Mexican restaurant gives authentic spin on margaritas
Discover the country’s tequila cocktails and cuisine at Anejo
Anejo, the new Mexican restaurant on 4th Street S.W., does many things well. There’s the tableside guacamole service that mashes up perfectly-ripe avocados with garlic, onion, chilies, tomatoes and lime juice, right before your eyes. There are adobo pork tacos you can dress up with mild salsa verde. And there’s an unbeatable ambience thanks to beautiful custom furniture made from parota wood, along with brightpatterned throw pillows, kitschy Day of the Dead statues and a wall hung with Mexican crosses — all from the artsy neighbourhood of Tlaquepaque in Guadalajara.
Owner Jeff Hines (one of four partners) has a second home in Sayulita, near Puerto Vallarta, and he saw an opportunity to export the colour, cuisine and cocktails of Mexico.
“I love the food, I love the culture and I love the tequila most of all, and I wanted to bring that to Calgary,” he says.
It’s little wonder Anejo also excels at margaritas, Mexico’s national cocktail. In fact, the cantina is so confident about the quality of its tequila and triple sec libations that a sign by the bar declares them to be, “The best margaritas in YYC!”
Now, don’t expect giant margs served up slushy in punch-bowl-sized glasses. Anejo shakes theirs over ice and delivers them in rocks glasses with rims daubed with coarse sea salt. They are strong and meant for sipping but I managed to chug mine. It was yummy.
The secret, Hines tells me, is the lemon juice. He says that adding just a quarter ounce offsets the lime juice bite and makes for a smoother drink.
After sampling several margaritas, including the ginger (see recipe), a prickly pear and the classic, I have to agree (Anejo also makes mango, strawberry rhubarb and grapefruit margaritas). No lip-puckers here; just the right balance between citrus, agave syrup and tequila.
What also surprised me about the bar list is it contains only tequila cocktails.
“People love them,” assures Hines. “Most people have had a bad experience with tequila at some point in their lives. This menu gives them a chance to come back to tequila.”