He Said/She Said: Margarita time

Steve: Chilly Margaritas are a quick way to start a fiesta. April: I can’t tell if I’m invited. My glass keeps disappearing. S: Sorry, this warm-weather cocktail is just the ultimate thirst quencher. A: I totally agree. Now would you mind, um, sliding my drink back?   Steve’s Margarita profile: Tequila always mixes well with citrus, but you need to have good juice. And by “good juice,” I mean fresh juice. Also, I don’t want to get punched too hard by the tequila. April’s Margarita profile: At this point, I’d be content just to have a whole Margarita to myself. Amigos Cantina 120 W. Jefferson Ave., Kirkwood 314.821.0877 Lunch: Mon. to Sat. – 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; dinner: Mon. to Thu. – 5 to 9 p.m. (bar stays open late), Fri. and Sat. – 5 to 10 p.m. (bar stays open late)   S: “Two Margaritas?” The bartender understood our thirst. Just what I like. A: And he gets a snappy little rhythm going. Long shake, short shake, short shake, long shake. Way to party. S: The fresh-squeezed juice delivers a crisp lime sensation. Cointreau gives the cocktail a touch of class. A: Yes, and the Sauza Hornitos silver is one smooth customer too. I have to say the tartness of this Margarita is a bit too intense for my taste. Feel free to blend in a little extra agave nectar next time. S: Hey, I just thought of this – where’s the salt? A: Good question. Here’s another one: Why is my drink in your hand?   Maya Cafe 2726 Sutton Blvd., Maplewood 314.781.4774 Lunch: Tue. to Fri. – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sat. – noon to 3 p.m.; dinner: Tue. to Thu. – 5 to 9 p.m., Fri. and Sat. – 5 to 10 p.m. A: Let’s try this again: One Margarita for you, and one for me. S: This big bowl of a glass lets you get a good dose of fun. A: The drink as a whole is bracing, but the booze stays in the background. I like. S: I love. Can I – A: Uh-uh. Sorry. Mine. While you’re waiting for another one, just enjoy the atmosphere. S: Good call. The only thing better than drinking a fresh-made Margarita is drinking a fresh-made Margarita outside. Sitting out back of Maya Cafe – on the deck of a real boat, no less – is pretty much as good as it gets. A: I wonder if the ship has a name. S: Let’s call it the USS Tequila. Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant     10092 Page Ave., Overland · 314.423.3633 Sun. to Thu. – 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri. and Sat. – 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.   S: Of the places we hit, Las Palmas is the most traditional cantina for throwing back some tequila. The selection is tops. A: There are, what, a few dozen options? It probably doesn’t make sense to pick anything from the top shelf, though. Margaritas don’t highlight the tequila – or at least they shouldn’t. S: The Margarita mix is so-so. A: On the sugary side for sure. And overall, a tad diluted. S: The red and green salt feels festive. I like it. A: I like it too. It lets me see where you’ve taken sips from my glass. Seriously, what’s your problemo? Agave Mexican Table and Tequileria 4198 Manchester Ave., St. Louis 314.652.4283 Tue. to Thu. – 5 to 9:30 p.m., Fri. and Sat. – 5 to 11 p.m., Sun. – 5 to 9 p.m. A: Agave certainly lives up to its name. Check it out: agave nectar and 100 percent agave tequila. S: The fresh-squeezed lime juice bites in a good way. And the service is beck-and-call. A: I appreciate that the bartender gave the glass a little tap to shake the excess salt off the rim. Genius. Nobody wants salt to corrode the flavor. S: Honestly, the balance of this Margarita is magical. A: Here, just take mine now. There’s no way you’ll be able to resist.