Blue Agave Club — Restaurant in Pleasanton

Here's the positive: The food was decent. We ordered a pork burrito and a beef burrito as well as a beef nachos.

Here's why it received a one star instead of a 3 star: the service was horrible and subpar. Note: If I paid the bill, I would have left a 3% tip. I usually start tips at 20% and either reduce or increase from there depending on the level of service provided. And in case you are wondering, I have tipped 30% before at other restaurants and given 5 stars where they go above and beyond in providing service.

We had our pooch with us so we asked for outdoor seating. We were told to sit by the side of the wall even though there was plenty of seating in the middle sections where there were plenty of heaters. No problem - I get it... maybe it's because I have my dog with me. We sit and there's one tiny heater between two tables... our table and the table behind us. We had three people, so two on one side and one on another side. It was really cold for the person on the side furthest from the heater. We asked for another heater since there were plenty of unused ones. We asked three different people because everyone would say "sure no problem" and no one ever brought back a heater. We finally asked our waitress and she reluctantly said "the busboys said there are no available heaters... and in order to move the available heaters from the middle section, they would need to move all the tables and chairs and there is one table of 4 that still had people in it for the closest heater". That was a lie because there was plenty of room in the aisle to roll the heater out without disrupting the current table that was seated near the closest heater to us. That would have been 5% off right there if I paid. We didn't want to make a fuss because it was evident that they weren't going to move it given glances we received and the smirks (yes they were actually smirking!) on the faces of the busboys. Our waitress suggested that the person furthest away from the heater sit at the end of the table to be warmer. We did that because it was truly cold however when the food came, it created a crowded situation for the two people. This to me should have been another 5% off the tip. 20 minutes after our food was delivered, the waitress came by to ask if we needed boxes? I was like seriously? We were all still eating so we said ... still working on it. I am not kidding when I say this... she came back every 5 minutes to ask if we needed boxes. That happened a total of 4 times before one of us said ... you obviously are going to come back and keep asking - just take away the dishes. That to me, that should have been another 5% off. In the midst of all this, never did anyone come by and ask if we needed more water and no one offered my dog water. That's another 2% off.

If I had been the one paying the bill, I would have left a 3% tip because it was the most awful service I've ever experienced. Tips are meant to reflect the level of service received. As with anything, if there's no satisfactory performance, the compensation should reflect that as well. Showing up doesn't count. Gotta work for the $$. The 3% is for taking our order and bringing out the dishes.

Give this post a thumbs up if you agree. We all work hard for our money. Why should we be required to pay for subpar?. If it's great service... we should pay up because great service is not a given... hard work happens to provide service that is over and above the bare minimum required. In the same vein, if the output is subpar, then the tip should be accordingly subpar hopefully to encourage improvement.

Anyways, suffice to say, we do not plan on going back and we definitely will share our experiences with everyone we...

SEVERELY NOT IMPRESSED!!

I’ve been a loyal patron over the years (starting in 1995), went for lunch Sunday. Ordered the Mahi-Mahi entree, and a virgin Daiquiri. Bill was $40 w/tax.

Fish was over cooked, rice ball average, steamed mixed veggies 🥦 zucchini, 🫑, yellow squash, not what I expected from an upscale restaurant, more comparable to an order from any old chain cafe like Denny’s.

The cilantro purée was likely the most flavorful but even that seemed dull & not fresh. Not even a lime or lemon 🍋 wedge for garnish just a filet of fish plopped on top of purée, no drizzle on top even for artistic appeal. Not the veggies one anticipates from a Mexican restaurant…no salad, no tomatoes 🍅, no cucumbers 🥒. Broccoli 🥦 & squash!

It was 90 degrees outside so opted for indoor dining. They had one floor fan placed in one medium dining room area, only initially had one room open for seating. A family with noisy kids was seated next to us so we begged our way to another larger dining room. No fan was offered to be set up for us, not sure if they didn’t have more, but for a place that expensive they should have had no less than 3 in that room alone! Shouldn’t have had to ask for one either!

Even their salsa didn’t seem fresh, like maybe from a jar or just not made fresh, I’ve had wayyyyyy better tasting food at a common taqueria.

Worst of all, the beautiful decor, plates, cobalt blue water goblets, etc…DIDNT EXIST! So sad. That was at least half of their appeal! The photos are deceiving! That’s how it used to be years ago.

Wait staff was nice but it took a long time for them to come around to take our order & we had to ask the hostess to remind them to come over.

No beautiful music playing even! Such an incomplete experience. So sad. Maybe they need a new manager and/or chef.

Not going back & I drove over an hour to celebrate my friend’s birthday there. Hadn’t seen her since the pandemic began. So...

An upscale Mexican restaurant if the heart of downtown Pleasanton, Blue Agave offers a unique, delicious twist on classic Mexican dishes, as well as a Mexican twist on classic grilled steak and seafood dishes. I have tried almost every dish on the menu and can say everything here is delicious. If you're in the market for just a simple burrito, this may not be a place to go, but if you're looking for a perfectly cooked fillet smothered in delicious pomegranate chipotle sauce (usually available in the winter) on a bed of garlic mashed potatoes, then give this place a try.

The waiters, and everyone behind the scenes are the absolute best, and will make sure you have a good meal.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is their occasional (~quarterly) prix fixe tequila tastings out on their back patio. Reserve in advance and get a designated driver, these aren't to be missed. This is where the chef (who is fantastic) individually pairs unique dishes with a flight of tequilas. This is frequently a testing ground for potential menu items (looking at you, apple pie), and every item is unique. Learn about new tequilas, and have a great time doing it.

Finally, if I could give them a 6th star for making the apple pie a permanent menu item, and bringing back the bananas foster (get it with vanilla ice cream instead of coconut) on their dessert menu, I would.

Do yourself a favor and try Blue Agave next time you're looking for a place to celebrate.

All-around, my favorite...