web1_cpr.jpg

Staff at The Woodlands is CPR certified by Geisinger team

web1_James-Haught.jpg

Their view: Second Green Revolution needed to feed burgeoning population

<p>When you step onto the patio at Margarita Azul, you&#8217;re instantly relaxed. I likened the feeling to being on a Caribbean vacation when I was at the Wilkes-Barre restaurant last week.</p><p>You may know I&#8217;m a fan of such getaways: Mexico, Jamaica, The Bahamas, etc. The list goes on. I thoroughly enjoy those tropical adventures, even though I&#8217;m not a true sun worshipper or the biggest beach enthusiast.</p><p>What I like: the happy atmosphere, beautiful scenery and endless amounts of food and drink.</p><p>So, when I say I really feel like I&#8217;m on vacation on the patio at Margarita Azul, I mean it. They have all of the above and more.</p><p>I recommend you see for yourself, but I&#8217;ll still tell you a little about my weekday experience, where several friends and I decided to get together for after-work libations and dinner.</p><p>The patio is newly constructed, lit by tiki torches at night, filled with state-of-the-art landscaping, equipped with cornhole, and has plenty of outdoor seating either at a table or the bar.</p><p>Words don&#8217;t do it justice, so I&#8217;d encourage you to check it out.</p><p>The inside is different from what it was once-upon-a-time: the former Tony Perugino&#8217;s. Now, it has a Mexican flair to it, which is felt throughout the restaurant and especially on the patio.</p><p>We ordered a feast consisting of enchiladas, tostadas, burritos, queso with spicy pork and some plain tacos.</p><p>The menu is large, so there&#8217;s enough from which to choose, even for the most discerning of eaters.</p><p>One of the scrumptious margaritas on the menu tops off any meal there, so pick your flavor. At least one friend had coconut on the night in question.</p><p>As we head into August and summer winds down (sad, I know) make sure to get to these area treasures and sit outside.</p><p>The other night I went to a neighborhood patio party where we ate, sipped mango beer and acted merry during an evening outdoors.</p><p>Every year around this time, I get to thinking that I should be taking advantage of summer weather more.</p><p>I&#8217;m always so excited when it comes around, but then fail to adjust my lifestyle to get outdoors; then come August I&#8217;m trying to catch up on outdoor dining and activities before it&#8217;s too late.</p><p>With the beautiful weather expected this weekend, hopefully you get to make some time for outdoor festivities, too.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_McGinley-New-Headshot-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption"></div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_McGinley-New-Headshot-1.jpg</photo0><caption0></caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>Mike McGinley</p><p>Around Town</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Mike McGinley is the Times Leader Media Group&#8217;s major accounts executive. Reach him at mmcginley@www.timesleader.com or 570-704-3945.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Around town: A perfect setting to enjoy some outdoor dining