“Don’t look for love. Look for a good margarita!” – original author unknown, adaptation of margarita by yours truly
I believe that the search for a good margarita is severely underestimated and more relationships would last if both parties understood that a good margarita will compensate for all those issues associated with the search for love, and once found, the tolerance needed to sustain it. I also maybe just really like trying specialty cocktails while exploring a new area, especially the ones an area is known for. One of the highlights of the trip to Ojai was the Pixie Margarita.
Pixie Tangerines are native to the Ojai area and 52 farmers grow this Pixie. They are also mid-century modern fruit as they have been around since the 1960’s. Important facts to know are that Ojai Pixies are exactly that and only go by Ojai Pixies. They are not cuties, halos, etc. The peak season is March thru June and these beauties find their way across the country to destinations as exotic as Boston. It takes 11-15 months for the blossoms to bloom and result in a mature piece of fruit. The Pixies has pale orange-pebbly skin, no seeds and are juicy.
My first favorite Pixie Margarita was found at Agave Maria’s after a morning of browsing through some local stores like the famous Bart’s Books (yes, a little damage was done by this bibliomaniac who loves to support local bookstores), DeKor the most stunning lifestyle store that I could live in, and Fig an unique gift/home and garden store. One does need a little sustenance to complete the days activities and tacos with a margarita usually do the trick! (My other favorite was the Ojai Valley Inn Pixie Margarita – recipe below.)
Agave Maria’s has a huge outdoor cantina style patio that is surrounded by tropical plants, filled with colorful umbrellas, and full of lively conversation from diners enjoying their meals. The casual, festive atmosphere is inviting and perfect for the single diner, family, couple or group of friends. It is conveniently located on S. Montgomery Street (across from DeKor & The Ojai Vineyard) making it the perfect pit stop after a shopping spree or afternoon of wine tasting. The chips, salsa and guacamole could make a meal on their own. The crispy tacos were excellent. So good I forgot to take a photo of both items.
Ojai had some surprisingly chic home/lifestyle stores. My favorite was DeKor, which has three locations – one in Ojai and two in Los Angeles. It was hard to not say “I’ll take one of everything please!” But my bank account reality checked me and I ended up bringing home a pair of Swedish Clogs and a locally made Ojai Wild cologne – White Sage Leaves. Next trip I’m saving my pennies for a wild rainy day shopping spree to spiff my home up a bit.
Fig is an adorable alley-way like home and garden boutique store. Twinkle lights, plants and knick knacks from around the world adorn the alley. It feels if you don’t do a deep dive of looking that you will miss something that was meant just for you. It’s a great place to find unique gifts for the people in your life who have everything, or appreciate a carefully curated collection of kitschy gifts.
The Ojai Vineyard tasting room is a conveniently located next to DeKor. This is one of my favorite wineries in California/Santa Barbara area for white wines. Typically I’m an ABCC girl (anything but California Chardonnay) because California white wines have a historical reputation for being overly buttery and oaky – which for me is the equivalent of an instant migraine. But the whites Ojai Valley Vineyard produces are made in the European style. Their wines receive critical acclaim from wine journalists and are worth adding to your collection or dinner table.
Last but not least, but actually first, is the importance of a good bookstore. Bart’s Store is famous in the literary circles. It is the worlds largest outdoor bookstore, and literally has most “everything under the sun” (pun intended). Bart’s has been in existence since 1964 and boasts a collection of over 130,000 books – new, previously loved, rare and collectibles. They even have books on the outside that you can purchase for 50 cents after hours and leave your change. (You never know when you may have a reading emergency on vacation and be out of books in the middle of the night.) My finds included some ethnic cookbooks to inspire culinary adventures, and a few novels I’ve been wanting to read. My haul of 3 cookbooks (including a signed copy of Nigella’s new cookbook) and four novels – all hardback cost under $90. This is a book lovers dream store.
- 1 ½ oz Codigo Blanco Tequila
- 1 oz Cointreau
- 2 oz fresh squeezed Pixie tangerine juice (you can find at Gelson's or request Ojai Pixies at your local market)
- ½ oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
- ½ oz fresh squeezed lime juice
- Add all ingredients to a shaker tin full of ice and shake vigorously.
- Wipe the rim of a rocks glass with a Pixie tangerine wedge, dip into kosher salt, then fill with ice.
- Strain cocktail into glass and garnish with lime and Pixie tangerine wedges.
I felt as if I had been transported to Ojai just from this beautifully detailed piece…pixie margarita please!! 😊