2/410 Crown Street, Surry Hills, Sydney
02 9326 9072
Agave is an authentic Mexican restaurant that opened its doors on Surry Hill’s bustling Crown Street mid-2009. Owned by Gerardo J Macip-Lanzagorta, a born-and-bred Mexican, Agave is strictly a sour-cream free zone. “Authentic Mexican isn’t about nachos and burritos – that’s a Tex-Mex myth,” Macip-Lanzagorta explains. “Spices should be monitored and flavours should be controlled for the true Mexican eating experience. Think fresh coriander, juicy limes and oodles of different chilies.”
Gerardo’s aim is: “To show Sydney that traditionally our food is fresh and the flavours are subtle – it doesn’t have to always be mouth-numbingly spicy!”
Expect dishes dishes like the Pulpos al Ajillo, pan fried octopus with garlic, onion and guajillo chili, and the pork blade and nopales cactus cooked in a tomatillo salsa, known as Puerco en Salsa Verde. Gerardo affirms that Agave’s mark Sydney’s first true foray into the little-known territory of authentic Mexican cuisine.
Naturally, Agave offers an extensive range quality Tequila to wash it all down with – and they’re all 100% agave of course. Or choose from the funky cocktail list that features classic mixes with a Mexican twist – like the Tequila, strawberry and chocolate concoction that makes up the ‘Teotihuacan’. The three shot special – the ‘Mexican Flag’ – is also a crowd favourite: a shot of lime juice is followed by a shot of Tequila to make up the green and white stripes, and finished up with a dash of red Sangrita to complete the flag.