DISH OF THE WEEK: Garden Variety at THE WAYLAND

Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City

Usually by now, margarita season is in full swing. During most Mays, New Yorkers are sitting outside at fashionable restaurants with their friends (and pets) and sipping on salt-rimmed tequila drinks. But something about this late winter is not making me want a margarita. Not yet anyway.

In fact, the dreary weather the last few days is making me want to pile up on my vitamins. Well, what if I told you, you could get all those nutrients while also drinking a legitimate margarita? And you wouldn’t have to sit outside in the rain?

The Wayland is a year-old cocktail bar in Alphabet City with a farmhouse atmosphere. It wouldn’t feel out of place in a rural town, except for the exceptional and creative cocktails which might get a few weird looks.

One of those strange concotions is their signature, year-round cocktail called the Garden Variety. Looking at the bright green drink won’t make most people think margarita and that’s probably for the best. This vegetal (yes, vegetal) libation is better than most margaritas you can find in the city.

Here they use the ever popular kale juice as a base, mix it with some ginger and lime juice, blue agave blanco tequila, and a little agave nectar. The brim of the glass is lined with smoked sea salt. The drink packs both a vegetal punch, some gingery heat, and is tempered by the sweetness from the agave.

I was worried that the inclusion of bright green kale juice was going to be rather gimmicky. If The Wayland hadn’t made a cocktail with it, somebody else would have. But thankfully, the folks behind the Wayland thought this through and created a refreshing, balanced, and delicious elixir that is both intoxicating and perhaps even healthy.

If these are the kind of margaritas they serve inside a warm, cozy bar, I’m happy to stay inside all summer long.