Agave Southwest Bar & Grill is now open in the space at 800 N. Plankinton Ave. which formerly housed España Tapas House.
The space has been renovated to create a more open feel, featuring a bar, lounge area and plenty of tables.
Their menu features starters like blue corn dusted calamari ($10), seared pork belly with grilled flatbread, onion jam, pico de gallo and queso fresco ($9), southwestern wings ($12) and guacamole ($9).
They offer four varieties of soups and chili for $7 a bowl, and salads priced between $8 and $12. Entrees include tacos, tostadas and fajitas along with beef ribs braised in cola with joja sante and ancho chile ($18), pork carnitas "open" ravioli ($15) and a Colorado bison burger with choice of cheese and veggies ($14).
The restaurant also aims to be family-friendly, so a children's menu is available.
Agave is open for lunch and dinner Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Happy hour, which includes specially priced drinks and $5 appetizers takes place from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and all day on Sunday.
España closed in late 2014 and prior to that the space was home to Butch's Clock Steak House.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
