Mariasol, Santa Monica Pier, June 13 2008

The day was almost perfect. After a visit to the Venice canals, some socialist Chinese food, and a pit stop at the Venice Beach Freak Show, we were happy, happy Spinsters indeed. But something was missing. What could it be? Ah! A margarita (or two).

So we stopped off at Mariasol, a mexicalifornian tourist trap at the end of the Santa Monica pier.

Amy tried the Don Julio Margarita ($10.25): Don Julio blanco tequila, triple sec, and sweet and sour mix.


Limeyness: Not too limey, but exactly what was needed after a hot day of Spinstering about, avoiding Venice Beach hippies who were trying to sell us paintings and surfboard-shaped clocks.

Saltiness: Good, but inconsistent rimming. The Spinsters do not approve of patchy salt coverage!

Presentation: Pretty standard - but points off for the lime wedge rather than a lime slice.

Strength: Good, and maintained the strength throughout.

Texture: An excellent blended margarita. Because, you know, "blended" can easily cross the line into "slushy purchased at a convenience store." None of that here.

If this margarita were a movie about Zorro, swarthy hypermasculine horseman, who would play Zorro? Because this drink was laid-back, easy-going, and didn't require too much intellect, Amy chooses Chris Lowell, for a black-masked frolic in the surf.

Overall rating: Four out of five tequila worms.




Alexandra had the El Patron Margarita ($10.25): Patron, Triple Sec, and sweet and sour mix.


Limeyness: Refreshing, citriusy and clear.

Saltiness: Great! The salt itself was just slightly coarser than regular table salt, but not overly coarse. Super duper. One wonders, however, why Amy's margarita did not have similar salty excellence. Someone behind the bar needs to pull up their socks.

Texture: Rocks.

Presentation: Nice - in a typical long-stemmed margarita glass. Looks good next to a bowl of chips.

Strength: Really nice - a slow, gentle burn. Perfect after a day in the sun.

Zorro? After much agonizing consideration . . . that guy who played that sexy neighbour who lived next to Samantha in Malibu in the Sex and the City movie (which the Spinsters viewed together for solidarity, and, naturally, laughed at all the parts you don't remember - like when Carrie drove a golf cart up a clif in Mexico. Or when Samantha spoon-fed her a bowl of table cream. Seriously - wtf?) Research reveals that his name is Gilles Marini. He would make an excellent Zorro-emerging-from-the-ocean-with-surfboard-tucked-under-his-arm, which is what this margarita embodied.

Overall rating: Four out of five tequila worms





These weren't the strongest margaritas, but good enough for a sunny day at the beach.


Until next time remember: a margarita a day keeps the ennui away.


Yours,

The Inebriated Spinsters