El Vez Sip & Dip a fun night of cocktails and guac making

Happy hour at El Vez in the W Hotel in Fort Lauderdale is one happening spot. On a recent Tuesday night I was there for their Sip & Dip event and the place was packed. I can see why too, who wouldn't want to drink margaritas and munch on tasty Mexican bites just across from the ocean.The evening started out with a margarita making session but since I'm not much of a fan, they offered to mix one of their specialty cocktails for me. I had the Basil Bomb, one of their best sellers, made with Bombay gin, lemon, basil, cucumber and agave. Let's just say I approve. Making fresh guacamole, with some assistance of course, was fun too. Mashing away at fresh avocados (better known as letting out the day's frustrations) and customizing it to my taste with lots of finely chopped red onions, tons of cilantro and fresh lime juice was perfect. Also got a great tip, to keep the guac from turning brown, add a little olive oil to it.Then it was time to dig into all the goodies they brought out. They included smoked red snapper tostadas served with smoked tomato and chile de arbol aioli, pickled cucumbers and fresno, serrano and celery. These mini appetizers packed a punch with smokey, creamy, crunchy and spicy all incorporated into each bite.The steak quesadillas were divine, especially because at El Vez, they melt cheese on the outside of the tortilla so we're talking all the extra cheesy goodness you can handle. And the tenderest steak inside too.The tacos are fantastic, try carnitas with tender pork belly and shoulder topped with salsa verde or steak tacos with marinated skirt steak, salsa taquera and cherry tomato pico de gallo (pictured above). There are several other varieties too and none will disappoint.We got crispy churros for dessert in a cute brown paper bag to go but I ate those so fast I forgot to snap a picture.So what I'm saying here is, if you want to have some great margaritas (I know I didn't have one but others at the table did and attest to their greatness), they've got a killer strawberry one with fresh strawberries, and tasty Mexican fare, take a drive on A1A to the W Hotel and visit El Vez.El Vez in the W Fort Lauderdale, 401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., 954.414.8200