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Left at Albuquerque--The Pruneyard 1875 S. Bascom Ave #550, Campbell 408.558.1680 Senoritas and Margaritas Blame it all on Route 66 By Genevieve Roja Pity the poor blue agave plant, for its drinkers know not what it goes through. The plant is chopped away when it is ripe, which is usually eight to 12 years after the initial planting. Its leaves are ruthlessly hacked away to expose its core, or piña, which can weigh anywhere from 40 to 200 pounds. Next the piñas are taken to a distillery, where the piña's juices are squeezed out. The result of the long fermenting process is tequila, that languid drink that has earned the name "ta-kill-ya." At Left at Albuquerque, patrons are treated to more than 100 types of tequila, some as basic as a Jose Cuervo or more refined like Patrón. Since the life span of the blue agave is brief, and therefore many distilleries cannot produce more tequila, the inventory at Left at Albuquerque's tequila bar isn't quite as stocked as in past years. But top shelf or bottom shelf, tequila is the drink that does everyone in. After a half-dozen shots, it's Cinco de Mayo the rest of the night. That said, make a toast to the mighty blue agave, for Spring Break might have never been the same. Start with the bar's Route 66 Margarita, an ambitious 66-ounce concoction, counting the ice. The four straws that come in the glass are a not-so-subtle hint that this drink is meant to be shared. Drunks beware--this is a one-limit-per-customer drink, so don't get all loco when asking the bartender for another. Hours: Sun-Thu 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm Crowd Age: 21-50 Décor: Southwestern Signature Drink: Route 66 Margarita Games/Amenities: Jukebox Listings by Geographical Location: Campbell | Cupertino | Los Gatos | Mtn. View | Peninsula | Central San Jose | San Jose 'Burbs | Santa Clara | Saratoga | South County | Sunnyvale | South County | Bar and Club Locator Features: Light's On, Door's Open: What makes a bar a favorite hangout the world over? One writer aims to find out. I'll Have What She's Having...: What's new and what's cool when it comes to the latest cocktail twists. Reviews: Senoritas and Margaritas: Left at Albuquerque--blame it all on Route 66. Scene Stealer: All the animals come out at night... to the Camera Cafe. Saddle Up: Sangria Restaurant, where sitting at the bar is a gripping experience. Retro Groovin': At the DancePlex. partygoers relive the '70s, '80s and... this morning! Flash and Dash: Mardi Gras and other surprises at Nola Restaurant and Bar. Knight Dreams: Black Watch--where swords cross and Stoli freezes over. United Nations: Lido's Nightclub, where world beat has a whole new meaning. Taste the Music: The Icon Supperclub is the new incarnation of the Edge. Mineral Wealth: Mining for meaning under the Cinebar's disco ball . In the Pink: All in a dogone day's work at the Pink Poodle. Rod's Roadstop: Britannia Arms at Almaden wears it well. [ San Jose | Metroactive Central | Archives ]