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obsessed with Cantina Agave

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mexicanfavor

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Joined: Nov 26, 2008
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Posted: Dec 09, 2008 - 06:39 PM
Post subject: obsessed with Cantina Agave

The wait is over. We've finally found a Mexican restaurant that has satisfied our too-long simmering desires for big hearty burritos, soft fish tacos, chunky guacamole, and a selection of salsa both sharp and subtle. The new Cantina Agave, located on the Fumin side of the new Mansion complex on Changle Lu, has brought the California-style Mexican fare we fell in love with back home to Shanghai, wrapped up in reasonable prices and a much appreciated focus on authenticity.

The first thing that caught our attention when we walked into the restaurant was the salsa bar nestled in the corner. Salsas ranging from the tangy mango and black bean salsa to the bruising salsa de chile arbol were open for the choosing.

Naturally, we ordered the burrito first. both Cantina Agave's burrito mamita and papito, like everything else here, is made from your selection of meat fillings. Beef machaca, carnitas, chorizo and potato, chicken in salsa verde, lengua if you're lucky, and fried baja fish. The mamita (55 RMB) is packed thick with rice, beans, lettuce and onions, but we recommend 5 RMB extra each for the dollop of sour cream and guacamole. The Macho Nachos (60 RMB) are indeed a masculine mound of crispy tortilla chips suffocating under heaps of meat and beans and melted Oaxacan cheese. And the crispy fish taco, recently added to the menu, is a delicious bargain at 20 RMB. The aforementioned salsa bar allows you to mix and match with 8 different sauce types. The machaca and the chicken verde were hearty and delicious; the carnitas will keep you stuffed for what seems like forever.

We aren't going to forget to mention the bar, which serves 50 different types of tequila, draught pilsner from Boxing Cat, and a killer passionfruit margarita. Sure these things are nice and provide for a very holistic Mexican dining experience, but it's the flavorful food done right that brings tears to our eyes. That and the jalapenos. As another lover of Mexican food proclaimed to me after his first experience here: we can all finally rejoice. Yes we can, and Hallelujah to that.

Cantina Agave - 291 Fumin Lu, Suite 01 A-2, near Changle Lu

pendulum

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Joined: June 12, 2008
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Posted: Dec 09, 2008 - 06:46 PM

Why did you lift this from Shanghaiist?

supernena

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Joined: Apr 27, 2007
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Posted: Dec 09, 2008 - 06:47 PM

because he is probably the owner of the restaurant.

DILLIGAF

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Joined: Dec 21, 2004
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Posted: Dec 09, 2008 - 07:34 PM

http://shanghaiist.com/2008/12/08/cantina_agave_hallelujah.php

DILLIGAF

Gabriel76

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Joined: May 22, 2007
Posts: 475

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Posted: Dec 09, 2008 - 07:46 PM

BUSTED.
I bet you get your haircuts at Bensons too.

chingy

Talker

Joined: June 03, 2005
Posts: 109

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Posted: Dec 09, 2008 - 07:47 PM

I ate lunch at this place last week. I thought the soft tacos with the beef filling were pretty good. The plate of nachos was huge and covered with all kinds of goodies. I didn't try the burrito but it looked big enough for two people to split.

I will definitely visit this place again soon.

Frankenstein

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Joined: Aug 02, 2007
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Posted: Dec 10, 2008 - 09:56 AM

Had lunch there yesterday, taco with pork filling (and 5RMB extra for guacamole). Looked more like a Subway branch, with the choices of fillings sitting in bain maries behind a glass counter. You get to point and choose, and a small salad comes on the side.

Place was full of Americans. It was OK as a fast food option, though I wouldn't go there for an intimate dinner. A bottle of water was 30RMB, though!

mat

Shanghai Royalty

Joined: Apr 26, 2004
Posts: 9627
Location: On my friggin beer scooter.
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Posted: Dec 10, 2008 - 10:01 AM

Another Bensons Marketing genius.

Kelly, i hope that is not you that either done, or allowed this. Why try and BS the people here? I'm sure you have a good product, why come on pretending to be independent and treating potential customers like idiots?

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Shangstar

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Joined: Feb 07, 2008
Posts: 3398
Location: Spitland
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Posted: Dec 10, 2008 - 10:29 AM

if you cannot be arsed to spend a few bob on an advert, what hope have you got with your restaurant? You probably cut cheap corners with your food and service. Do you get your ingredients free as well? Why treat your potential customers as if they're fools?

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LondonBoy

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Joined: Dec 04, 2008
Posts: 106

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Posted: Dec 10, 2008 - 11:04 AM

It's not promoting a new place I object to, it's PRETENDING that you're just a regular reader that's impartial : "We've finally found ...." for God's sake.

Swiss-James

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Joined: Jan 05, 2007
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Posted: Dec 10, 2008 - 11:05 AM

That place is good though, went on Saturday, going again tonight

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Robtcb

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Posted: Dec 10, 2008 - 11:16 AM

what disturbs me is that the review focuses on salsa and burritos and tacos.

Do you people think that is all that we (us mexican folk) ever eat or what ?

It's like burgers and fries to us. Certainly not enough to base a restaurant's menu on. Gimme mole and pescado al mojo de ajo and enchiladas verdes, and stuff..then we'll talk.

yu888
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Joined: Jan 25, 2003
Posts: 19335
Location: ZhongShanParkArea SH

Posted: Dec 10, 2008 - 12:43 PM

^ don't forget the tequila! Wink

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kacphil

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Joined: Sep 12, 2006
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Posted: Dec 10, 2008 - 12:57 PM

quite timely actually since am craving for nachos.

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Swiss-James

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Posted: Dec 10, 2008 - 01:09 PM

Robtcb wrote:

Maybe try this place instead http://www.shanghaiexpat.com/index.php?name=MDForum&file=viewtopic&t=8 3629&highlight=

And I think McDonalds would disagree that you can't base a restaurant menu on Burgers and fries.

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msittig

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Joined: Oct 06, 2004
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Posted: Dec 10, 2008 - 01:11 PM

Robtcb wrote:

Do you people think that is all that we (us mexican folk) ever eat or what ?

It's like burgers and fries to us.

Uhhh...

Frankenstein wrote:

Place was full of Americans. It was OK as a fast food option, though I wouldn't go there for an intimate dinner.

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LondonBoy

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Joined: Dec 04, 2008
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Posted: Dec 10, 2008 - 01:14 PM

Yes I've heard good things about this place too, which makes it all the pity they spoil it by using these marketing tactics that will alienate people who otherwise would give it a try.

Robtcb

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Joined: Nov 15, 2005
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Posted: Dec 10, 2008 - 01:22 PM

I'm referring to the review...makes it sound like fine dining when it's nothing more than easy food. A burrito with a tasteless tortillas filled with meat, bean (the wrong beans) and rice. How hard can that be ?

Tequila - meh ! Not too hard to find if you go to a good bar.

I'd rather have a good Mexican beer. And no...I'm not referring to Corona. Mexican's don't walk around with one of them surgically attached to the palm of our hand, either.

I do want to try Maya....though......now that one sounds more legit, albeit with a gringo running the place Smile

Swiss-James

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Posted: Dec 10, 2008 - 01:55 PM

Robtcb wrote:

Apparently very- people in Shanghai have been complaining for years about a lack of this kind of food.

Quote:

Tequila - meh ! Not too hard to find if you go to a good bar.

I heard they have 50 kinds of Tequilla at this place, unusual for Shanghai.

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Newsgirl

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Posted: Dec 10, 2008 - 02:15 PM

food is great.. not as fancy as Maya.. but sometimes less is more. But be prepared to bring your patience when you go. Service sucks right now.. seems like they have some start up bugs to work out!

sallywonderland

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Joined: Sep 12, 2006
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Posted: Dec 10, 2008 - 02:21 PM

I went the other night, the nachos were good, the beef and chicken tacos were good (but the fish taco was a bit strange-I've never had just a piece of fried fillet of fish like that- usually it's grilled, no?).

The prices are fine (40 rmb for half order of nachos - were plenty, tacos were like 25 rmb)..I didn't order water so didn't notice the 30 rmb water. the service was fine that night. It's a taco place- not fine dining or anything remotely fancy.

Robtcb

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Posted: Dec 10, 2008 - 02:34 PM

50 kinds of tequila not that hard. it's the quality of the tequilas that distinguishes you. if they have all the Sauza or Cuervo pee and whiz versions, well, then, that doesn't count Smile

Herradura and Patron...now we're talking.

The Cali burrito thing seems to be taking off here, there's like 3 places now right ? That's why I mention the other dishes, I been wanting some Mexican fine (well, kinda fine) dining. Can make my own burritos, especially since the wife and I finally got around to training the ayi's on decent tortilla making.

I'm still waiting for Ken to give up his source for local tortillas....

sallywonderland

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Posted: Dec 10, 2008 - 02:36 PM

is your ayi making corn tortillas?

Swiss-James

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Posted: Dec 10, 2008 - 02:37 PM

http://www.cosmogroup.cn/maya/

There might be a menu on there somewhere.

Can there really be 50 bad kinds of Tequilla? Surely some of them must be good!

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Robtcb

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Posted: Dec 10, 2008 - 02:52 PM

yeah, but then he should advertise 10 tequilas, count only the decent ones.
I got sick too many times on the Cuervo (crap version) when I was a kid. But I can drink Herradura Reposado all night.

Thanks for menu, I will take a look.

and yes, my ayis can actually make a pass-able tortilla now, so I don't have to ask my Mom to smuggle them in when she visits Shanghai anymore. id' been talking about training my ayi to do it forever. My wife finally got tired of waiting for my procrastinating ass and taught them herself ! Ha ! They're not perfect yet in that they don't hold up well under storage, but fresh off of the stove they are pretty darned good.