When you see both tourists and Mexicans eating side by side in the same restaurant you know you have found a great place to eat in Puerto Vallarta. Such is the case at Exclamación Cafe and Bar just off the Malecón on Morelos Street in El Centro.

The jewel of Exclamación Restaurant is owner and general manager, Yoli Andrade, who lends her careful attention to both the food and the atmosphere. Yoli's thoughtfully crafted traditional recipes allow for an experience of Mexican food that is a cut high above the usual fare.

A regular to the restaurant couldn't resist stopping at my table to praise the food, fine service and kind attentions of Yoli as well as wait staff Suny and Jashy. The cafe has a fresh, clean atmosphere and is painted in warm, inviting colors with local art on all the walls and happy plants in the corners.

Yoli's traditional mole sauce has a rich complexity superior to other mole sauces I have tasted. Zuri, my friend and fellow food hound from Tepic, tasted it thoughtfully and said it tasted home made, and she meant that as the highest compliment.

Another specialty of the house, the Caldo de Camarones or Shrimp Soup, had a rich, buttery broth filled with a generous amount of large, fresh shrimp cooked to perfection. Another traditional soup, Pozole Verde, shredded chicken and hominy in a spicy green broth, is served Saturday evenings from 6 pm. It is a heartwarming and satisfying meal in a bowl.

But all the Mexican favorites are represented here: from Ceviche Tostadas to Mahi Mahi to Coconut Shrimp; delicious dinner plates featuring Fajitas, Arrachera a la Parrilla (grilled steak) or Enchiladas Suizas - the best kind of enchilada, to my mind, can be had with either a red or green sauce and arrives at the table smothered in melted cheese. A succulent Chicken Breast is also available as a dinner plate, with bell peppers, mushrooms and grated cheese.

If you've been curious but timid about that long list of traditional Mexican favorites, this would be the place to take the leap and find out how delicious they can be when prepared well, whether it be Chile Rellenos, Tacos Dorados, Flautas, Enchiladas or my personal favorite, Sopes - a flat, moist cornmeal cake with raised edges to hold in the toppings of beef, chicharron or chicken, shredded cabbage, beans and crema.

For your companions desiring some familiar favorites from back home, there are Hamburgers, Shrimp Burgers, Ceasar Salad, Chef Salad, and a Vegetable Salad that can be had with chicken or shrimp. There is Cream of Carrot Soup, Tortilla Soup, and Onion Soup, all rich, delicious and lovingly prepared.

Whether you want to come in the evening to enjoy the full bar with appetizers such as Chicken Wings or Jalapeño Poppers, or come in the morning after your brisk beach walk for some gourmet coffee and a bagel or a full Mexican breakfast, Exclamación is the reliable kind of place you can visit again and again and be assured of tasty, high quality food and a clean, cheerful atmosphere at very reasonable prices.

Kitchen hours are from 8 am to 10:30 pm. Live music, special promotions and events are posted on Exclamacion's Facebook page. Walk-ins and reservations are both welcome. For more information, call (322) 222-7777.