Insider Pages Reviews for Agave

5 Stars: We had the BEST time this weekend! (by freya7)

freya7 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:00:00 GMT

I felt compelled to write after reading the pretentious review by the college kid beneath me. I love Agave. I love hosting parties in their private room. I love the fact that I always feel taken care of. It's a neighborhood place with great food, the occasional celebrity, and a warm and unique staff. What more could you ask for?

1 Stars: The horror, the horror (by antikythera)

antikythera — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:00:00 GMT

I have to say, I was shocked by the poor level of quality to be found at the rather underwhelming Tex-Mex establishment Agave in New York's otherwise charming downtown. Leather-dry flautas lay uneasily beside rubbery chili con carne of dubious esteem, as a faint odor of burnt cumin lingers heavily in the loud-music-infused air. When one thinks of fajitas, one imagines succulent strips of grilled meat, succulent glossy vegetables, and steamy, snow-white sheets of tortillas flowing together in a m?lange of delicate and supple flavors. The fajitas at Agave, unfortunately, were a different story: an abnormal admixture of soggy and stale ingredients lacking the freshness and exotic vitality ones seeks out when the first pangs of hunger make themselves known. It was the late Samuel Johnson who uttered that "A man seldom thinks with more earnestness of anything than he does of his dinner." Sadly, Mr. Johnson, sir, I would just as soon not think about Agave's paltry offerings for as long as I live, so little was I inspired by them.

5 Stars: I Love This Place... over and over again (by review3d)

review3d — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:00:00 GMT

I always have loved this place.. been going for years and it stays wonderful... food is great, drinks are great, service is always great... good price for large, delicious portions... yummy prickely pear margaritas!!!! run and eat!!!

5 Stars: Great people watching, better brunch! (by CatherineMorgan22)

CatherineMorgan22 — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:00:00 GMT

had some friends in town for the long weekend and stopped in agave sunday afternoon for brunch. we sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful day. the guacamole app was some of the best guac i've had and my friends devoured their huevos rancheros and and texax pecan apple pancakes! sooo yummy! i'll be back next weekend.

1 Stars: MexiCan't food again!!!!! (by boiled)

boiled — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 02:00:00 GMT

come on guys, good Mexican food in NY is hard to find, but his place really caca!!!! they are trying to excuse their lack of knowledge of authentic Mexican food by calling it Innovative Southwestern food (haven't seen any Agave plant in the southwest by the way). the staff is rude (unemployed, looser, actors) and even the drinks aren't that great. maybe back in the 80;s when we had no Mexican food in NY this place would it make it, but now, come on. might as well go to Taco Bell, which by the way I've never been.
ps:they probably don't even know what an Agave is. lol

2 Stars: Rude waitstaff and very mediocre food (by sweets509)

sweets509 — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 02:00:00 GMT

I went here two times because I lived in the area and I read somewhere that it was a good brunch spot. The first time, the waistaff was decent, but the food was awful. After waiting what seemed like forever, our dishes came and it was not even hot - it was actually lukewarm. Pretty gross since it was obviously sitting out somewhere before they served us. The second time the waitstaff was just outright obnoxious. After keeping up waiting even though they were obviously open table available AND we made reservations, they finally sat us down. The waiter was a total airhead - it was obvious that he was more interested in himself and his looks than he was at the food. He didn't know much about any of the food since he couldn't answer simple questions about the dishes. Then he proceeded to push the special pre-fix which contained a complimentary alcoholic beverage. Well, I wasn't interested in the drink, but I wanted the dish, so I ordered. But instead of charging me just for the dish (instead of the special) he charged me for the pre-fix PLUS my coffee (not alcoholic so not complimentary in the pre-fix.) When I pointed out to him that I ordered only the dish and not the pre-fix since I didn't want a drink, he proceeded to tell me that I had ordered the pre-fix but did not want the beverage. So he charged me for the pre-fix and encouraged(?!?!?!) me to order a complimentary alcoholic beverage because the price was included in the pre-fix? WTF? I thought it was "complimentary." So anyway, I ended up paying for a "complimentary" drink that I did not get AND for a cup of coffee that I got. I tried explaining to the waiter how the pricing didn't make sense if it's complimentary and he just did not understand. I don't know what kind of screening they have when hiring their waitstaff but I sure hope they start hiring people with at least half a brain instead of just based on looks. Very disappointed and I am never coming back. The only reason I gave 2 stars intead of 1 is that I gave 1 star to a restaurant that actually made me sick. So the one good thing I can say about Agave is that at least I didn't get sick from their lukewarm food. But the waitstaff are pretty useless and the food in general doesn't taste like it was freshly prepared.

5 Stars: Great mexican cuisine, excellent for groups, reasonable $ (by missgnyc)

missgnyc — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 02:00:00 GMT

Really great for groups looking for a good lively vibe and excellent and extremely reasonable food. I had put off visiting Agave for a long time, god only knows why as its a very cool spot and super reasonable in these hardened recession times! :)

5 Stars: Fantastic brunch (by cheetohsaddict)

cheetohsaddict — Wed, 13 May 2009 02:00:00 GMT

In a town of endless brunch choices, Agave offers a list of things that you actually want to eat. The servings are generous, and the service is friendly. Great neighborhood spot, but also worth a trip!

3 Stars: Love it (by micheloptlandt)

micheloptlandt — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 02:00:00 GMT

It was the first time i visitid this place, but the food was good although it was maybe a bit overpriced compared to other places I've been. All in all i I wouldn't suggest it for a fabulous dinner, but for a bite it's allright!

1 Stars: How many ways to say scam? (by prusso5555)

prusso5555 — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:00:00 GMT

I took some colleagues here after reading all of these great reviews... probably most of them were from PR companies or the restaurant owners, because this place is a rip-off and the food is terrible.

5 Stars: Delicious Non Mexican Food (by MysticRains)

MysticRains — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 02:00:00 GMT

For those looking for really good Mexican food, you'd be better off going to the tiny whole in the wall places, but if you want good food in general, and willing to spend more than you would at your local Applebees, this is a nice place.

The tables are very close, there's not enough wait staff, and the drinks are very expensive for things not very special.

However our appetizer, the Kobe beef plate, and the dessert (pastry full of cream cheese) was all delicious. It was an easy walk from the subway, and it wasn't too packed for a Friday night.

2 Stars: What is so great? (by Jackass)

Jackass — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 01:00:00 GMT

This place is a few blocks from my apartment.. I like Mexican food, but this is hardly even a decent take on good Mexican. The food is bland and boring, and the restaurant seems to rely more on a cool looking plating than it does on what is on the plate itself.

Service is snooty, without a reason. The interior atmostphere is OK, a little creative. Not a lot of fun though. Drinks are pricey and mediocre. I would try any other Mexican place first.

5 Stars: Great mexican food (by ajk1)

ajk1 — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:00:00 GMT

I heard a lot about this place, so decided to check it out for dinner one day. The place has a very boisterous ambience, which is exactly what I was in the mood for. The food was excellent. The guacamole was good, though pretty average. The chipotle crab dip was very good, but it didn't have any crabs in it. Lucky for them I love cheese. We ordered the beef enchiladas, which were very good. Warning: the portions are HUGE. I read that the portions were big in another review, so we only ordered an appetizer and one main dish for two people, and we still had half the main dish leftover. I would love to go with a group of friends so that we can try all the dishes. It was delicious!

4 Stars: A Very Cozy Place for Casual Dinner (by wmc12)

wmc12 — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 01:00:00 GMT

My gf has found this place after we have mistreated by Babbo where it's near-by. What a contrast of the right restaurant should be. A very friendly welcome with prompt seating plus a very comfortable environment. Sure it's hard to compare Mexican food vs Italian food. But at least we got better service than Babbo. Overall, Agave has nice appetizers esp. the calamari and the chicken chower and also very fine entrees. Don't forget to try some of their deserts even you got a full stomach. You won't feel any regrets..

3 Stars: Great Food, Not So Great Drinks (by mcasillas74)

mcasillas74 — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 01:00:00 GMT

The food was AWESOME. The drinks were not that great. I had a pomegranate margarita and it didn't even taste like pomegranate. The mango margarita was was pretty good. The reason I gave this place 3 stars was because we were rushed out. We weren't even finished eating when we were asked to eat dessert and then check came right away and I couldn't even finish my drink. So, if you want to hang out and relax with friends, this is not the place. People were nice though.

4 Stars: Not Bad! (by xvocal)

xvocal — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 01:00:00 GMT

I was there last night with a group of 9 and it was overall a good experience. I had the shortribs--which were AWESOME--and most of my friends enjoyed their food as well...some, not so much. Some of us ordered cocktails (cosmo, margaritas) and they were delicious but our pitcher of red sangria was really weak and watered down. The service was pretty good. I don't like to be bothered every 10 minutes by the waiter/waitress when there's food in my mouth, and AGAVE was GREAT when it came to the service. Our waiter came over to get our drinks & appetizers, then to got our entrees, checked on our food twice and then back for desserts--not hovering over us. This was almost a 2 hour stay. The only critique I have of their service was that we weren't greeted when we came in--just a little awkward. Overall, I had a good time.

5 Stars: 5 Stars (by JJJohnsonNY)

JJJohnsonNY — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 01:00:00 GMT

I thought the food and atmosphere were great. Whenever we have friends and they are downtown, I always recommend Agave

The menu is fairly simple, but everything is delish.

Thx
JJ

1 Stars: Need of Attitude Reformation! (by eatsinnyc)

eatsinnyc — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 01:00:00 GMT

I threw my best friends bridal shower at Agave last year and thought that it went well - everyone enjoyed the drinks and loved the food. I went with a friend this week to grab apps and drinks and we were really disappointed with the indifferent faces and attitudes of the hosts, servers and bartenders. You would think in this economy, when people are holding tight to their wallets that waitstaff would make more of an effort to be cordial and provide great service, BUT the employees at Agave obviously aren't concerned with having regular patrons. Unfortunately although I think they're food is good, I will never go back there again until the employees at Agave learn to put a SMILE on their face.

5 Stars: A perfect evening! (by JulianB)

JulianB — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 01:00:00 GMT

My wife and I recently hosted our wedding rehearsal dinner at Agave. We had been there many times before with friends and on dates and the food was always excellent. Best margaritas in the city! But the main reason we decided to invite our family and friends there for our rehearsal dinner was the beautiful atmosphere and the exceptionally friendly and helpful staff. When I called to ask about making arrangements for our dinner I was immediately forwarded to a manager who took me through my options in a professional and courteous manner. She helped me set up a custom pre-fixe menu for our guests that included our favorite menu items and fit within our budget. I was worried that since we had such a large group of about 30 people with more joining later for drinks that she might not be able to accommodate us all, but she said it would be no problem and we agreed upon a good time to book the reservation.
On the night of the dinner we were all greeted by a very courteous host who immediately showed us to our table in one of their beautiful dining rooms. Our table was perfectly arranged with candles and comfortable leather chairs. We had a large fireplace right next to us and the adobe walls had many candles tastefully ensconced within them.
We were given a waiter who took care of us exclusively. He was prompt, knowledgeable and always smiling. The food came out in a timely manner and was excellent as always. Agave serves a unique kind of southwestern style cuisine that I can only describe as upscale tex-mex. The bottom-line is the food is delicious and unpretentious. Great guacamole, great fajitas, great desert.
After we were finished and paid up, a few of us stuck around at the bar and my wife and I were toasted with tequila shots by the super-friendly bar staff.
Agave has always been one of my favorite restaurants in New York, but I was completely blown away by how well they handled my rehearsal dinner! I would recommend this place to anyone.

5 Stars: beautiful place (by lauram77)

lauram77 — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 01:00:00 GMT

So i have been at Agave several times now and i have to say that this place is a real gem in the neighborhood. The food is delicious and the staff is amazing. The atmosphere is amazing and this place is always packed and a lot of fun. I don't know what Agave the previous review is talking about but it is not the one in the Village :) This place is just great and one the few good ones left in the neighborhood.
Highly recommend it !

1 Stars: Very rude service (by diptipai)

diptipai — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 01:00:00 GMT

I've been to Agave twice, and on both occasions have found cause to complain about the service. We found both the host at the front desk and the waiter at our table to be rude, condescending and disrespectful. The food is good, but there are MANY more restaurants in NY with equally good food that also provide great service. Definitely not value for money. If you're looking for a good Mexican restaurant, try Zarela on 51st/2nd!

4 Stars: Great place! (by feelreal)

feelreal — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 01:00:00 GMT

This place is great! The staff are really friendly and the wine list is comprehensive. I went here with 5 people and they all enjoyed it very much. Th nachos rocked.

4 Stars: Awesome southwestern fare (by CarlaQQQ)

CarlaQQQ — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 01:00:00 GMT

intricately flavored twists on Southwestern fare, in generous portions. For those people who can afford it:)

4 Stars: Yummy Food on a Cold Winter's Day (by ScottLovesFoodNYC)

ScottLovesFoodNYC — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 01:00:00 GMT

This is one of the best places to eat in the city! I love the drinks here as well as the service and just about every dish on the menu.

4 Stars: Wow Place (by caprh)

caprh — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:00:00 GMT

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5 Stars: Great Place (by cosmo1972)

cosmo1972 — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:00:00 GMT

I went there on Saturday night with a group of friends, we didn't have a reservation so we had to wait about 20 min. cause the place was PACKED!!! It was worth the wait cause we had a great time. We were seated in the main dining room in a really cool round table right next to a fireplace. We ordered some drinks that the waiter suggested and they were delicious... without a doubt the best margarita i had in town so far.
The food was really god too, i personally had the Fajitas that the waiter suggested and i am glad i took his advice! The atmosphere is so much fun like the people that work there and the service was fast and attentive even though there was not one single free table available in the whole place. I live in the neighborhood and i will definitely make of this may regular hangout.

5 Stars: Mmmmmmmmmmmm (by DanielH261)

DanielH261 — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 01:00:00 GMT

Great food, I can't wait to go back. The service wasn't bad either. Any delays were worth it for the dinner.

5 Stars: fantastic!!!! (by italy1000)

italy1000 — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:00:00 GMT

LOOOOOVE this restaurant. The food is amazing and the service great. Everyone was super friendly! Would go back anytime, it gets a little busy on the weekends but I highly recommend it.

5 Stars: Just Agave (by cardozaaa)

cardozaaa — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Great place to eat if you want mexican on haight. The food is great service is fast. i would recommend this place to anyone who is up for mexican. Love it

5 Stars: great experience (by ttsoul)

ttsoul — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I went at Agave for my birthday with a group of people and we had a blast. We were seated in their private dining room which is beautiful. The waiter was great, he helped us choosing our food and a and our drinks. They have a huge selection of tequilas and we went for their agave nectar which is, let me tell you, is simply delicious!!! The food was great and so is the atmosphere. Overall the evening was great and everyone had a great time and we loved it. We will certainly be back in this fun place.

5 Stars: I Love This Place (by LoveLifenyu)

LoveLifenyu — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I went to Agave last night with my mom & dad from Long Island, NY. I just moved into the neighborhood from South Africa. We ask someone where we should eat and they told us about this place around the corner. We checked it out, and I am so in love with it now. My mom and I had frozen marg's which were soooooo good. you have to try them mango. Then we shared 3 apps the carnitas of pork which sound wired, but they were so delicious, we also had shrimp app, and the spinach dip which doesn't taste like crab so it is really an amazing cheese dip. than we were a little full, but decided to share two fajitas chicken, and beef. YOU HAVE TO HAVE THEM******** The Kobe beef is actually Kobe beef. The service was really good our server was I think his name is John. He was really cute, nice, and even iced my dad's beer. Which was a weird request, but he totally didn't mind. LOVE AGAVE!!!!! Go, and let me know what you think!****

2 Stars: Better off at a hole in the wall Mexican joint (by JonnyEast)

JonnyEast — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 02:00:00 GMT

In terms of Mexican and Latin food, this was average. The tacos and standard mexican food were done well, but anything outside of that was sub-par at best and way over priced. I ordered the short ribs and had rock shrimp as an appetizer. The short rib was dry with zero flavor, and the rock shrimp (recommended by the server) tasted like breading from a chicken mcnugget w/ a mediocre dipping sauce on the side. They made a big deal about trying some of their new cocktails, but it was bland and nothing special for $14 per drink. I don't know about you, but I'm pretty tired of NYC prices for mediocre food and drinks.

4 Stars: best margaritas (by SMCM416)

SMCM416 — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Agave is a great spot to go sit outside and have a couple tasty frozen margaritas. The food is also delicious.

5 Stars: Best Mexican Joint in Town (by Vika37)

Vika37 — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I was at Agave Saturday night. I had a blast. The food was awesome. I highly recommend for appetizer, the guacamole - its super fresh, for the main course, the Fajitas - a sizzling kobe beef, and for desert sapopillos - its delicious. This place is also great to drink. They have an amazing selection of tequila (and I am a tequila lover), and I highly recommend Herradura Suprema if you are willing to pay the price. On the cheaper side they have the 7 Leguas which is also amazing for the price. The staff is very friendly, and the service is top notch. Overall, there is a great vibe at this place. The only downside is that its very crowded, so I recommend making a reservation (though if you can wait a bit, they have a great bar).

1 Stars: Avoid this place (by nistalone)

nistalone — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Poor service, little offer in the menu, long waiting. The bar service is very bad...It is up to you to go, but I was disapointed. It doesn't deserve 5 stars.

5 Stars: Awesome (by manny0)

manny0 — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I live in the neighborhood and i often go at Agave ...last night i went with some friends and there is a novelty!! I am not gonna say anything...just ask for the punisher shot :) You will ENJOY! I love this place, it's fun and the food is great. If you are a tequila lover you must stop at Agave.

5 Stars: SO COOL (by fannymclee)

fannymclee — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Me and my and my friends went at Agave last night for the first time. I live across the street but i never tried Agave before. I am very glad we did last night. The place is really cool. The atmosphere is great and people that work there are everything but boring. We had a great time, great food and a little too much tequila. Try the Fajitas they are delicious!!! Go for the Agave nectar, it' s one of the best margaritas i had in the city.
I will be back, glad i found this cool place so close to my apt.

1 Stars: Terrible (by MarlaDurden)

MarlaDurden — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I ordered from Agave because the reviews are great and I was hungry. I ordered their chicken fajita salad. I don't know how you get a salad all wrong but they did. When my salad arrived the lettuce was dry, the chicken was hard, the tomatoes were almost non-existent, the guacamole was sparse and that is all that the salad was. Okay, fine, it wasn't the greatest salad in the world, but I was hungry so I ate it. About 40 minutes later I was in the bathroom at my job violently throwing up into a trash can while I sat on the toilet being sick. Enough said.

Thanks to seeing what a salad and taco shell looks like after digestion I have decided to eat 5 meals a day, so there is never that much food at one time in my stomach. I have already lost 5 pounds. See good things come out of bad events.

5 Stars: Not your typical Mexican joint (by iLuVMexicanO)

iLuVMexicanO — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I've been to Agave at least 10 times. My last visit was for a birthday with a big group of friends and we had a great time. We loved the cozy setup, the music, the service, the drinks, and of course the food. The first thing that got me to come back was their amazing Kobe beef burger. It's not the typical Mexican dish but it tops the list of best burgers ever and comes with french fries covered in a special seasoning that you will never taste on fries anywhere else. The burger and fries dish is delicious. You will also find many typical Mexican dishes on the menu with a modern twist like salmon covered in freshly chopped salsa, enchiladas, quesadillas, etc. I have tried all of these and you can't go wrong. Also, if you're into sushi, you'll love their tuna dish as it comes lightly grilled on the outside layer and raw inside with a delicious mixed greens. If you're going all out and topping your meal off with dessert, definitely try the warm chocolate cake with banana ice cream. As far as the rest of the dining experience goes, the restaurant is very cozy inside and it's always great if you get a table outside on a nice night too. I also love their music because they don't play the typical radio junk that you would hear in a TGIFriday's or Applebee's. The service is quick and they have a full bar with a great choice of specialty drinks. The food is also very reasonably priced. All in all, Agave is a great spot for meeting friends after work, whether it be for food or drinks, having dinner before a club night, and even as your main plan on a weekend.

5 Stars: A M A Z I N G (by lukenyc)

lukenyc — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I highly recommend Agave, I go there often, they have the best tuna appetizer and Fajita entree, amazing drinks and service.

1 Stars: Set your expectations low (by fatdog2)

fatdog2 — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I saw so many good reviews about this place that I had high expectations. It was very weak. Service was slow and unattentive and the food was mediocre...not much better than average mexican food anywhere. The drinks were good but expensive. This place doesn't come close to Mesa Grill.

5 Stars: Amazing Kobe beef fajitas (by tzara17)

tzara17 — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I'm in love with the very tender and flavorful Kobe beef fajitas. Best fajitas anywhere and one order is big enough to share! The drinks and ambience are good too.

5 Stars: Best drinks, service & food (by Rabbit67)

Rabbit67 — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I've been going to Agave for a few years now, but recently enjoyed a fantastic birthday night with family and friends. We were early for our reservation on a busy Saturday night so we started in the bar until everyone in our group had arrived. The bartenders (I believe it was Steve and Ben) were really friendly and fun, and they served up the best margaritas! We moved on to the dining room where we devoured everything from quesadillas to grilled calamari to fajitas to shortribs. All amazing! Our waiter (Katzal) was excellent, and kept the food and drinks coming without rushing us through our meal. I hadn't been to Agave in a few months, and this recent experience reminded me of how much I enjoy the people, the food, the drinks and the atmosphere. I wish Agave would open an uptown restaurant, but for now I'll make the trip downtown again soon -- hopefully in time to enjoy the nice outdoor area as well.

5 Stars: The Best Burrito! (by jfisher76)

jfisher76 — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 02:00:00 GMT

WHOA WHOA WHOA! At first, I thought this restaurant had the BEST burrito EVER because I discovered this place hung-over, but then I drove all the way from my apartment in NJ to Manhattan just to try it again and now I'm HOOKED! There are around 1,000 Mexican Restaurants between my house and this one, but I wouldn't go anywhere else. And their burrito already comes with all the goods on it.... None of this "can you add this and can you add that." These guys know how to make one damn good burrito!!! My roommate and I give it 4 thumbs up!

5 Stars: Beautiful place (by richsolo05)

richsolo05 — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I recently moved in the neighbourhood and i tried agave a couple of times and loved it. The food is great, try the fajitas, service is super friendly and the drinks are awesome. Feel free to ask any question to your waiter cause they know everything about the menu and the many tequilas they have at the bar. It definitely is my new hang out spot since i eat out several times a week and this place i can afford :)

5 Stars: awesome margaritas! (by nemesis477)

nemesis477 — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 02:00:00 GMT

i hate writing reviews... but i had a wonderful bday dinner here. started off at the bar with a wonderful passion fruit margarita (had to wait a while b/c it was crazy busy), but everything was great! some of my friends got here late and some didn't even tell me they were coming, yet the host and hostess were absolutely wonderful and understanding. the food was amazing! everyone loved their food; i had the tejas blue crab quesadilla, and it was PACKED with REAL crab meat!!! (who still does that?) everyone at our table left completely stuffed and happy! (maybe b/c of the margaritas, but most weren't drinking...)

only complaints... the food runners seemed unaware of personal space as they were putting our food down and taking our plates over my friend's head, and towards the end, our server forgot about us when we were trying to pay, but it didn't ruin anything at all

looking at the reviews below, i wonder if it i was just lucky. in any case this place has the most wonderful margaritas!

3 Stars: Average. (by ilude99)

ilude99 — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Just got back from dinner at this restaurant and both my wife and I are very underwhelmed. We both count Mexican as among our favorite cuisines, which most likely accounts for the disparity between the glut of five-star reviews here and our experience in the actual restaurant.

Pros: Nice, though not impressive decor. Very good service and our waiter was both friendly and apologetic when things didn't work out as planned. The Ahi tuna tostadas were a delicious appetizer. Awesome mojito.

Cons: Food was "just ok". We ordered the carne asada tacos, a simple dish that they managed to make reminiscent of Taco Bell. Sides were served, for no apparent reason, in between our appetizer and main courses (though our waiter recognized this and apologized, then comped us a drink even though we didn't even complain). Our other main course, some sort of three-cheese tortilla faux-pasta dish, was mediocre at best. Worse, we felt rushed and completed a meal with drinks, appetizers and main course in under 45 minutes.

I don't know what all the fuss is about. There are far better upscale Mexican places - even in the area. Maybe people are confusing a good happy hour location with actually good food. I guess they're doing something right, though, since the place was obviously crowded.

5 Stars: Great spot (by andygarcia777)

andygarcia777 — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I went there for my birthday on thursday night with some friends cause i heard a lot about this place and i really wanted to try it. I am glad i did cause we had a wonderful time. The atmosphere is really amazing, the place is packed and everyone seams to have a good time. The staff is great and super friendly and at the end of dinner they brought me a frozen margarita with a candle in it....i thought that was really cool. We spent there the entire evening and we had a really good experience. I will go back soon maybe on a weekend night.

5 Stars: TEQUILA! (by mikegrent)

mikegrent — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I went at agave for the first time a couple of weeks ago and i already went back three times! I love tequila and this place has a really amazing selection. They make excellent margaritas, i really enjoyed the agave nectar. The food is really good too maybe a little pricy but the great atmosphere and the really friendly service makes up for it. It' s always very busy and the vibe is nice and positive. I will go back and bring more peolple to enjoy this cool place.

2 Stars: I won't come back here (by ScottWeeks75)

ScottWeeks75 — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 02:00:00 GMT

One word- Lackluster! Came here for a bday party and, sat down at the bar waiting for people to show up and ended up getting an unnecessary amount of attitude from the bartender. Its not like i was indecisive or anything but just wanted to see a menu for what type of mojitos they had - he proceeds to slam the menu down, and then i ordered a regular and got an eye roll. I though OK, i will let it slide and give him .50 cents for a tip just to be angry his "im a manhattan bartendar wannabe attitude" evenmore. I saw him doing the same to some girl at the other end, so i was glad it wasnt just me.

On the other hand, the waiter we had was great and really nice, but the food was not at the quality that i expected it to be, therefore the word Lackluster. I know alot of people go for brunch, and it gets mixed reviews, but i wont come back here.

5 Stars: LOVE IT!!! (by susybennet)

susybennet — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I was there on friday night with a couple of friends and we had dinner outside. It's such a cute place, very crowded an a lot of fun. We started with some margaritas at the bar, the bartender told us we should go for the agave nectars and they were excellent! They use organic agave nectar which gives a little sweetness but not too much and it's made with partida tequila which i was not familiar with and it's really good. We then wanted to try some other tequilas cause the bartender kind of got us all excited with the huge selection. So he gave us this tequila called 7 leguas in the reposado version and it was incredible!!! At that point we were ready for dinner. We sat outside cause the weather was great and we enjoyed the food and the cool vibe of the place. It was a really nice night. It was my first time here and i will be back soon.

5 Stars: Great service and atmosphere (by barbarawelly)

barbarawelly — Sat, 31 May 2008 02:00:00 GMT

We had a great dinner last week at Agave. The food was fantastic, service was prompt and the margaritas are some of the best I've ever had. I absolutely recommend this place to anyone who likes Tequila and excellent Mexican food. Not to mention a wonderful atmosphere! We had an open air table on the patio with pillows and candles. A wonderful spot to have dinner on a warm evening!

5 Stars: Excellent! (by albertmanny)

albertmanny — Sun, 25 May 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I had a great dinner experience at agave thursday night. Me and my wife celebrated our one year anniversary and i had requested a romantic table when i made the reservation. Well after a great dinner and an amazing atmosphere i thought it was really cool that the waiter new about what we were celebrating and brought a candle on our chocolate cake and wished us happy anniversary. The service is very attentive and they obviously pay a lot of attention to details cause the managed to make our night special even if the place was really busy! I loved it and so did my wife. We will be back with friends.

1 Stars: Poor service and poor food - stay away! (by christlee)

christlee — Sun, 25 May 2008 02:00:00 GMT

The service was horrible. We had to get our own napkins and had to ask for silverware. The guacamole had a hair in it and the waiter never came out to address the situation. He just sent out another one. The wait staff was practically non-existant. I requested that my eggs be fried hard (meaning well done) and the first time they had runny yolks. The second time it was obvious they had put the same eggs back on the grill and the yolks had a gelatin look about them. Then she brings out eggs, after I had finished my steak, that were black on each side. The overall experience was abosolutely a disgrace. The bad thing about it is they were not even busy, so the service and quality of food should have been outstanding.

5 Stars: Really cute place. (by mimicadolores)

mimicadolores — Sun, 25 May 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Me and my three friends went there for dinner friday night. It was our first time there and we walked in cause it seamed like fun. We ended up having a really good time. We waited a bit at the bar cause we waned to sit outside. The bartender suggested the AGAVE NECTARS.... they are great. Once seated we asked the waiter what he thought was really good and we went with his suggestions. We had the guacamole which was excellent and a ham quesadilla. I had the fajitas as a main course and that was delicious! We really enjoyed everything , the food, the drinks and the atmosphere. I will be back soon.

5 Stars: Try the brunch!!! (by seanhall68)

seanhall68 — Sun, 25 May 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I have been going at Agave for quite some time now but i have never tried brunch until sunday. I love the outdoor seating. I had the guacamole as usual and then i tried the huevos rancheros and they were excellent. They have a really cheap prefix and it comes with a complimentary drink. I had the frozen margarita cause i had it before and i love it. The service as usual is great and fun. It will be my new brunch spot.

5 Stars: awesome place (by lamodeto)

lamodeto — Tue, 13 May 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I went there for the cinco de mayo party on monday night and i had a blast. The place was packed! We had to wait a bit for our drinks but it was to be expected since the amount of people that were in there. The food was really good and the portions were incredibly generous. The drinks were really worth the wait. All over we had a great time because the atmosphere was festive and happy, which wasn't the case in other mexican places i have visited on cinco de mayo. I really reccomend this place cause the service is fantastic, the vibe is great and so are the food and drinks.

3 Stars: It is just OK (by Moniq77)

Moniq77 — Fri, 09 May 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I have tried twice. both times the food was average. certainly no match for Rosa's, and less tasty than Dos Caminos too. let's face it, it's tough finding good mexican in this city. Very good water glass refilling though!! Every time I took a sip, it got refilled. I tried just making motions toward the water glass, and he would react. He's fast!!

4 Stars: Great Margaritas (by Joann S.)

Joann S. — Wed, 07 May 2008 08:43:00 GMT

The place has a great vibe and the margaritas are perfect. The interior was very nice and romantic and the service was good.Price was reasonable. The food was ok I have had better so unless you want some really good margaritas then I wouldn't recommend.

2 Stars: What a Disappointment (by Choconut779)

Choconut779 — Sun, 04 May 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I was looking forward to finally visitng this place after reading the good reviews..but what a rip-off!

The food and drinks were very average- I've made better guacamole at home! I had the chili shrimp as an entree, which said it came with grapefruit, avocado, and an herb salad- for $26 I received 5 pieces of shrimp, 4 slices of avocado and grapefruit, and no salad to be found. My boyfriend then ordered grappa as an after dinner drink and was brought a shot of port wine! The waiter did not know of the difference between them, but knew enough to charge so much for a shot of port! All in all I will not return, as there are so many better mexican restaurants in this city!

3 Stars: good but could be better (by VirginiaHend)

VirginiaHend — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 02:00:00 GMT

i found this place is good value for money with BYO.
food is good and service is fast and i found staff friendly.
good but not perfect, doesnt deserve a 5 star...

5 Stars: Simply amazing! (by Murattithereal)

Murattithereal — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 02:00:00 GMT

This is the best bar i have ever been.Food is delicious, wait staff are friendly and there is no words to describe their decor and ambiance.Highly recommended

5 Stars: Simply Excellent! (by cspens)

cspens — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I have to say that place has so many things that are not easy to find in a restaurant these days. Great food, great atmosphere and great staff! The vibe is just amazing. The staff, the music, the bartenders and the great food a little pricy but totally worth the experience. I highly suggest a visit for an enjoiable evening.

5 Stars: What an experience!!! (by chejulio)

chejulio — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:00:00 GMT

MY EVENING AT AGAVE WAS FIILED WITH AMAZING FOOD AND WONDERFUL SERVICE. MY EVENING BEGAN WITH THE HOST ACCOMODATING ME WITH SUCH GRACEFULNESS EVEN WHEN THE RESTUARNT WAS FILLED TO CAPACITY. THEN OUR WAITER APPROACHED US AND WHAT A GOOD LOOKING MAN HE WAS VERY KIND AND WENT OUT OF HIS WAY TO GIVE US EXCELLENT SERVICE. I TOOK HIS SUGGESTION FOR THE SPECIALITY COCKTAIL AGAVE NECTAR. WHICH I REALLY RECOMEND YOU TRY. AND MY WONDERFUL MAIN COURSE THE SHORTRIBS. ....DELICIOUS!!! FINALLY THE ATMOSPHERE IS INCREDIBLE AND PERFECT. I WILL GO BACK AND I HIGHLY RECOMEND IT IF YOUR LOOKING FOR A FUN EVENING.

5 Stars: Beatiful place (by abby1975)

abby1975 — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I went there on saturday night with two other friends for happy hour at the bar. We had some really good frozen margaritas and decided to stay for dinner. We had to wait a little because the place was incredibly busy. After a bit a table got available outside. We had a GREAT time. Everyone is extremely nice and the atmosphere is so playful!!! One of waiters was dancing and they created a great vibe. Before we left, four hours and many margaritas later, i asked the manager about having my birthday party at Agave and she will work with me on it and i really think i will celebrate it there.

5 Stars: Really cool place. (by guyguy76)

guyguy76 — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I live in the village and i had never been at Agave before...but after being there saturday night i think i will be there a lot!!! I was walking buy on saturday night with a couple of friends and we decided to stop for a bite cause the place was really packed and looked like fun. So we waited for about 20 minutes cause we were seven but they managed to find a table. Let me tell you that the Agave Nectar is really excellent!!! The staff is very friendly and they manage to keep a smile although they are incredibly busy. The vibe in that place is one of the coolest i have encountered in a New York restaurant. The food is relly good, try the Fajitas. After dinner we stopped at the bar, which is more like a lounge, to have a couple of more drinks. I really love this place and i wish i discovered it earlier. I wil be there often.

1 Stars: Don't Waste Your Time, Money or the Calories (by foodiebee)

foodiebee — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Of all the Mexican restaurants in the whole of New York City, I wonder if all the people who rated this restaurant so highly have ever ventured outside of the west village.

Agave is the Applebees of Mexican food.

The service was certainly nice, as was the decor. But the dishes were poor in taste as was the presentation.

This is not to say that you can not find a dish or two that is actually honorable, but by no means is this a restaurant worthy of being named "Best Mexican Restaurant."

5 Stars: Fun!Fun!Fun! (by ilene72)

ilene72 — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I always go to Agave cause i live in the neighbourhood and i always make a night out of it! Me and my friends just love have dinner there and then stop at the bar for one last margarita before we leave. The food is really good and the staff is very friendly...same goes for the bar...a little too crouded though. Beatiful for a weekend night if you want to meet new people. Try to make a reservation if you have a large group otherwise you will wait quite a bit!!! Try the Fajitas...delicious and the Agave Nectar....totally worth it.

5 Stars: worth it's wait (by pfsavs)

pfsavs — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Went there with five friend on saturday night. No reservation. We waited about 40 minutes cause the place was packed. While waited sampled really great tequila at the bar. They have some selection! Being a tequila conosseur i sampled quite a bit so i was very glad when the host informed us that a table became available. Our group of serial samplers :) decided to let the waiter send the appetizers that he considered to be his favourites. So he sent the crab dish which was really fresh an delicious and then he sent the guacamole, the calamari and the dip. Everything was great! As a main course i went for the short ribs and i loved it. I will definately go back but this time i will make sure i have a reservation.

1 Stars: Bad brunch-- who screws up brunch?! (by robomanic23)

robomanic23 — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Beautiful restaurant, beautiful people, great professional service but awful food. I had the huevos rancheros-- who screws up huevos rancheros? The chef was probably cooking blindfolded. It was so tasteless. My friend got something with potatoes on the side. I tried a bite of her potatoes-- they were uber-dry, tasteless and gross. How hard is it to make breakfast potatoes? Their coffee was excellent though. Maybe there are other good dishes but I am not going back to find out. Another awful "mexican" joint in the city.

5 Stars: beatiful palce (by lovethevillage)

lovethevillage — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I am from Madrid but i lived in nyc for 12 years and i eat out almost six days a week . I have been to Agave now for the third time and i have to say that i always had a great time. I am so in love with the margaritas!!!!!!!!!!! Me and my friends had a great time last night. I tried the Fajitas and i loved them and i think that the way they serve them is really particular. My friend had the short ribs which i will definately try the next time. Everyone is very pleasent, from the host to the waiter which recommended the fajitas. The atmosphere is great, the music, the staff and everything in there makes you want to sit forever. I have to say that although it was very busy no one rushed us....as it usually happens in nyc restaurants on the weekends. I thought it also was very nice that on such a busy night the waiter took the time to talk about the menu with my friends who were there for the first time. The prices are good and the portions are very generous, you definatelly get out of there full!!! I can't wait to try the outdoor seating because this restaurant has a great location and it must be a lot of fun to hang out there in a beautiful summer night sipping on one of the delicious frozen margaritas. I really reccomend this place because every time i have been there i had a really good experience which is very unique for nyc where most of the restaurants are very inconsistent. Finally i want to add that after three times i have been there the staff already remembers me. Very personable staff, something that every restaurant should have!!! I will be back and spread the word.

2 Stars: Over Hyped - Overly Expensive - Undersatisfying (by bklyn13)

bklyn13 — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I've been trying to eat at Agave for over a year. During the summer months on a weekend evening, there's a huge wait. I assumed there must be something phenomenal about this place. Sadly, I should have believed the preponderance of negative reviews on Citysearch about this place. What a disappointmernt! I went for dinner this past Thursday eve. Because it's still winter, there was no need to make a reservation. We were seated immediately. While the atmosphere is nice, the food leaves a lot to be desired. We ordered the guacamole as an appetizer - just ok; bland; nothing special. We had to "ask" for the chips with the pico & olives that are supposed to be served for free. I guess they assumed since we ordered the guacamole with chips, they could save a little by not serving the freebies. I had the Santa Fe Shepards Pie. It's supposed to be mac & cheese with short braised beef & pork. Boring & bland doesn't even begin to describe it & you needed a magnifying glass to find the meat.. A bowl of mac & cheese for $18 - I could've went to the supermarket & picked up Stouffer's Mac & Cheese for $1.99 & been more satisfied. My friend had the blue crab quesadilla - sounds yummy - right? I asked her how it was - same feeling as I had about the Santa Fe shepard's pie - "it's ok - nothing to write home about". Again - same theme - bland average food that's way overpriced for what you're getting. The one bright spot was the frozen margarita I had - the ONLY reason this place got 2 stars from me. While the waiter was nice enough, you had to call out the national guard to find him after he took our order. Everything was a wait - for the food; for the check; to pay, etc. - & it wasn't even that busy.
The bottom line - believe the people who write these reviews & save yourself some money & disappointment. Go to one of the other 100 restaurants in the area - you'll be glad you passed this overly hyped place up!!

2 Stars: not worth the trip (by LT1175)

LT1175 — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 01:00:00 GMT

I went to Agave for brunch, so I cannot comment on dinner. The brunch was definitely below average. The potatoes were boring and the egg omelet was dry. I did like the orange juice, but with ice? I personally hate ice in my orange juice. There was no typical brunch bread and i was definitely not impressed with the overall brunch menu. it had all the basics, which makes for an average place to eat. There are so many better brunch places. Why go to Agave? I have no answer to that.

4 Stars: good food.... (by dulcet)

dulcet — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 01:00:00 GMT

went for dinner...good food....good service....ordered the shortribs....nice ambience....however overall bill was a bit over-priced for southwestern cuisine

4 Stars: Great Margaritas (by Janet R.)

Janet R. — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:02:00 GMT

It's a very small restaurant, but it's very nice. It's very simple, practically nothing on the walls, white table cloths, a little dark, some candles and it could be a very romantic first date. The margaritas are great and so are the desserts.

1 Stars: overly rated! (by faithful52)

faithful52 — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 01:00:00 GMT

2/17/08-shepards pie-full of elbows and cheese-not worth $18.00, Mexican Ques-were good, had better at Cuba Cafe or Maryannes, $14.00. appetizer-good-pork in crockpot, drink-1-coke, , Service-good, place was empty, no chips or dip on table as stated, total $50.00 -no drinks or coffee or desert. will not go back! Had better southwestern / mexican for half the price.

4 Stars: Good place (by jeremytoublcontracting)

jeremytoublcontracting — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 01:00:00 GMT

Hy,
My name is Jeremy Toubl from the Toubl Contracting and I've recently been to AGAVE. Very good place, liked it a lot and recommend it to everyone.
Regards,
Jeremy Toubl

4 Stars: Great customer service (by martinakrueger)

martinakrueger — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 01:00:00 GMT

Whenever we are in NY we will certainly visit the Agave Restaurant. They have good food and the staff is very nice.

3 Stars: Good place (by tazelo)

tazelo — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 01:00:00 GMT

We ate there last Friday with my husband. With all the good reviews I thought it was worth a trial. We were seated promptly, not even a 5 minutes wait. Our waiter was ok. We took 2 margaritas, good ones, but I thought it was pretty expensive ($13) for a small glass. We had the guacamole as a starter, very good, with blue corn chips. My husband took the enchiladas and I had the shrimps taco. It was very good but not as good as I was expecting. Overall it was a good restaurant but I don't think I will come back.

4 Stars: the best margaritas anywhere (by vinola)

vinola — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 01:00:00 GMT

my friend loves this place and highly recommended it for months now. i finally got there and totally agree with her. the food was great, the waiter was prompt and attentive and the margaritas were probably the best I've had. I loved the cozy atmosphere so much so I'm actually considering having my boyfriend's birthday celebration here. i would recommend this restaurant to anyone!!

5 Stars: An oasis in the west village (by busytradin)

busytradin — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 01:00:00 GMT

We began our experience at Agave waiting for the rest of our party at the bar. There, delectable libations were served; frozen margaritas and mojitos that were out of this world! We also ordered the guacamole appetizer, which was fresh, and I'd say better than the pricier Rosa Mexicano. As a side note, the bartender kept the conversation fun and lively.

Moving to our table, I ordered the chili and short ribs. The chili was delicious, but the short ribs (braised tender) were incredible; the way short ribs ought to be prepared. Also, the waiter was very helpful during the course of the meal, most notably by their knowledge of wine pairings to accompany the offerings on the menu.

Overall a wonderful experience... a hidden gem in the west village. Will definitely return!

3 Stars: Average brunch and service (by zapadvostok)

zapadvostok — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 01:00:00 GMT

I had brunch here recently and the food was average. Had a quesadilla and the chicken was slightly undercooked and the service spotty. Won't be going back.

2 Stars: SWEAT BOX! (by citygirl354)

citygirl354 — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 01:00:00 GMT

I went to agave because I had heard great things about their drinks. I have to say, the frozen margarita's were amazing! BUT..... when it came time to sit down to eat we were shoved into an awkward booth in a blazing hot room. at first it was nice to feel cozy and warm on a cold night, but than it got so hot that we started peeling off layers...we asked several times for a window to be cracked or heat turned down or air turned on..anything!! But nobody that worked there seemed to care. soon everyone in the room started feeling it and we were all looking at each other from table to table wondering if anybody cared that were were roasting! In the end my friend started to feel really ill from the heat that she went and got sick in the bathroom!..which by the way is down a narrow set of stairs past the open and still hotter dishwashing room. bythe time the food came no one wanted to eat..and quite frankly its a good thing because it was bad food. I do not recommend unless you love the lowest depths of hell for dinner.

4 Stars: Nice Mexican Dinner (by esostrov)

esostrov — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 01:00:00 GMT

Firstly, this is my first review so im going to do my best. I will say I had high expectations given the ratings I saw here. The decor was fine. I didnt notice anything great or bad and thats not a priority for me. I wasnt stuffed in with people and it wasnt very loud so it met my criteria. I started with a fried shrimp appetizer with some creamy dipping sauce. It was alright but nothing special. Very forgettable. For my main dish I had the shrimp tacos. There were nice shrimp rolled into soft tortillas with a corn and creamy sauce. The sauce had a nice delicate flavor and corn is always good. I liked it but it wasnt anything special. I dont drink alcohol with food so I didnt try any drinks but others in my party did. They got bl00d orange margaritas and it seemed like they liked them. Also, like most Mexican restaurants, they offer complimentary chips and salsa to their guests. They have a plate of chips with 3 things: olives, a green salsa, and a pico de gallo. It really would have been better to just use a nice salsa. The green salsa is alright, the other two were pretty worthless. Oh, my wife had the grilled shrimp and she liked them very much. They looked like very nice shrimp.

So in summation, it was a nice place for a convenient good meal, my tacos were pretty yummy. However, I wouldnt go there for a special occassion.

5 Stars: Catalyst for a very fun evening (by mpb248)

mpb248 — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 01:00:00 GMT

My girlfriend and I were in NYC about 2 months ago. I had scouted out some places that I thought would be worth a try using citysearch since it was my first time in the city. We went to Agave for dinner on a Saturday evening. The food was really good and more than satisfied my craving for mexican food since I recently moved to CT from Austin, TX in July. The magaritas were so tasty we decided to stop at the bar after dinner as we were leaving for one last drink. Little did we know, we would stay there the rest of the night. We had a blast with both the bartender and a people that were sitting near us. What a way to finish off our last night in the city. If you are in the area, definitely go to Agave for the food, drinks, and the best bartender in the city! We will definitely be back soon.

1 Stars: Horrible service and food is par at best (by mla34148)

mla34148 — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 01:00:00 GMT

Ugh! Where do I begin... I was part of a table of 4 (two couples) and we had reservations at 8PM on Saturday. We were seated promptly at 8pm but that is where the positives end. The waiter insulted my friend's wife because she liked frozen margaritas - "I don't do frozen as it isn't traditional..." She requested again and he reluctantly took the drink order. He told us to "take our time" and look over the menu. He came back every 3 minutes to take our order and gave us no time to even look at the menu!

The appetizers came, we ordered three to share, but we received a handful of chips for our guacamole. We asked for additional chips three times. They finally arrived with our entrees! We had about 15 minutes to eat our appetizers before the entrees arrived and we were stuck with choosing to let our entrees get cold or let them take the appetizers away. The appetizers were fine, but nothing great.

The main course I ordered turned out to be NOTHING like the waiter described. It tasted terrible and my friends had the same experience. While eating our entrees we ATTEMPTED to order more drinks but the waiter was no where to be found. The busboys approached us three times to clear our table before we were done. Finally were said fine and let them take the plates and the waiter just dropped off the dessert menu. We were so rushed we decided to just leave and have drinks/dessert elsewhere (why give this place more money!). The waiter acted rudely when we didn't order dessert and didn't even say goodnight.

When we were walking out I was going to tell the host and manager about our experience. I stood at the reservation stand for 5 minutes while they just spoke to each other and ignored me. We arrived for dinner at 8PM and LEFT AT 9:15PM!!!!!!! While the place was busy, you should not force your guests to speed eat. A total let down.

Stay away from this place and spend your money elsewhere.

5 Stars: agave nectars!!!!! (by pointbreak)

pointbreak — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Had a great time Sat. night. The bartenders were moving at warp speed but still managed to pour the best drink i have ever had. The agave nectar!!! Smooth is the only way to put it. What a great drink to match a great staff. Victoria was our server and she did a fantastic job. I had the fajitas. The part i took home leaked thru the bag but let me tell you, my car never smelled so good. I think i'll come back on a week night due to the fact that it was to busy. If a negative is to be found at agave i think it may be trying to fit to many people at one time, it was hard to move and difficult to order a drink. But after trying the margs. and the food i can see why it is so packed and in such high demand. See you soon.

5 Stars: Dope Food Great Tequila (by godbodynyc)

godbodynyc — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 02:00:00 GMT

First off the food is BANGING! It's like some neo-next-fusion mexican food that ALL tastes amazing.
And if you'd like to drink a real tequila instead of Patron, this is a spot with some choices and the staff is knowledgeable and will help you along.

2 Stars: Disappointed (by notknown123)

notknown123 — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I have heard so much about Agave resturant. That I had to experience it for myself. It was Saturday evening and I was looking foward to having margritas with my friends at the bar. We were approached by the bartender that seemed normal. After a round of drinks we decided to order another round. It took us a good 10minutes to get the bartenders attention. The bartender was way to occupied doing shots with the patrons. At that point we were very disappointed with the service. Then we notice that the bartender was drunk and smelled of alcohol. From a buisness point of view. The worst thing to experience is having someone serve you while they are drunk. Then we proceed to dining room, We are approached by a gracious waiter. We order our drinks and then ordered our food. we recieved our appetizers and yet no drinks. We asked our waiter what happened to our drinks? The waiter said I am going to get it now and apologized for the wait. the drinks never came until during our entree. the waiter came and apologized and said forgive us for the inconvience, but the bar is backed up. Then the waiter gave us a round margaritas for the inconvience and apologized again. I have to say the best parts of Agave is the food, waiters, and ambiance, but the bar service has alot to work especially not being intoxicated.

5 Stars: My New Spot In The West Village! (by kellycruz75)

kellycruz75 — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Simply put, FUN! My friend and I had a wonderful experience at Agave last Friday night. We arrived earlier then our scheduled reservation time so we decided to have a seat at the bar. Well, we never left there until it was time to go! The bartenders were awesome, great personalities and super fast service. In fact, the whole restaurant had a really great vibe. And although it was extremely busy everything was prompt and everyone was courteous. Now I usually don't find Mexican food to be a front runner in the flavor department, but I must admit the food was tasty. The menu was well balanced with a selection of traditional and "no so" traditional Mexican dishes, something for everyone. Citysearch gave Agave "Best Margarita 2007", let me tell you, they were right on! In fact, I definetely had a few too many! :) The bartender later informed us about their Happy Hour specials, which we had missed of course BUT, will certainly return for in the future. In the end was had a really great time and shared alot of laughs. Oh, and ate some good food too.

5 Stars: Sumptuous Southwestern Delights Amid A Casually Elegant Ambience (by richieagogo)

richieagogo — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Officially my favorite restaurant in the West Village...I found this jewel some three years ago and became an instant fan. Since then some notable improvements include a more jovial atmosphere at the bar and an extensive menu that has something for everyone.

My favorite entrees include the Sea Scallops over corn succotash that gives hearty flavor to a delicate dish. The Steak Fajitas are both plentiful and tender and the Pepper Crusted Salmon with a chipote crem over yellow rice is bold, cooked to perfection and not to be missed. The Ahi Tuna is of the best quality as is all the beef and seafood they serve.

If your in need of an attitude adjustment , their drinks, appetizers and entertaining bar staff make for a fun time anytime. The music is very ecclectic and always seduces the room into staying for one more drink!

5 Stars: WOW!!! My new favorite bartenders My new favorite spot!! (by djhonda)

djhonda — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 02:00:00 GMT

We went to Agave on Friday night and the above quote says it all. The bartenders were very funny and confident. Jamie made my drink in literally 10 seconds as well as balancing the glass on his wrist while he poured it. The music was great! I saw people drinking in rhythm. We wanted to stay and eat at the bar but it was a bit to crowded for that. With no rez, on a Friday night, the host was able to seat us within 20 min. The only thing better than the atmosphere in the back was our servers hair-how does he do that? Great steak tacos, Fajitas and Ahi Tuna (i can safely say i've never had caper relish before) This is my new spot and I'm bringing my friends with me!! Great job guys.

1 Stars: WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER <--- (by nmwstyle)

nmwstyle — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Ok. So seeing as this place had 5 star rating from the two users below I decided to plan my friends birthday party here. They were so unhelpful and when calling to confirm they were trying to get me to decrease my reservation (it was for 15). She told ME I had to call back and that she didnt want to tell the manager to call me (to confirm if I can keep my reservation or add any people to it). Apparently you have to do all the work yourself.
SO, we get there and they wont seat us until our party is there. always fun waiting. fine whatever ...BUT then the worst part is the hostess tells me that in order to have a birthday cake (that I brought) for my friend it is $4 PER PERSON "service fee"! It would cost me $60 just to eat our own cake!!! I've never heard of something so ridiculous in my life. I had my birthday at sticky rice (very good btw) and they even gave us candles, without any problem!!
Oh and worst part is she loudly asks me in front of the birthday girl if I want to go ahead with having the cake there or not!!! WAY TO RUIN THE SURPRISE!
This place is ridiculous and THE FOOD IS NOTHING SPECIAL EITHER! Thank God at least our waiter was nice but way too overworked, God forbid you want something added to your original order...you'll never get it. oh and they even came over to our table and stared at us to hurry us along, rushing us out the door. Good job making your customers feel comfortable. DONT GO...YOU"LL REGRET EVERY MOMENT OF IT!

1 Stars: Warning!!!! The Worst Mexican Restaurant Ever!!!!! (by messem)

messem — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 02:00:00 GMT

We came to this restaurant because it was highly recommended on city search but to our dismay it was obvious whoever has eaten in that establishment has never had authenticate Mexican food. I can't believe people gave this place 5 star ratings. They must be have no taste buds or must be employees/friends of the establishment that gave these false ratings. Every dish we ordered was so bland. Even if it was any other kind of food it tasted terrible. On top of that our waiter gave us no service. He was more concerned with flirting with the female patrons than making sure we enjoyed our meal, As soon as we ordered our food, not once did he return for anything except when we payed the bill. We had to go ask another waiter to get our bill and when we were getting ready to pay the bill to the bartender he grabbed it out of my hands. How rude was that!!!! Anyway all the other highly recommended restaurants from City Search were great, like Tha Chai- Yo and If One by Land, Two by Sea. Try them!

1 Stars: Over Rated (by preetz22485)

preetz22485 — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 02:00:00 GMT

This place is so over rated. I must say i lost faith in city search after i visited Agave. I was so excited to go there for the "perfect margarita" which everyone has been hyping up, upon arrival the host was to busy eating, no one bothered to attend to us. Standing there confused, we just helped ourselves to the bar (like we had any other choice). Told the bartender we needed a table, she points out the host, who doesn't feel like working. We end up staying at the bar, the dining area was closed. Weird Looking bartender who took a while to get to us. Its like we weren't even there. And then finally when i get the drink i'm thinking "wow is this the margarita everyone was hyping up". It wasn't even worth the hype, i could make a better one than that at home. So i felt the need to make sure i made the rest of you aware, so you aren't disappointed like i was. Find another place to go, if you really want someone to take care of you like u matter.

5 Stars: Worth the Awards! (by swms)

swms — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I decided to give Agave a try after reading about the many awards they had received here on City Search. To sum it up, it was fantastic! The food was great, the margaritas were killer, and the ambiance was fun! Not to mention the staff was friendly and very knowledgeble. Agave is certainly worthy of all its praises. I will definitely be back!

3 Stars: Growing Pains or a Downward Spiral? (by tjc10011)

tjc10011 — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Agave used to be our bar of preference.
Then they lost two great bartenders and replaced them with kids.

They recently removed one of the meanest hostesses in NY and have replaced her.

The food is still consistently good, the margaritas are great, but the service and the energy need to really be their focus right now.
If they want to survive as a thriving neighborhood haunt and rely on regulars, they've got to work on the attitude that exudes from a sense of discontent throughout their staff.

Time will tell...

2 Stars: Don't waste your time here (by stewie_griffin)

stewie_griffin — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 02:00:00 GMT

As a lover of all foods Mexican, I was VERY DISAPPOINTED with this restaurant. Not only was the food mediocre at best (First of all the chef should be embarrassed at both the consistency of the guacamole, and the overuse of onions in it; and secondly, the fajitas consisted of only meat, with maybe two peppers and an onion to go along with it, plus the whole thing was doused in grease)), but the restaurant's "rules" were even more ridiculous. My girlfriend and I wanted to order guac and chips while deciding what to order for dinner. Apparently, however, the "chef requires that you order everything at once", and so we were not "allowed" to eat an appetizer until the chef decided he would let us. (For all the guys out there, you know that this means you might have to wait another 20 minutes while your date decides what she wants to eat.)

Oh, and as far as the service goes, the waiter was hardly seen and didn't ask us if we'd like coffee or dessert. I DO NOT recommend going here. If you want a better dining experience, try Rosa Mexicana, Mercadito, or the value menu at Taco Bell.

1 Stars: Overhyped brunch to be avoided (by darwinmba)

darwinmba — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 02:00:00 GMT

About the worst brunch I've ever had with service that paralleled the quality of the food. eggs benedict considered of a soggy english muffin, over cooked egg, dried out ham, and pasty bernaisse. The food was far from fresh and despite repeated requests, the waiter never brought our drinks. Despite the other rave reviews, I will never return.

5 Stars: Half Price Happy Hour (by camperchica)

camperchica — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Loved the Strawberry Margaritas and the people watching out the window is enjoyable. I could definitely see this as a local hangout for the West Villagers.

5 Stars: Boffo brunch! (by dinardnj)

dinardnj — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Recommended by Citysearch as Best Brunch of 2007, eight of us went to Agave on Saturday and had a wonderful experience! The food was delicious and the waitstaff was helpful, friendly, and attentive. We spent nearly 4 hours chewing our food and chewing the fat and we didn't feel rushed at all. As a matter of fact, just when we were about to ask for our check, our server offered up a dessert menu. How could we possibly have said no?

2 Stars: it was okay (by coconilbog)

coconilbog — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 02:00:00 GMT

i heard a lot of hype about this place and was kind of disappointed. the food was pretty standard and the service was kinda slow. there are a lot of interesting mexican places to explore in nyc, and i think im moving on to the next one.

1 Stars: If you have tastebuds - do NOT GO HERE (by mexicanaficianado)

mexicanaficianado — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 02:00:00 GMT

After seeing it rated so highly on CitySearch, three of us went for dinner last Sunday. I've lost my trust for city search also. The margaritas were terrible - even after naming our tequila and spending $15 - it was practically undrinkable. In addition, the food was bland and uninteresting. I've had better quesadillas in a diner. The presentation was very amateur - flopped on a plain round plate with some tasteless guac and sour cream slopped on top. The salmon and scallops we ordered both had the same flavorless crust covering. The only thing almost edible was the BBQ's pork. And the staff had terrrible attitudes. They got annoyed at me when I asked for a new glass of water since mine had a FLY IN IT. Whatever you do, don't go here. They've obviously had someone just click "VOTE HERE" to get their rating as the best in the city. Sad.

5 Stars: Agave (by jo_se)

jo_se — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 02:00:00 GMT

We keep saying we're gonna get here one of these days - and dammit one of these days we're gonna get to Agave!

5 Stars: Margaritas were killer (by cjobman)

cjobman — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 02:00:00 GMT

We went for Margaritas and appetizers on Saturday afternoon and not only was the service prompt(maybe it was because it wasn't a super busy time of day), but the drinks and quesadillas were exactly what we needed on a smoldering hot day. If you are looking for a great margarita, don't waste your time going anywhere else.

5 Stars: Even Better Now! (by leo138)

leo138 — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I used to frequent Agave often when I lived in the neighborhood but I haven't been back in at least 6 months. I always thought they had decent food at a fair price. On Saturday night myself and 3 friends decided to stop by to see if we could get a table. We were greeted immediately with a warm smile and taken to our table promptly. Despite not having a reservation on a busy Saturday night, they "fit" us in. :) I was delighted to see the menu had undergone some interesting changes. For dinner I had the Day Boat Scallops, which were a new addition. They were AMAZING to say the least! To drink our waiter suggested I try a glass of Kerner, a white wine from Italy. I consider myself somewhat of an enthusiast but this particular wine I was not familiar with. Needless to say, I wound up almost finishing the whole bottle! I was also pleasantly surprised to find that the wine list had also changed. They now feature such varieties as: Cabernet Franc, Puligny Montrachet, and Barolo. A serious upgrade! The service was very friendly and efficient, which wasn?t always the case at Agave. I?m not sure if there has been a change in management or ownership but I truly felt the positive change in direction during my experience. I used to consider Agave good but now I will go as far as to say they?re great! I will be back soon for sure.

5 Stars: Beautiful place! (by gina71)

gina71 — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Last night i went at Agave and we made a night of it. We had dinner but then we stayed for drinks at the bar cause it was really crowded and a lot of fun. The drinks are so good! The people that work there are really friendly and a lot of fun to the point where i am going to hang out here more often. Definatelly an atmosphere that you won't find in many places. Simply a really cool and fun place. Will go back soon.

2 Stars: Bad service for Sunday brunch (by ts2007)

ts2007 — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Sunday brunch has gone way down at this place. Terrible, terrible service.

I don't know if Agave is hurting for money, but they charge you for a mimosa/bloody mary/margarita with your brunch even if you don't order it. Bringing this up to the waiter yields only a "yes we charge for it always, that's why we tell you to get a drink."

4 Stars: Best Margaritas in Town!!! (by mldos)

mldos — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 02:00:00 GMT

i dined at agave last week w/ a group of friends and colleagues and had a blast! i particularly enjoyed their margaritas and our waiter happened to suggest a new dish they had - scallops! it was delicious!! i was very pleased w/ the attentive service and the way our server knew what to recommend for myself as well as my guests. they did a great job of accomadating us and they seemed to time everything perfectly from drink service to the arrival of each course. Finally, the staff was so friendly and professional that i will definitely be bringing friends back again and again to enjoy the lively atmosphere, great margaritas, delectable menu and outstanding service!

5 Stars: Such a fun place!!! (by mimy2)

mimy2 — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 02:00:00 GMT

So this place is really cool and a lot of fun. I had dinner there on saturaday with three other friends, we sat outside and had an excellent dinner.They really tried their best to accomodate us though we didn't have a reservation.The place was very busy. The portions where really big and the food was really fresh. The service was so pleasant. The best thing about this place is the atmosphere....the place is kind of trandy but everyone that works there is really friendly, and a lot of fun. After dinner we sat at the bar for some drinks and it felt like being in a really trendy lounge. Really great experience!!!

5 Stars: Simply wonderful food, service and atmosphere. (by ananda3)

ananda3 — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I went to Agave with a friend one hot summer evening. The restaurant had a bar, outdoor and inside seating area. We choose the inside area which was cooler. It was nicely furnished with wooden ceiling, authentic walls, and the candles gave it a nice atmosphere. The waiters and staff were very helpful and never bothersome.
I had a frozen mango margarita, which was really refreshing. I also had a mushroom and beef Quesadilla which tasted wonderful since the meat had the good amount of moisture while still keeping the tortilla crispy. The calamari was tasty. It came with great dipping sauce that I've used on the onion rings too.
Once again, the atmosphere and food was wonderful. I would really recommend it for groups or a romantic dinner or even stopping by to get a drink.

3 Stars: Good food/drinks-- Bartenders pitiful (by gingerbelle12)

gingerbelle12 — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 02:00:00 GMT

The happy hour is a good deal with 1/2 price off their amazing margaritas. Food not bad either. However, after a handful of visits here and sitting at the bar, I can say that any bartender i've ever seen here is virtually oblivious to the fact that there are customers in the place... to the point where they seem to ignore you even as you call out and casually wave when they pass right in front of you. Also, this was a first for me... happy hour ends at 7 pm and my friend tried several times to order a last drink before the special expired and when the bartender finally acknowledged her at literally 7:01, he said it was too late. The bar is not that big and though full, it wasn't a hectic scene. Attitudes like that make you want to look elsewhere, despite the great margaritas.

1 Stars: obnoxious service and overpriced (by qlovesu)

qlovesu — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 02:00:00 GMT

the cocktails were outstanding, and the happy hour specials on margaritas is great. i only had an appetizer and it was enjoyable, too; however, the service at this place is so unprofessional and unwelcoming, i don't think i'll go back. plus, as an establishment they're unflexible and unaccomodating-- the kind of place that thinks it's so fantastic they can basically turn away customers with their silly rules (as in:no you can't have the happy hour drink prices anywhere but the bar regardless of how much food you plan to order if you can sit at a table; and, yes it will actually cost you $5 to share a plate with your dining partner. who doesn't share guacamole?) the staff looked like they were enjoying one another's company--so much so they acted annoyed, like you were interrupting *their* night out at agave, if you tried to order something.

4 Stars: Definitely worth it!! (by pmell)

pmell — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Spent Sunday afternoon at agave for brunch and was pleasantly surprised. we ate outside and people watched. Eggs benedict and a mimosa for 13.95. it was a good find.

3 Stars: Above Average (by nikalbo)

nikalbo — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I'll give this 3.5 stars. Had a b-day party here for a very large group (20) on a last minute. They were able to accomodate us. Food was good, overpriced, service was ok but a bit slow. Their drinks are strong - people had a buzz going by the end of the night. The restaurant wasn't as busy as I thought it would be. I found the decor/ambiance to be just "ok" for me - after reading all the reviews I was expecting to be blown away. It's just decent/appropriate for the theme, nothing special. I would say your average dining experience, nothing special - but ok for groups. I would not hold another special gathering here if given the choice, as a last minute maybe - there are a ton of better choices out there. However, my friends had a good time so that's what matters.

here are my comments/complaints:
1. the table arrangment they made for 20 was weird. it was a t-shape where basically the people on the end of the two t's were very isolated/awkward. I can forgive this given the unusually large number of people we had.
2. Overpriced. they add on a $5 "sharing fee" for groups over 8. sangrias cost $35 and these are not big pitchers. They are strong though. The final bill came to $50 a head.
3. at the end of the night, they shut off the Air Conditioning and it became uncomfortabley hot in the room. I know you're trying to save costs, but come on...
4. Food was good. People loved the kobe beef plates -
5. doesn't have the Buzz of a "happening" place like the reviews suggest. I was expecting a lively scene but this more of a sit down, straight up dinner place.

Overall, a "good" dining experience but nothing special. THere are a lot of better dining experiences out there for the same cost.

2 Stars: Not as good the second time around... (by eatinny)

eatinny — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I have to say, I'm a little dissapointed with AGAVE. I've been twice. The first time (about a year ago), I must have ordered every good thing on the menu, and our waitress was great. I just went last week again, and it was barely enjoyable. Our waitress wasn't very attentive - which usually doesn't bother me, but here it did. It's not that she was busy. It was that she just didn't care. Everything came out so quick, I felt like I was at McDonald's. The seafood appetizers we started with were stale - my husband had the tuna, and I had the lobster taquitos. It was old seafood. I had a sangria that was missing the alcohol part. For entree's, I had something (I can't even remember the name) that tasted like soggy potatoes with cheese on top - not even melted cheese. My husband had something equally unimpressive. As cute as it is, this place is going to be a has-been if it doesn't shape up. Quick.

5 Stars: Great neighborhood restaurant (by marccc)

marccc — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Agave isa fun place with great food, good prices and great margaritas, not to mention great atmosphere and friendly service. i live nearby and make it in there at least once a week. i've recommended it countless times to friends and colleagues and they've all been satisfied. Can't say enough about this restaurant. Try it and see for yourself.

4 Stars: nice place! (by marli12)

marli12 — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I went to Agave yesterday for lunch with 3 colleagues - it was wonderful!! The staff was very professional and courteous and they helped us make a decision about what to order - never once rushing us. Food was excellent. Great margaritas, great time, great place. I'll definitely return!

2 Stars: just not worth it (by sroscoe73)

sroscoe73 — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 02:00:00 GMT

i have eaten at this restaurant a couple of times and realize i keep going back because the atmosphere is just so beautiful...makes me feel like i'm on vacation in some south american country...
BUT i have finally realized the high-priced,mediocre food, aloof service has taken that vacation feel right out of the experience. i paid $8 for a sangria with obviously no alcohol and then for a mojito that certainly was not up to par either. my fish tacos were soggy and as our table grew tired of trying to get the waiter's attention, we realized how annoyed the rest of his tables were as well.
i think i will take my make-believe vacay elsewhere.

4 Stars: Cool place (by vinniei)

vinniei — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 02:00:00 GMT

found agave unexpectedly 3 night ago. we were just passing by but the windows in the front were out and you could feel the vibe from inside on the street. very cool. had some guac and dosequis at the bar with a buddy. good job.

5 Stars: Great for groups (by jamie_1)

jamie_1 — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Enjoyed a wonderful farewell party for an esteemed colleague at AGAVE. Even though we were a group of 17, we were allowed the opportunity to eat as one group in the outdoor cafe and it was a marvelous send-off for our friend to experience New York one last time before he relocates to the south. Quite by accident, the group ( a mix of male and female, young and less young) settled in on chilled pitchers of red sangria, laden with fresh strawberries and blueberries. We mixed and matched appetizers and entrees among ourselves - however I kept the short ribs close to my end of the table! A thoroughly delightful evening.

4 Stars: Very Happening Place (by callisto)

callisto — Wed, 23 May 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Our reservations were cancelled because we were late, so we waited at the bar for a long time. There were tons of ppl waiting for a table. The decor was nice. I had the tuna served rare which was pretty good. My friend ordered the enchilada but it was too much food for her. The pork loin dish had small portions. The guacamole was good as well. The white sangria was pretty good. Overall, a good experience except for the long wait for a table. I have had better Southwestern food for cheaper at other places, but you are also paying for the decor.

5 Stars: Great place (by f8jbo)

f8jbo — Fri, 18 May 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Good food great place. I liked the atmosphere and the ambiance. We had a nice time there and would go again. Thanks guys

5 Stars: Excellent vibe and food (by enzarella1)

enzarella1 — Wed, 09 May 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I am from Scarsdale, but I love eating in the city. I was recommended to go to Agave by a friend, and it was the best advice I could have gotten! I've eaten at a lot of different places, but this one takes the cake! The short rib entree was so delicious, and their freshly crushed strawberry margeritas washed the meat down so well! I would recommend this fine restaurant to anyone I know!

5 Stars: Amazing food and drinks! (by nicoluccio)

nicoluccio — Wed, 09 May 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I enjoyed the night life provided by Agave. The drinks were incredible and so were the appetizers. We ordered a variety of appetizers ranging from steak quesadillas to shrimp cocktails, each were extremely satisfying. The drink are by far the best in the city. Margeritas are #1! I give this restaurant an 11 our of 10.

5 Stars: Best Chili Ever (by asantos123)

asantos123 — Wed, 09 May 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I went to Agave with my girlfriend just to get away from the hectic world of being grad students. We had the Hand Hacked Haas Avocado Guacamole and MotherRoad Roadhouse Chili for appetizers. I don't like avocados, but it tasted awesome. And the chili....I'd go back just for the chili. The service was quick and friendly and we were seated within a minute of walking in the door (we had a reservation). The entres were just as delicious. I believe we had the Maine Lobster, Mango Pico & Cheese and Grilled Mojo Mahi-Mahi Tacos. I would definitely go back again. P.S. YOU HAVE TO TRY THE CHILI.

3 Stars: Bad service, decent food (by Cathy3PSU)

Cathy3PSU — Tue, 08 May 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Went there on a Friday night for an anniversary. Were promptly seated in the back room- which was so loud we were screaming to each other- no big deal, to be expected at 9 pm on a Friday. I think we went on an off night (read a VERY off night). It took us over 30 minutes to get a waiter to take our order despite repeated requests to a buser to send our waiter over. The place was busy, but not THAT busy. We ordered a bottle of wine, the carnitas appetizer, the blue corn crepas, and the kobe beef fajitas. We had a few other problems with service- they didn't have the wine we ordered and asked us to order another without bringing the wine list, they only served us one glass as opposed to a bottle of wine, it took several attempts to flag down the waiter whenever we needed service... We were sitting there with only tortillas and water for nearly an hour. The carnitas were great, the crepas were eh, the kobe beef was only ok. I don't have anything against the place, but I wouldn't go back.

4 Stars: Excellent Southwestern Cuisine (by sweetfrog)

sweetfrog — Mon, 07 May 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Went there on a Friday night with a large group of people. Had some issues with the reservation a week before- I had made the reservation for 7:30pm, but I was later called back and told they only take large groups at certain times....and 7:30pm wasn't one of them. After arguing with them, they kept our reservation, but when we arrived, it still took them 30 mins to seat us. Other than that, food was excellent and tequila menu was extensive. Service once seated was attentive.

3 Stars: beautiful time (by hankchinaski)

hankchinaski — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I went there on saturday night with a large group of people. Everything went really well, my guests were very happy and had a good time. The service was very good, everyone was nice and friendly especially the refreshing young woman that greated us at the door.
Highly reccomended.

4 Stars: Very enjoyable Sunday Brunch (by garrett783)

garrett783 — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 02:00:00 GMT

The Sunday brunch was delightful! My friends and I enjoyed a very tasty Mexican style breakfast. The service was prompt and friendly. But what stays in my mind are the great cocktails. Located in the heart of Greenwich Village, I'd recommend the brunch for anyone who's planning for a fun day downtown.

4 Stars: Great meal, great price (by robert_h_goretsky)

robert_h_goretsky — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Had dinner here the other night and really enjoyed it! Highly recommended for a great value and good ambience.
--
Robert H. Goretsky
Hoboken, NJ

4 Stars: excellent appetizers....and delicious tequila martini (by ebc)

ebc — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 01:00:00 GMT

There is a lot of bustle at this restaurant and the atmosphere is contagious. Don't let the plastic bubble exterior fool you, the inside is sophisticated, but warm. I don't recall what I had for an entree, but the appetizers were spectacular.

5 Stars: YUMMY & CHEAP! (by happiness1234)

happiness1234 — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 01:00:00 GMT

So good, have been here four times, and the margaritas are fabulous, the quesadillas delectable, the desserts fabulous. have always had a good time, service has always been fine, and never have had to wait, and always seated promptly. love this place, and much cheaper than most restaurants in new york, but you would never know that!

4 Stars: Great Brunch (by Chapaev)

Chapaev — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 01:00:00 GMT

After trying the almost all of what brunch has to offer there are two definite winners- huevos rancheros and silver dollar blueberry pancakes. Both are sublime worth the visit and revisist. While everything else is pretty delectable it's not great (and for the price better eggs benedict and steak and eggs could be found in many other places).

5 Stars: Great any day of the week (by cindit0)

cindit0 — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 01:00:00 GMT

I've been to this place multiple times (since 2003) for the bar and restaurant dining both during the weekdays and weekends. It gets crowded during the weekends, so if you want a table, make sure you make reservations. The service is great, the bartender is fabulous (both speed, friendliness and knowledge about tequila). Every time I go I always get the guacamole (without sour cream so they give me more guac!) and their seasonal fresh fruit margarita. My favorite dish was the Yuca crusted pan seared Ahi Tuna, but it has been replaced with the Chile crusted Ahi, which I'm sure is just as good, just haven't been able to try it yet. The prices are reasonable, the ambiance is great, and it's a no brainer place to be when in the West Village.

3 Stars: rewarding! (by mbrady1)

mbrady1 — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 01:00:00 GMT

My boyfriend and I ate lunch here after hearing about it from a friend. The decor is pretty and had such a mexican feel to it. He had the Tequila Mojito which our friend said was a must. I had a Prickly pear margarita which was very tasty. The bartender was a great guy -very sweet. As for the food, the grilled corn on the cob had a surprise kick to it. We also had the Tuna tostada appetizer which was great!! The quesadilla was the best Ive had. i tried his chicken sandwiche and the Garlicky frites (fries). they were so good. next time we're going for dinner!

3 Stars: i think i'm a good judge (by jwasil)

jwasil — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 01:00:00 GMT

i've been to the southwest as well as mexico. the food is very authentic. loved the different flavors, as well as the presentation of the food. the staff was pleasant and went out of their way to make us comfortable. i don't drink, but my friend said the margaritas were the best she had. would definitely go back.

3 Stars: nice!! (by apedro)

apedro — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 01:00:00 GMT

i don't usually write reviews, but we had such a nice dinner the other night, i just had to this time. Went with a friend from work the other night. had the braised short ribs that were so tender and delicious. my friend ordered the squash blossom taco which i tasted. it was excellent. there was a group right next to us and i caught sight of some of their dishes. Every dish was prepared so nicely and looked so good that i can't wait to go back and try another.

3 Stars: wonderful experience (by gracie329)

gracie329 — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 01:00:00 GMT

went there with a group of friends. i had called ahead of time which was definitely a good idea. the place was hopping, yet the service was prompt and efficient. considering we were a group, everything came out at the same time. everyone enjoyed their order. many of us shared just because we couldn't resist. only expected to have one margarita because of work the next day -- but forget it. i would recommend this restaurant to anyone!!!

5 Stars: fantastic (by vjftiger)

vjftiger — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 01:00:00 GMT

I tried this place this weekend. I was walking around in the neighborhood and happened to see they had a musician playing inside. Great smooth samba. We settled into a booth table and had a great meal. The atmosphere was mellow and warm and friendly. The food was good and didn't break the bank. Unexpectedly nice ending to a cold weekend.

5 Stars: Delicious Food, Great Service, Excellent Decor. (by digdoug2001)

digdoug2001 — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 01:00:00 GMT

During a short trip to New York I checked out Agave and was very happy with the choice.
I had the Fajitas, which were fantastic! They were cooked perfectly and had great flavor. My dinner companion had the Blue Corn Enchiladas which were even better! The service was also excellent. I believe our waiter was Doug and he did a great by being friendly and attentive. I would highly recommend this place for a date. We sat downstairs and the room felt like a real Adobe-cozy and comfortable. I think it would make for a nice romantic setting?Valentine ?s Day is coming up!

2 Stars: Subpar Food, Subpar Service, Pretty Space (by sophisticatedpalate79)

sophisticatedpalate79 — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 01:00:00 GMT

I've been wanting to try this place for sometime. I went on a busy night, which is the best test of any restaurant's service, and it was just bad! The server took a long time to get anything accomplished and wasnt very attentive even as the place emptied out. Note: the hostesses were better than the servers at doing their job. As for the food, it was bland and actually quite unimaginative. I could have gotten better southwestern/spanish food somewhere else and cheaper. Our table had mahi mahi tacos (which are better with corn tortilla not flour!!), tuna steak, some chicken dish, calamari and flan. The tuna steak was the better of the three. The sauce on the flan tasted off - I have had flan plenty of times from various regions of the world and the flan here tasted like it came from the frozen food section of the grocery store. For bland pseudo spanish food this is the place. I will say that the space was pretty and relaxing, and I guess the tortilla chips were good... BUT I highly doubt I will come here again unless someone else is paying...

5 Stars: So so good (by citythe)

citythe — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 01:00:00 GMT

I have been to Agave three times now and I am absolutely in love! I've been there once on a date, once to catch up with an old friend, and for a friend's birthday last night. Agave is a great place for all three of these occasions. I was first drawn in by the atmosphere- low lighting, flickering candles, intimately placed tables- and the reasonably priced food but I was won over by the service last night. I felt bad that my friends were 20 minutes late for our reservation but they were very nice about the whole thing, held a table, and after one of my friends asked to move (our table was right by the kitchen), they did so with no problems at all (I would have expected most places to tell us to just go home after that request). The waiter was excellent as well, attentive without being overbearing, and was very sweet with recommending a cake for my friend's birthday. The white sangria is good- the frozen margarita wasn't very strong but the passion fruit margarita on the rocks was quite good. The food is pretty decent- the ahi tuna appetizer is excellent, as are the quesadillas and the carne asada tacos. I've had better Southwestern but it's pretty tasty considering the price, atmosphere, and W Village locale.

4 Stars: brunch - yummy (by awlrain)

awlrain — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 01:00:00 GMT

I came here on the independent recommendations of 2 friends who said it was good for brunch. I ordered the poached eggs on toasted brioche and my friend had the 3-beef hash. Both came with a mimosa/wine/frozen margarita for $13.95. There was also the complimentary blue tortilla chips w/ a smattering of different dips - which were ridiculously addictive! We both gobbled up our meal and it was extremely tasty and filling. Very well prepared. But I guess I walked away a bit disappointed bc I expected something more creative? Dunno. Still, a very positive brunch experience and I would go back. I also have to give major kudos for the decor. The mediterranean-feeling white-walled room was really beautiful by day, so I could only imagine what it's like at night. It must be a popular, romantic date spot.

2 Stars: Good food, Not so great service (by superhiro)

superhiro — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 01:00:00 GMT

We went to Agave for my birthday. We had a reservation for 9. When we found out one more person was coming the hostess was very rude, and made a big deal out of it. The food was good, a diverse menu, but I feel it was a little over priced. The resturant itself had a nice atmosphere, but the people working there were a little pretentious. All in all it was a decent experience, but I probally wont go back there.

5 Stars: Very Pleasant (by ponsy305)

ponsy305 — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 01:00:00 GMT

I had a lovely evening here last weekend for the holiday. I waited for my friends at the bar with a friendly bartender. The restaurant was quite busy for a sunday evening and made for a pleasant atmosphere. Our sever was charming (and handsome..) and offered many delicious recommendations such as the Tuna entree I ordered. I wish I had left more room for desserts but could only get one biteful of the chocolate fondue. We just all felt very comfortable here. Cozy.

3 Stars: THink twice about going here - service lacking (by heathbrain)

heathbrain — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 01:00:00 GMT

Hoping to find a new fun place for brunch- I looked to the city search Best of and came across this place. I am suprised this is the second best on the list. The restaraunt itself is nice and inviting with cozy pillows to lean on if seated on a "bench" style seat, however, my fiance and I sat there for 15 minutes in a seat that was more like we were sharing a table with our neighbors seated next to us - very small closterphobic..the tables are just TOO CLOSE together. I finally was able to distract my waiter from counting the tip the table next to him had left for him so we could place our order......after a good 10 minutes and not getting our drink, our food came, and I had to remind the server about what we had ordered to drink. No one came back to check on our meal and I had to flag him down again a half hour later just to get the check....I immediately just gave him a credit card without even a glance at the bill for fear that we wouldn't see him again for another 20 minutes. I hope the waiter we had was new....or just was having a bad day - however, this would not be my first choice in the future for a relaxing Saturday or Sunday brunch.

5 Stars: Fantastic! (by Bridget_Jones)

Bridget_Jones — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 01:00:00 GMT

What a fantastic place! I love the interior - it's refreshing, new and different from all your typical NYC restaurants. The menu can be confusing for those who have trouble making decisions, as everything sounds incredible. I recommend looking around the restaurant and asking the waiter: "What is he having, what is she drinking? Etc..." That's almost easier than trying to imagine what all those wonderful entrees will taste and look like. Can't beat the price either: I think the most expensive entree I saw on the menu was $25! Appetizers are on the average about $6-10. (Not bad). Drinks are slightly pricey though. (I guess they have to make up for cutting you a deal on the entrees) However, if you stick to 2 cocktails with your entree you can expect to have a delicious dinner for about $35ish per person. They also have very interesting cocktails here that I haven't seen anywhere else in NYC. I hate to rave about this place because it will increase the popularity - but this place deserves a great review. Thanks for a wonderful dining experience.

3 Stars: good recommendation (by vero15314)

vero15314 — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 01:00:00 GMT

Had a good time here. We were recommeneded by our hotel concierge who said this place was fun, and she was right. the food was awesome. I really enjoyed the chicken corn chowder and found the beef enchiladas to have a little something extra. Everyone seemed to enjoy their dinner and our drinks were amazing and beautiful. Everyone was friendly and attentive even though the place was busy. If your looking for a nice place to eat, with good food, great drinks and a good atmosphere, come here.

3 Stars: New Year's Eve (by mcmcmc33)

mcmcmc33 — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 01:00:00 GMT

Spent New Year's Eve at Agave and had a very nice time. It was a little crowded (for no crowds I guess you stay home) but the food was delicious and the live music a real bonus. A good choice.

2 Stars: Food okay, bar not so much. (by laurie334)

laurie334 — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 01:00:00 GMT

I went to Agave to eat last week with my friends and had a few disappointing encounters. We had reservations and had to wait a bit to be seated. No problem, we decided to wait at the bar. While we were getting our drinks, we noticed the bartender's dreads, (which were down to her ankles), sopping through a bucket filled with sangria. After being disturbed by the scene we opted not to get drinks after all. Then, we noticed a busboy speaking in Spanish about one of the other customers' rear end. I guess they don't expect us to understand. Then, as though it wasn't bad enough, the conversation the bussers were having turned to my girlfriend, and I recognized them using several vulgar words while making reference to the color of skirt she was wearing. We were finally seated and the food was average, but we were slightly perturbed by the evening's events.

5 Stars: Best meal in a longtime (by poysin1)

poysin1 — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 01:00:00 GMT

My wife and I were recommended this place as a charming neighborhood restaurant and our experience lived up to it. My wife's Shrimp Tacos were incredible, fresh, flavor in each bite. The guacamole was smooth and chunky with an airy taste of cilantro. The short ribs were just what we needed on the first cold night of the winter. Melt in your mouth with hints of chile and corn in the mashed potatoes. The room was busy and there was a nice flow to it. We will be back with friends soon. Oh and a must try: the spicy margarita with real jalapenos!

1 Stars: Average food, TERRIBLE Service, Argumentative Owner (by cherie323)

cherie323 — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 01:00:00 GMT

All's well that ends well, or shoudn't they especially if you've built a pretty good reputation?
Started off the night w/ lots of laughter for a bday celebration. Ordered drinks- margaritas were WAY too sweet (OJ mixed w/ super sweet pre made slushy that prob came from a 7-11 slurrpy dispenser). My entree of mahi mahi tacos was just OK~ for $17 I think a little bit more effort/ flavor/ presentation was called for. I've had better at mexican chain restaurants. I really wanted to like Agave- all these rave reviews and I was willing to add Agave to my list of recommendations to my peers. Boy was I wrong!! I WILL NEVER GO BACK because of their HORRENDOUS service.
The Owner-Cecil is quite the Aggravated Hostess (not sure if she failed Hospitality 101 but my bet's on YES). I handed Cecil my cupcakes for my friend's bday and she advised there was $4 charge p/ person; simply bringing in the cupcakes meant we had to pay the extra $$; we'd be using up their plates, etc. Made sense, so I obliged. A little later, I mentioned the extra charge to my friends and we all agreed, we didn't need plate and fork service- we'd easily light our own candles and not use up extra utensils, THUS AVOIDING the extra $$, right? WRONG. We ended up getting our bill w/ the $4 fee per person. Called over the waitress, who subsequently brought over Cecil, the Grouch. She immediately pointed her finger at me saying we previously had an understanding about their policy. My understanding was IF we used their utensils, we pay. If not, don't pay- should be simple as cake. Cecil stood arguing w/ us (guests in her restaurant), belittling us (had the nerve to say "do you know what a restaurant is?") Her answer: it's a business. Obviously all she sees is dollar signs, and NO respect for blding customer loyalty, word of mouth, NO hospitality, NO graciousness, and absolutely NO ease of handling dramatic situations. 1st & and LAST visit. Think twice about celebrating here.

5 Stars: OK Mexican, Nice Decor (by nyckrissy)

nyckrissy — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 01:00:00 GMT

It's a really cute restaurant. Not the best Mexican (and definitely not Authentic). That being said you'll enjoy yourself if you're with a group of friends. Their mojitos are ok. Their portions are small. Their menu is fusion-esque. Prices are a little high for what you're getting. I'd recommend Dos Caminos for better Mexican.

5 Stars: GREAT PRIVATE DINNING (by anastasiabeav)

anastasiabeav — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I WAS RECENTLY A GUESTS AT A PRIVATE EVENT HERE AND WAS IMPRESSED BY THE ENTIRE EXPERIENCE. THE ROOM GLOWS IN CANDLE LIGHT, THE FOOD AND SERVICE MADE US FEEL AS SPECIAL AS A PRIVATE EVENT SHOULD. GOOD JOB.

5 Stars: Best Southwestern I've had in the area (by ericj2k)

ericj2k — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 01:00:00 GMT

Great food, great service. Seemed to be a diverse crowd and later on at night it got noisy, but I like lively restaurants and if you like quiet there are plenty of other empty/quiet restaurants in Manhattan. I've had a bunch of different dishes here and they were all top notch. Try the margaritas and the sangria for drinks. The sangria's actually not a bad deal at $35 a pitcher considering you get probably about 8 glasses out of it.

5 Stars: Delicious southwestern food! (by kellysan24)

kellysan24 — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 01:00:00 GMT

This was our first time to Agave and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We started off with a couple (strong) margarita's. The guacamole appetizer was so delicious and I love how they presented it with sour cream and salsa next to it. I enjoyed the masa crusted chicken salad and my boyfriend who doesn't like mexican food....absolutely loved his dish! We ended the meal with the chocolate cake which is for chocolate lovers. We will definitely be coming back here.

4 Stars: Good food for your money (by tj107)

tj107 — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 01:00:00 GMT

This is really "fancy mexican/southwest" at its best. I am always amazed at how great everyhting I order is. The prices can tend to be a little high.

Oh and those dirnks! I crave them form time to time, especially the White Sangria.

4 Stars: Excellent Margaritas (by formulaone57)

formulaone57 — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 01:00:00 GMT

Really delicious margaritas. Delicous food. Always satisfied with every meal and nice atmosphere. Highly recommend.

5 Stars: Good food, good tequila (by irvinsha)

irvinsha — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I've been to this place several times and I'm always impressed by the quality of the food. This is one of the few places where "Southwestern" food dresses up nicely. It even manages to make tequila seem rich and elitist (sort of). The atmosphere is cozy and candle-lit. The place can be a little loud, but it's manageable. The prices are also very reasonable.

5 Stars: Outstanding (by tondorf)

tondorf — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Best restaurant for the money that I've found in Manhattan. Huge plates, tasty margaritas, attentive waitstaff.

5 Stars: GREAT FOOD (by hanksteruno)

hanksteruno — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 02:00:00 GMT

MAN DO I LOVE TEQUILA!! I CAN SIP ON IT ALL DAY LONG, WELL NOT ALL DAY. I LOVE WHEN I FIND A SPOT WHERE THE TEQUILA SELECTION AND FOOD WORK WELL TOGETHER. GOOD STUFF

4 Stars: Fantastic Place for a Birthday (by billj4655)

billj4655 — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Took my friend here for his birthday and were treated exceptionally well by the staff. They welcomingly seated our party of 10, and the service was excellent. The food is top quality, very tasty, and delicious margaritas. Highly recommended.

5 Stars: Loved this restaurant!! (by kckc11)

kckc11 — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Totally loved this restaurant. my two friends and i went there for drinks and appetizers and decided quickly that we would stay for dinner. the margaritas were the best - and i mean the best. The food was great too. We decided to share and we loved all the dishes. Would definitely go there again and would recommend this restaurant to anyone who likes good food and prompt, friendly service

1 Stars: Terrible Terrible Food (by lukemil)

lukemil — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 02:00:00 GMT

This is an awful restaurant. The frozen margaritas are too sweet and contain no tequila. The quacamole is tasteless and comes with more sour cream, lettuce, and chopped tomatoes than actual guacamole. The salsa is also tasteless. The chile and corn chowder should be called bland potato soup. The beef fajitas were almost too greasy to eat and normally I like that sort of thing. The service was not so bad, but by promptly bringing food like this they aren't doing any favors. Also it is expensive. The strange thing is that the reviews of this place on Citysearch are stellar. It leads me to believe that Agave or its PR agent is writing those reviews.

5 Stars: Great Surprise! (by lcunha)

lcunha — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 02:00:00 GMT

We went to Agave for the first time and I was so very surprised by the extraordinary quality of the food! I adore Mexican specialities and to be quite honest find that most restaurants in the city offer very different food than what we normally find in Mexico!

Food is great, good selection of drinks and the service was extremely efficient! We'll be back!

4 Stars: Great during the week (by chlewis)

chlewis — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I went to Agave last week, on Wednesday. I was a little skeptical when I walked in the door, as I felt that I was being rushed to my table by the host. She seemed in a hury to get our table finished since we didn't have reservations and came off to us as rude. However, I was refreshed with the excellent service I received from my server, Kaybon. He was attentive to my, and my husband's, needs and recommended us a great tequila. We had two seafood dishes, the ahi tuna, which he recommended, and were very happy with the course. The appetizers were not as satisfactory as the main course, but nonetheless, it was, overall, enjoyable.

3 Stars: Lovely Decor, Poor Service (by asophia)

asophia — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Having read positive reviews my friend and I (who both love Southwestern Cuisine) were eager to check out this spot. Although the decor and ambience captured the feel of the Southwest (reminded me of Santa Fe), the food was only average and the service poor. The host was particularly unfriendly, the bartender had an attitude, and it took a good ten to fifteen minutes from when we had been seated for the server to visit our table. Although, our server was friendly he was clearly swamped and unable to provide even moderately attentive service. The food itself was good but nothing spectacular or more exceptional than any other Mexican restaurant I have tried recently. Ultimately, our dining experience at Agave was just ok.

5 Stars: Great Food, Great Service (by jausiello)

jausiello — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 02:00:00 GMT

For my 2nd Anniversary my boyfriend surprised me with a Broadway Show and Dinner at Agave. He saw how highly the restaurant was rated on CitySearch and made reservations. We were not disappointed. We were seated promptly and served our drinks quickly. In fact our waiter made the drink recommendations as well as food recommendations. He was right on. The food and service was excellent. The ambiance was so romantic. Candles lit the room and made a great mood. I would go again to Agave in a second.

5 Stars: great place for private parties (by crs72)

crs72 — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I recently attended a sunday brunch bridal shower in the private room. There were about 15-20 people at the brunch, and the room could have easily accomodated double that amount. The room is very pretty- I didn't feel like we were being shoved off in a closet somewhere (as is the case with some private rooms!). The food was excellent- the huevos rancheros and the salmon salad especially received glowing reviews. The drinks were great, and they got creative on non-alcoholic drinks for the flower girl in attendance. The staff was very attentive, and I was surprised at the few negative reviews that I've seen on Citysearch on the service at Agave. Cecile was the manager who put the brunch together for us, and she was very helpful and responsive. Our server was friendly and welcoming, easy going, and got all of the orders right. Plates were cleared out quickly and easily, dropped forks were quickly replaced, etc. Nothing went wrong, and all of the guests were very happy with the party. I will be back to try dinner soon, and if you're looking for a place to host a private party I would definitely give them a call!
also, although others have noted that it's not good for kids, I thought that at brunch it was fine for kids. Dinner may be a different story.

5 Stars: Gorgeous Atmosphere, Amazing Food (by prada79)

prada79 — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I just went here for the 2nd time recently & was equally satisfied. I had the pork with parsnips as my entree & the summer leaves salad. They give you generous portions of everything. I've had to take home half of my dinner (& also because I wanted to stretch it out!). The waitstaff is very friendly & unexpectedly unpretentious (given the west village locale). I've eaten both inside the dining room & outside & both have advantages. My only complaint about this last time there was that my drink was very warm.. I forgot what it was called but it had champagne in it so it obviously should've been chilled. Regardless, my experiences there have been extremely favorable & I've recommended this place to all of my friends.

4 Stars: Decent, outside seating is too close (by bpbrody)

bpbrody — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

This is one of those restuants where the outside 2 top seating is set to squeeze the absolute max number of tables and chairs vice just letting one go / remove just one table so eveyone one is comfortable. Each time someone got up, they had to apologize to the person behind them. Food was very good. the black pork appitizer was quite good. I "question" whether the Kobe beef I ordered was really Kobe beef. Skirt / flank steak is supposed to be cut against the grain so its more tender. maybe becuase it was "Kobe / Wagyu" steak they didnt have to. Service is a little slow, so don't expect to have too many margaritas before, during or after dinner. Good value for the money overall.

5 Stars: My new go-to place in the Village (by sc1019)

sc1019 — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

First of all, I absolutely love the servers. The bartender was fun and had a drink with me as I waited for a friend. Our waitress was attentive and didn't mind at all when we took a little long to decide on our order. My friend and I shared the AMAZING Maine Lobster and Mango quesadilla, which was certainly a treat and I had the Santa Fe Duck with Mole. If you're as big of a fan of duck as I am, that dish is definitely the way to go. Don't forget to taste one of their fantastic margaritas - I went with passion fruit...A+

5 Stars: one of a kind food. definitely a gem in NY (by lmoretti)

lmoretti — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Dont usually do the citysearch thing. But I came in tonight with a group of friends, absolutely hypnotized by the food, beautiful atmosphere, and gorgeous greek god of a waitor.

The shortbeef is out of this world, definitely have to try! Also everyone should save room for the choc tarte, that was to die for.

If I can say anything to agave, it would be to do something about the air and the washrooms. Too hott!

Overall enjoyed and highlly recommend!

5 Stars: Food, Drinks, Service, Atmosphere - A+++!!! (by treyui56)

treyui56 — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I've been frequenting this place since it first opened and have yet to be anything but overwhelmed by the amazingly creative dishes, efficient and professional service, and classy southwestern ambiance of this inexpensive joint in an otherwise sea of overpriced food. This past week, I was lucky enough to try the pecan crusted trout with chipotle sauce. The portions were big and the price was not! ($18). As always - the best Marguerita's in town!

5 Stars: Special day (by dizzygiz)

dizzygiz — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I planned my best friends baby shower here. The place was recommended for large parties but instead of the usual big table, we had the event in the new private dinning room. Beautiful! The room is just off the main dinning area. It was perfect for 30 people. We had our own waiters. The food was great (we had a special menu put together), timing was perfect and everyone very sweet. I look forward to trying them out for dinner.

1 Stars: Great food & margaritas, but POOR management! (by nyc1977)

nyc1977 — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

My friends and I were looking forward to celebrating a friends 29th B-day on 7/22/06. My friend was looking forward to her favorite dish on the menu & had made reservations for the 14 of us a few weeks beforehand. We were looking forward to a night filled with good food & service, but things dont always go as planned. Little did we know that large groups could only order off the banquet menua menu thats at least 1/3 the size of the regular menu. We politely asked our server for the regular menu, but were told that for large parties they could only offer us the banquet menu (would have gone elsewhere had we known). We asked for the manager & she explained to us that their chef couldnt accommodate such a large group with the regular menu. When we explained to the manager that we were not told this, she said there was no way we could not have been told this! Rather than politely apologize for us not receiving notice, she began arguing with us. She informed us that this was told to us in our reservation confirmation. However, we were never told this (doubled checked the email confirmation-nothing was said). Good customer service mandates a diplomatic explanation as to why we had to be given the banquet menu. Note: We would have understood had the manager not been so impolite. She finally agreed to let us order from the regular menu, but we werent allowed to order quesadillas (some of us were disappointed!). To top off our bad experience, we had brought cupcakes for our friends birthday & were told that wed be charged $3 a piece just to eat our cupcakes. We were not told this beforehand (even though we informed the restaurant beforehand). While Agave has great food & margaritas, the service (and especially the managers argumentative behavior) turned us all off. There were 14 and many of us had been there for the first time. NYC has many places with great food & margaritas. We're not returning.

4 Stars: really nice (by tigerb)

tigerb — Fri, 28 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Had a great time. Brought my parents for their anniversary and the people could not have been kinder. Our waitress was attentive and made my parents feel special. The food was really good. Th only glitch it got really hot at one point. Thats what frozen margaritas are for I guess.
Had been there before and was right to go back for this special event.

4 Stars: A good restaurant (by mzx380)

mzx380 — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Agave is a nice restaurant with good dishes. it's a good restaurant particularly for couples because that's what they seem to cater to. It's a little cramped because of just how many people want to eat there but the outdoor dining in the summer gives you a little breathing room. The only thing which is a glaring negative is the service which is sub par due to the gross overcrowding. If you want a restaurant that's packed like a lounge but has good food, this is a spot to visit

1 Stars: Why is this place highly recommended? (by audreylauryn)

audreylauryn — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Lets just say I felt so uncomfortable at the restaurant that both my fiance and I were left wondering Am I welcomed here? Besides being ignored most of the night by our waitress in a very suspicious manner, the food and drinks were worse than Chilis or any other Southwestern restaurant chain! Maybe it was an off night for the cooks, but it cannot be that off. Half of our food did not make it to the table and the items that did, were lifeless. I was so disappointed because Agave was highly recommended by my friends and now they feel terrible about that manner in which we were treated and the terrible food.

5 Stars: Good mexican Spot (by ptbebes9)

ptbebes9 — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Great appetizers & entrees especially where in the city there are not too many good mexican/southwestern restaurants. Nice decor and good customer service. Prices are reasonable. Good drinks. Definitely enjoyed myself and will return.

5 Stars: A must Try (by dengar7948)

dengar7948 — Tue, 04 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

My wife and I were there on the 3rd of July and completely enjoyed our experience. The drinks were very good and strong..we had herradura margaritas. The food was also above our expectations. We love mexican food that actually has flavor and spice and this place has it..Unlike Dos Caminos, Agave is definitly a great dining experience. The appetizers were amazing and the entree was even better. I would definetly recomend this resturant to anyone searching for upscale mexican food. Compared to other resturants I have been to in the city, the prices are very reasonable and the portions are very generous. EXCELLENT!!!!!

3 Stars: Good food but slow service (by juliatroyan)

juliatroyan — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Went to Agave for my birthday. The food was good but took too long to arrive. The nice suprize from the restaurant was a free desert cake. Overall, average experience, probably would go somewhere else next time.

3 Stars: Very good margaritas (by bornandraisedherenyc)

bornandraisedherenyc — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 02:00:00 GMT

The Margaritas are excellent. The first time I ate there the food was amazing, the second time I had a quesadilla which was just a quesadilla. I'm not sure I'd give the restaurant a 9.7 which is "walks on water" but I'd still give it a good review. If you go expecting everything that goes with a 9.7 you may be disappointed, its good but not OMG I can't live without it.

5 Stars: Very good food, definitly recommended (by salzamt)

salzamt — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I went there only once on my trip to NY. The food was really excellent. Many entrees are between $15 and $20 (you can decide if you think that is cheap or expensive). The restaurant is not very spacious though. The next table was about one foot away, and we could clearly hear all conversation on the tables to the left and the right.

The service was average, but there were no major reasons to complain. I would definitely go back there for the food and the atmosphere.

2 Stars: horrible service, good food (by flutin)

flutin — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 02:00:00 GMT

i made a reservation at agave for a friend who was moving away.

we all liked the brunch items we had but when we later asked if the chips were supposed to come with the meal, the waitress explained it away by saying sometimes they forget instead of apologizing and offering something extra.

they were also doing construction right next to us. the hostess not only didn't offer an apology but asked us to sit in that particular location in the first place.

the prices are fairly typical ny prices at about $15-$20 per person. while the food is above average, i would recommend going somewhere else. given the way we were treated, it's obvious that they don't care about their customers.

5 Stars: A Great Visit (by maceluva)

maceluva — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I took my wife to a play and dinner. I called for reservations, but Saturday 05/22/2006 was filled. We stopped by anway and the hostess, Cecille found us an immediate romantic table. Hey, the entire place is romantic! The appetizer of Hand Hacked Haas Avocado Guacamole with Blue Corn Tostados was excellent! The entrees of Pan Roasted Breast of Chicken and Cider Brined Pork Tenderloin were equally delicious!! The dessert we tried was ridiculously good!!! The meal was not expensive at all. The staff was attentive, quick and kind. This is a speical place for cozy dinners. Guys, if you screwed up recently or need to build brownie points, take her to AGAVE!

5 Stars: ...and the margaritas are divine! (by boomoola)

boomoola — Wed, 31 May 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Drown in the luscious flavors and slurpy textures of the freshest mango and passion-fruit margaritas around. The brunch is super - blueberry pancakes with lemon cream cheese and maple syrup are good enough to leave an impact through the margarita haze while the huevos rancheros are just excellent. We started with the golden fried crunchy goodness of calamari which I highly recommend, along with the yummy herb speckled scrambled eggs.

4 Stars: Great food, good service, good atmosphere (by tarag354)

tarag354 — Thu, 25 May 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Went here last night with my friend. We were seated outside since it was a gorgeous night. It was a little cramped, but we didn't mind. We both ordered margaritas and they were excellent! Especially the fresh strawberry margarita. We had delicious guacamole to start- highly recommended and I had the grilled shrimp taco, which was excellent. My friend had the lobster quesadilla which was also very tasty. Service was very good. I thought the prices were a little high, but it was worth it. The restaurant had a light, airy feel, surrounded by windows, perfect for warm summer nights and excellent for people watching. yay! fleet week! I would definitely go back.

5 Stars: Yummy Margs (by llyonize)

llyonize — Mon, 22 May 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I finally had the opportunity to go to Agave and it definately lived upto my expectations. Great atmosphere. Our waiter Doug gave me a great recomendation of the blue corn enchiladas, these were so good as was the passion fruit margarita.

5 Stars: mmmmm-I can't wait to go back!! (by jillrobin82)

jillrobin82 — Mon, 01 May 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I came here with a small group-about 5 people. The food was so good! So was the service! The atmosphere was also great...how could you ask for more? I recommend the braised beef enchilada...mmmmm!!

5 Stars: perfect date (by new2town0914)

new2town0914 — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 02:00:00 GMT

How come I'd never heard of this place before. It was recommend by a co-worker and when I got their the place was booming for happy hour. What a great atmosphere. The margaritas took me on an instant vacation, and although there was a bit of a wait for a table, the food was well worth it. Fresh and I really loved the recommendations. I only wish I could have gotten a table in the outdoor cafe but the inside was really sexy with all the candles. Can't get that crab dip out of my mind. Fun and Yummy!

5 Stars: unique party space (by rickimia)

rickimia — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 02:00:00 GMT

what a pleasant surprise last saturday when I attended a friend's private party at agave. a wonderful experience. didn't feel at all like we were stuck in a spare room or an afterthought. food was delicious, decor was inviting and staff was friendly and efficient. a real gem.

1 Stars: Hustle & Flow (by lawyerlady06)

lawyerlady06 — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 02:00:00 GMT

While the food was tasty, the service by the place's oh-so-beautiful staff was unforgivably slow during the seating process even with reservations but turned strangely hurried as we were rushed through the meal. At one point, the table was a cocaphony of appetizer and entree plates as the servers tried to hurry us through dinner. The food was ok, but the experience really isn't worth the money or aggravation.

5 Stars: Definitely a repeater (by mishma)

mishma — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 02:00:00 GMT

The place is beautiful, chic and comfortable. The hostess to the waiter are courteous and attentive. The food is absolutely delicious and more then plenty to over fill your stomachs. If you go you must try the agave passion cocktail, it is to die for and the prices are just right. I think I found a new love.

3 Stars: Rude Bartender (by marisarotella)

marisarotella — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I took a friend here for his birthday, but the evening was practically ruined before we were even seated. We had a wait for our table, so we headed to the bar for a margarita. Fortunately the margaritas were good because I have never met a ruder bartender. He is one of these people who thinks he is above his job. Most likely an "actor". He practically threw a drink menu at us when we asked for one, then acted completely annoyed that he had to ask us if we wanted our drinks on the rocks or frozen. I'm sorry, but I think that's his JOB to ask. If you don't like your job, then I am sure you're well qualified enough to get another - perhaps as a city sanitation employee? I liked the place, but because he was such a jerk, I will NEVER go back.

5 Stars: Good not Great (by nychica5)

nychica5 — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I went here last night with another friend, I would definitely recommend making reservations, because if you do (and your whole party is present) they seat you immediately. The corn on the cob appetizer was delicious, and the carmelized pumpkin tacos were a little sweet but also very good. My friend got the blue corn crepas, which were good, but not great. This place is a good place to try for dinner, but I don't know if I would come back again for dinner because it wasn't that memorable. I do however want to try their brunch which is suppose to be amazing.

4 Stars: This is a nice place (by jenniferconde)

jenniferconde — Sat, 18 Feb 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I went to Agave tonight as a belated Valentine's celebration and was very, very happy. Tonight was 16 degrees outside, so the place was crowded, but not overly so. We had a nice table. Drinks were very good. The food was great. We had the guacamole appetizer -- more salad than guacamole but good. I had the ribs and the meat melted off of the bone. It was a truly beautiful thing. The ambience was nice. As I said, it was a cold night, so not all the tables were taken. The ambience, candles and soft lighting lends itself to romance. I wouldn't recommend this place for large groups, because the place is kind of small. But I will definitely be coming back. Nice experience, good but not overdone service and really tasty food.

4 Stars: Great Valentine's Day (by aubreybaby3)

aubreybaby3 — Wed, 15 Feb 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I went with my boyfriend to Agave for Valentine's Day. The menu was excellent and they had this tequila-sampling thing going on, which was fun. The sangria was awesome, and the food was amazing!! Our waiter was friendly and attentive. My only complaint is this---we had 10 pm reservations, and we were seated immediately and the place was packed. It took quite some time to bring out the appetizers and entrees. As we (and about a dozen other couples) were receiving their entrees, apparently it was time for closing because people were stacking chairs, music was being turned down, etc. And when I went down to use the restroom, the lights were off! I felt kind of rushed, and for the amount of money everyone was spending, they shouldn't have been "closing up" just as we were receiving our entrees. Other than that, food, service, and ambience was fabulous!!

2 Stars: used to be good, not anymore,,,, (by jessienara)

jessienara — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I remember from the last time, food was very flavorful and deliciously cooked and service was awesome. However, this time was so so so disappointed in so many different levels. First, magaritas and mojitos were not good,,,last time i thought that they made the best ones, but not anymore, too sweet mojitos, mango magarita had confusing taste with great fruit juice. Second, except grilled ahi tuna, food was not as great as last summer. Third, the service was aweful, it was not, repeat, was not attentive at all. Try to get attention from servant was very hard and we were not heard at all. I was very dissatisfied with the service. Two major partsof dining out are food and service. When the food was still good, the service was not worthy of the money. I already said to couple of friends not to go back.

5 Stars: refreshing menu (by amflynn*)

amflynn* — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 01:00:00 GMT

went to agave last saturday with friends before the ballet. we told them we were in a rush and they were very gracious about getting us out on time. we ate outside so most of us had salads and frozen mango margs and we people watched. very enjoyable. i would like to try "inside" next time to compare.

5 Stars: Great Food (by mamadue)

mamadue — Wed, 01 Feb 2006 01:00:00 GMT

Great place to hang out after work. The food and drinks were excellent

1 Stars: Disappointing (by alison412)

alison412 — Sun, 29 Jan 2006 01:00:00 GMT

We had a 10 PM reservation and waited about 45 minutes for our table. When seated, the waiter service was very good - prompt and courteous. However, the food was very run of the mill and we were really starving by the time it came. The regular margaritas were bitter but the blood orange margarita of the day was good.

3 Stars: Delicious, but service that was just plain weird (by elbie)

elbie — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 01:00:00 GMT

The food was absolutely delicious, especially the chicken enchiladas and grilled salmon salad. Careful ordering the expensive "house specialty" guacamole though -- tasty, but be prepared for a couple of spoonfuls of yummy guac overshadowed by twice as much pico de gallo and sour cream. Margaritas taste great, but wow are they light on the pour. I ordered a Herradura margarita on the rocks, and let's just say there were more "rocks" than "margarita". Fantastic flavor, but certainly not worth the high price of the small glass. Food delivery was prompt because they weren't busy that night, but whenever our tall, lanky waiter happened to float by, he was short on words and long on stares -- almost like he was peering through a fisheye lens. Not exactly the friendly personality you would expect from someone who makes his living off of tips.

5 Stars: TAKEOUT FOR ROSEBOWL. (by cmb622)

cmb622 — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 01:00:00 GMT

had takeout...shephards pie was delicious!!! so was the guac. great idea for rosebowl party!
will do it again for the superbowl.

1 Stars: Horrible (by nhlsammy)

nhlsammy — Mon, 26 Dec 2005 01:00:00 GMT

OK had reservation and still waited thirty minutes for a table. What's the point of a reservation if you cannot keep the reservation? Food was salty and horrible, had the worst date ever here. Go to the fun places in the West Village not the stuffy places like this place.

5 Stars: Yum! (by nychotelier)

nychotelier — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 01:00:00 GMT

First of all BEST server I have ever had in my life. (kevin) pronounced KA-VAN. Best value for what you get i have ever seen in the city. My friend and I ordered like 4 Apps in the main dining area w/drinks, we were stuffed with great food & enjoyed the drinks. I had the rasberry mojitos, she had the champagne sangria. You must try the grilled corn on the cob with shredded chesse, amazing 4.00! It was my first time this past Sunday, i am going back thursday. Do not miss this well kept secret.

5 Stars: Pleasant surprise- both food and drinks (by jrussbag)

jrussbag — Mon, 14 Nov 2005 01:00:00 GMT

Was with a group of 6, nice seating, overall friendly service, especially considering we were late. Lobster quesadillas, braised pork platter, enchilladas were all excellent..... the only comment on food might be the guacamole app could have been more plentiful, but at least it was very good..... maybe i was just really hungry. Overall a very comfy environment, spectacular Sangria (red anyways), killer margharitas and nicely prepared entrees. Would defintely recommend and return!

5 Stars: Outstanding food (by spinzon)

spinzon — Fri, 28 Oct 2005 02:00:00 GMT

Green Chile Corn Chowder w/chicken: hearty, subtle hint of chile, tomatoes add a little sweetness, chicken and potatoes add flavor and nutrition. Cilantro adds flavor.
Chile Crusted Seared Ahi Tuna: chile adds a terrific smokiness, not heat, the tomato consomme and olive/caper relish are excellent accessories to moist, high quality tuna.
Blue Crab Quesadilla: tortilla cooked perfectly, not undercooked, but not hard. Crab is easy to taste, guacamole with it has a hint of chile which adds to it.
Fresh Fruit Margarita of the day: Blood Orange has just the right amount of sweetness and tequila/tartness to be refreshing and interesting.
Overall quality: excellent, can't wait to go back

5 Stars: Excellent, hard to narrow choices down (by macandmac)

macandmac — Mon, 12 Sep 2005 02:00:00 GMT

We had wanted to try Agave for a long time and we were not disappointed. We went on a Monday so it was not crowded. Our waitress was extremely helpful. It is hard enough trying to choose a margarita, then you have to choose your meal. We had the Gazpacho, it was nice with a little kick. My wife had the Squash Blossom Tacos and she was happy with her choice, I had the Beef Machaca Enchiladas and they were very flavorful. We were too full to try dessert. We can not wait to go back.

5 Stars: Yummy (by hottopic)

hottopic — Mon, 29 Aug 2005 02:00:00 GMT

Each time I've eaten at Agave, I've been impressed. The brunch is fantastic (and great for groups), the atmostphere welcoming and bright, and last weekend, my Angus burger, calamari & margarita were DELICIOUS. I overheard many other diners there saying the same about their dishes. I find the drinks a little pricey, but worth it.

1 Stars: HORRIBLE! (by fcf77)

fcf77 — Tue, 23 Aug 2005 02:00:00 GMT

The service to this place was HORRIBLE! I would totally NOT RECOMMEND this place to anyone!!! DON'T GO! We had reservations for a big group but were unable to sit until everyone showed... then when we all showed (only 15 minutes later) they told us they GAVE AWAY our table! The hostess was totally not accomadating, and even though there were empty tables they still didn't seat us! Plus while waiting near the bar, we NEVER got served drinks and the bartender refused to serve us as we were at a "side table" which only had waitress service... which never came. The menu was very limited and PRICEY! On top of that with all the bad service- they put an automatic 20% gratuity charge on our bill! DON'T GO!

5 Stars: good job... (by kbf51)

kbf51 — Fri, 29 Jul 2005 02:00:00 GMT

went there with a bunch of friends two night ago and had a real good time. margaritas were great (a large selection of tequilas but waiter could have been more informed on them), food was great, atmosphere was great. good job.

1 Stars: Disappointing (by msgnyc)

msgnyc — Mon, 25 Jul 2005 02:00:00 GMT

I was highly disappointed with my food at Agave. The food did not seem fresh and was lacking in taste. Everything was bland. The guacamole tasted like it was store bought. The cactus in my quesadilla tasted canned. The bill came to almost $150 for two people which included a large pitcher of sangria which was the only good part of the meal. Overall, Agave is definitely not worth the trip or the money.

3 Stars: Just okay... (by shfood)

shfood — Fri, 15 Jul 2005 02:00:00 GMT

I went to this restaurant with a few friends and the meal was just average. The service was a bit scattered, and the food was okay, but nothing mind blowing. For the money, I'd probably go somewhere else. There was also a big group that was very noisy, so that was a bit disruptive too.

5 Stars: good looking servers and great food (by bananadog)

bananadog — Mon, 23 May 2005 02:00:00 GMT

I went into Agave last night (Sunday) with 2 girlfriends and we were all extremely pleasantly surprised. From the outside it looks like yet another trendy village restaurant, but once inside it was actually really cozy and comfortable...with just enough spice. The drinks are dangerously good (although a bit over priced) and the service was friendly but not too pushy. Speaking of staff, they're all beautiful, so go for the good food and eye-candy service (especially the guy with the buzz-cut who I think was the manager). Anyway, I'm definitely going back. p.s. Order the chili con queso and be fat but very happy.

5 Stars: cinco plus (by liltay)

liltay — Sat, 07 May 2005 02:00:00 GMT

went back to agave for a second look for cinco de mayo, lot of energy, very busy. not disapponted. had the blue margarita which went down way toooooo easy with some chili and chilled. real good time.

1 Stars: Horrible, Never Again! (by arianne5)

arianne5 — Fri, 06 May 2005 02:00:00 GMT

Margaritas and atmosphere were Generic and below average. Staff was very rude especially the owner, he has obviously never herd of hospitality or customer service. We felt so aggravated and uncomfortable that we had to leave and go somewhere else. I would definitely recommend staying far away from this place it is not worth ruining your night.

1 Stars: BOOOOO (by mandyw11)

mandyw11 — Fri, 06 May 2005 02:00:00 GMT

Went to Agave on cinco de mayo... place was crowded of course... The servers were frustrated with the crowd, which is understandable but they were being rude. We were there for a birthday party with about 15 people. The owner was extremely RUDE. Was confrontational and tried to "bully" some of us. Not a good way to treat people buddy.
I would never go back and would never recommend Agave to any of my friends.

5 Stars: Best Southwestern Food in NYC! (by summerswing99)

summerswing99 — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 02:00:00 GMT

I never realized how much I liked southwestern cuisine until I ate at Agave. The Lobster Taco was very unique...I am glad that I tried something new. Also, I highly recommend the Blue Tarantula Margarita. I am definitely going to bring the rest of my friends back to enjoy the great food, wonderful ambiance, and pleasant service.

5 Stars: A Wonderful Night Out (by mmohan)

mmohan — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 02:00:00 GMT

Agave provided one of the best dining experiences that I have ever had in the city. The setting is beautiful and the food is amazing. The menu is accommodating for those who like to be adventurous as well as for those who are inclined to stick to more traditional southwestern food. In addition, I recommend taste-testing the various margaritas.

5 Stars: these 5-star reviews have got to be fake (by koreg)

koreg — Wed, 20 Apr 2005 02:00:00 GMT

This place is now the bizarro-world version of the nice restaurant I went to last year. It's bigger now and no-one is in charge any more. It's so chaotic that the staff drifts aimlessly through the rooms as if they are inventing an entirely new form of service (waiting on table as abstract performance art?) The menu hasn't changed a bit and you can actually taste the indifference of the chefs in the bland flavorings, the gritty chili, the greasy, scrawny calamari, the grimy presentation .
The whole place feels and smells like a place that's been around for too long. Hint: use the restrooms at your peril and only after you've had a stiff ...Oh wait, there's no such thing as a stiff drink at Agave, unless you're talking about the price.
Are these reviews checked to make sure they're not coming from staff?

3 Stars: WHY IS THIS RATED SO HIGH? (by pleasegodnotme2)

pleasegodnotme2 — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 02:00:00 GMT

Like most of New York City's restaurants (I find myself saying that alot), this place is way over-rated. My date and I went on a Thursday night. In short, it was way too loud (they sat us next to a stereo speaker!!!), too crowded, the drinks were too small and WAY OVERPRICED (a bad mojito in a what was about an 8 oz glass was 10 dollars), and the service was horrible (out waitress disappeared for most of the evening). The food was actually good, if over-priced. Again, a place where you pay to eat around tragically hip 20-somethings. Oh, the fun.

5 Stars: Great atmosphere, great service, great food! (by mclongisland)

mclongisland — Sun, 17 Apr 2005 02:00:00 GMT

A group of 10 of us went last Saturday afternoon for brunch. It was very busy, especially in the front where tons of people seemed to be enjoying themselves in the nice weather outside or in the atrium, and our large party was seated right away. Our very friendly waitress took our drink orders immediately and helped us make some great choices. Our food was served quickly and the waitstaff was attentive and made sure we were all being taken care of. Almost everyone at the table ordered something different and EVERYTHING was delicious and tasty. We all had a great time and really enjoyed ourselves - we'll be back!

5 Stars: Amazing Food combined with great atmosphere (by emmetto)

emmetto — Sat, 16 Apr 2005 02:00:00 GMT

I went on friday night with two friends. As soon as i entered i was astonished by the vast range of decor that can be seen lining the walls os this restaurant. I was greeted by a wonderful hostess that seated us quickly. After ordering our food was brought to our table very quickly despite the huge crowd. The food met and exceeded all my expectations. This is the place to go if you are looking for a great ambiance and amaaaaazing food. Will definitely return.

5 Stars: a really good restaurant` (by suoh)

suoh — Sat, 16 Apr 2005 02:00:00 GMT

We had a really wonderful time at Agave this past Wednesday. It was a a full house and everything was great. The food was amazing and service was very good, no waiting and pleasant waiter. Try the mojitos. They're unbelievable! And the shortrib entree was outstanding. No wonder this place is so popular!

5 Stars: User review by ned1 (by ned1)

ned1 — Fri, 15 Apr 2005 02:00:00 GMT

My girlfriend and I went the other night and had a fantastic time. The waiter was attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. The food had a bunch of subtle flavors that mixed very well and the drinks were not only great, but the presentation and color was also very fun. I am definitely coming back.

3 Stars: Decent food spoiled by bad service (by testaccount)

testaccount — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 02:00:00 GMT

Four of us went on a weeknight. The place was noisy and busy, but we were seated quickly, served our drinks -- and then largely forgotten. Our waiter disappeared entirely, our food, when we were finally able to order it, arrived without plates (we had to go and track down a busboy to get them), and when we were finished, we couldn't get the check, even after walking across the restaurant to request it. We finally got the check the only way we could: we packed up and headed for the door. Presto! our waiter magically reappeared, just in the nick of time.

4 Stars: Great margs and brunch (by lsulimey)

lsulimey — Fri, 08 Apr 2005 02:00:00 GMT

The brunch menu is pretty good and a nice value. I wouldn't recommend going there for dinner though.

1 Stars: The manager is a complete jerk! (by babycat80)

babycat80 — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 01:00:00 GMT

Think twice about going to this restaurant! We made reservations; however, they didn't seat us until 1 hr later and then told us we only have one hour to eat. The manager was very rude and stuck up. Who cares about the food?????

5 Stars: Good Eats (by jmsdean)

jmsdean — Mon, 21 Mar 2005 01:00:00 GMT

How have I never been to Agave before? My friend told me about this restaurant for a year before he finally took me this weekend. The food is phenominal!! Maybe it's because my friend is there a lot, but I was welcomed like a regular. I had to wait for my friend at the bar for a few minutes--I was a bit put off that it was so crowded, but when I got my margarita, I knew why... And the bartender remembered my name!

3 Stars: Good Environment...Poor Service (by bgrillo)

bgrillo — Sun, 20 Mar 2005 01:00:00 GMT

The entrance isn't that inviting, especially in the winter months. You will be greeted by a smiling hostess which counters the lack of decor at the window seating. The main memory that keeps ringing a bell is that the service is awful. The servers and/or bus persons dart back and forth through the dining room, never even making eye contact to see if you have any needs. They don't offer recommendations, take a long time with drink orders, don't check back after serving the entree, and plan on waiting a long time for the check.

2 Stars: Not impressed at all (by loverobot)

loverobot — Fri, 11 Mar 2005 01:00:00 GMT

Unfortunately, going to a place as hyped-up as this one is sometimes a set up for a big let down. That's exactly what happened to me. The food is a weird combination of styles, I wouldn't call it Mexican, perhaps not even Latin. The service was slow because the restaurant was crowded. It's also very loud and at our table in the middle of the floor we could hardly hear each other. I didn't drink much but I guess if you get lit perhaps you won't notice how unimpressive the whole experience is. But it is expensive, perhaps you'll notice that.

3 Stars: Not the best mexican in NYC! (by rbarbacci)

rbarbacci — Tue, 08 Mar 2005 01:00:00 GMT

This restaurant was very average! Food was OK, cocktails were crap!

5 Stars: very good, worth the wait (by hilarysue30)

hilarysue30 — Sat, 26 Feb 2005 01:00:00 GMT

We had to wait about a half hour before we were seated, even though we had reservations.It was worth the wait. The margaritas were tasty and the guacamole is recommended. I can't wait to go back again!

5 Stars: Great food, friendly staff, would visit again! (by insedona)

insedona — Tue, 22 Feb 2005 01:00:00 GMT

We went there based on a friend's recommendation. The staff there was very friendly and accommodating. We had reservation for 9:00 PM but the show got out a lot earlier and the staff was happy to accommodate our early arrival. The seating is a bit tight, so it is not a good place for private conversations. But if you don't mind the dinner crowd so much, it is a great place to go. The decor is very nice with the adobe and interesting bamboo ceiling. The food was excellent and prices are reasonable by NYC standard. We had a great time!

5 Stars: definitely go!! (by ssalamon)

ssalamon — Sat, 05 Feb 2005 01:00:00 GMT

I go there often and I always bring new friends with me. Everyone always loves it. The food is flavorful and not too heavy. The ambiance is good enough for a date and just as nice for a group of friends. The waitstaff is helpful when choosing items on the menu. I'd definitely recommend it.

4 Stars: Almost There (by leschukm)

leschukm — Thu, 27 Jan 2005 01:00:00 GMT

My friends and I came to Agave for our monthly dinner. We had 8:30 reservations on a Wednesday. I called back to confirm the reservations hours ahead of time. I still took the hostess staff 30 minutes to find somewhere for us to sit. When we would be looking for the hostess, she would be busing tables. I think she was too overextended to provide a good hostess service.
Once we got sitted everything was MUCH better. The margaritas were professionally made. The food was all very good. Especially the Angus Burger, a MOST try. In the end, the bill was $30 a person including drinks, tax, and tip. Not bad!

5 Stars: Great party night (by pitodemama)

pitodemama — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 01:00:00 GMT

I arrived a few minutes early and was asked to wait at the bar where the bartender was more than gracious to attend to our needs. We were a large group and would highly recommend all the drinks and foodThe manager on duty was understanding that our friends were very late and held our reservation. The service was attentive and knowlegable. Ther food was amazing and filling.

5 Stars: Great for parties! (by pner)

pner — Sat, 18 Dec 2004 01:00:00 GMT

My friends took me out to this place for my birthday and it was so much fun. It was quite crowded and I can see why they made us wait till everyone was there as 3 of our group didn't show up and they then changed the table to (an even better) one. The whole time we were waiting the hostess kept talking to us, telling us we wouldn't lose our reservation, and even gave us free blue margarita shots! I'll be back!

4 Stars: can't wait to go back (by vishenka69)

vishenka69 — Mon, 15 Nov 2004 01:00:00 GMT

This is a great place for a couple or small group, as they don't seat you until everyone has arrived. I wish they warned me when I made the reservation for 14 ppl. But the food was excellent, the service very attentive and the margarittas tasty. Will definitely be back but with a much smaller group.

1 Stars: Long waits even with reservations (by slurms)

slurms — Sun, 07 Nov 2004 01:00:00 GMT

I had been there before for brunch and even with a reservation, I still had to wait and service was very slow. Overall my meal took 3.5 hours. Going back there for dinner, I thought it was a fluke before. Again, with a reservation, they still made our party wait 1.5 hours before even seating us. They don't have a formal reservation system like many restaurants, so be prepared to wait at least an hour plus. Without a reservation, don't even bother.

5 Stars: Southwest meets the Big Apple (by bluehensfan)

bluehensfan — Tue, 12 Oct 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Excellent, reasonably priced southwestern cuisine that is served in a comfortable dining room with white adobe walls. There is also a glassed in seating area in the front that opens in the summer to allow you to watch people on the street while you dine, a small porch area, as well as a spacious bar. Appetizers to try are the outstanding grilled corn on the cob, queso fundido, ceviche, calamari, tuna tostaditas, and crab stuffed in a squash blossom. Entrees include tasty quesadillas in a number of varieties, but the soft fish tacos are the best and are served with guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, and spanish rice. The service is the best...attentive, friendly, and the management are concerned that you have a great meal. For dessert try the creamy banana praline ice cream and molten cake or the mango cheesecake.

5 Stars: Can't say enough (by christopher_moss)

christopher_moss — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 02:00:00 GMT

I just made my second trip to Agave on Tuesday and was just as impressed the second time around. You never know if a good experience at a restaurant is normal for the restaurant or a fluke. It's good to know that I can go somewhere and expect amazing food with fantastic service--not to mention the margaritas. My waiter knew all about the 50+ tequilas and recommended one--can't remember the name(Epsolon, I think), but it was the best thing I've ever tasted!! LISTEN TO YOUR WAITER!!

4 Stars: Excellent (by clee130)

clee130 — Sat, 28 Aug 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Despite one of my party being late by half an hour past my reservation, the hostess tried her best to accomodate us. When my friend arrived, we were promptly seated and it's was a great time after that.

Service was excellent, the waiter was happy to answer any questions about any of the dishes and the food was more than enough for one person. We all had to pack it to take home. We all tried each other's dishes and everything tasted great.

A great place for groups. There were two large groups in the place with us and from the amount of noise they were making, it seemed like everyone was having a great time. We had a small group of 6, and we had a great time. There's also a parking garage just across the street for those adventurous enough to drive in.

I'll definately be going back.

5 Stars: Unbelievable!!! (by nwyrker)

nwyrker — Tue, 17 Aug 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Went to Agave with what can only be described as a "picky" crowd: Atkins-enthusiasts, vegetarians and discerning drinkers. Put all worries aside! Great service, and friendly staff kicking out great food from the smallest kitchen ever! Really enjoyed the experience and will definitely be back. Hope it is a staple of the village for a long time to come!

5 Stars: Be Treated Like a Celebrity! (by udalum)

udalum — Sun, 25 Jul 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Start with the ceviche. It is fresh, tasty, and well-portioned. For the main entree, I suggest one of the fish tacos. They won't break your diet, the fish is always fresh, and it is cooked appropriately. I would only bring a child here if they can behave well. Leave the crying babies at home! We have visited Agave three times in the past year. Each time, they recognize us, and greet us with warmth and friendliness. All of the servers are professional and helpful. I always feel special when I visit Agave.

5 Stars: Almost too popular (by jamslet)

jamslet — Sun, 04 Jul 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Once again my friends and I dicided to celebrate a birthday at Agave. We were a group of 9. The hostess could not have been more professional. She offered us a complimentary drink while we waited for the rest of our party. Once seated, the service was prompt and friendly. This is a significant improvement since last monty. The food was exquisite, both tasty and delictable. Over desert, our birthday girl was surprised by a fairly professional rendition of "Happy Birthday" by the staff.
Since 1st coming to Agave over two years ago I have never been dissapointed and truly reccommend the experience to all.

5 Stars: The Best Hash (by john_shorter)

john_shorter — Thu, 24 Jun 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Agave has this amazing cornbbeef hash on their brunch menue. It has three types of meat and the meat isn't all groundup. It has big wonderful pieces!

5 Stars: Agave, Best New Restaurant (by phoebez)

phoebez — Fri, 18 Jun 2004 02:00:00 GMT

I had dinner @ Agave last Tues. and I had some of the best margaritas I've ever had. Not your typical just frozen margarits. My favorite, the Prickly Pear Margarita, frozen, on the rocks or straight up!
Then I had the tuna appetizer one word scrumpitous. Second course, Shortribs, fork tender with the best mole sauce outside off Mexico. And finnally I had the Molten Center Chocolate. It came with a creamy banana praline ice cream it was a good portion so I didn't feel too guilty. But all in all it was great.

5 Stars: Three thumbs up (by shulbert)

shulbert — Mon, 14 Jun 2004 02:00:00 GMT

I like this restaurant very much. The food is great. There is a large selection of many different styles of SouthWestern food. I liked the seafood dishes. The drinks were very good. The environment was pleasant, the people were very nice. If I had an extra hand I would give this place three thumbs up. I highly reccomend Agave.

5 Stars: Que maravillosa!!! (by katko)

katko — Fri, 11 Jun 2004 02:00:00 GMT

The food was decadent, tasty, well-priced. The service was SUPERB. The frozen margaritas are to die for. Yummmmmmy. Especially the passionfruit.

4 Stars: Good times with good friends (by popejhack0)

popejhack0 — Fri, 11 Jun 2004 02:00:00 GMT

you wouldn't expect the kind of atmosphere you are in at Agave when first walking in from the streets of manhattan. The very earthly colored tones pave a scene of somewhere out west in a building made of the very earth.

5 Stars: Awesome (by nicolemay)

nicolemay — Fri, 11 Jun 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Agave should appear on the "best of" show on the food network. The host was super nice, the margaritas were happenin', the waitress was personable and the food was the best part. Awesome experience, definately a pleasant dining experience highly recommended.

5 Stars: Just as amazing as when it first opened (by markblenner)

markblenner — Fri, 11 Jun 2004 02:00:00 GMT

5 Stars: Loved Agave (by jamesmorales)

jamesmorales — Fri, 11 Jun 2004 02:00:00 GMT

i recently took a trip to New York with my grandchildren and happened to walk by Agave. I went in and was warmly greeted by the the staff. Sat down to a great meal and excelllent margaritas. Service was warm friendly attentive and fun for my family. Would recommend it to anyone looking for a cun casual atmosphere with great food drinks and service.

5 Stars: Southwestern Sensation (by manasquan)

manasquan — Mon, 07 Jun 2004 02:00:00 GMT

The food and ambience transports you from Manhattan's West Village to the Southwest. The bar area is roomy and as inviting as the many choices of delicious margaritas. But don't stop there, the wonderful choices continue in terms of the food. The friendly and knowledgeable staff can help you decide what will satisfy your taste. Unlike most Mexican restaurants, each dish has a distinctive taste.

5 Stars: What a Place! (by annelavelle)

annelavelle — Mon, 07 Jun 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Out to dinner last week with a group of 6. Friendly staff happily accepted a reservation (for 10), and when only 6 showed up, they couldn't have been more understanding! Happy faces and cheerful service set the pace for this get away in the city!
The sunken dining room- a few steps down- sets the tone for a vacation feeling, it reminded me of Cabo San Lucas! Great blue margaritas as well as additional flavors, I've never seen before. Not the ordinary mexican fare, this has got flare! I'll be back!

5 Stars: agave (by kerrymoonbeams)

kerrymoonbeams — Mon, 07 Jun 2004 02:00:00 GMT

My 15 year old daughter and I recently enjoyed dinner at Agave. The restaurant is beautiful with a lovely ambience. Our waiter helped us select from the menu and EVERYTHING was delicious. From the margaritas to the creme brulee, it was a great dining experience. We plan to take my daughter and her friends for a sweet sixteen dinner party. I know the other kids will love the unique style of Agave.

4 Stars: loved it! great for groups (by anon1)

anon1 — Mon, 07 Jun 2004 02:00:00 GMT

We loved Agave from the beginning to the end, its a great place for Saturday night dinner with few friends. The Mojitos were good, all the appetizers we ordered were good, would definitely recommend the calamari and the ceviche. Would recommend more starters to share and lighter main course, although the main course choices were tasty - the crab quesadillas were the best.
Overall a great place to dine with good drinks.

5 Stars: dezfx (by dezfx)

dezfx — Sat, 05 Jun 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Everything about this place is fun but sophisticated, from the management to busboys. The food is delicious, margaritas go down almost too easily and it's delightful to sit in the sidewalk cafe and watch the world go by. Even if it's raining, they have a glassed-in atrium so you feel like you're outside. Downstairs it's a little cozier - a good place to take your parents for a non-ostentatious dinner.

5 Stars: great graduation (by tayta)

tayta — Thu, 03 Jun 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Had my graduation party with 11 friends at Agave on the suggestion of my aunt. Thought it might be too stuffy for a party BUT it absolutely rocked! Food was great, manager gave us a margarita tasting of 5 different margaritas. What a hoot! LOVED the Blue Margaritas. We were there for 3 hours and check didn't break the bank.

5 Stars: Unique and Fun (by DJNY)

DJNY — Sat, 13 Mar 2004 01:00:00 GMT

Delicious food and fun ambience. take heed because the protions are HUGE - definitely shareable - though very reasonably priced. The signature blue margarita was delicious, the staff was great - I can't wait to try brunch!

5 Stars: A perfect upscale-but-casual place! (by soma_foodie)

soma_foodie — Fri, 12 Mar 2004 01:00:00 GMT

We were visiting from San Francisco, and not wanting to go to the generic, touristy restaurants. Agave proved to be a fabulous starter to our NYC vacation! The hostess was very accommodating-we had arrived early for our reservation and she seated us right away-and the waitstaff was friendly. The fresh guac, calamani cracklins and Beef Machaca Enchiladas are a CAN'T MISS!! Lobster quesadilla and Sopapillas were good but not great, but everything else we tried was superb. Food was served very promptly, but our wait for drinks was surprisingly long. Overall, though, we'll definitely be back - great little grotto atmostphere and a good-looking, diverse crowd.

5 Stars: Excellent Experience (by oneilm)

oneilm — Mon, 01 Mar 2004 01:00:00 GMT

Eight of us went to Agave for a birthday celebration. All of us were late as usual! They saved our table, were understanding, and the host made us feel comfortable and took care of us immediately. The food was incredible... we ordered Apps and quesadillas and shared which was the perfect amount of food. The drinks were creative and well-priced. The waitstaff was great, especially the bus people who kept things moving and made sure that dishes were removed quickly once done. Overall, one of the most pleasant dining experiences I've had in NY with a group!

4 Stars: Delicious and Cozy (by funblondiee)

funblondiee — Wed, 18 Feb 2004 01:00:00 GMT

This place has delicious food and margaritas. The grilled asparagus and sauted spinach as sides were amazing. We had the mahi-mahi and lobster soft tacos, which were very tasty and plentiful. The wait staff is very attentive, refilling water, checking on your chips/dips to be refilled. Very polite. One drawback is that you are sitting on top of the person next to you, so your conversation is not quiet. The people next to us were eating the salmon and the ribs and they said they were both delicious, they had empty plates to they must have been good!

5 Stars: Perfect Choice (by theitman)

theitman — Sat, 14 Feb 2004 01:00:00 GMT

I'm a NYC teacher and I brought my friend to Agave to celebrate her birthday. Excellent choice! Great food, HUGE incredible margaritas and the friendliest service--- especially Mark, who has us laughing all night! Definitely recommend!

5 Stars: great find (by deekay)

deekay — Wed, 14 Jan 2004 01:00:00 GMT

Service , food and drinks were all great. I suggest trying the lobster and corn tacos. Ritas were a bit small but otherwise a fine meal at a fine price. Will certainly go back again.

5 Stars: dol3456 (by dol3456)

dol3456 — Sat, 06 Dec 2003 01:00:00 GMT

Agave is the best deal in town. Dinner with 7 friends turned out to be the most enjoyable night we had in long time. The food is the star but the ambiance and service are an equal match. Three courses and many varieties of potent margaritas later we were pleasantly surprised to realize it would be a most affordable evening as well as enjoyable one. Kudos to AGAVE. Be back next week.

3 Stars: THE HOST SETS THE TONE (by potus8)

potus8 — Mon, 24 Nov 2003 01:00:00 GMT

We were a party of 8 for a Saturday. I must say that while our server was very helpful and friendly the host should consider a new career. There is a good way and a bad way to treat your customers when you do not have their reservations ready for 30 minutes. He chose the latter. I must admit, it set the tone. As for the food, it was fine...if a bit average. Basic southwestern fare that is found at many places in the city. For the true Mexican fans, I must recommend (if you are adventurous) to venture into Sunset Park, Brooklyn. I mean, at least the hosts dance with you there!!!

4 Stars: awesome pear margaritas! (by ahiatus)

ahiatus — Fri, 21 Nov 2003 01:00:00 GMT

the food and space are both great. it's a big restaurant so you don't feel like you're on top of people. the portions are pretty big - so appetizers and drinks are great if you're eating out on a budget.

5 Stars: great food!! (by woodyweho)

woodyweho — Mon, 27 Oct 2003 01:00:00 GMT

Agave has the most authentic southwestern food I've ever tasted! Lobster and corn tacos-yum yum! The margeritas are so delicious I couldn't stop. Who would've thought that fresh prickly pear juice is sooooo good? Did I mention the food? I can't wait to go back and try something else. If you're looking for something way better than your average Mexican food- This is the place!

5 Stars: Excellent Food (by prairiedog)

prairiedog — Sat, 25 Oct 2003 02:00:00 GMT

The Blue Corn Enchiladas were very tasty. Very generous portions.

5 Stars: Agave is great (by dtgnyc)

dtgnyc — Sat, 18 Oct 2003 02:00:00 GMT

Went this past Friday night and all I can say is that Agave knows how to treat their customers. We were seated quickly at a great table and our waitress was incredibly friendly and helpful about the menu. The food was some of the best Southwestern food I've ever had and everyone with me agreed that the food was primo. I think the drinks might be a little weak, but then again I just might have a drinking problem (kidding). I will be back again and if they're as good as this last time, I'll become a regular. Just great!

4 Stars: Brunch (by katiewest)

katiewest — Tue, 14 Oct 2003 02:00:00 GMT

This is one of the best brunches for your money. The food is incredible and the chips and dip they give you is a great beginner without being overwhelming. I will go back again and again.

4 Stars: The Lone Wolf Howls... (by flipcityboy)

flipcityboy — Thu, 02 Oct 2003 02:00:00 GMT

Good Southwestern Food! The place had a visual punch in the ambiance department and surprised everyone in my party for dinner last Monday. Service was prompt and attentive. Peach Margarita was recommended but it was the watery kind and didn't care much for it. The food was a success as great raves were had for the grilled corn and Maine Lobster enchilada. I had the Black Angus filet and the sauce went well. For desert my molten Lava cake melted me into submission. We were all happy in the candlelit cocoon of this place and the food hit the spot. A real gem on Seventh Ave. row.

4 Stars: Good food, good times, mediocre service (by blackman34)

blackman34 — Tue, 09 Sep 2003 02:00:00 GMT

I had a reservation for 12 for my birthday. They were very courteous to us, especially considering that it took over an hour for all to arrive. The food was great and reasonably priced, but the service was pretty bad. We never got some of our (fairly expensive) drinks and they were slow to deliver, but what we did get we thoroughly enjoyed. I'd easily go again. It also got pretty loud but then again, so did we!

5 Stars: this place is the best (by missamiam)

missamiam — Sun, 07 Sep 2003 02:00:00 GMT

get a drink at the bar or sit down for dinner. My boyfriend and i love this place the food is great and the drinks are the best. the staff are friendly...

4 Stars: Good for a date (by Jason)

Jason — Mon, 18 Aug 2003 02:00:00 GMT

Great dining experience if you are on a casual date. The service was prompt, the drinks were cold and the food was relatively good and inexpensive. The serving portions of salse to start your meal are extremely small (more salsa por favor).

5 Stars: WOW! (by trevtnyc)

trevtnyc — Wed, 06 Aug 2003 02:00:00 GMT

This location has changed at least 3 times and has been the site of 3 of my favorite places to eat in NYC! The fourth certainly does not disapoint! Wonderful drinks, some of the best and innovative Southwestern/Mexican dishes I have ever tasted and great friendly service! All this in a beautiful relaxed setting! What more can you ask for? Thanks, Agave for becoming one of my new favorites! I hope 4 is a charm....I want you guys to stay!

5 Stars: A Must (by ccmaj)

ccmaj — Fri, 01 Aug 2003 02:00:00 GMT

Once again I have to rate this restuarant. I now have sampled their new summer menu and brunch and can safely say it still holds up to my expectations. Tasty new creations for summer and the blue margauritas are the buisness. Sitting outside (weather permitting) or in the atrium maintains the cosy ambience of the plase and the staff remain as friendly as ever. I highly recommend AGAVE for a night with your friends or with that special someone!!!

5 Stars: South by SouthWest Nite (by markx)

markx — Thu, 31 Jul 2003 02:00:00 GMT

4 shots of tequila and food to boot.
Still hungover and full.
Tequila guys did a nice job but could have done with a microphone.

5 Stars: We Love Agave! (by lafille)

lafille — Fri, 11 Jul 2003 02:00:00 GMT

Stumbled onto Agave on a craving for an outdoor spot with guac and beer... and found a gem! Agave is very well decorated, hip but not hipper than thou, classy but casual, great food, well-priced Stellas are a huge bonus! Nice outdoor seating. Waitress was a little spacey, but forgiven as we had an unexpectedly great time! I have recommended it to many friends and none have been disappointed to date.

5 Stars: First Agave Experince (by aspiringamazon)

aspiringamazon — Thu, 03 Jul 2003 02:00:00 GMT

I visited Agave for the first time last Friday after a stressful day at work and home. The ambiance was lovely and the staff very corteous. The Tuna appetizer was wonderful and the carne asada tacos, to die for!!! The passion drink was soothing. Definitely a lady drink. I will return soon.

5 Stars: Great Fun (by JerryP)

JerryP — Sun, 22 Jun 2003 02:00:00 GMT

What a great restaurant I came across this weekend. Done in Southwestern decor it looks great. First we walked in and were greeted by the friendliest guy, who we found out was their manager. We couldn't decide if we wanted to sit outside in the cafe or inside. We sat inside and had the greatest Blue Frozen Margaritas. Followed by really great food. The crowd was also fun so the whole experience was fantastic. Go as soon as you can.

2 Stars: worst service we've ever had (by mooncat)

mooncat — Sat, 14 Jun 2003 02:00:00 GMT

First, the good news. Absolutely great food. Now,the rest. Snotty, obnoxious manager made us wait even though tables were available. The waiter disappeared after the main course. We asked the manager for help, he blew us off. Drinks were priced at 9, showed up as ten. Why "Oh, you ordered them straight up. That's extra alcohol." I say it's extra chutzpah. Maybe success has gone to their heads.

5 Stars: West Villager (by WestVillager)

WestVillager — Thu, 22 May 2003 02:00:00 GMT

I recently broke my leg and was looking for someplace in the neighborhood. Lucky, for me I stumbled into Agave. I had the avocado salad and Tuna as my entree. The food was fab!!!!. The drinks were fun and the service right on mark. I'm happy I have a place to stumble back into.

4 Stars: Pleasant surprise (by rfrukhtman)

rfrukhtman — Sat, 17 May 2003 02:00:00 GMT

Went there last night for a birthday celebration and was pleasantly surprised. The food was really good.The blue corn enchilada and ahi tuna were really good. We waited a while for the entrees to come, that was the only negative thing.

5 Stars: What fun! (by FABULOUS)

FABULOUS — Sun, 04 May 2003 02:00:00 GMT

I went to Agave the other night with a bunch of friends for a birthday. We came in out of the rain and surprisingly, the bar area was full. I thought everyone would be home!

Anyway, we were seated quickly and given a nice option of tables. What a pretty dining room. Who would've thought? Our waiter was really nice and helped us through with all of our questions.

The food came and was great. We had such a nice time and didn't loose our paychecks paying the bill.
We've already discussed when to go back. Nice staff, great food, good service. Thank God.

1 Stars: Unacceptable to wait an HOUR for food! (by GreekGddss)

GreekGddss — Fri, 02 May 2003 02:00:00 GMT

I was very excited about going to Agave for lunch after a friend had gone for dinner and highly recommended it. Well, my 3 friends and I were soon disappointed by the terrible, slow service. You would think that if the kitchen is running behind or something, they would offer patrons a drink on the house or dessert. They brought us one teacup sized bowl of chips for the 4 of us, which disappeared within minutes, and didn't replenish our chips until an hour later--after we finally got our food and after we asked them for some more chips 2 TIMES! The waiter couldn't care less that we had to wait so long for everything. So, in turn, we left him a minimal tip--I don't think he deserved one at all. I doubt I'll be going back. The food was good, but it's not worth the wait--or the lousy service.

4 Stars: Good food, nice place (by 56thst)

56thst — Sat, 26 Apr 2003 02:00:00 GMT

My husband and I brought out of town friends to Agave lastnight and we all enjoyed our meals very much. We ordered guacamole and calamari for apps, both were tasty. I had the shepards pie made with their delicious chili and mac & cheese, the others ordered salmon, swordfish tacos, and a chicken dish. We all had a taste of each and agreed that every dish was great. The prickly pear margaritas were wonderful and the large enough to share creme brulee was heavenly. We were happy with the service and the decor was understated and tasteful.

2 Stars: Just OK (by yellow99)

yellow99 — Mon, 31 Mar 2003 01:00:00 GMT

I was very excited going to Agave, but was a little disappointed. The interior is a little bland. The food is good but it is what it is and for that, I think it could be less expensive. The presentation of the food is definitely more distinct than in other places of that cuisine. But the taste really isnt. The service was very attentive and friendly.

5 Stars: A Gift Worth Winning (by Anne_Morrison)

Anne_Morrison — Fri, 28 Mar 2003 01:00:00 GMT

My husband recently won dinner for two to Agave at a Jr. Diabetes Charity Dinner. At first I though, "eh, we'll see." We tend to eat out more in mid-town. What an unexpected treat! First of all, the place was beautiful - simple and elegant yet not formal. My husband had the Chili and Enchiladas - very good. I had the Guac and Chicken Quesadillas - excellent. I don't know what I had expected, but I certainly did not expect what we got. The food was flavorful, hot and presented beautifully. Our waiter was very polite and knowledgeable and he suggested this great bottle of wine, a Malbec, that I had never heard of before. And even though we weren't paying for it, the prices were very resonable - great for a group. Anyway, I thougt it was a find and just wanted to spread the word.

5 Stars: An Oasis in the Village (by woogie11)

woogie11 — Wed, 26 Mar 2003 01:00:00 GMT

Atmosphere - warm & inviting. Service on top w/o being overbearing. Food was fresh and flavorful - recommend the cerviche! Highly recommended, going again for a perfect night of great food and the jazz scene of the legendary Village Vanguard nearby....

5 Stars: Home away from home (by jblnyc)

jblnyc — Sat, 22 Mar 2003 01:00:00 GMT

It's so nice to enter a restaurant and be welcomed with a smile and the aroma of somethin' amazing going on in the kitchen. After being seated promptly into the cozy adobe-like dining room,
complimentary chips, salsa, olives, and a delicious bean (?) dip arrived. We washed it all down with margaritas (the Agave was tangy and refreshing, and the Prickly Pear was surprisingly sweet and better than any frozen one, hands down). Appetizers such as the superb guacamole, crab and mole dumplings, and mushroom soft tacos kept us begging for more. As for the entrees, the blue corn and chicken enchiladas with mole were smoky and delicious. Swordfish soft tacos were fresh, light, and excellent. We rounded out the meal with the Mexican vanilla creme brulee--also a treat. Having grown up in New Mexico and Texas, I have to say that Agave reminds me of home...I'll definitely be back.

5 Stars: Agave colored dream (by jodilove)

jodilove — Sun, 16 Mar 2003 01:00:00 GMT

On the recomendation of a friendly villager who frequents Agave I made my first trip on thursday night. They had said that the ambiance had changed slightly with new management but the food and staff has always made time at Agave well spent. The swordfish tacos along with some delightful ceviche, and throw in some Heavenly sort of mango dessert, made for a touch of nirvana. I must admit I was on a date, but was much more interested in the coziness, the music, margaritas and our lovely server named Melissa. The bankhead seating is a little tough on the back but overall, the experience was like a breath of fresh air. (maybe a little more spice in the chowder?)
I will see the adobe walls at Agave again soon!
Jodi

5 Stars: Delightful and delicious! (by newyork22)

newyork22 — Fri, 14 Mar 2003 01:00:00 GMT

As soon as I entered Agave, I was taken by the warm lighting and the authentic, southwestern decor. The staff was very welcoming, and provided fast, and friendly service. The guacamoli was great! It was so fresh. The stuffed porkchops were unbelieveably good! With the warm apples and walnuts, it was a such a fulfilling dish. Agave is great for all ages, and has great prices!

1 Stars: 1 STAR WAS GENEROUS (by owilliams)

owilliams — Thu, 13 Mar 2003 01:00:00 GMT

Had dinner at Agave Tuesday night - just before the NYT gave them ONE star. Agave has a gaurdian angel, one star was more than gererous . . . thank god there were cocktails to appease the headache of a menu and the series of bland and confused dishes that consistently fell short of yum!

3 Stars: not as good as reviews (by inimeg81)

inimeg81 — Tue, 11 Mar 2003 01:00:00 GMT

although it's visually pleasing in an intimate setting, i was not impressed with the food. I was expecting incredible and unique dishes from the reviews I read but was disappointed with the actual taste. With a waitress recommendation, I tried the duck quesadilla flavored with mexican seasoning, but it tasted just like a Taco Bell. My husband had a steak, which he considered just average. However, the service and ambiance was enjoyable.

I suppose I am spoiled, though, since I am from San Diego and just 20 miles from the mexican border. However, the "southwestern" food is not outstanding.

5 Stars: A breath of fresh air (by kstik)

kstik — Sun, 09 Mar 2003 01:00:00 GMT

I recently had my first experience with this restaurant and I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. I ordered the cinnamon, brioche french toast (Sunday brunch) - delightfully rich and sensuous - I would definitely recommend. The most remarkable trait of the place however was the service - warm, friendly and very attentive. ;-)

4 Stars: southwestern village (by alacutin)

alacutin — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 01:00:00 GMT

good fingerfood, some inexpensive and expensive dishes, the food was well seasoned and hood tating margaritas

5 Stars: Excellent (by noreenmcm)

noreenmcm — Mon, 03 Mar 2003 01:00:00 GMT

Excellent restaurant. The food is excellent and the servings are a good size. The decor is beautiful and the service is knowledgable and good. The drinks are great. The brunch is fun and lively. I have been back three times and will make it a regular spot.

5 Stars: Southwestern Jewel (by dunmore)

dunmore — Thu, 13 Feb 2003 01:00:00 GMT

This is a very pleasant transition from 7th Ave to the warm, vibrant SW. The restaurant embodies romance and history with beautiful clean lines and Indian artifacts, reminiscent of a small museum. The food is exquisite. And keep your finger on your selection until you give your order or you will lose it among the variety and lavish descriptions of other items on the menu. The culinary presentation is first-rate and the service is helpful and friendly! Not to be missed and it will be an adventure to make your way thru all the enticing items on the menu.

5 Stars: The Way Southwest Should Be (by applefoodgal)

applefoodgal — Fri, 17 Jan 2003 01:00:00 GMT

A wonderful addition to the West Village scene! I never realized I'd enjoy a Southwestern restaurant this much, but everything- from a fun, exciting menu to the beautiful candle-lighting and decor- lets me know I'll be returning soon. There were so many interesting dishes on the menu, we ended up ordering a whole bunch and sharing (try the Shortribs). We came as a group, but it would also make a great date restaurant, with plenty of romance in the air. Noticed some comments about the service, but we had no complaints, the staff was friendly and attentive. The outside is a little disconcerting, though. All in all, one of the best nights out I've had in a while, and at a really great price.

4 Stars: A visit to New Mexico on 7th Ave. (by restaurantdude)

restaurantdude — Tue, 26 Nov 2002 01:00:00 GMT

New Southwestern restaurant in the village is excellent. Complete re-do of the previous incarnations in a space on 7th ave just below Charles St. takes one to the adobe places of Sante Fe. The Bar upfront at the entrance is large and comphotable with what seems to be a legit smoking section. The food is authentic southwestern with a great posole stew and some terrific, hearty entres.
Had the rib eye steak which rocked! Wine List looked well balenced(did not partake). The service needs some work but everyone was trying hard.