Once inside the newest Puerto Vallarta, we felt like we were sitting in a restaurant in the real Puerto Vallarta.

The newest of four Puerto locations in Bowling Green is in the strip shopping center located just off Louisville Road.

Beginning with the brightly painted front door, and carrying through the entire restaurant, the Puerto Vallarta décor is ideal for a Kentucky version of a Mexican restaurant.

That is, it is new, clean and modern. Stucco walls are brightly painted and there isn’t a place you could look that didn’t have a mural or some artwork like you find on many restaurants and cantinas south of the border. Fancily painted above the cashier was &#8220la caja,” above the kitchen was &#8220cocina,” above the exit, &#8220adios, amigos.” It’s a very attractive and cheerful place to enjoy some good Mexican food.

We started with a couple of huge margaritas (on the rocks with salt, por favor.) The chips were warm and the salsa was spicy.

I ordered the Ismael Special, which are strips of marinated chicken breast and shrimp served on a bed of rice and topped with a cheese sauce. Not what I would consider a typical Mexican meal, but I really enjoyed the change. The portion was on the smallish side, but tasted very good. It left some room for dessert, and that’s not all bad.

Mi amiga had the Puerto Vallarta Special and raved over every bite, it seemed. One chicken burrito and one chicken enchilada were topped with lettuce and sour cream, pica de gallo (salsa) with guacamole and cheese.

Our server was friendly and prompt to refill our chip basket and salsa dip throughout our meal.

For dessert, I enjoyed a creamy serving of flan, a caramel-flavored egg custard topped with the excess caramel sauce. It’s a great dessert to calm down your excited taste buds after a meal.

Give the newest PV a try and see if you don’t agree that this can be added to your list of good places to eat Mexican food.

Puerto Vallarta

140 Riverplace Ave. • 783-0433

Price: $4.99 to $14.99

Hours: Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.to 8:30 p.m.

Libation Situation: full bar

Smoking: yes

– New restaurants are given an six-week grace period. Comments can be sent to Managing Editor Mike Alexieff by telephone at 783-3235 or by e-mail at malexieff@bgdailynews.com.