There is a warmth that emanates from Mariscos Azteca, and it doesn’t just come from the kitchen.  It can be felt as soon as you step foot through the restaurant’s wooden door, tucked away in the spectacularly mundane Grand Slam Plaza on Tuttle Avenue, the windows covered with images of seafood against a tropical beachscape. It’s the type of warmth that makes a stranger feel comfortable, that entices the wary to try Mexican seafood and has produced a loyal slew of regulars since owners Mariela and Juan Pineda opened the spot in 2013. For the Pinedas, who previously owned Cinco De Mayo in downtown Sarasota, that level of hospitality is critical to what they do. Mariscos Azteca—which translates to Aztec Seafood—is more than just a restaurant. It’s a place of comfort, the type of restaurant that has opened on its off-day for special occasions such as feeding the family of a beloved regular who recently passed away. “We’ve been here long enough that a lot of our customers are very familiar with our food and feel at home here,” says Mariela, who manages the front of the house. “I love our customers and their reactions to the food. All of our plates are empty at the end of the meal.” Mariscos prides itself on an eclectic menu, full of big, bold flavors derived from Juan, the head chef’s, experience in area kitchens such as Mi Pueblo, Hemingway’s Retreat, Columbia Restaurant and Two Senoritas. Dishes such as the raw tuna tostada or the pina en aguachile (pineapple in chili-lime marinade), showcase Mariscos’ unique approach to seafood.  It’s an approach that has been honed over the years, some of which have been more difficult than others. When the Pinedas first opened the restaurant in 2013, business was slow—to the point that three years in, the family almost shut down the Tuttle Ave location. “Our first year here, nobody knew who we were and we didn’t get the office crowd that we used to downtown. In our second year, a 7/11 was being built nearby and people weren’t coming in because of the construction,” says Mariela. “That next August, we went to our landlords and thanked them for the opportunity, but told them that we couldn’t pay rent and had to leave. They said, “no, you guys have worked so hard for this, your food is good, let’s get through this season and talk next August.” From there, the Pineda’s hard work began to finally pay off, with customers beginning to fill the tables and, in quick succession, clean their plates. It was a gamble that paid off—a once hole-in-the-wall seafood spot is now a must-eat destination for bold, Mexican flavors. For the Pinedas, Mariscos Azteca is an extension of their home, every dish reminiscent of who they are, how they operate and how they care for those who eat their food.