 Los
Agaves Mexican Grill
An Aspiring Gourmet Mexican Restaurant
I am often asked how the proportions are applied when
reviewing a restaurant. As Zagat’s correctly makes clear there are
essentially the three elements of food, service and ambience. It is true
that all three must be considered but it is wrong to apply strict weights
such as food 60%; ambience 20%; service 20%. A flexible approach should be
taken depending upon what are the basic expectations. You will
understand why by the end of the article.
Some of my most wonderful overall dining experiences,
have been in Chinese restaurants in the Monterey Park area. Often, one might
give zero scores for both ambience and service. In fact, in many of
these cases the lack of service and ambience often adds interest and
adventure. It is also true in many other ethnic restaurants where ambience
and service can be all over the place and goes with the territory.
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These thoughts went through my mind as we recently
visited the latest Conejo Mexican food entry, Los Agaves. Certainly
the new owners have to be given a great deal of credit for optimism. Their
location in a strip mall just West of the Civic Arts Plaza has previously
had a parade of failed and now nameless food providers. Further, an Oak Park
eatery with Agave (The cactus plant from which Tequila is fermented) as part of its name had
quickly folded in the old Cap'n Jacks location about 6 months
earlier. Talk about courage.
Well, when you enter Los Agaves, you can understand
where the courage came from. You are immediately and amiably greeted by
two of the owners, the Alejandro and Alfredo Aquilera brothers. They looked as if they
had just flown in from
Lambeau Field after losing to the Vikings, perhaps playing left and right
offensive tackle for the 2004 Packers. You will also understand the impact
on portion size..
We were quickly seated and ordered the obligatory
Margaritas. I asked for a Mojito but was told they didn’t have the necessary
mint. We were then offered a very extensive and varied menu. It was also
optimistically titled
“Gourmet Mexican Food”.
Intrigued, we asked one of the brothers how they
started Los Agaves. He told us that they were previously both plumbers
(anyone who has had a recent plumbing problem would know immediately from
where the financing came). They had tired of their occupation, hired a
chef from Don Cuco's of Simi and took the plunge with their partner
Jorge Amescal, owner of the next door Rhineland bakery and
deli. Amescal apparently provided the expertise. The brothers supplied the
courage.
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These Three Caballeros Clearly Know Their Mexican Food |
The wide-open room has a clean and pleasant look with just the
right amount of Mexican ambience rather than the overkill one
usually faces. Good score. There is a dining and drinking bar in the
right corner with an impressive selection of Tequilas. One of the
brothers acts as the bartender. |
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The menu in fact, does live up to its
ambitious title. While it offers the basic. tacos,
burritos, enchiladas and carne asadas, there are many special
plates featuring the food of various regions of Mexico (and other
countries) such as an Enchilada Suiza ($11;95), Salmon
Yucatan ($15) Chicken Milanesa ($10.95- I think that is really
Italian) and Paella Mexican ($17.95- from Spain?). Then there are
The Fajitas A La Parrilla ($13.95-16.95 from the Grill.
There are over 40 main course choices. Again, more courage is
shown.
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Two Regular Diners and La Guapita |
Our Margaritas were delicious. You could certainly
taste the Tequila. My wife ordered a cup of Tortilla soup and I ordered
Albondigas soup ($2.95 each). I hadn’t tasted it in years. They both were
excellent. She followed with her favorite, Chile Relleno and I ordered
the special regional Pollo Agaves Al Pobil ($12.95) which is Mayan Achiote rubbed
chicken and served with special beans.
As we waited for those second courses, we were impressed with
the portions being served. They were all Green Bay Packer sized. Service
was somewhat harried as there was only one waiter and one bus girl serving
about 7 or 8 tables. One of the brothers had disappeared into the
kitchen and the other was
interested in talking to the patrons at the bar.
My wife’s Chile Relleno came with the traditional rice
and refried beans. It was not a remarkable take on that ubiquitous dish.
My chicken looked
like a small turkey half. It was excellent but I still had ½ left to take
home for lunch the next day. The special beans were great. They forgot the
rice on my plate. But that was in fact a calorie blessing.
Thus, we passed on the desserts. They include Arroz
con Leche, Flan, Apple Burrito ( a specialty) and Pastel De Tres
Leches . All are $3.95
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It took a while to get the bill. There were two
errors. It then took another period of time to correct the bill since the
waiter seemed unsure and received no assistance from the owner behind the bar.
Both the waiter and the busgirl were pleasant,
were trying hard but clearly could have used some more training
as well as assistance. during a busy time.
The next day at lunch, the two different and
very cheerful servers pictured at the right clearly seemed to know
what they were doing and all the diners appeared happy.
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They
Serve a Serious Margarita at Los Agaves |
This above experience reinforces my approach
which is to wait a couple of months before reviewing a new restaurant. It
takes time to settle in. And an early review is not fair to my readers or
the restaurant.
The extensive and ambitious menu certainly deserves a second chance. But right now Los Agave is
still a
work in progress at all levels. It could be a welcome addition to the ethnic food scene
if the on-site but still inexperienced management recognizes how much effort
and time is required to run a small but
active restaurant.
But thus those supposedly meaningful scores that
Zagat's collects in a popularity contest seem less than realistic in most
cases. They are easily swayed by ballot stuffing and amateur sources.
Stick to FrankAboutFood.com for dining information that aids you in making
an intelligent decision.
Los Agave is open 11 AM to 10 PM Monday- Friday and
opens at 7 AM Saturday and Sunday for classical Mexican Breakfasts
than offer Chorizo, Huevos Ranchero and an Azteca Omelette, . all served
with Choripapas ($6.95-7.95)
Try it and give us your feedback .
Los Agaves Mexican Grill
3250 East Thousand Oaks Blvd. Thousand Oaks
805) 777-7532
Easy Strip Mall Parking Most Credit Cards
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