Agave

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.

Pros: food, margaritas, atmosphere

Cons: close tables

Posted 02/02/06

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

Pros: food, Drinks, Price

Posted 01/31/06

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.

Pros: fresh fruit margarita

Cons: ignored reservations

Posted 01/28/06

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.

Pros: Delicious food, Cool ambiance, Prompt service

Cons: Overpriced, Small margaritas

Posted 01/24/06

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

Posted 01/03/06

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.

Pros: None

Cons: All

Posted 12/25/05

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.

Posted 11/28/05

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!

Posted 11/13/05

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

Pros: Food, Decoration, Margaritas

Cons: Subway below, Tight quarters, Small table

Posted 10/27/05

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.

Pros: food, service, margaritas

Posted 09/11/05

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.

Pros: great food, nice atmosphere, yummy drinks

Cons: a little pricey

Posted 08/28/05

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!

Cons: Horrible service, TOO PRICEY!, No choices in menu

Posted 08/22/05

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.

Posted 07/28/05

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.

Posted 07/24/05

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.

Posted 07/14/05

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.

Posted 05/22/05

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.

Pros: food, atmosphere, staff

Posted 05/06/05

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.

Posted 05/05/05

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.

Posted 05/05/05

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.

Pros: Food, Margaritas, Ambiance

Posted 04/26/05

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.

Pros: Perfect Ambiance, Extremely Hospitable, Excellent Food

Posted 04/26/05

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?

Pros: not expensive

Posted 04/19/05

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.

Pros: Tasty Food

Cons: Everything Else

Posted 04/18/05

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!

Pros: amazing food, friendly service, fun atmosphere

Posted 04/16/05

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.

Pros: Amazing food, great ambiance, good service

Cons: n/a, n/a, n/a

Posted 04/15/05

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!

Pros: lively, fun, fantastic food

Cons: can't go more often

Posted 04/15/05

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.

Pros: good food, good service

Posted 04/14/05

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.

Pros: big tequila selection, interesting menu

Cons: inattentive service, loud

Posted 04/13/05

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

Posted 04/07/05

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?????

Pros: NONE!

Cons: Bad Service, Slow Seating

Posted 03/31/05

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!

Pros: food, good crowd, great margaritas

Posted 03/20/05

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.

Posted 03/19/05

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.

Cons: loud, crowded

Posted 03/10/05

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

Posted 03/07/05

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!

Pros: margaritas, friendly staff, great food

Cons: cold front room, crowded

Posted 02/25/05

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!

Pros: great food, wonderful staff, interesting decor

Cons: tight seating, a bit loud

Posted 02/21/05

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.

Pros: enjoyable, good food, good ambiance

Posted 02/04/05

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!

Pros: Food, Cheap, Drinks

Cons: Hostess, Waiter a little pushy

Posted 01/26/05

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.

Posted 01/17/05

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!

Pros: friendly, fun, great drinks

Posted 12/17/04

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.

Pros: food, service, value

Posted 11/14/04

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.

Pros: Margarita

Cons: , Long wait for service, Cramped seating

Posted 11/06/04

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.

Pros: Very fresh food, Excellent staff, You can reserve onlin

Posted 10/11/04

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!!

Pros: great service, huge portions, amazing tequilas

Posted 09/29/04

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.

Pros: great food, service, generous portions, parking available

Posted 08/27/04

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!

Pros: friendly staff, good prices

Posted 08/16/04

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.

Pros: Best Service, Great Food, Convenient to Subway

Posted 07/24/04

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.

Pros: food, ambiance, service and now a private dinning room

Cons: has been discovered

Posted 07/03/04

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!

Pros: Reasonable, friendly

Posted 06/23/04

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.

Pros: fabulous drinks, divine cusine, relaxing ambiance

Posted 06/17/04