with tender meatballs, or a salad. There is a large variety of good Mexican entrées, including tacos, enchiladas, and chile relleños, but I recommend that you order from the seafood menu.

La Paz’s specialty item is the whole fresh rock cod sautéed in an anatto-seed mixture and served with pickled onions, black beans and rice for $21.95. You can’t go wrong with the Mexican shrimp scampi with loads of garlic or the paella olé with lobster, crab, octopus, fish, clams, chicken, pork and Spanish sausage with saffron rice.

There’s only one dessert item, the flan, a rich egg and cream custard. It would go wonderfully with some fresh berries, if they had some.

Portions are generous, so come with a good appetite.

La Paz offers a full lunch menu, with prices from $5.49 to $7.49, and dinner entrées range from $8.95 to $24.95. The restaurant is known for its fabulous Sunday buffet brunch with strolling mariachis; all-you-can-eat shrimp, oysters, crab salad, salmon, prime rib, roast turkey, menudo and omelet bar; and all-you-can-drink Margaritas. At $28, it’s a bargain.

You won’t want to leave without checking out the money covering the ceiling. Ask your server to toss up a few bucks. All the money on the ceiling is taken down once a year and Oscar donates it to charity.

La Paz is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, Sundays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays until 10 p.m. Sunday brunch is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A full bar is available.

For more information and reservations call (818) 880-8076.

Marty Bee is a pseudonym for The Acorn’s restaurant reviewer. To preserve the objectivity of Mr. Bee’s work, his appearance at each restaurant is kept a secret. He could be at a table next to yours.

To read past reviews or make recommendations, please go to www.marty-bee.com.