Texas Lou

Today, February 22, 2010, is National Margarita Day and to celebrate, I want to tell everyone about one of the most unique margaritas I’ve ever had.

Now my mom’s homemade margaritas are definitely my favorite.  She usually makes them out of frozen limeade, Jose Cuervo tequila, Triple Sec, ice, and salt on the rim.  However, recently I discovered a new type of margarita.  It was a jalapeño margarita!

I know it sounds dangerous, but it was actually quite delicious.  For those who are not a fan of anything too spicy (definitely NOT me), the heat of this drink would definitely be tolerable.  It tasted like a regular margarita with a hint of jalapeño that was spicier to the lips than the tongue.

Where did I discover this new beverage you ask?  At a high-end Mexican restaurant in downtown Charlottesville called Ventana.  They don’t currently have a website, but I figure it’s only a matter of time.  I dined there a few weeks ago with a couple of friends before attending the Complexions Contemporary Ballet at Charlottesville’s Paramount Theater.  It was the perfect beginning to the evening!

We dined during Restaurant Week since Ventana was offering a 3-course  meal for only $26 (substantially cheaper than their usual prices).  The food was different and delicious and I can’t wait to check it out again for a taste of what is on their regular menu.  However, the drinks were what really wowed me!  In addition  to the jalapeño margarita that I ordered, the drink menu featured several other unique drinks that I’d love to try in the future, including a cucumber margarita, a habañero margarita, a $100 dollar margarita called “el dinero”, and according to a friend, the best long island iced tea they’ve ever tasted!

I definitely plan on making a trip to Ventana again soon for both dinner and drinks and will introduce it to any of my Texas friends and family who make the trip to Virginia for a visit!  For a more descriptive account of Ventana’s cuisine and atmosphere, you can check out the local Charlottesville blog, Cvillain.  You can also read more about Ventana’s unique margaritas on the local Charlottesville blog, Mas to Millers.

Happy National Margarita Day!  I hope everyone celebrates with something cold and delicious that hits the spot!

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