should definitely order the nutty and herbal Tamarindo Margarita to go with your Budin de Mariscos, except, well…that’s exactly what I’m saying. Knockout restaurant, and Mugenski and Farfan make a great team! Staying on the same side of the bridge, don’t underestimate the Asianinspired Anise Global Gastrobar for your agave fix. Their hibiscus margarita is quite delicious, made with Herradura Reposado, hibiscus water, simple syrup and lime, all garnished with some dried hibiscus flowers. Anise’s house Diablo cocktail is also extremely memorable—it combines tequila with a house-made Thai chili simple syrup, lime juice and ginger beer, adds dashes of crème de cassis and crème de mure, and tops it all off with tart, candied ginger. Mix in some of their luxurious dishes, a close proximity to Amelie Arena and the Straz Center, as well as the view of Curtis Hixon Park directly across the street, and you have a very consistent destination for drinks and dining in downtown Tampa. How can one discuss the quintessential beach drink that is the margarita without mentioning one’s Red Mesa Cantina's Hot favorite beach dining establishment? I can’t think of a better way to follow up a Gulf sunset than a meal at Agave Restaurant on Gulf Boulevard. Agave offers friendly service, delicious homemade Mexican food and an expansive tequila selection. I always make it a point to try something different, both in dishes as well as tequila. My mother, however, is a creature of habit—she has a very hard time not ordering the Enchiladas de Camarones topped with green chile poblano crème sauce to pair with her house margarita. I suppose I can’t blame her, as the margaritas are hand-shaken with a house-made mix, pairing beautifully with the poblano crème. If you ever feel so inclined as to make margaritas on your own, swing into Pappy’s Liquor next door and ask for Rick, who can show you a very impressive tequila selection as well. It’s impossible to mention margaritas in Tampa Bay and not think of Red Mesa Cantina, current three-time winner of “Best of the Bay– Best Margarita.” Perhaps it’s the draft system that they have exclusively for these award-winning margaritas? Or the tequila-centric cocktail menu sporting such favorites as the Downtown Cadillac, combining Hornitos Plata with a float of St. Pete Distillery’s award-winning Tipplers Orange Liquor? The staff at Cantina goes through testing and constant training to improve their Tequila knowledge. This is to every patron’s benefit, considering Red Mesa Cantina has well over 400 agave spirits that include a whopping 75+ mezcals! Beyond the house on tap, Cantina makes their margaritas in the fashion of the iconic Tommy’s Margarita: blending organic agave nectar, fresh lime, and tequila. My personal favorite at Cantina is the crowdfavorite Duck Taco to pair with the newly-featured Floridita Margarita. The Floridita combines floral Don Julio Plata with a house-infused hibiscus agave, fresh lime and a dash of hibiscus water. If you’re a fireseeker, you certainly can’t go wrong with the Hot Carlos—a spicy fusion of Hornitos Reposado, fresh-muddled jalapeño, organic agave and lime, with a chili-salt rim. Order a ceviche sampler for the table and a mixture of margaritas to really indulge in the variety that Cantina can offer. A cocktail that appears so simple and people pleasing can be as nuanced as a fine stew. You can mix up your citrus, sweetener and tequila. You can add orange liquor or skip it, sour/margarita mix or agave nectar. One thing is certain when it comes to the margarita: it is adored, cherished, and loved, despite its relatively young lifetime. So cheers to the margarita— Mexico’s favorite cocktail! (That’s actually not true, that would be the Paloma, but we can save that for another time). Carlos Margarita PHOTO COURTESY OF RED MESA CANTINA. 14 localsDISH MAY/JUNE 2017
20027LD
To see the actual publication please follow the link above