Due to a very special out-of-town engagement, while I’ve written this week’s review column, a pinch hitting reviewer filled in at the meal. She’s a qualified substitute as a graduate of the Bowling Green Technical College’s Culinary Arts program, yet is not currently affiliated with any local restaurants.

I asked her to visit and give me feedback about her favorite restaurant in town. She chose Puerto Vallarta on Scottsville Road. She said this was her choice because of its consistency, and consistency is the hallmark of a good restaurant.

She can count on, and ordered, two of her favorites: the queso cheese dip and fajitas. The queso cheese dip is always spiced well, melted fully and served with light, warm, crispy, fresh tortilla chips. “Dependable,” she remarked.

The fajitas in any form, be it burrito, taco salad, quesadilla or in nachos, can always be counted on for an excellent marinated flavor and cooked so that marinade keeps steeping in flavor as it is served to your table. They even offer a tradition most Mexican restaurants have ditched for convenience – squeezing the juice of a lemon over the iron skillet at your table so that it sizzles with goodness and adds a final tang of flavor. “Yum,” she exclaimed.

On this day for lunch, she and her dining companion also ordered dishes they had not eaten: bean dip and chicken rancheros. The bean dip was not what she thought it would be, was good just the same; a must try. She thought it would be seasoned refried beans; instead it was the regular beans served flat on a large plate with queso poured over the top. “Delicious,” she noted.

The chicken rancheros was a flat, fork-tender chicken breast with spicy rancheros sauce and … you guessed it, queso poured over the top. “Unique and appetizing,” she said.

And the service? “Attentive, but not chatty,” were her words. Not to mention, she eats at Puerto Vallarta often and no matter how busy they are, they are always friendly and efficient. Now that’s consistency in every way.

By the way, the “special occasion” took me to another restaurant called Cafe Paradsio in Washington, D.C. It too was delicious and efficient. I’ll let you guess what I was up to in Washington last week.

— Our anonymous food reviewer gives new restaurants a six-week grace period before reviewing. To comment, please contact Managing Editor Mike Alexieff at 783-3235 or via e-mail to malexieff@bgdailynews.com.

PUERTO VALLARTA MEXICAN RESTAURANT

2800 Scottsville Road, Bowling Green

• 782-6264

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday;

11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday

Cuisine: Mexican

Price range: $4.50 to $14.50

Libation situation: Full bar

Smoking: Yes