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Mon-Thu. 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sun. 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
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Agave is one of those places I've been meaning to try but never got around to, but finally got a large group of interested folks together to try the place.
I normally enjoy giving reviews based on food AND service for large groups, but in light of there being three other large groups besides ours and the cramped quarters from so many bodies, I'll just say that a Friday night is not a good night to bring a large group here. Max your group out at 6 and you're fine. Any more and you're pushing your luck. In light of that, I'll review the food only and return another time to really test out the service.
I would like to mention, however, that this is a place that does have the "everyone must be present to order" policy. Our final person was walking in from the parking lot but the server refused to wait a minute to collect our orders (if he'd started, the last person could've shown up and had time to look the menu over anyway). The meal lasted until nearly 10pm - we all arrived at 7pm. Yikes.
With that off my chest, it's time to review the food! I had a mojito which was delicious but will set you back $9, so beware! The margaritas taste delicious as well, but you get what you pay for. The $7.95 margarita doesn't taste as good as the $9.95 one! There are a variety of spirits, though, so kudos on the well-stocked bar.
The food itself was very delicious, but I must admit I'm not sure what Agave aims to be. Tex-Mex? Asian? Southern? I tasted someone's quesadilla, which was rich and full of flavor. I was also able to snag a piece of the fried chicken and it was so juicy, moist, and tender (all good words to describe good chicken). Delicious! My meal of choice was the seared tuna over mashed potatoes and asparagus. The tuna was seared to perfection, and the mashed potatoes were definitely fresh and hand mashed, yum! My only qualm is that it said there was a wasabi-laden sauce over the top but I never got the hint of heat. I'd like to see a bit more flavor pop with the dish, but overall it did the job and I left happy.
I would definitely love to come here again and try out the service without a large group (and not on a packed Friday evening either). Other than the service, food was spectacular and left my food baby happy and well-nourished. That mojito helped keep the rating up as well, so don't pass up the chance to try a drink here!
I kind of knew I would end up giving this place five stars after reading the reviews.
It's not too often that about halfway into a meal, I say aloud, "this might be my favorite restaurant in Atlanta." That was the case with Agave.
This place just has everything going for it. The atmosphere is perfect-- very comforting, warm, cool, and friendly.
The staff is very attentive and helpful.
The food is original and excellent. We sat at the bar, where you get BOGO appetizers EVERY night from 5-7, so we got 4 apps. They were all wonderful, particularly the shrimp and tenderloin-- the steak was just amazing. It was cooked rare and was up there with the best steak I have ever had (weird for an app).
The drinks were phenomenal. We tried four margs, and they were all outstanding. They are pricey, but they are quality drinks. I can't really suggest a particular one, but you should be able to ask the staff for help, and you really can't go wrong.
You probably can't afford to come here regularly, but this place makes sense as a regular place for special occasions (if that makes sense). I'd imagine I'll be coming back here at least annually. Thanks for existing, Agave!
Note-- we got there around 4:50, so we got to park in the lot ourselves instead of using valet. Then we were there for the entire buy one get one free appetizer at the bar deal. Also, it was not crowded yet on a Saturday at that hour, so our service was great. I couldn't think of a better time to go to Agave than 4:50-7:00 sitting at the bar on a Friday or Saturday.
I just got around rating Agave, though I went there with a few people a couple of months ago.
I had the Ceviche Martini that was shrimp & sashimi tuna over greens marinated in lime, oil, serrano peppers & cider vinegar and enjoyed it, definitely not traditional ceviche but it was good, and the pork shank was definitely awesome.
The service was good even though it was a busy night and I had complimentary dessert because the server overheard that it was my anniversary which was not the reason we were there but was great.
I chose the pumpkin cheesecake which was a season special and it was delish!
I definitely enjoyed Agave.
Agave is a wonderful restaurant. I would definitely recommend it to anyone. The prices are a bit too high for it to be a regular thing, but for a special occasion (I recently went for my birthday), it's great.
The atmosphere was okay - even though the tables are so close together that you can literally hear your neighbors' conversation without trying, its intimate and "hip." The food was great. I had the shrimp and grits. The grit cake that comes in that dish was pretty much the tastiest thing I've ever eaten. The sauce on the shrimp was a bit salty, but overall a good dish. My husband got the salmon and veggies, which he really liked. I got the basic marguerita and it was one of the best I've ever had (and I'm quite the marguerita snob).
I do wish the parking situation was better, but considering it's on a tight cabbagetown street, it's understandable. You pretty much have to do valet, which is free, but on a busy Saturday night my husband and I ended up waiting in a line (in the rain) for 15 or 20 mins.
I've been going here for a couple of years and so far I've always really enjoyed it. This restaurant has a menu to suit a wide range of palettes and it's basically a short drive from about anywhere downtown so it's been a good spot to meet up with friends. My favorite appetizers are the ceviche martini and the chicken quesadilla, both of which are big enough to be a meal! I am also a huge fan of their fried chicken and the salmon filet.
As far as drinks, I'm not really a big tequila drinker but the huge selection of tequilas has enticed me to try a few of their margaritas and I've yet to be disappointed. Overall I'd definitely recommend this as a good meeting place before a game or event - just make sure you call ahead to let them know you're coming just in case there's a wait!
Just ate here for the first time and was pretty happy with it, though the 4 stars are more for potential than our actual experience.
The building is interesting, the service was very good and the food was very well prepared. The menu is awesome and makes me want to come back everyday for a week to try everything. The slight hesitation in my review is because some of the dishes were not worth the price tag. (*Cheap Bastard Alert)
We started with margaritas and they were Really Good, worth the $10, though I still cringe at any cocktail priced over $6. They've got a nice variety and obviously know what the heck is up.
The chips and salsa were very solid and the guacamole ($6.75) was good, too. The ceviche "martini" was nothing special and pretty small for the $9. I'd skip it next time. Also, the beer-battered shrimp were tasty but 5 shrimp for $12=not worth it.
My blue corn chicken enchiladas were exceptional and totally worth the $14. The smoked chicken flavor was definitely present and not drowned out by cheese or sauce. Everything was perfectly balanced and the portion was nice, too.
My Partner in Food Crime ordered the Agave Salad ($6.50) but added grilled shrimp to it at the suggestion of our friendly server. Those grilled shrimp were awesome but we didn't realize it would add $12 to the cost of the salad. For $18 she probably would have ordered something different, you know?
My brother ordered the beer-braised pork shank and was very happy with it. Let's just take his word for it.
Too full for dessert. Dang!
Even with our mixed reviews, I'd go back to Agave in a heartbeat. It is too obviously a great spot to pass up just because some of the plates might be overpriced. I'm sure once you worked your way around the menu a bit you'd find plenty of things to blow your mind and not your budget.
Count me in.
I've been to Agave a few times, but never got around to writing a review. Went again last night and if there's one thing this restaurant does well, it's consistency. The service, the food, the drinks, and the experience are always top notch.
I'm fairly addicted to their Tequila Anejo Shrimp with jalapeno grits, so I'm not too adventurous when it comes to branching out on their menu because that one dish is SO good. It's quite spicy but not so much that it makes my heart burn because the heat is a good flavor rather than what I call just "hot."
Washing things down with a Peachtree Margarita is suggested. It's not overly peach, nor is it peach colored, so you can still feel like a man if you're a dude and order this drink.
Agave is a great little eatery, and if you're on a date I suggest maybe requesting the table by the fireplace if it's a cold night. It's got a great atmosphere and that's one of the reasons I always come back here.
I had dinner at Agave for the first time for my husband's birthday. It has gotten stellar reviews, so we were really excited to finally go, especially since we live 5 minutes away. First off, I have to admit that the interior is not as great as I was expecting. Now saying this, I'm not really sure what I was expecting exactly being that it is a Tex-Mex spot, but nevertheless, it was less than what I expected. It has your typical "cantina"-esque interior. Anyway, we started out with the chips & salsa with an order of guac (of course) and it was great. Since we were being piggies that night, we also ordered the calamari as an additional appetizer. It was fantastic. For dinner, I had the "famous" cayenne fried chicken. It was delicious. I forgot what the chicken came with. Mash potatoes maybe, and also corn on the cob. It complemented the chicken well. All in all, I give Agave the thumbs up--I just would like anyone else reading this to not get totally blinded by all the awesome reviews and expect more than what it really is. It is a Tex-Mex CANTINA. haha I have to admit, I think Holy Taco is better.
Best top shelf margaritas in Atlanta. The food is divine and the service is outstanding.
Went to this restaurant on a very busy Saturday night with a large party...that is usually the kiss of death for service in any restaurant BUT our server was amazing..timely, responsive, and even split the checks remembering what everyone ordered..WITHOUT us even asking.. I was floored. He was ultra-nice and this spoke volumes of the care that this restaurant takes for service. As a vegetarian also, they had a special menu and the server took the time to explain all the options.. Bravo, Agave!
1) Phenomenally good margarita -- I had the Herradura Top Shelf, and it was smooth, strong, well-mixed, and downright delicious.
2) Had two desserts that were also superlative: the Key lime pie, and the Belgian chocolate mousse. Oh My God level of incredible.
Those were the 5-star-worthy standouts, but Agave's rating is brought back down a little by some misses. The two appetizers we tried (calamari, shrimp and poblano spring rolls) were both pretty ordinary, and would have been entirely forgettable if they had not come with a terrific jalapeno jelly dipping sauce. Seriously, I think I could eat my old gym shoes if I put a little of that jalapeno jelly on!
My trout entree, stuffed with crawfish and mushrooms, was pretty decent--but not great enough to make me forget that trout just isn't the most delectable fish. Oh well.
Great service, a cozy interior, and easy valet parking--plus the standouts above--make Agave worth a visit.
After searching yelp for a restaurant, I settled on Agave. I had a great dinner so thanks fellow yelpers!
My fellow diners were slow to arrive, but luckily the staff was really nice and accommodating. The space is rather small, so I know they were doing me a great favor by holding my table. Started off with one of their margaritas, which are definitely deserving of the awards. Ordered the shrimp and grits which I had been dying to try, and they were utterly delicious. The grits were formed into a cube that was crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. Currently my fave grits dish. The fried chicken dish was good but I prefer the moistness of dark meat. Since it was my birthday, they gave me a serving of their chocolate mousse, which was a great way to end the meal.
Best fried chicken I've ever had. It's been several months since I last ate there, and I still think about that chicken. My dinner companion took a sample bite of my dish, and the next day I received an email that said, "I can't stop thinking about that chicken!"
The Cayenne Fried Chicken was 5-Star all the way. Everything else was good, too, though I would more likely give 4 stars.
Agave is now my favorite place. The guacamole is a must as an appetizer. Their famous fried chicken is a can't miss if this is your first time going. Add some sides like mac and cheese or collard greens, and you'll be instantly hooked. If drinkings your game, take a look at the huge selection of tequila and wine. And the best part is their staff. They are very friendly, helpful with recommeding good choices, and are just as enthusiastic about the food as you will be.
I ordered the rio rancho tacos and they were so ehh, not even really worth mentioning here, except to say, don't get it!
On the other hand, that was the best shrimp and grits I ever tried, and this girl does not touch grits.. It was like a fried block of cheesy goodness under the shrimps and it was pretty mind-blowing.
The fried chicken was eh, and my other friends really loved the special of the night, a 6oz steak. My friend ordered from the veg menu and said it was amazing.
Oh yeah, and the margaritas really are good.
The prices are pretty good for the meal as well. The special was only $19 which is not bad at all.
I'd go again just for the shrimp and grits, and maybe a margarita. :)
My first experience was on My 30th B-Day... Woohoo! I am totally a fan! First I ordered the Mango and Passion Fruit Margarita (You have to ask for it, not on the menu) ... Soooo good, I had to have 2! Then I ordered the Diablo Crawfish Pasta... wow! It was not too spicy it was just right! I also tasted my husband's Tequila Anejo Shrimp with jalapeno grits... it was sooo tasty! My party also enjoyed their meals... the hubby and I will be back soon!
Agave gets 4 stars, and a couple of itty bitty tweaks would make it 5. Well, ok, so the first "tweak" is more of a complete overhaul of their parking system: the world's most unnecessary and inconvenient valet. AT LEAST put a covered waiting area out there or something. For Pete's sake, my man and I had to stand IN THE RAIN for a good 5-10 minutes while the valet went to get my car, which was within eyesight. Talk about ending an awesome meal on a shitty note.
The other thing is that the calamari was "meh". Nice and tender, so no issues of chewiness. I just thought it was lacking flavor - but my boyfriend disagreed, so take my review of it with a grain of salt (or just add some). The guacamole seemed a little oddly sweet, but it was still very good.
But now that all the negatives are out of the way . . . everything else was OH MY GOD good. I had the tequila anejo shrimp and . . . *heehee* 3 Texas margaritas. My boyfriend had the trout and a Texas margarita as well. We were so stuffed from the chips and salsa (delicious!), guacamole, and calamari that by the time the entrees came, you KNOW it had to be good for us to kill it like we did.
Oh, and the hospitality is overwhelmingly good, especially coming from the perspective of someone who usually eats at places that are cheap as possible. Our reservation was for 7:30, and we got there on time and were seated immediately. Every employee we passed greeted us in a manner that at least SEEMED sincere, unlike the forced greetings you get at so many other places.
I also love the decor. Warm, dark-ish, rustic - it kinda gave me a Catholic-church-in-Mexico feel (but beware, I've never even been to Mexico).
If it weren't for the valet parking, this would be a 5-star review.
YUM.
I dined at Agave a few weekends ago and was pretty much blown away at how good it was. First of all, I rarely traverse into this area since it's sort of out of my way, but I'm so glad I did because there's so much to discover. Upon arrival, the wait was about 40 minutes long, but with a margarita in hand, it passed by in no time at all.
The interior reminded me of something straight out of the Alamo, with the dark wooden walls and floorboards and kitschy western decor. Cute, nonetheless. Drinks were okay; my Texas marg was way too sweet, and apparently that's just how they are because one of my friends had tried it a couple of weeks before with the same result.
Chips and salsa were good and standard, but for the love, don't try the ceviche. The shrimp tasted disconcertingly fishy, and it comes in a martini glass that is stuffed more than halfway with lettuce. So you basically get like 5 bites of ceviche. No likey.
Entrees were fantastic though. I love how it's not your typical Mexican food, but rather, it has all sorts of "comfort"-type dishes with a Tex-Mex flair. At the table, we had the halibut, the enchiladas, the diablo pasta, and the meatloaf. If you're in the mood for something specifically Mex, definitely try the enchiladas. Everything else was a safe bet, but next time, I'm going for the short ribs!
All in all, a fantastic meal and service was great. Definitely going back soon.
This is an excellent place to meet folks for a special occasion - parties of 6-12, no problem. It's also a nice roadhouse where a couple can have a nice quiet dinner. My favorite way to go Agave is just the two of us on a weeknight.
Sad news- this joint is just around the corner- when I say just, I mean the next street over- and I have only been here one time. AND that one time was a blind date so I didn't want to go all out and order multiple things:( So sad, as was the date. Despite the date sucking ass, it wasn't the restaurants fault. I sat at the bar for a short while before my date arrived and the bartender was very attentive. Beer selection is okay but the tequila selection looked pretty durn good. I saw a pomegranate margarita that I really wanted but forgot about during the evening. I made a promise to myself that I will go back to sample that deliciously beautiful drink. The salsa and chips were tasty and fresh as was my entree- tuna sashimi with some super crunchtastic spears of asparagus. I could have bathed in the mashed potatoes- they were that good. Then again who fucks up mashed potatoes??? I mean really? The server was great and catered to our every need, except making my date pay the bill in a timely manner- dude held on to it for 45 minutes before I finally could convince him that the restaurant was looking barren and it was time to go. I know I am an excellent conversationalist but really (haha, just kidding) The night ended not with some dessert, which is what I would have preferred but with my blind date trying to hold my hand at the dinner table and me jerking my hand away (hello- hug on the first date, no grimy hand holding). Maybe I'm a cold bitch or maybe I just really needed some more of the fresh southwestern food that Agave has to offer. Agave, I will be back!
I've come late to the tables at Agave, but better late than never! I've eaten here a few times in the last couple of months (most recently Tuesday night), and I wanted to add my voice to the other Agave lovers.
First, the margaritas. I'm a margarita junkie and very picky about the ingredients and flavor. Agave's margaritas the best and are only inferior to the ones I make in my home kitchen! My favorite is the Herradura Top Shelf, on the rocks, with salt (of course).
Second, the food. The salsa is chunky and so fresh that I eat the entire bowl with about 12 chips. My favorite dishes here are the chicken quesadillas (I stick with the basics in my eating habits) and the shorts ribs with macaroni and cheese (melt in your mouth fabulousness). My favorite dessert is the key lime pie. It's served with a cinnamon/nutmeg spiced whipped cream and is delicious!
When seated at a table, the service has been phenomenal. I've had three different servers and all of them have been fantastic. I leave huge tips at this restaurant because they deserve them.
As for the bar, my experience has been mediocre. I've eaten at the bar twice and both times the bartender was inattentive and forgetful, so now I get a table when I eat here. (I've generally had bad luck with female bartenders though, so if your luck is different, give the bar a try.)
In summary, great food, great drinks and great service makes Agave as good as it gets. Enjoy!
So this was a big birthday year for me....I turned 25 on the 25th !!! Woohoo!!!! Little did I know it was going to cause me SO many problems as far as my plans went for the evening, b/c of the wonderful high school proms going on in Atlanta the SAME night. So what does dinner plans + prom=?!?! BOOKED BOOKED BOOKED restaurants!!! :(
I was desperate for a place to go to that would accomodate my large group of friends, and finally came across Agave. I want to start by giving HUGE props to the owner/partner Tim for coming to my rescue. I called him, he told me "No problem", and was ready to give us a table for 15+ people, but then when I called him back and told him it'd be closer to 10-12 ppl, he told me once again "No problem", we'll make sure that the table is ready for ya'll.......and that he did.
So the big day came, and I met my friends at Agave, not quite sure what to expect from the place, the food, the service, any of the above. But who cares....it was my freaking BIRTHDAY!!!!! Well let's just say I had a fabulous time, and was so greatful for all of the things listed above:
Atmosphere: A
Food: A+
Service: A++
Drinks: A+
Laughs from our awesome waiter: Spadoni A++++
So our waiter, ROCKED...(as listed above)....he handled our table with such ease, anything we wanted, he was there at our beck and call, with a huge smile on his face!!!! He even decorated the cake that was brought in by adding strawberries surrounding it, and chocolate sauce saying "Happy Birthday".
I had the Rio Rancho tacos, which were YUMMY!!! Plus, we got the calamari appetizer, and can't forget the libations to go along with it all......I had the Frozen Strawberry Reposado.....mmmmmm mmmmmmm GOOD!
I had a fabulous 25th birthday, and it all started off right here at Agave....Thanks Agave for accomodating me in my time of need !!!
1) The drink I has was really good. I had a Texas margarita. It was perfect.
2) The chips are made fresh on site and the salsa was amazing.
3) I had the tequila shrimp and it was amazing.
4) Our server was named Spadoni and other people have mentioned him as being great. If given the option, I would wait for an hour if it meant he would be my server. He was honestly the best server I have ever had in my life anywhere.
5) The staff really wants you to enjoy yourself here and have a great experience and go out of their way to make sure everything is great.
6) Did I mention that the food was awesome??
It's not really tex mex but upscale southwestern. It's a little on the pricey side so I won't go here a lot, but I really should go there more than I have in the past.
Its not Tex-Mex, its New Mexican!
So, what does that mean? Well, no BBQ sauce and plenty of green chiles! Moving from New Mexico, it took some time for me to get used to this place, because it is not entirely New Mexican, it is more Modern-Metro-Southern-inspired New Mexican. There are grits and seared Ahi on the menu.
Well, I've come around and now this is my favorite nearby haunt for those times when I want to drop a bit of cash. I very much enjoy the large and rico Santa Fe enchiladas, and my wife the fresh and firm seared Ahi Tuna. The New Mexico rack or lamb is nothing to sneeze at either.
Drinks... well, this is one of the few places that I would actually recommend both the food and the Rita's. There are over 100 tequilas so there are plenty of ways to make em. I prefer the Herradura Top-Shelf, and my wife the Agave Don Eduardo Añejo. Tasty, but at near $10 a pop, I would pace myself.
This place is a must for anyone who wants a unique and flavorful Atlanta culinary experience. Be sure to make reservations on almost any night. Also, keep an eye out for BOGO coupons in the Savvy Shopper, it will make your experience much cheaper, but no less tasty.
(edit: I should add that the folks: Host, server, and managers go out of their way to make sure you are happy)
My one request is that they start asking the official question of New Mexico: "Red or Green?"
This place is running a tight competition with Georgia Grille for best Southwestern in the city. Chips, salsa and guacamole are so good, I was licking the bowl. I ordered the tequila shrimp, which was plated with a jalapeno cheese grit cake and grilled asparagus. Delicious.
Entrees were beautifully presented, and tasted just as good as they looked. Atmosphere is warm and inviting, as well.
My experience at Agave was very close to perfect! I can't wait to return.
This place just rocks. The braised short ribs special with anjeho bbq sauce and (I subbed the mac and cheese for the blue cheese mashed) mac was awesome. App was a smoked chicken quesadilla and it was perfect. Just the right amount of chese, and the in house smoked chicken was perfect. This place is a gem and very reasonable as well. Love it!
This is not a review, but a little FYI- they do have a vegetarian menu on request, and the menu is also posted on their website. Think I might try Agave now that I know that!
So I talk my good friend Nichole into going to Agave with me, she initially suggested pizza, so I politely overruled her. It's a Friday evening and something like pizza just wasn't going to cut it.
I got there first, it gave me a good opportunity to check out the bar area and the seating layout. The walkways were narrow and not the best to hold a conversation as foot traffic is constantly interrupting the flow. Overall I enjoyed the ambiance, feels like I've walked into a Spanish villa. Perhaps the narrowness was intentional.
Nichole arrives and we get our table after a brief wait. We got seated in the covered patio, which was perfect. Lots of sun still left in the day and I had a few margaritas with my name on them. Our server was a doll, she was fun and made great recommendations like the Spicy Southwestern Crab & Shrimp Spring Rolls. These were truly fantastic and I would devour an entree portion if one was available.
Nic went with the Cayenne Fried Chicken as her main course and I went with the night's special of scallops with tomatillo grits and pineapple. I tried a little bit of the chicken and it was very tasty. I was a little disappointed in the scallops, but the grits were very good.
Agave is a great restaurant and I see it being part of my regular rotation.
I'm a big fan of Agave - except for a few minor glitches in my last visit, which included a long initial wait and a long wait for the food, I have never had a negative experience.
I've introduced a lot of people to it and they have always loved the food. My mom, mom's friend, brother and his girlfriend are a few of the out-of-town guests that really enjoy the fresh, crispy chips and tasty, fresh salsa brought out at the beginning of the meal.
The food offers a nice southwestern experience with many great flavors - my favorites include the Tequila Shrimp, the halibut, and the swordfish special I had last time I went.
I have had a couple special events there, like valentines day and really enjoyed the personable service and friendliness of the staff.
The guacamole is quite good as well as the margaritas, my favorite being the Texas.
One of the places I love to go when I know I want a flavorful dish and I have a couple extra dollars to spend.
Thanks Agave for the great atmosphere and food.
SOUTHEAST GOES SOUTHWEST AT AGAVE
Need a flavor fix, go to the former Fulton Bag and Cotton Mill's General Store where Agave resides- you'll find the best southwest food in ATL. Jack Sobel, Chef- Owner opened this gem in 2000 fulfilling his dream to create delectable New Mexican-style foods. The central theme in all his heavenly creations is the tantalizing chile pepper. To truly master the chile, the freshest ingredients must be used and to help accomplish this Agave uses no microwaves or freezers and receives its meats and produce daily.
True to its namesake, Agave has over 100 tequilas, which makes for some outrageous margaritas. The creators of these heavenly beverages are Lisa Metzger and Melissa Agee. These goddesses of the bar surely know how to make tequila sing. The Corzo Perfecto is a perfect blend of Corzo Super Premium Reposado, limejuice and Agave Nectar. I thought I had tasted some great margaritas, but these are too awesome. The housemade chips, salsa, and freshly made guacamole helps prevent the glasses from emptying too quickly.
To jump-start the journey to the Land of Enchantment, Thomas, a most knowledgeable waiter, presented Agave's signature soups. The traditional earthy Posole with braised pulled pork, hominy, guajillo red chile, and lime honors the celebration of life. The hearty Hatch Green Chile Stew with chunks of beef tenderloin, corn, and onions was decadently spicy, but not hot.
The Grilled Shrimp and Sashimi Tuna Ceviche marinated with lime, serrano peppers and a splash of cider vinegar is a seafood lover's dream. Wrapped in rice paper, the crispy Spicy Spring Rolls consisted of a perfect blend of chopped shrimp, lump crab, Napa cabbage, and of course serrano peppers. The outrageous guajillo chile, limejuice and white wine sauce made the plump, delicate Guajillo Mussels so tasty.
If the chile is the soul of Southwestern cooking, then Agave brings it to life. Perfectly spiced Agave's Famous Cayenne Fried Chicken served with poblano habanera and jalapeno jellies is otherworldly. If this dish doesn't make you your taste buds rumba, I don't know what will. To kick it up the spice chart, the grilled Spicy Tequila Anejo Shrimp with jalapeno and cheddar grits cakes is unbelievable. For meat and potato lovers that need a little spice in their life, the ground veal, chorizo, and Hatch Green chilies meatloaf is like no other- yummy! If Elvis had the pan seared beef tenderloin medallions in a garlic-chile tequila puree, he would have broke into a chorus of "Love me Tender".
The parade doesn't stop here, The Southwestern twist on a key lime pie is a delight, the raspberry margarita cheesecake is sinful, for chocolate lovers there is the Belgian Chocolate mousse and the Torta de Sabrosa, and the most different dessert ever is the Spicy Peanut Butter Pie which lives up to its name, OK I'm ready for another Margarita.
In addition to this outstanding award-winning restaurant, Jack Sobel other life is his band, Black Swan Lane. Their relaxing melodic lyrics reminds me of Roger Waters meets Brian Eno, good stuff, check out their website http://www.myspace.com....
LGBTG FRIENDLY ***** (Great Staff)
FOOD ***** (Chile Lover's Paradise)
PRICE ***** (Parties of 6 or more get the Chef Sampler)
AMBIENCE ***** (Patio Dining/ Great Bar)
DRINKS ***** (Best Margaritas in Town) http://www.agaverestau...
ADDRESS:
242 Boulevard SE
Atlanta, Georgia 30312
Tel: (404) 588-0006
Waiter and waitress were very nice. I had passionfruit martini....very yummy! I ordered the Spicy Tequila Anejo Shrimp and was the first time I had stone ground grits....definitely a southern thing I think! The shrimp was well cooked although I must say peeling off the skin should have been a bit less work. ;)
I was just at Agave about two weeks ago. I had the Peachtree Margarita. I am not usually a margarita drinker, but this has to be the best Margarita I have ever had.
I had the Ranch Pork Shops, with the honey cidar greens. Delicious. Everyone enjoyed their meal. If it's a friday or saturday, make reservations. I saw friends there who had been waiting for 45 minutes when we arrived.
Can't believe I haven't written this review already. I love this place, and the atmosphere and the… Read more »
So it's a busy Saturday evening in the ATL. I've got a friend here from out of town and I'm scouring trying to find a good place to take him to so that I can demonstrate the culinary powerhouse that is Atlanta.
I've been meaning to try Agave out for a little while now, after reading all the good reviews on yelp, and they're right down the street from where I live. I give them a call and ask how long the wait is for a table, "we can seat you right away" they exclaim.
"Hmm, not too bad" I'm thinking, "but I bet the parking is a biatch, i'll probably have to find parking on the street somewhere". I get there, and no, the parking is no biatch. It's valet and convenient.
We get in there, and sure enough they seat us immediately. The space is warm and inviting. There are fireplaces littered around the restaurant. The ambience is cool and chill. We look over the menu and order the Ceviche Martini for an appetizer, I ordered the Sashimi Pan Seared Tuna, and my buddy got the Red Pepper Salmon Filet.
The ceviche was really really good. I think I ate all of it and left none for my friend. My tuna was also exceptionally tasty. Oh, and I forgot to mention, the food came out so quickly, it was borderline offensive. I was fully expecting it to be terrible because we got it so fast. It was all really really good. Everything was spot on, food, service, heck, even the valet guys were really nice and friendly.
It was such a delightful, hassle free, relaxed dining experience for a Saturday night, even though the place was really busy. Good for you Agave, you're awesome. I love you. Let's hang out again some time.
Agave is one of my very favorite restaurants in Atlanta. They have super margaritas, very tasty food, subdued atmostphere. They are always full, which is a good sign.
They have good chicken fingers for kids too.
We always take family and friends here when we have a full house.
Also they are great supports of the neighborhood, always sponsoring our preschool.
I really want to love this place and make it a "go to" place for Southwestern cuisine. I live in the neighborhood and love to support local places. But, I have to draw the line somewhere.
Tonight my boyfriend and I went to Agave to celebrate my birthday. We casually mentioned this once when server was within earshot, but by no means did we make a big deal out of it. We ordered the guacamole as an appetizer; it was great -- no complaints there.
The server gave a great description of a special margarita that night, but of course, surprise #1 came when the bill came -- the price was not worth the product that was delivered. The bill actually had a separate line that listed out the charge for Cointreau being added to the margarita (presumably a part of the special to begin with).
My boyfriend had the special (tuna and scallops for $24), and I had the spicy shrimp and grits. We both enjoyed our entrees, though I thought the special was a little overpriced.
The server delivered a surprise dessert -- chocolate mousse (would not have been my choice at all, but I figured it was complimentary, so I tasted it) -- with a birthday candle in it, supposedly for my birthday.
Surprise #2 of the night was delivered along with the bill. We had been charged $6.50 for the dessert!
Neither of us had even asked for a dessert, and we certainly didn't make a big deal about the night being my birthday celebration. I think it's incredibly distasteful for a restaurant to deliver a dessert and then charge the patron for it, when the dessert was never asked for in the first place.
I will remain loyal to restaurants in the Cabbagetown/ Reynoldstown/ Grant Park area, but do not plan on returning to Agave. Thankfully, these neighborhoods have much more to offer by the way of food and thoughtful service.
*Wow - Afghan, Burmese, Hot Dogs, Ukrainian, and Fish & Chips tags but no Southwestern tag?! Agave really isn't "Tex-Mex" but whatever - I'm nitpicking.*
I really like Agave. The atmosphere is casual, but not too casual - it's not stuffy or pretentious. The restaurant is very attractive as well. The service is attentive, refined, and yet down to earth. All the food I've had there is very good - it is fresh, well prepared, and spicy. I love the crawfish pasta, but it IS seriously intense so be warned (and I love spicy food). If yours wasn't very spicy then they must have just sized you up for a wussy, bland eater and toned it down. Both the trout and fried chicken are very good as well. Of course, the margaritas are excellent - I would recommend the Herradura one (I get it every time and have since been able to replicate a pretty good version). Prices here are really reasonable and they tend to have good deals here as well. I really enjoy going to Agave and it is one of my go-to restaurants now as it is consistently great.
My only complaint would be that the absolutely idiotic valet parking system next to the restaurant. It should just not be valet period. The first time I was there I had to get out and walk a bit to the front of the restaurant which is facing the street, not the lot. There is no element of convenience here which should be the purpose of valet. When leaving, I then had to walk PAST my car to get to the valet where my keys were. I just took my keys from the valet and walked back to my car and left. Valet parking can be quite nice and convenient, but in this instance it just wastes your time and is incredibly inconvenient and annoying. It just does not make any sense to have valet here - just make it self-parking. I have since avoided this problem by parking on Carroll Street though. /rant
4.5
It's okay, go ahead and believe the hype about this place. I was on a quest to find a new restaurant to try for my birthday [preferably one with a southwestern flair and known for their margaritas), and this is my new fave Atlanta restaurant.
So, I'm sure you're asking yourself why I'm saying this restaurant is my new favorite. . . well a restaurant must pass the following categories with flying colors for me to say it's my favorite:
- Attentive and Friendly Service from the host/hostess to the wait staff.
Our waiter (Bobby, who was excellent), was on POINT! My glass was always refilled with water and he brought us out fresh salsa for our chips when he saw we were getting low. He also asked if we were there for a special occasion, in which I informed him it was my birthday. I was pleasantly surprised with a delicious chocolate mousse with a candle in it, in addition to the very flavorful raspberry cheesecake that we ordered (also with a candle in it). Also, the manager stopped by our table to see how we liked our food. I thought it was a very nice gesture.
- A solid variety of good, flavorful food. Although the restaurant has a Tex Mex feel to it, anyone can find something to satisfy their palette at Agave. I had the fried chicken breast with mashed potatoes and corn. My husband had the short ribs with the southwestern macaroni. Both of our entrees were DEE-LISH!! I must say, being a macaroni and cheese lover, I really loved their take on this dish.
-Flavorful, inventive drinks. All I have to say is their margaritas are EXCELLENT. I thought that I wouldn't find a good margarita until I went back to Cabo San Lucas, but Agave knows how to make a mean margarita, but be careful, they do sneak up on you! I had the Peachtree Margarita and a Strawberry Margarita (what can I say, it was my birthday, so I splurged more than I normally would). Both margaritas were well balanced and very flavorful. Agave also has an extensive tequila menu.
-Warm, Inviting Ambiance. The decor feels like home -- very cozy and comfortable.
All in all, I had a great experience at Agave. I will definitely be back again soon. Also as a side note, the food is very reasonably priced for what you get!
Ok, so the best thing about Agave is without a doubt the margaritas. Best in Atlanta hands down.
I have been to Agave only twice, as it is quite pricey, but I love it every time.
I keep telling myself the next time I have about $100 to blow, that's where I'm gonna spend it. Great food, good atmosphere.
The only complaint I have is the pricing. Other than that, this place gets an A+ in my book.
Agave has knocked my taste buds off on several occasions, so it's time I sing its praises. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this Tex-Mex establishment is the consistently outstanding service. I've rushed into this place 15 minutes before closing time, and the hostess sat my date and me with a smile.
And my most recent waiter, Spadoni, was so seriously keeping it real. I am totally watching my dollars and only ordered an entree that time. I know this budget-alert behavior is disappointing to waitstaff who need to make tips and survive, but Spadoni maintained his amazingly pleasant demeanor, even after I shunned opportunities to sample an appetizer or order one of the many tequilas off the drink menu.
My favorite entree that Agave offers is the spicy tequila shrimp, which also happens to be the best-selling dish on the menu: jumbo shrimp grilled and sauteed in a spicy (I'm talking pretty effing spicy) lime and tequila cream sauce, seductively arranged around a cheese grit cake (I'm usually not a grit kind of girl, but I was down with these gritty grits), topped with a few asparagus spears.
The entree was rather small, I thought, but since complementary chips and salsa were brought to the table, I was pretty full by the end of this eating endeavor.
I've had the key lime pie before, too, and it spun me into a graham cracker-meringue state of bliss.
SPADONI is the man! I need to check his serving schedule, so I can eat at Agave when I have a chance of him waiting on my table.
Ordered-... uh, I just heard someone in my office farting, haha!- we ordered...
Entrees:
- fried chicken
- diablo pasta
- duck (the most delicious duck I've ever tasted and I don't even like duck!)
- something else
What I remember most about Agave is their guacamole. Delicious. Heavenly. If you opened up a dictionary and looked up "guacamole", you'd find directions to Agave. That was lame.
Anyway... the guacamole. Wow. But the serving was so tiny... So, so tiny... *sigh
Neighborhood: Inman Park
Category: American (New)
College Park, GA
Category: American (Traditional)
Neighborhood: Inman Park
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: Buckhead
Category: French
Atlanta, GA
Category: Pubs
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