Recent Saturday afternoon errands brought us to Brookfield. It was 3 p.m., and we were famished. My parents, who live in the area, suggested two places: Agave, 18380 W. Capitol Dr., and Haute Taco in the Sendik's Towne Center at 18905 W. Capitol Dr.
I'd heard great things about Haute Taco, so we tried it first. Alas, it didn't open until 5 p.m. so we drove back down Capitol to Agave Southwestern Grille. Other than a solid endorsement from my father, I didn't know much about this place and thought it was a Tex-Mex joint. It's not, it's a "Southwestern Grill" in name, but really an American-based menu with unique burgers, tilapia tacos, chicken, pizzas and other items all in a somewhat upscale environment.
Owned by the Pandl family (Eagan's, Waterfront Deli, Pandl's) and located in the former Seigo's location, Agave is pretty much what the dinner and dining doctor order for Brookfield, a suburb that until recently had been lacking in its restaurant and bar varity. Suddenly, though, it's on a hot streak with Agave, Bonefish Grill, Cafe Manna, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, Fujiyama, Giggles Comedy Club, Haute Taco, Mitchell's Fish Market, Wasabi Sushi & Lounge and Claim Jumpers.
Anyway, back to Agave. Plenty of parking and an outdoor dining area with a cabana/beach-influenced bar in the middle will surely makes this a hot destination. Agave also features a huge outdoor fireplace, probably the only one of its kind in the suburbs. We opted to sit inside and started with the guacamole appetizer. It was good with big avocado chunks and crispy chips.
I went for the Southwestern burger, a blend of Chorizo and beef with chipolte pepper and cheese. It came medium well (luckily as our served didn't ask and I forgot to state how I wanted it done) and with my selected side of mini baked potatoes. The potatoes, unique in their size and crunchy skin, were great and the burger was solid too especially dipped in the kicked up ketchup that I requested. My wife went with a chicken sandwich-- it also was very good. Total bill (one soda and one Corona Light) with tip was $39.69.
All in all, Agave is a great new addition to the Brookfield dining scene. It's big -- 200-plus capacity -- and with its large indoor bar and multiple TVs it should do well.
The Pandls have blended a bar with a still new dining concept (for Brookfield, at least) and, as I mentioned before, have given the area just what it needed -- a somewhat funky dining and drinking destination that's accessible and attached to a reliable, local restaurant family name.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
