A return to Agave

My boy and I made an impromptu Friday evening appearance at Agave for dinner last week, and as we walked in we both thought "we used to come here all the time...I wonder why we haven't been here in so long?"

I'm guessing his thought process ended there. My brain, of course, tagged on "well, because we *used to* be dating and now we've been married for 3 years. meh."

Anyway, surprisingly little has changed at Agave since the last time we ate there which is probably 3 years ago. The space is really lovely -- they do Southwestern decor without making me feel like I'm in the gift shop at the Alamo. The service is top-notch. They were busy, but not busy enough to scoff at our no-reservation-having selves. Our waiter was enthusiastic about the food and made great recommendations. I even heard him telling a woman at a table near us when she asked his opinion of her two top picks to steer clear of a dish that I sampled a couple years ago and didn't really enjoy (the enchiladas--the smoked chicken just doesn't work for me). I appreciate that.

And, so the food. Their margaritas really are that good. We went for the traditional, and the boy added the optional $0.50 splash of Grand Marnier that the server offered. It was good both ways. Even their cheapest margaritas taste like well mixed cocktails -- no powdered limeade in these suckers, folks. And there is definitely tequila in there (another pet peeve of mine).

Their chips and salsa are among the best in the city -- the chips, a mixture of white and blue corn, are fried fresh, but not too greasy, and the salsa is fresh and well balanced with a little spice (they could kick it up a notch to suit me, but I understand that I do live in Georgia).

The boy had the burrito and stew, and I had the pork chop special -- both were good, and I felt that the blue cheese grits that came with my dish were exceptional. Apparently, they prepare these with different specials relatively frequently, so if you hear "blue cheese grits" come out of your server's mouth, order it. You won't be disappointed.

From prior visits, I can also recommend their fried chicken and the shrimp and grits dish.

I am a huge fan of Mexican food, but this isn't Mexican food. It is, however, good solid southwest-inspired American. Nothing terribly adventurous, but Agave will always be a really lovely dining experience.

Oh, and get on their e-mail list. They send out a monthly message that always has really great discounts -- usually $10 entrees any evening when you are seated between 5 and 6 and 20% off your entire bill Sunday through Thursday. Definitely worth it!

Swimming up stream

Upon request, I am sharing this light, healthy delicious recipe for Salmon pate. It tastes really luxurious, but it not bad for you at all!

Serve with crackers, bread, or assorted vegetables.

1 can salmon, bones and skin removed
OR a nice piece of fresh steamed and chilled (no bones/skin)

Ultimately either = 2 cups of flaked salmon
8oz reduced fat cream cheese or neuchatal
1 tb chopped onion
1 tb lemon juice
1 tsp prepared horseradish
1/4 tsp liquid smoke

Mix all of the ingrediants together and form a ball. Chill for at least an hour.

Serves 16.

Note: The boy and I ate off this for about a week. We had it with other bits for dinner one night. I had some for breakfast on toast one day and then some on toast for lunch. The boy had some for lunch as well. Then we shared the last of it with some friends who finished it up and asked for the recipe. It was very flexible even if you are not making it for a party...

Hi-YA Keen-Wa!

Okay, that was a lame title...what I am really excited about is Quinoa (Keen-wa). I have had it a few times in a green tea reduction at R. Thomas...I really loved it. And picked some up at the Dekalb farmers market, but never got around to cooking it. Well I finally did this week, and 100% of taste testers agree it is a wonderful addition to our diets and palates.

Though it looks like a grain and acts like a grain, it is actually not a grain. It is the botanical fruit from a plant in the goosefoot family. This stuff is lighter than rice and pasta, has huge amounts of protein, a lower sodium content and is higher in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, manganese, and zinc than wheat, barley, or corn. Some call it vegetable caviar, to the Incas it was the food of choice...

The first recipe I made was really simple, basically:

Quinoa Risotto

1/2 onion chopped
2-3 clove garlic, minced
1 tb olive oil
1 cup Quinoa rinsed three times in fresh water
1 cup water
1 cup fat free half and half or soy milk
1 cube bouillon either veggie or chix
1 cup parmesan or veggie version

Saute first three for a couple minutes on med heat.
Add Quinoa and saute about 1 minute.
Add milk, water, boullion and bring to a light boil.
Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
Remove lid. Fluff with fork and let sit for a minute to dry out a bit.
Gently toss with Parmesan.
Gently toss in mouth.

The other version I made yesterday was just boullion, h20 and quinoa and it was wtill awesome. No need for any butter, salt or anything.

My Heart Hurts

There is a Simpsons episode where Homer demands that Bart "butter his bacon", and Bart replies "But Dad, my heart hurts." This is how the boy and I felt last night when we had a most wonderful thing: the East Atlanta Gravity Pub's "The Mullligan".

We had been healthy all week and decided with whimsical glee to undo it all with a visit to the Gravity Pub. After several beers, a couple shots of jack and some video crack, we tucked into an all beef hot dog wrapped in cheddar cheese, wrapped in 1/4# ground beef, deep fried, laid gently on a hoagie roll and then topped with chili and cheese. Oh and we had some french fries and tater tots too.

Gawd it was so good. And my tummy doesn't hurt this morning, but we did decide to skip breakfast and wait till lunch still we are still full. The most suprising thing was our ability to play Dance Dance Revolution after consuming that beast till almost 1 am. Amazing the versatility of our bodies...Maybe the DDR reversed the damage of the beast, but I doubt it.

I Love Sunflowers

I've eaten at Cafe Sunflower in Sandy Springs several times, and it has always been wonderful.

The decor is cozy. It kinda reminds me of what I wished I could dress up some of my earliest apartments like, kinda a youthy-arty-bohemian feel. The staff is lovely. Like the staff at R. Thomas...good looking, healthy looking folks. They radiate it. Our waitress recently was just amazing. Of course we embarassed her by telling her. She was also a good waitress.

I was on business, and no one seemed snarky when my friend and I pulled out files and spread them across the booth. I appreciate that...and we did come early so we wouldn't cut their tippage by hogging the table (And I like to tip high if I do this.)

In any case, I had:A lively Berry Zinger hot tea
So nice - I wish more places served more varieties of tea.

A warm zucchini soup
Usually I have had this cold. This was very nice. Creamy, nutty, touched with cilantro. Very very nice.

Tuscan Portobello sandwich - Portobello mushroom, goat cheese, spinach, onions on whole wheat ciabatta...rich, filling,great textures, the softess, nicest bread. The side of sweet potato fries (which I hate) were REALLY good. More like steak fries, thick, which allowed for their flavor to shine, and their richness to be enjoyed...the skinnier versions I usually find fall flat and far from the sensuality of the humble sweet potato. The little salad thingy also on the side was not so hot...but everything else was.

Always a repeater. Always great vegetarian...Try the little box thing in the appetizers as well...that is totally rad and fun! I am pretty sure even non vegetarian and picky meat monger boyfriends would like this place.

To every season...

Turn. Turn. Turn. Everytime I need something light and heathy to eat, I will go to Season's 52.

This was my second time eating here. Both times I was generally impressed with, well, everything, especially for a rather new chain in the ATL area. The service is efficient and not pushy. It is quick and accurate, attentive. The atmosphere is cozy considering it is pretty massive.The food is well priced, flavorful and good for you. The first time I was here I was initially feeling snobby due to the over abundance of aging yet bouyant bosom, very high heel wearing, very blond haircut coiffed and rather tight bodies of the Cougars here, but then I realized the food was so good for you, in order to keep their bodies, they eat here. Well, for once I will take a tip from them, everyone can use some bouyancy as well as some tightness, and here you don't have to sacrifice taste for health.

Truly, it feels like you are indulging. The menu changes every season as well, so there is always a reason to come back. Every item on the menu contains less than 475 calories, and each meal is nutritionally balanced to include the highest quality lean meats and seafood, good carbs and beneficial oils such as extra virgin olive oil.

I had:Edamame w/ Green tea salt - I love soy beans...and this salt was very nice and soft, not as harsh as standard sea.

Wasabi soy salmon salad - This was REALLY nice. I almost cried it was such a perfect salad. It was huge. It was crunchy and sweet and spicy. It had wasabi peas in it. The salmon was moist and not overcooked. The yellow beets that came with it were a sweet and beautiful side note contrasting visually and flavorfully with the main salad. Truly it was a work of art. For a meal salad, and I rarely order them because they always make me sad...this was exceptional. and Yes I ate it all. While my companions coyly packed up "leftovers" I licked the plate clean.

Last time I was here I had a steak and blue cheese flatbread which was also super yum.

I will be back again...

Life's a Beach

Or at least we we hope it is. I mentioned before that belle bleue gave us some cookbooks to sort through. One I picked up was The South Beach Diet Cookbook. Both the cuisine and the people in Miami were delicious when I visited last year, so I figured maybe there is something to this. We will try some of it out.

First recipe was a lentil and chicken soup...it was okay, but not impressive.

Second recipe we tried was a five spice salmon on spinach. We both found it very light and flavorful. The spinach they had us cook in the microwave;this was a new and surprising thing for me...It came out really well! The recipe was quick to make and not complicated either. A keeper, and a repeater.

1 large salmon filet

3 tb lime juice

2 ts olive oil

4 tsp finely chopped ginger

1tsp Chinese five spice powder

1/2 tsp sugar substitute

4-6 c fresh spinach

2 cloves garlic finely chopped or pressed

Marinate the salmon with the five following ingredients in a glass bowl for 30 minutes.

Place the spinach in a 3 qt glass bowl and toss with garlic and 1 tsp olive oil. Cover and microwave for two minutes. Drain and cover to keep warm.

Grill salmon on a well greased indoor or outdoor grill until flaky. 4 minutes if filet, longer for steak.

Place salmon on spinach and serve! I served with some tabouli on the side.

yum!

A Happy New Year in Six Courses

This year we were joined by three other couples to ring in the new year with cream, duck and more...Our six courses began around 8:30 and went till 11:30. Perfect timing for a little pre-countdown fireworks, champagne, and in the boy's case, setting all the fireworks off at once on a table in the backyard.


7:00p Hors d'oeuvres

More cheeses than I can count including an inspiring applewood smoked cheddar, the gooiest goat I have ever had drowned in truffle honey and olives cooked in duck fat, and a triple cream brie that tasted like butta. A Target tapenade and an assortment of lemon and almond stuffed olives rounded out the plate and sadly four of us managed to eat almost all of this prior to the other guests arriving, luckily they had cheese in reserve, including a British favorite that I can not remember the name of, but was good.


8:30 Le Grand Repast

Amuse Bouche - Smoked salmon steak, creme fraiche with meyer lemon peel and chives


First Course - Fried veal stuffed olives


Second Course - Garlic fennel soup with homemade bread

Third course - Salmon mousse (in an traditional mold!)

Fourth course - Spinach salad with pear and gorgonzola


Main course - Cassoulet: French white bean, duck and sausage stew with mashed potatoes


Dessert - Tarte Tatin with homemade cinnamon ice cream and carmelized bacon



I can't really comment individually because it was all perfect. Everyone's courses were lovingly prepared and shared.

I am truly blessed to have such gifted cooks for friends!The portions were wonderful, I didn't even get full, and no one had a hangover! However the dessert was taken by folks at random times...some of us, not till breakfast the next day!


11:30
Fireworks, champagne

Midnight
Everyone removed their holiday finery and jumped into pajamas. For the next two hours or so, we worked on the champagne and worked off the fat we just consumed by playing "Dance Dance Revolution" a PS2 game that involves dancing on little pads to techno music and following dance steps...I loved it, but whew it was hard!


11:00a
Breakfast is pumpkin roll, cherry orange scones, more bacon!, fruit, coffee, tea, a bizarre mimosa concocted from Cold Duck and Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice and Sausage pinwheels.

Everyone goes around the table remarking on what they were grateful for in 2007, and we all wish each other a wonderful 2008. It truly was a great way to start the year. It ended with yet another bottle of wine being opened and Belle Bleue whipping out about 20 cookbooks for us to rummage through before they went off to Goodwill to make room for her new books. After a dinner like ours, I stuck to the "light" cooking books.

After napping all day with alternatively the boy and the dogs on the couch and then finally getting up, cleaning all the party stuff up, the 400 bottles for recycling and the various guestrooms, we opened one more bottle of red and tucked into some reheated cassoulet. I can only hope 2008 will be this nice (and delicious!) everyday after.