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Agave Restaurant
- Nearest Transit:
-
King Memorial
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 5 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 11 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
250 reviews for Agave Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"Had the cayenne fried chicken, delicious." In 18 reviews -
"I got the beer braised pork shank with mashed potatoes as..." In 6 reviews -
"I had the tequila anejo shrimp and." In 14 reviews
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250 reviews in English
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Review from Angelita L.
Atlanta, GA
5/7/2012
Boy did I pick the right place to celebrate my brother's birthday (and a lil Cinco de Mayo while at it) on Saturday. It started off with the wildly good tasting guacamole. Our fantastic server Jacob recommended it--guac with trout & bacon. I was skeptical but one bite made me a believer! The seared Diver Scallops melted in my mouth. My brother raved about his Angus ribeye. And the top shelp margaritas were a delicious & refreshing cohort.
Even though it was Cinco de Mayo, an understandably busy night at a Tex-Mex eatery, Jacob never once made us feel rushed. As we left we applauded the cooks...
KUDOS AGAVE!!!!! -
Review from Obadiah S.
Atlanta, GA
5/18/2012
My companion and I had a go at Agave recently. This would be my second trip.
We visited on a weekday evening. I did make reservations, but there was more than enough room to seat us anyway. The high point of the evening was definitely the margarita. It was fresh and tasty. Their drink offerings really show that even beverages, when made well, can really shine on their own.
For my meal, I ordered the New York strip, cooked medium. The steak was just slightly underdone, hardly a huge screw up. I was a little put off by the crust on the steak though. The steak is treated with an herb and chile marinade. Unfortunately, one of the components in the marinade burnt as the steak cooked, imparting a burnt flavor on the surface of the meat. Again, not a huge sin, but I might expect a bit more finesse for the price. The steak was accompanied by mashed potatoes with corn. The corn added a nice sweetness and crunch to an otherwise ordinary side dish.
While I give Agave three stars, I would certainly visit the restaurant again. There are a number of dishes on the menu that look interesting, and I would like to try some of them.
To recap: the food is decent, fresh ingredients paired in unique ways. The few issues in execution are certainly forgivable. If you like tequila and margaritas, this place warrants a visit. All of the sour mixes are prepared in house, and it shows. -
Review from Diedre R.
Updated - 5/6/2012 4 photos
Lawdamerice!!! My server Amir. LORD LORD LORD!!!
Have you ever has a server so fine that you jus are thinking all through dinner, he could get it!!??
Now, I digress to talk about the food and service.
Ive been to Agave several times and have always read great reviews about thier fried chicken, but nomally I think...its just chicken....how much better could it be?? Well, today I found out.....its lives up to the hype.
Two other people in our party got the special which was a chili rubbed ribeye that was cooked to perfection times two. One other person went with the slow cooked short ribs, which she said were to stringy and mostly fat, so she sent it back and went with the fried chicken also, she was very pleased with the fried chicken.
The margaritas were tasteful, strong and cold. Just a great way to end the Sunday after cinco de mayo which has already been a weekend of tequila and margarita.
I do recommend making a reservation, we did and were sat immedialty upon entering, but there were others that had to wait up to 45 minutes for a table.
Lively crowd in the front room and a little quieter in the second room
The service was on point, the food was good, and the margaritas were perfect.
We shared a key lime pie slice amongst the 3 of us, and no complaint there either.
As our check was prepared we had the short rib dinner removed and the tab came at $135 for 4 people and that included 4 entrees, 2 starters, 4 margaritas, 1 beer and a slice of pie. Not bad.
As we were leaving, Amir came and said good bye to our group, pulled out my chair to rise and asked us to return. As I walked past him, his hand slightly touched my lower back, and I swear I "creamed" right there on the spot. Can I say that on YELP??
Overall he and his fellow co-workers were attentive without being pushy, showed up at the approriate times to check on us and I could tell from the others in our section that they were pleased with his level of serivce also.
Anywhoo..........check it out....but please leave Amir for me!!!Listed in: YELP 365, Yelp365daRemix, Top Restaurants
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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8/10/2011 ROTD 4/9/2012
What a great place to celebrate my mothers 61st birthday last nite. As you can see from my profile… Read more »
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Review from Valerie N.
Atlanta, GA
Updated - 4/22/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Came for a Saturday night reunion with a long lost friend! We thoughtfully called ahead with a reservation as Agave was slammed when we got there. Hooray! I always prefer the outdoor room (which can get LOUD) or the room with the fireplace than the room with the bar when you first walk in. Our wish was granted and we sat outside.
Our waiter, who honestly looked like one of the actors from "Why Did I Get Married?" (seriously - I about died from starstruck awe...), was so cheerful and respectful of our reunion, he good-naturedly took a picture when we asked.
Our meal was delicious and not rushed at all. The waiter graciously accepted my Yelp check-in offer for a free appetizer (calamari! heavenly!). I love it when restaurants are flexible!
My albondigas, as always, were delicious, especially when paired with a glass of malbec and a side order of grilled squash. My friend got the stuffed trout, which, I gotta say, was amazing. I will definitely consider getting it next time.
This was my first time trying the Mexican coffee and I must say, yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi!!!! Arrrrriba! It was delicious, but definitely needed to be split between me and my friend. It was tasty with the key lime pie and fresh cream.
I love Agave. It never lets me down, thanks to delicious food and amazing staff. Well done!Listed in: Girls' Night Out!!!, Best Specials in the ATL!
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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5/25/2011
Went last night for a girls night dinner and was surprised to see a new menu at Agave!
I tried two… Read more »
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Review from Asma A.
4/16/2012
This is a very cute restaurant. The first time I went there, I loved the ambiance.
In that sense, I guess you could say that It's definitely a nice date-spot.
Portions are nice. We ordered one appetizer and ended up sharing an entree. I love it when restaurants know that you are sharing the food, they end up splitting it for you evenly. Food was great. One of the better Tex-mex places in town.
I have overall been here a few times and I have enjoyed the food every time I have been there. Definitely a place worth to try out if you are in the mood for some Mexican! -
Review from Rob B.
4/13/2012
I stopped at Agave while on a business trip. I sat at the bar and was served by a great bartender who mixed a great jalopeno margarita. I'm generally wary of gimmick drinks, but she assured me that it would be delicious, and it was. It was fresh, had a nice jalopeno flavour, and was not over-salted on the rim.
The salsa with the chips tasted fresh and flavourful, but not especially hot. In any case, fresh-tasting salsa is an essential.
For dinner I tried the Chile Rellenos as an appetizer. It was tasty, but not knock your sock off tasty. Similarly, I had the braised pork hock with red mole. It was large, well cooked (tender & juicy), but lacked some kick.
All in all, everything was good, the service was great, but it wasn't mind-blowing. Still, you would not regret a trip. -
Review from Jackie H.
3/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
I finally got the opportunity to get to Agave for dinner. The atmosphere is lively and the restaurant got very loud. It was a fun place to have dinner.
I'll start by saying that the fried chicken breast did live up to all its hype. It truly was delicious. Seasoned nicely, moist, fabulous. I'm a fan and it will probably be the one thing that gets me back to Agave. Also, the drinks were superb. I had the Peachtree Margarita and it was perfect. I also have to give it to them on the salsa that comes with the chips. It was some of the best I've had. I loved the blue chips too. Loved the corn on the cob too. It was grilled and I tore it the hell up.
On the flip side, the other items that I ate did not impress me. The short ribs were very bland tasting, although very tender. They failed to live up to what I was looking for and I was mad at them. Also, I had some spring rolls that were so incredibly spicy until I couldn't taste anything else. It was obvious that too much of something was put in those. The quesadillas were pretty good, but not anything special.
I'm going to have to add that I felt that the entrees were overpriced. Just saying.
The service was outstanding. Everything flowed like clockwork. A+ for service here.
Parking here is plentiful with free valet. -
Review from sheila l.
Atlanta, GA
5/19/2012
This was my second time dining here. The first time was fantastic. Enjoyed all of it. Second time dining here left me feeling blah about it. A friend and I dined on a week day and it was not that busy. We were seated upstairs where there are only 2 tables. (My friend arrived first and chose seating.) I would have like the patio area but I was OK with the upstairs area. The server never smiled. He was so serious that it made me a little uncomfortable. Maybe he could not hear due to the high altitude. :) Anyway,when I asked about what he liked(as I always do) he said he liked the fried chicken. Being at a southern eclectic cuisine rest I preferred a second rec. He said that was the best. ooooooook. I don't remember now what I finally decided on. I was a little let down by the service. Not memorable with the food. The dessert: we went with the chocolate chocolate chocolate death with a smile in my face cake or mousse thing. Now THAT was incredible!
I suppose if you are server and having a bad day.... just go home. I'd rather have slow service than pissy service. -
Review from Arthur Y.
Atlanta, GA
3/19/2012
A once-great restaurant that gets popular and sacrifices quality in its frenzy to cash in on its high volume--these are the saddest reviews to write.
Agave was in my top 5 mid-range Atlanta dining spots in 2008. It was always crowded, but that was nothing a reservation couldn't take care of. I looked forward to the ahi tuna as much as nearly any dish in any eatery in the city. The food was fresh, exciting and flavorful, and the atmosphere was great. My then-girlfriend (now wife) and I went every chance we could.
Flash forward to 2012. I had heard rumblings for a while now that the place had really taken a nosedive, but I wanted to see it for myself and hopefully be proven wrong. Sadly the criticisms were confirmed. I made a point to tell the host when I made the reservation that it was my wife's bday. When we arrived we were seated, no bday mention. Not a huge deal--but it does show a lack of standard professionalism. The server was friendly and attentive, but sadly the pluses ended there.
Ordered glass of Rioja. It barely filled a third of a Bordeaux glass, and was clearly the last of a bottle they opened three or four days earlier and didn't refrigerate after opening. Shameful!
Ordered the ahi tuna and specifically asked "cook it as rare as the chef will allow." The mussels app was actually fairly tasty and had a nice chile flavor. I didn't get long to enjoy it though, b/c we had our appetizers for about 5 minutes when they rushed out the entrees. And I noticed immediately the dry, gray tuna (AAAACK!!). It tasted even more melancholy than it looked--crumbly and devoid of flavor. The creamy white wasabi sauce that used to glisten beautifully against the deep backdrop of the tuna was this time a watery mess that had seeped into the fish. My wife had a side of black beans with her entree, but they were ice cold and even more flavorless than the tuna was. We sat down at 7:30 and were shuffled out the door by 8:20. Never a single mention of the birthday either.
If you want a high quality meal from a professional spot in a much better atmosphere for the same price, head to Wahoo a few miles down DeKalb Ave. There just are too many good restaurants in Atlanta to justify returning and paying this much for such mediocre quality. I live right around the corner from Agave and I won't even be going back. -
Review from Rob P.
Updated - 3/23/2012
Hadn't been back to Agave for awhile, was one of my favorite places when I first moved to Atlanta. This would be an interesting experiment to see if my opinion had changed since Atlanta has slowly evolved me into a bit of a food snob.
Glad to say, Agave is still five stars. The margaritas are better than I remember, the traditional is probably the best I've had in town. For an appetizer, they had a bison short rib taco special. Hot damn it was tasty.
For dinner, had to go with the favorite scallops and grits. I need to try other stuff on the menu, but this is so damn good I had to do it. And it was perfect. I think they added a little spice to the grits, brought out the flavor. Nice work Agave, you're still one of my favs.1 Previous Review:
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5/25/2011
Mexican with a soul food twist. Excellent margaritas. Try the scallops.
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Review from Emily N.
Atlanta, GA
3/16/2012
In years past, Agave was one of my standard nice-but-not-too-nice date spots. Good place to go for small celebrations, second dates, etc. The quality of the food and the attractive plating felt more expensive than the bill reflected, and the service was always good. I wasn't a huge fan of their margaritas, but other things I ordered from the bar were usually solid.
After not going for a couple of years, I've returned to Agave twice in the last year, and I felt like it had lost a lot of its shine. Both times, my dishes (in one case salmon, in another the rare tuna) were very bland, and the sides were over-buttery. My date was similarly unimpressed. Additionally, while the service was good both of these times, it wasn't the tremendously-attentive-wonderful service I received a few years back.
Not sure what caused the change, but while Agave isn't _bad_, it's not a place I'd return to unless there are some exciting menu developments. There are enough other tasty fusion places around for the same price, where the food is more exciting and flavorful. I love the space itself, and I'd be thrilled if they revamped their food. Looking at the other glowing reviews, I suppose it's possible I've just been on off-nights--both recent experiences have been during the work week. -
Review from Daniel B.
1/19/2012 13 photos
Agave is a nice Tex-Mex restaurant located in Cabbagetown. The restaurant sits in the old Cotton Mill general store next to Oakland Cemetery. It's got a rustic look and feel, but the atmosphere inside is buzzing and full of energy. It gets loud in here. The bar always seems busy. There's an open kitchen, two main dining areas, and a small private dining area upstairs.
I've tried many items off the menu. Here's the rundown:
Appetizers:
Fresh Homemade Guacamole & Chips
Guajillo Mussels
Beef & Pepper Poblano Chile Relleno
Smoked Chicken Quesadilla
New Mexico Hatch Green Chile Stew
Cayenne Fried Calamari
Entrees:
New Mexican Rack of Lamb
Chile Seared Jumbo Diver Sea Scallops
Beer Braised Pork Shank
Slow Cooked Short Ribs
Both the guac and chips are made in-house and are fresh. The guac has a delicious consistency and includes chopped vine ripe tomatoes and cilantro.
The mussels are very good. They are steamed in a red chile citrus wine broth. After finishing the mussels, the broth is great for dipping tortillas. Warning: I have run into bad (dead) mussels with this dish.
The chile relleno and chicken quesadillas are also good. Both are quite flavorful. I especially like the steak and cheese combination in the chile relleno. While these are labeled as starters, you can definitely make a meal out of these two dishes alone.
I'm not a big fan of the Hatch green chile stew. It's a restaurant specialty, but perhaps not for me. It's a hearty dish with beef tips, potatoes, and corn. The flavoring of the stew is OK, but didn't have me craving more. If you've never had it before, try it just for the experience. You may like it -- some of my tablesmates did.
The calamari is light and crispy. It's not too greasy and this dish sets itself apart from other fried calamari dishes thanks to its dipping sauces: poblano habanero aioli and jalepeno jelly. The spicy jelly is also very sweet.
As the mains go, my favorites are the lamb and scallops. The lamb is fresh, extra savory, and tender. It has great flavor. The scallops are a little salty, but also fresh and flavorful. I love the grits and collard greens that are served with this entree.
The pork shank is tough, but the restaurant makes up for it by giving you a generous portion. It's a lot of meat. The short rib dish is OK. It's just not very memorable and I probably would not order it again.
Service is very good. Despite what the menu says (one check per table), some servers are willing to separate checks. Thanks Jacob. Also, the host (partner Tim Pinkham) is very polite and friendly. So overall, the staff is great.
Complimentary valet parking is available next to the restaurant.Listed in: Atlanta Fine(r) Dining, Mexican, Tex-Mex, and…
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Review from Tieren E.
Morrisville, NC
3/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
Maaaaaaaaan..... I don't even think an extensive, detailed account of the food and experience will give it justice. Let's just say I had the ultimate "mouthgasm" of my life. No lie. Waiter was cool and attentive and I think I gained like 5 lbs. but it was worth it.... Oh it was worth it. The chips and salsa were excellent. We had the calamari as an appetizer and the guacamole. The guac tastes just like mine. (I'm a pro) I had the burrito and stew. Was a lot for $12 and delish. My man had the meatloaf and a couple sides which he enjoyed thoroughly... Oh and to wash it down, it was only right to get a peach margarita.... You know being in ATL and all.
Bottom Line: If you like tex mex... Make this joint a priority.
Ps. Free valet parking ;) -
Review from Amanda B.
Atlanta, GA
3/13/2012
Love this little gem!!
The area is somewhat sktech, but that's no different that other parts of this little city.
The food is outstanding, the tequila is strong...can't get much better than that! -
Review from Vaughn S.
Newnan, GA
1/30/2012
I wish I could give this restaurant more than 5 stars. I would like to start off by saying if you go on a Fri or Sat night...make a reservation. We got to this restaurant around 4:30 pm last Sat and did not have a reservation. They were not open yet but they still welcomed us in and invited us to sit at the bar until they opened. I ordered a Pomegranate Margarita & my wife had the same. These were the BEST POMEGRANATE MARGARITAS I HAVE EVER HAD.
They were able to seat us shortly after 5pm and our waiter (Robert) was AWESOME. I had the Burrito & Stew & my wife had the Quesadilla with a side of Rice & Pintos. The food was great and it reminded me of some of the foods my friends mother (who is from New Mexico) cooks. The Green & Red Chili Sauces were wonderful. Even the Chips & Salsa was great. I could have poured that Salsa over a piece of cardboard & it would have still been great. All in all we will definitely be going back again & again. -
Review from Katy M.
2/4/2012
This place is nice! It's a reliable "nice night out," if that makes sense. I've never had a bad experience here, the wait staff is always on point, the food always arrives in a reasonable amount of time, and the food always looks and tastes good. The parking is easy valet parking, so there's no room for frustration there.
The food itself is just fine. I've had better (for cheaper), but it's good, consistent, upscale food. The decor is friendly, and the porch is lovely in the summer. I like the Ahi tuna, it's always cooked perfectly, which I really appreciate. It's a delicate dish.
Tip- There's almost always a coupon for this place in the Saavy Shopper Intown or whatever that little flyer you always get in the mail is called. (if you live in ATL) It's usually buy one get one free entree, something like that, for a weekday night. With the coupon, the prices are really reasonable. -
Review from Melissa M.
Charlotte, NC
4/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
Been a fan since the early days. Back in town after moving to Charlotte and it was my first stop! Love the new southwest/Italian meatball fusion dish. My friend Susan is a regular!
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Review from Paige N.
1/18/2012
I've been to Agave twice now - both with dates, and both times it was a pleasure as other Yelpers have said. It's a very cozy, romantic setting no matter where you are - although both times I've been on the patio, which is perfect.
Generally, we began with wine or margaritas - both are excellent choices - and the server recommended good bottles. And of course chips with quacamole. I highly recommend the guac - fresh made and filled with tomato and onion and cilantro. Yum!
And for dinner on my most recent experience there, I had the stuffed mountain trout and my date had the chile seared sea scallops. We shared and both dishes were fantastic. The trout was truly stuffed with crawfish and mushrooms and the scallops weren't too spicy or overcooked.
And our waiter was very attentive refilling our wine and water glasses whenever they started to look a little low. It's definitely a place I will continue to suggest and visit in the future.
One thing to be aware of is that parking is at a premium around there, so save yourself a headache and valet (it's complimentary) and they're very quick. -
Review from Julia N.
Boston, MA
1/7/2012
I remember as if it were yesterday. I had the tilapia, with mashed potatoes and vegetables. I looked at the price --- very expensive. Then I convinced myself the price is directly related to the portion size. I was wrong of course. Even my friends I convinced in coming for my going-away party looked at their portion sizes.
Come on, we're in Georgia. Our plates are bigger than this! Initial frustration, but once we all put the first forkful in our mouths, our table was radiating rainbow and ponies. What would have been two hours in discussion became an hour split in silence intermingled with "This is so good, this is amazing." The hour afterward filled itself with fanciful discussions about what to try next so should our wallets allow.
The drinks? Fantastic margaritas.
The group behind us ranged from all ages, and for some odd reason the elderly decided to strike up a conversation once they saw the (Mmm, I believe it was Peachtree?) margarita I ordered. She absolutely "looooooved it." It was "Faaaaaabulous," and despite her very fluid-I-am-now-drunk gestures, I turned around, cackled to myself and sipped it.
It was like a blue smurf who met a Snork and sent Rocko some e-mail who then contacted Kel at Good Burger put heaven in my mouth. I quickly made my bill a bit higher trying all of the different kinds. I love this place. I ate there in September, so I don't know which dodo path it now follows. I wish I could teleport from Boston every time my loan check disperses each semester so I can overstuff my midsection with libations and good food with creamy sauces.
Also. They have valet service. "LOL" to that, indeed. I *had* a Mercury Tracer before moving up here, who needed to be rolled, kickstarted and hiccuped while idling. I also drive bare foot. So here I am lookin' cute, they HAVE to valet you, I get out, he gets in, I do the "you gotta jiggle, kinda KNOCK ON IT HARD" discussion and he drives a bit until I say "MY SHOES ARE IN THE BACK SEAT." Funny at least. Whatever. Folks in Chargers and Jeeps, BMWs ain't the only ones who should be valeted. -
Review from Jang C.
11/26/2011
I should've known to not believe the hype. Like other Yelpers, I tried to love this place, but it's just an A-OK place.
Yes, it's a cool, trendy place inside. It looks like a great place to take your date and have a nice drink. You feel so attractive, hip, cool, and trendy just going inside it. However, If your date is a food geek, don't expect to get lucky.
The food is mediocre and overpriced. For example, their ceviche has no protein. Okay, I'm exaggerating; it has some seafood. However, it felt like they only added 2-3 pieces though. It consisted mostly of vegetables. If they reversed the ratio of vegetables and seafood, it would've been perfect. I love ceviche, but it disappointed me.
I love short ribs too. But once again, this dish disappointed me. The ribs seemed to be cooked well. And it fell apart like butter when I touched it with my fork. The only problem: it was tasteless. I don't think they gave me enough sauce for the short ribs. Otherwise, it would have tasted good. They need to add a bit more sauce to this dish.
The sides for the short ribs tasted good though. Who cares though? The short ribs should be the star, not the sides.
I also tried the serrano stone grits. It looked like puke, but it tasted good. I think this was one of the better dishes of the night.
How was the service? Pretty slow. Because it was a busy Friday night, it took the servers a long time to do anything for us. Sometimes, he disappeared to some unknown place for a long time. Maybe if we came during non-busy times, the services would've been better.
Overall, it's an overhyped, overrated, and overpriced place. I don't drink, so I can't comment on their drinks. Their food is average but has potential. Unfortunately, their best dishes seemed to be the sides and the chips and salsa. I'll be nice and round this 2.5 place to 3 stars.Listed in: Mexican and other Latin treats
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Review from leah v.
12/9/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I have had the pleasure of eating here twice, and if there were a money tree in my backyard, I'd be eating here everyday. It's so tasty. While I feel like the interior is pretty crammed, that just makes me more inclined to say that it's a more romantic, couple-y atmosphere than a group outing one. I had some kind of fried chicken dish that almost embarassed me in that I cam close to licking the last morsel off my plate. Not very ladylike of me...
I also had a margarita, though I can't remember which one it was. I think it was mango or peach or some other flavor that looks orange. They were unfortunately out of the jalapeno liquor to make a spicy margarita. Maybe next time. I hope.
This was also some of the best service I've had. Our waiter did not bug us to death, but he also didn't leave us wanting for anything. Perfect! -
Review from Ron M.
Atlanta, GA
3/8/2012
Best happy hour deals, great food. Mary Lisa is a pleasure to see every time we walk in. Mussels are a must have.
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Review from yeme t.
3/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'm a huge Agave fan. On my most recent visit I checked in using the Yelp app and automatically qualified for a free appetizer! I chose the smoked chicken & hatch green chile quesadillas. The crawfish pasta was my entree. Flan for dessert. As always, the service and my food was excellent.
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Review from Tamara S.
10/3/2011
Good people of Yelp, let's not be swayed too much by a restaurant's average reviews. Just because it's rated a four star joint doesn't mean it necessarily is.
I was pretty underwhelmed by Agave. I'd wanted to come here pretty much since I moved to Atlanta, so when a friend wanted to come for a nice dinner out, I figured I'd finally splurge and give it a shot.
Their complimentary (and bottomless) chips and salsa are a really nice touch, and the salsa is really tasty, and spicy. We shared a few orders of guac (free if you check in on Yelp or Facebook), which was fine.
I ordered the vegetarian burrito. It was nicely presented, with a small corn salad, a slice of tomato, a (quite small) burrito, and some Mexican rice. The corn salad was really nice. The burrito was uninspired. The flavors didn't pop at all. The matchstick vegetables, and sad little beans sort of tumbled out of the burrito. The mexican rice was just okay. The burrito was served with a little extra guacamole, which I appreciated.
Food here is pricey. The vegetarian options are a little cheaper, but eleven bucks for a veggie burrito isn't so friendly for this grad student's budget. Service was great, and the restaurant itself is lovely.
Street park if you don't want to tip the (complimentary) valet. It's nice to enjoy a little walk through Cabbagetown after your meal, anyway.
I'm not rushing back.Listed in: veg eats in atlanta, para comer
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Review from Tramaine W.
Lithonia, GA
11/12/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Definitely a place I don't regret visiting. I went on a Saturday night and the place was packed and buzzing. The staff was very nice and helpful to this first time customer. I had a margarita first, it was a mix of the passion fruit and mango margarita, it was delicious. You have to get a margarita if you come here.
I had the chicken poblano stew next which was tasty but a bit too spicy for me. For my entree I had the red pepper salmon, I cleaned every bit off my plate. I substituted the asparagus for the mashed potatoes too FYI. Lastly I had the pumpkin cheesecake which was fantastic; this should mean a lot coming from me since I'm not a big dessert fan.
I felt let down by the chips and salsa, they weren't that memorable, I think the chips and salsa at Barberitos are far better than these and it's a way cheaper lower quality establishment. I wasn't really feeling the soup and the mashed potatoes I got with my entree were pretty boring and blah. I would definitely come back here despite my minor complaints, it's surely a must visit. -
Review from Laila S.
Roswell, GA
11/7/2011
At first, i was unsure about this restaurant because of its appearance, but when i sat down with my friends and actually had the food here, it was amazing!! now, the food IS on the pricey side, and since my friends and i were on our way to the club, we just got a lil sumthin each. i had the calamari, which by far was the most amazing calamari i ever had =)
best of all, since it was closing time, we saw the kitchen staff CLEANING their area. that is a big plus!! i mean they were CLEANING real well =) i will definately will be coming back here. -
Review from Laura N.
9/22/2011 3 photos
The ambience here is rustic and romantic with dark corners perfect for intimate dinners. Plus, the selection of non-alcoholic drinks at Agave is excellent. Every underage person should try the frozen strawberry drink, which is basically a virgin margarita. The complimentary salsa is great too, but you can't order a queso to complement your complimentary nachos at Agave.
I came here with high expectations after hearing my boyfriend rave about this awesome Mexican restaurant. Perhaps I should not have ordered a dish that I can make from scratch at home; I ordered the chicken enchiladas, which disappointed me by failing to taste better than my homemade enchiladas (which, I should mention, are really decadent and delicious). I developed a slight case of dish envy after sampling my boyfriend's swordfish entree, which was perfectly cooked and well seasoned.
Notwithstanding my lackluster enchiladas, I had a great experience at Agave. Recommended for dates and groups. Bring cash for valet parking.Listed in: Mexican food
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Review from Michael L.
Decatur, GA
8/23/2011
We came here last Monday with Addy, Enoch, and Heejin, and were definitely looking forward to trying this spot.
First of all, kudos to the service as they took the pains to split up the entrees so that we could eat family style. That merits a star all by itself.
The food...was a mix of good and so-so. If that's all you needed to know, then read no further. If you want the details, go on ahead....
Guajillo Mussels ... ($10.50)
Eh...not so fresh- the wine broth was pretty tasty, but with a flour tortilla on the side...it just tasted kind of weird together. (2.5)
Spicy Tequila Anejo Shrimp... ($18.75)
I actually liked this dish, as the shrimp were large and tasted fresh. Although the flavor of the lime and tequila cream sauce doesn't jump out at you, it is bold enough, and the jalapeno cheddar stone ground grits cake was quite tasty- though very heavy. I'm glad we split that up among the five of us- if I had it to myself...I might be in the hospital. (4)
Agave's Famous Cayenne Fried Chicken ... ($15.00)
I was expecting a crispy layer surrounding the chicken- but it just wasn't there. Honestly, a bit of a disappointment, given the rave reviews of this dish. I was looking forward to this one. It wasn't bad, but the chicken didn't taste inspired- maybe it's because it was a chicken breast. Perhaps it would've been better using thigh/leg meat? The mashed potatoes were good, but not special. The grilled corn was pretty buttery, just alright. (3.25)
Chile Seared Jumbo Diver Sea Scallops ($19.50)
These pan-seared jumbo diver sea scallops were swimming in an herb & chile rub served with fire roasted tomato and serrano stone ground grits and honey cider collard greens. Not bad- but a week later, I can't really remember any of the flavors...so (3.5).
Stuffed Mountain Trout Tomatillo ($17.50)
The trout itself was ok, and the stuffing (crawfish, mushrooms, onions, and basil ver spanish rice and roasted tomatillo sauce) was decently tasty. A bit on the salty side, but bearable. (3.5)
Tenderloin Medallions ($23.00)
The tenderloin seemed to be slightly overmarinated, if that's possible. Lots of flavor, but so much that it masked the flavor of the meat. Better balance between the two would be good. The garlic and chile tequila puree served only to further mask the flavor of the meat. They might as well have used a cheaper cut of meat. Mashed potatoes were fine, as they were with the fried chicken, and the onion rings were a nice touch to complement the textures of the other elements. (3)
Overall, I think that I probably came here with overhyped expectations. The last time I looked through Agave's reviews, they rated a 4.5 overall. But I guess not so anymore. I think the flavors of the food here are done pretty well- but there wasn't any subtlety or extra complexity in the flavors despite utilizing lots of sauces and cool-sounding ingredients.
I mentioned before that the service earns them an extra star, so I'll round up to a 4. This spot is good....but not great. Just IMHO. -
Review from Will P.
Atlanta, GA
2/10/2012
Agave does not get the amount of press in Atlanta I think it deserves. Both times I have been there for dinner I have said to my girlfriend that we need to come back more often. I have been both during the week and on the weekend and love the atmosphere. The ambiance is great, there are several fireplaces in the two rear dining rooms, and everyone in the restaurant greets you with a smile. I would recommend getting a reservation for weeknights and weekends as this restaurant gets busy quickly.
The first thing I love about Agave, they serve FREE chips and salsa on your table before your water comes for your drink order. Unfortunately diners in Atlanta cannot take free chips and salsa for granted at Mexican restaurants. Agave's salsa is the perfect amount of spicy and its chips are made completely in-house. Near the bar and plating area you can see hand-cut blue corn and flour tortillas waiting to be tossed in a deep fryer before they are served fresh to your table. These tortillas are great with a serving of Agave's guacamole which can be bought in a half order for only $3.75 if you're worried about filling up on chips before your meal.
The second thing I love about Agave is its margaritas. I had a great Avion Anejo margarita and my girlfriend had the "Peachtree" peach flavored margarita. I should mention that we are usually disappointed by flavored margaritas. They sometimes come in strange colors and are too sugary to finish. Not the Peachtree margarita at Agave. It was the right amount of sweet with a good tequila flavor. I highly recommend this particular flavored margarita.
After we had a couple of drinks and too many chips we finally had dinner. My girlfriend had the chicken quesadilla as her entree and loved it. It was stuffed with plenty of chicken, oozed with cheese, and came with guacamole and sour cream on the side. Our waiter Rob was extremely helpful throughout the evening. He steered me towards the veal, chorizo, and green chile meatloaf. It was... Incredible! The flavor was great. The dish had a sweetness as well as a spicy finish. The southwestern mac and cheese was perfectly paired with the meatloaf. It didn't really taste "southwestern" in my opinion, but it was very tasty. The dish also comes with honey cider collard greens. Unfortunately, as much as I love the South I am not a collard greens fan. They were easy to brush aside.
I should mention that the first time I came here I had the cayenne fried chicken and loved it. It definitely belongs on any list of best fried chicken in Atlanta. It is also a very unique spin on the dish. I have also tried the spicy peanut butter moose pie. I love spicy foods, but it just didn't work for my taste buds combined with a peanut butter flavored dessert.
Overall, Agave is a great Mexican restaurant in a city where that is hard to find. I will definitely be back here soon! -
Review from Evan S.
10/9/2011
Great spot for group dinners. Although the menu has many great Mexican options, there are also a few American varieties that grace the menu. Namely, the sweet collard greens I had were very good.
I kept the meal light with the shrimp and poblano spring rolls and the greens. Washed it down with the Peachtree Margarita, one of the house specials. -
Review from Addy C.
8/17/2011
Really tried hard to love the food esp. after reading all the 4 and 5 star reviews from my favorite Yelpers - but couldn't. However the service was top notch, and I loved the ambiance.
We had a party of 5, and shared 2 apps and 5 entrees - just the right amount of food. Everyone cleaned their plates :) Yes we did family-style dining at a restaurant where the food isn't designed for that - we just said we're going to share our food, and next thing you know, they brought all 5 entrees to the center of our table, and set 5 empty plates for each of us. Extra bonus points for portioning out some of the dishes, plus adding a few extra corn on the cob to equal 5 :) That's service!
I so wanted to give 5 stars b/c of the great service but the food didn't live up to the hype. Part of me wonders if I should blame the ok food b/c we came on a Monday. Anthony Bourdain's "Kitchen Confidential" said Mondays aren't a good day to eat out at restaurants.
COMPLIMENTARY CHIPS & SALSA
Love the blue chips and I liked that the salsa was spicy.
GUACAMOLE & CHIPS - $7 (full order)
Nothing special, and a full order is not really all that big ... good size for 5 people though.
GUAJILLO MUSSELS - $10.50
Mussels were small & fishy, and while the red chili citrus wine broth was tasty, I wish it were thicker. The flour tortilla seemed random ... I guess crusty bread wouldn't fit the southwestern theme.
CHILI SEARED JUMBO DIVER SEA SCALLOPS - $19.50
Menu description set too high expectations :( Pan seared scallops in signature herb & chili rub, served w/ fire roasted tomato & serrano stone ground grits (salty) and honey cider collard greens (good & sweet). Just ok.
AGAVE FAMOUS CAYENNE FRIED CHICKEN - $15
Jumbo size boneless chicken breast but didn't get any cayenne flavor. Buttermilk marinated & fried (not crispy). Yukon Gold mashed potatoes were good, and grilled corn was too buttery for me and I couldn't taste the Poblano drizzle at all.
STUFFED MOUNTAIN TROUT TOMATILLO - $17.50
Just ok. Liked the stuffing more than the actual trout. Idaho trout was stuffed w/ crawfish, mushrooms, onions, and basil over Spanish rice w/ roasted tomatillo sauce and freshly cut cilantro (but I don't remember tasting any cilantro).
SPICY TEQUILA ANEJO SHRIMP - $18.75
Biggest disappointment b/c this dish got the most positive reviews. Again menu description set very high expectations. Fresh gulf shrimp grilled & sauteed in fresh lime & tequila cream sauce (not spicy at all), and served a/ jalapeno & cheddar ground grits cake (good but mostly cheddar flavor and very salty), and grilled asparagus. The asparagus was probably my favorite item of the evening.
TENDERLOIN MEDALLIONS - $23
Meat was pretty tender and one of the better dishes. Tenderloin pan seared over roasted tomato, garlic, and chile tequila puree, and served w/ Yukon Gold mashed potatoes (yum), fried cayenne onion rings (not spicy), and grilled zucchini.
Overall, I thought the sides were better than the entrees. Also, couldn't taste all the flavors described in the menu. Other than the salsa, nothing was spicy. However like I said before, service was outstanding ... and maybe we just came on a bad day. I definitely want to try their drinks next time - almost every table around us had margaritas :)
FYI - complimentary valet parking is available but if you're lucky, you might be able to find nearby street parking on Carroll Street. Also join their VIP club to get 20% off your entire check Sun-Thur, or get $10 entrees if you come between 5-6pm any night of the week! Sign up now! -
Review from Treasure A.
Atlanta, GA
10/13/2011
My friend told me that Agave had better lamb than Fogo, so I told her to take me. I'll start this by saying I LOVE fogo lamb. My mouth is watering just thinking about it, but I digress. The lamb at Agave is probably as good or better than Fogo. As a college student, Fogo's wins by default simply because it is "unlimited". With the New Mexican Rack of Lamb, you get 4 lamb chops, a side of mash potatoes, and grilled asparagus. I switched my mash with the macaroni and cheese. It was very savory and tender.
I split the Chile Seared Shrimp Tacos and the Spicy Shrimp & Poblano Spring rolls with the rest of the table. The Shrimp tacos were gone in about one second. They were amazing. Add two of their margaritas and the chips and salsa. I was feeling very happy.
Next time, I would probably just get my own order of the shrimp tacos and the margaritas. But, great date spot or group dinner. -
Review from Kristin B.
Atlanta, GA
Updated - 10/29/2011
I still don't love Agave for dinner, but I'm a complete fan for happy hour!
Monday through Friday, appetizers, salads, and soups are two for the price of one at the bar. Even on a Friday around 6:30, we were able to score three seats with relative ease, and we enjoyed not only the food and libations, but the attentive and funny service provided by the two bartenders and the eccentric company of the fellow patrons.
I sampled two varieties of margaritas (though the traditional is larger and cheaper, the fresh mango was tastier and stronger), the calamari (huge and good for sharing), and the hatch chile stew (a GIANT bowl with tender tenderloin, grilled corn, and a thick green broth), and my total with tax and tip came right around $30. Not too shabby for a night out on the town.Listed in: Adventures in Urban Pioneering
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/13/2011
I was thrilled when a work colleague suggested Agave for a business dinner. It would have probably… Read more »
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Review from Lauren A.
Updated - 10/25/2011 2 Check-ins Here
We came again last week and I ordered the pork special (app) as a meal. The portion looked tiny coming out but it turned out to be the PERFECT portion for a meal after our mussels.
Speaking of the mussels, they were unusually large this week!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/14/2011
Peachtree Margarita, Mussels and Fried Chicken = A+ combo.
I came back to Agave for my fifth visit… Read more »
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Review from Jamarcus T.
Stone Mountain, GA
8/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
When I began writing this review I had already clicked that fourth star, but as I think back to just a couple nights ago, I may end up taking a star away. We'll see.
Two things that stand out immediately that Agave has a handle on is its really tasty salsa, free along with the 'on the house' chips, that has a really nice spicy kick to it (don't feel ashamed if you reach for that water), and their customer service. The waiter was extremely helpful, took care of any concerns/requests we had in a flash and with a party of 6, I definitely appreciate that.
Agave could be a romantic place, considering the low light and general atmosphere, although the crowds, which , even on a thursday night, were enough for me to not notice any two person tables or couples tucked away in a corner. For whatever reason, people stand at the entrance, making it a little difficult to weave in or out, but it's more roomy than it looks from the outside, having an upstairs seating area as well as a couple of downstairs rooms for seating. It can be pretty loud at times, as one of our guests kept commenting that she couldn't hear half of the conversation due to the general noise.
I had their Southwestern Burrito & Stew ($12) and the presentation is really great. The stew had a nice rich flavor, not at all heavy and vanished from my bowl fairly quick. The southwestern Burrito garnished with sliced tomato and corn, was just "okay" in terms of flavor (Much less so than the soup). I'd rather they have had an option to eat the burrito sans shell, which had a doughy taste that seemed to overpower everything else in the burrito, but sadly, not the case. Large portion size, very tender meat and it'll make you full for sure.
Random notes: If you're not seeing what you want on the provided menu, go ahead and ask for their vegetarian menu just in case they forget to give it to you. Parking is valet (complimentary) and even if you don't "check in", go ahead and do so to unlock special deals, like a free appetizer, etc.
So, 3 or 4 stars?? I think Agave does just enough to hit the 4 star mark and it's a restaurant i'd love to try again to either confirm or disprove my review. -
Review from Anita C.
10/13/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This is my second time at Agave and the first time I honestly do not remember what I ordered, but I remember leaving very happy and impressed. My second visit, we ordered the beer braised pork and the trout. Both were extremely tasty!!! The beer braised pork is seriously making me salivate as I write this because the meat fell off the bone and it was just cooked perfectly! The trout was stuffed with something but I think I was inhaling it so quickly I didn't even look.
I will obviously and most definitely come here again! -
Review from Carrie A.
1/30/2012
Holy. Mole! This place does not disappoint! I had heard a lot of good things about Agave, but am always skeptical when I hear a lot of good things about a place. However, starting with the complimentary valet to the delicious margaritas, I will definitely be back.
To start, this place is packed. Always. Definitely make a reservation if you're going with a large group. You'll still wait 10 minutes or so for your table, but that's a lot better than the hour some people were waiting to get seated. The food is well worth the wait, however. From the yummy chips and salsa to the scrumptious soups and entrees, Agave kept me wanting more at every turn.
I started with their chicken soup and, seriously ya'll, I was almost licking the bowl. It was insanely good! Like, I still dream about it and my mouth is salivating whilst I type, good. I like to scope out menus before I head to a restaurant online and was really glad I did. Although I'm not a vegetarian, I like to have to option sometimes and was really glad to see that they do have an entire vegetarian menu. Granted, a few of the options are your standard "Random Steamed Veggies and Whatever Other Non-Meat Items We Decide to Throw on Your Plate" that you find at most places, but they also had a lot of really solid veg choices. I went with the spicy veg pasta and it was outstanding. Very spicy and the veggies seemed really fresh. Most of the people I was with got the fried chicken (which I was leery to try do to this being a tex-mex establishment), but I will definitely give it a go next time I'm here. It looked absolutely incredible. It was a boneless, skinless breast fried to perfection atop a mountain of mashed potatoes and a crazy piece of corn standing straight up!
I have to say, some people have noted that the prices were really high, which for "mexican food", yeah, they would be high. But, honestly, for the quality of food that you're getting, it's well worth the cost. It's not your standard dirty mexican food in a strip mall, folks, this is some serious culinary work with high quality ingredients, which is evident in the incredible flavor! Buck up Sally, and quit complaining because you get what you pay for here!
Agave is going straight to the top of my list of places in Atlanta when I'm craving chips and salsa! -
Review from Yesenia M.
Atlanta, GA
9/5/2011
The term tex-mex is really a misnomer, but I can see how it gets defaulted to that since modern Mexican or Mexican-Southern fusion aren't very big categories. But I digress.
The tequila bar lived up to it's title, with an excellent selection and delicious cocktails, only one of which is made with lowly Cuervo.
We started with the ceviche, so let's start the review with that as well. It was ASTOUNDING. It was spicy, even for me, so the faint of tongue need not apply.
I had the veal and chorizo meatloaf, which was the lightest and most adult meatloaf I've ever had. The collards and Mac & cheese on the side were both tasty without being as heavy as typical soul food. My dinner mate had the blue corn chicken enchiladas which I got a taste of before she punished them, so I'm guessing they were good.
We split the cheesecake with cinnamon whipped cream, a decadent dessert that beautifully topped off the meal.
The service was a bit on the slow side, especially considering it wasn't very busy when we got there, but our server was pretty friendly.
The price means this broke grad student can't make it a regular haunt, but once a month or two may have to be scheduled in. -
Review from Kin N.
Smyrna, GA
2/21/2012
Hands down, this is my favorite restaurant in Atlanta. We have been here many many times and we have not had anything we don't like. It's the place we bring out of town guest to and all of them love the food. My favorite is the New Mexico Rack of Lamb. It's always cooked perfetly with just the right amount of char and always tender. The scallop and fried chicken are good too. My favorite appetizer is the spring roll.
Note: Yelp categorize this restaurant as Tex-Mex, that's incorrect. It should be Southwestern, which is a very different kind of food. -
Review from Tiffany R.
Atlanta, GA
4/13/2012
The sea diver scallops over grits was AMAZING and their Agave fried chicken was "punch your mom in the face good" ,nice atmosphere, friendly staff, great pricing and spectacular eats!
