Tea for Two at Anaqua Garden
The Anaqua Garden Bar at the downtown Plaza Hotel is exactly as advertised on their website: a “hidden garden oasis”. It’s a truly unexpected experience upon approaching the quaint-looking entry gate on South Presa. Rounding the corner, you’re transported among luscious vibes, evoking an upscale bar in Havana; a perfect combination of tropical oasis and zen garden.
My friend and I found the hostess near the main bar where the hotel-side entrance is, and as she showed us to our table I asked what we should be sure to get from the menu while we were there. Without hesitation she replied, “The guaca-poke is amazing!” My interest was piqued. It sounded like a fusion I was excited to try.
After she sat us, I went to explore the bar while my friend perused the small–but tantalizing–menu. I observed all the beautiful palm plants and comfortable lounge-style seating, all perfectly arranged to make every spot feel special and inviting. The main bar had undeniable island-like magnetism, so I walked over to talk to the bartender, Zach. I asked what his favorite drinks on the menu are, and he was particularly excited about their two signature frozen drinks. One being their take on the Pina Colada, called Anaqua’s House of Don Ramon, and their other, a Texas peach feature, entitled Sunken Garden. Zach explained that those and the Mai Tai are his favorites because they’re refreshing, tropical, and go well with the ambiance at Anaqua Garden.
After exploring to my satisfaction, I went to sit back down at our cozy cocktail table, where my friend and I ordered from the happy hour menu. We took the hostess’s suggestion and got the guaca-poke, which was a wonderful blend of ahi tuna and guacamole, with wonton chips for dipping. To wash it down we got a Sunken Garden and a Margaritas in Mexico. Everything was so good that we decided we couldn’t pass up the brisket burnt ends recommended by our server, Randi, which were tender, vibrant, and perfectly sauced. Through her excitement and enthusiasm about her job and the history of both the bar and the hotel, Randi convinced us to get one more drink before we closed out our tab.
The Tangerine and Me was the perfect finish to our experience. It was simple, classy, and well-balanced with sweet honey, floral, and citrus flavors; perfect for a spring evening chat with friends. Most notably though, this stunning cocktail was infused with house tea plucked straight from the Anaqua tree which sits poised as a historical centerpiece at this hotel, which was “designed by the same architect who designed the Tower of the Americas,” according to Randi, who insisted we take a look at the Anaqua tree on our way out. At forty-two feet tall, it’s beauty is serene and inspiring, to say the least, and is therefore the perfect symbol for the Anaqua Garden bar nestled pleasantly beneath its shadow. You can even enjoy a cup of the Plaza Hotel’s wellness tea blend, made from the Anaqua leaves, at their 7am tea ceremony every morning. The Anaqua Garden Bar is the perfect start to a night out with friends, the perfect end to a hopeful date night, and is truly worth every penny for this secluded oasis experience in the middle of all the hustle and bustle.
Editor & Photographer: Zach Jewell
