Agave labels itself as “eclectic southwestern,” and the description can apply to both the restaurant itself and the menu. Agave is in Cabbagetown across the street from the famed Oakland Cemetery. The restaurant’s interior is cozy-warm stucco walls, Native American art, and some lovely brick fireplaces provide a great atmosphere, and the dim lighting gives the restaurant a romantic vibe. We opted to sit outside on the small patio, which was perhaps a bit cramped, but the atmosphere from the interior spilled onto the patio, and the large brick fireplace gave us a nice view.

Our service was very good, and our waiter was happy to help us with the menus and recommendations. We ordered a cocktail before dinner, which we enjoyed very much. While Agave is known for its small plates, we opted to order entrees. All of the food at Agave is made with fresh ingredients and has a southwestern flair, although some dishes are very loosely based on southwestern cuisine, while others are more traditional. We ordered enchiladas and lime and garlic marinated flatiron steak, both of which were excellent. The portions were the perfect size, and each bite was savory and flavorful. The food fit well with the cozy, intimate atmosphere of the restaurant, so we felt we had a very nice experience during our night out. We enjoy trying new places, but Agave is a restaurant we would like to return to, which should illustrate just how highly we rated it.