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Wanderlust Files: Exploring Ojai Part II

“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.

One darn good 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.

Vacation equation = Me + Pixie Margarita with a side of shopping

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.)

A Canopy of colored umbrellas welcome you to Agave Maria’s

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.

DeKor – the ideal blend of vintage inspired looks with a contemporary twist to channel your inner bliss

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.

In serious lust with this face vase, and when I have a spare $700’ish dollars it may find it’s way home

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.

What is it about Green, Blue & Twinkle lights that draw you in like a trap?
Fig boasts a collection of uniquely curated items to gift or enjoy yourself

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.

You didn’t think I would go all the way to Ojai without ending up here did you? Of course not! A must stop tasting room. Great wines, great people!
Tasting room is by reservation only, so make a reservation – it’s worth the effort. Locals love this place!
Excellent flight of Ojai Vineyard Whites – all of these wines were purchased and made the journey back

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.

Bart’s Books for the Bibliomaniac….or the extremely board, or maybe for a treasure hunt
DeKor – more than just home furnishing, great hats, clothes and shoes!
Yes, I went to Ojai to buy authentic clogs from Sweden…and they are so comfortable! Not sure about this aging thing, my shoe selections are getting way to practical these days.
Ojai Valley Inn Pixie Margarita….because you know what they say, a margarita or two a day keeps the doctor away!
Ojai Pixie Margarita from Ojai Valley Inn
 
Prep time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: Cocktail
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 1
Ingredients
  • 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
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients to a shaker tin full of ice and shake vigorously.
  2. Wipe the rim of a rocks glass with a Pixie tangerine wedge, dip into kosher salt, then fill with ice.
  3. Strain cocktail into glass and garnish with lime and Pixie tangerine wedges.
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1
WRITTEN BY

Christy Majors

Food enthusiast, wine aficionado, BBC Food fanatic, and cookbook bibliomaniac, who suffers from an incurable case of culinary wanderlust. Artist in progress. Creator of Tout va bien! (TM) where experiences in food, travel and wine are broken down for the home cook and traveler. Banker by day.
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1 Comment

  1. I felt as if I had been transported to Ojai just from this beautifully detailed piece…pixie margarita please!! 😊

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