My new but not so often rant

Well, I've been thinking alot on what to do to jump start my writing. I've taken to write poems at the Sunday Acentos Workshops; those are on hiatus for the summer so I am screwed there. So, let me introduce you to my new thing.

I am starting a food critique blog. I figure I eat at many many places so why not share my opinion on the establishment that ripped some money out of my pocket. As usual, the language will be colorful and the opinion truthful. Most likely I will offend someone but I don't tend to care.

So let's start with the latest restaurant

Agave Azul
839 west 181st street
NY 10033-4438 -
(212) 740-5222
(181st and Cabrini, formerly Hispaniola)


So Last night my wife and I decided to try this place. It was the grand opening and I've been coveting a new place in the neighborhood that would make my mouth water at just passing by. I had somewhat high hopes for it but I've kept an open mind.

The restaurant Agave azul was the former Hispaniola that shuttered it's doors a few weeks ago. I didn't cry a drop because once I passed by and it was horribly over priced and the food was mediocre at best.

Upon entering the establishment, it was incredibly disorganized. We were not greeted by anyone at the door and had to walk to the back until I met one of the owner that I recognized. They wanted to sit us downstairs but I jockeyed for a position upstairs on the second floor.

Once we get upstairs the colors were bright and the atmosphere was lively. I always liked restaurants where I could speak in a normal tone and not have to worry about speaking too loud. When we sat down the air conditioning must have been set on "artic" because my lovely wife immediately started rubbing her arms frantically to warm up.

At the first glance at the menu, they had a good array of mexican food. The yhad the enchiladas, fajitas, pollo al carbon and a few other things that made the place look promising. Our waiters were pretty frazzled running around because some of the people at the restaurant were asking for everything under the sun. We tried to be understanding but let's just say our experience almost led me out of the door before I got my food.

I went through the menu and set my eyes on a porkchop a la braza with a special Agave BBQ sauce. My wife had an enchilada stuffed with shrimps with rice and Re fried beans. Now, before all this, we ordered our traditional guacamole. We do this to gauge the quality of the food. There is no set science but let's just say it's is usually spot on.

The only thing that was a horrible turn off to me was the wait time for our food. We stood there waiting 25mins for our appetizer and a fully 2 hours from the moment of entry for our food. I will take into consideration that it was the very first day and they had to work out the kinks but it was jut a little too much.

Once the food came out, I was actually somewhat impressed. I enjoyed eating the porkchop as it was very tender and the sauce was thick, tasty and not overpowering. I swear it tasted a little like a bottle brought bbq sauce but it was tasty no less.

The only thing I had to do with my order was get a side order of rice. I usually eat something on the side and for some reason I figured the jicama wasn't going to do it for me.

I am going to try this place one more time. After that we will come to a better conclusion