Review: 7 Tequilas

"Tequila is a pallid flame that passes through walls and soars over the tile roofs to allay despair."--Alvaro Mutis from the poem Panegyric and Emblem.

And for the many reasons one might consider drinking tequila, including allaying despair, has more than seven as its name implies. In fact, eight are featured on the menu, and I am told there are many more at the bar.

Tequila tasting, like wine and beer tasting, is becoming more popular as people are taking a sincere interest in the art form—the making of tequila. Like single malt scotch, and micro-distilleries of sake, tequila shares a variety of characteristics one is drawn to appreciate. At 7 Tequilas, you are offered a fairly pedestrian selection with comparable pricing that is not out of line with the price of the meals. And, rightly so. These prices range from $5 to $7.80 per shot.

And then there are the Margaritas. More aptly, seven Margaritas are presented for your refreshment. These drinks encompass a rainbow of flavors from Piña Colada, raspberry with melon, true lime margaritas, mango, peach, strawberry and watermelon; enough to bring back memories of Cancun and the beach. The prices range from $7.50 to the “Monster Margarita” at $14.

I don’t know of any restaurants in the area that offer such a wide variety of tequilas. It could be worth a visit to try out a couple beyond your ordinary selection. Remember to designate a driver if you plan on tasting a few.

The Food-The Basics

When it comes to Mexican food on this side of the border, we’re talking about a fusion, a tweaking here and there (and everywhere?) to appeal to American tastes. With that, I’m going to comment on the basics you are likely to see in any stateside Mexican restaurant, in general, and Woodstock in particular. The basics are: tortillas, frijoles, chilies, guacamole, salsa, tequila and cerveza. Beyond that, when I make a selection from the menu, I look for something unique and different.

7 Tequilas has a full, aggressive menu with appetizers and nachos, soups and salads, tacos, tortas, burritos, quesadillas, vegetarian dishes, a “create your own combo” section, entrees from the grill, specials, a seafood section and sizzling fajitas, desserts and a huge selection of sides; I found it hard to make a selection. Most descriptions were tempting.

I chose the Vera Cruz steak ($11.99), a 10 oz. grilled steak topped with grilled shrimp (kinda like a “surf and turf”), melted cheese, salsa, beans, lettuce, and sour cream. The steak had a nice char from the grill, was perfectly seasoned and very tender. The shrimp atop the steak were not overly cooked, juicy and tender as well. Three, hot flour tortillas accompanied the meal and the refried beans reminded me of how I prepare them at home: not too thick, not too thin—and not perfectly smooth.

The guacamole was fair to good, with a nice texture and presentation. The meal was huge, for me, and I requested a take home box for the remainder. I washed it all down with an ice cold Dos Equis XX Cerveza ($3.50). Refreshing and satisfying! The salsa was chunky and spicy; the chips were hot and fresh.

I was happy to receive an attentive waiter and prompt service along with the answers to my many questions about the menu. The ambiance was festive (they have live Mariachi music on Thursdays and American music on Saturdays) with satellite music piping in songs from the New York Salsa era (not Mexican, more Cuban/Latin, but a nice touch, nonetheless). The people working there were friendly and welcoming.

I’ll be back again, eager to try something different and I’m sure, just as satisfying.