Although I have categorized this article as a restaurant review, I have to admit that it isn’t a full review.  Yes, my husband and I have been to Agave in both Portsmouth, NH, and Newburyport, MA, but we ordered the same dish and same drinks at each visit.  However, and this is a big however, that dish and those drinks are well worth a review of their own.

We made our first visit to the Portsmouth location, Agave Mexican Bistro Dos, last July.  Enjoying a couple’s weekend in this coastal city, we spent Saturday evening strolling the downtown.  We discovered Agave accidentally but were very grateful that we did.  Seated at a barside table, we ordered the Queso Fundido and two margaritas on the rocks with salt.

Our second visit was this past weekend in Newburyport, to the original Agave Mexican Bistro.  Spending a warmish (as in 40 degrees) winter afternoon shopping, we decided to stop here for some sustenance.  Again we ordered the Queso Fundido and two margaritas on the rocks with salt.

While we sampled only this appetizer, the Queso Fundido alone is worthy of a review.  Described on their menu as: sizzling Chihuahua cheese and Mexican chorizo cooked in a traditional lava stone, served with fresh flour tortillas, this appetizer is both filling and delicious.

Knowing that it is served in a lava stone, you would assume that it is hot.  Well, it actually arrives at your table while it is bubbling.  Using a fork or spoon to scoop a serving of the queso, the cheese stretches with a wonderful gooey-ness.  The combination of hot, melted cheese and flavorful chorizo is just perfect.  In fact, my husband and I have been searching for a lava stone, so that we can make this dish at home.

The margaritas served at Agave are also top notch.  Too many restaurants serve syrupy concoctions that taste like they were poured straight out of a bottle, no mixing required.  That is not the case at Agave.  Both times we stuck with simple orders of House Margaritas, and both times were pleased with our beverages.  Made with Sauza Gold Tequila, Grand Marnier, and their house margarita mix, they have the perfect combination of sweetness, citrus, and tequila.

If you’re looking for a winning combination of cold drink and hot appetizer, you really should give either of the Agaves a try.