Margarita's Fiesta Room

A lighthearted Mexican cantina where the aroma of spicy cooking and the upbeat Latin music soundtrack make for instant relaxation. Summers, we can sip our triple Margaritas (there are five luscious flavours) on the upstairs patio, shaded by overhanging branches. Personally, I waffle between the fresh mango and the classic Margarita in a glass large enough to house a goldfish happily. Inside, ceiling fans turn lazily overhead. Mexican murals, guitars, a vicuna wall hanging from Peru, a blue and silver ceremonial sombrero, and a collection of Mexi-chotchkes adorn the walls.
In the kitchen, Eduardo and his cooks create a mean Mexican menu. Totopos, for example: a hot metal tray brimming with home-baked nachos, crumbled chorizo sausage, olives, sliced jalapenos, and melting jack cheese. The guacamole is fabulous: a whole avocado is mashed in a porous stone mortar and topped with chopped raw onion, tomato, chili, and garlic. Eduardo's rendition of sizzling fajitas is the best I've had outside of Tijuana. A hot platter of stir-fried beef (or chicken) comes with all the fixings. Spread some red and green chili sauce on the just-baked tortillas, add a few lines of sour cream, a little chopped lettuce, a handful of grated cheese, sweet peppers, and top with the seasoned chunks of beef. There are Mexican beer and soft drinks chilling in an ancient blue refrigerator. This place makes me want to stamp my feet, clap my hands, and shout "Ole!"
~ Sara Waxman