Agave Tapas Grill Restaurant and Bar     Rating: ****

Classic American with a southwestern twist

Location:  2067 Summer Lee Drive at The Harbor

Vibe:  Neighborhood pub

Prices:  Entrees $9-$25

Hours:  M-W 5pm-10pm, Thurs 11am-10pm, Fri 11am-12am, Sat 12pm-1am, Sun 11am-10pm

More Info:  214-771-0423 or www.agaverockwall.com

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Marcia:  Let me cut to the chase right off the bat.  I loved the food.  It's the best overall meal I've had at a Rockwall restaurant in a while at such a great price.  Everything I tried was fabulous. What do you think, Keith?

Keith: If I could sum it up in two words, "Absolutely Agave." They got it right, big time. Even the service was excellent.

Marcia:  I had the blackened wild salmon served in a rosemary teriyaki glaze with toasted jasmine rice and grilled seasonal veggies topped with a pixie tangerine salsa. The salmon was cooked to perfection - done through but tender and juicy; the rice, vegetables and salsa all played off each other beautifully making it both a visually attractive dish as well as a delicious assortment of flavors.

Keith: Well, I almost had the chop steak with mashed potatoes and peas which looked very appetizing as it passed by, but ended up getting the grilled fish tacos with seasoned tuna.  They were served with crunchy cabbage, pico de gallo and a jalapeno cilantro aioli wrapped in a warm flour tortilla.  The zesty, spicy seasonings really made this dish exciting and artistically appealing.

Marcia:  I had a nibble – it was fabulous, especially if you like things a little hot.  I also thoroughly enjoyed the Agave salad with fresh avocado puree.... hmmmm, couldn't get enough.  And for dessert, I had the crème brulee which is often disappointing, but this was smooth and creamy and not too sweet. Bravo.

Marcia:  The tables and chairs aren't the most comfortable, and I wish the overall décor was more exciting, but the food makes up for it.

Keith:  I agree.  The interior reminded me of a low-budget Gloria's, nice but not as flashy.  On the upside, the prices reflect the lower-key decor, and you end up getting a great meal at an excellent value. The restaurant is named after the desert flower Agave – great name, great menu, great food.

Dodie’s Cajun Diner     Rating:  ***

Blend of Cajun and New Orleans cuisine

Location:  2076 Summer Lee Drive at The Harbor

Vibe: New Orleans pub style

Prices: Entrees $9.99 - $14.99

Hours:  11 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily (bar stays open til 1 a.m. Fri and Sat)

More Info: 972-771-0004 or www.dodiestexas.com

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Keith:   It reminds me of one of those "down by the beach" hangouts. You can sit outside, at a table, booth, or bar, so there are plenty of options depending on your mood. The TV monitors at every booth and large flat-screen overlooking the bar will keep sport lovers happy. And you’re right about it appealing to singles; at night, especially on the weekends, the crowd is young and it’s a great spot for meeting people.

Keith: I’m with you hook, line and sinker.  I had the blackened catfish sandwich for $9.99. The roll was fresh and the fries were really delicious, but the catfish itself was bland at best -- as far as seasoning goes, it was more peppered than blackened.  And while I’m not much for mayo, in this case, it would have helped.

Keith:   I agree. You’re right about the bar - the crowd is energetic and fun.  I would recommend Dodie’s for its location as well.  On Thursday nights, it’s a nice choice because you get to enjoy a great view of the Concert by the Lake – that’s providing you get there early enough to grab some outdoor tables.  Bring your sunglasses, wear sunscreen and you’re set.

Marcia: Let me first say, the restaurant is beautifully attired. From the white birch tree trunks suspended from the ceiling to the fabulous trees limbs decorating the tops of the banquettes, the décor inspires a vacation lodge feel to perfection. I’d be interested to get your opinion on this one Keith since you’re so artistic.

Keith: I’m with you – this restaurant has style. This is one of those times when you say, "Wow, what a cool place." They obviously did not spare money or effort in the designing and decorating of the interior. It was well thought out by a talented artist. However, there are some issues in the rest of the presentation.

Marcia: I agree. To top it off, they need to turn the air conditioning up... there's nothing worse than sweat invading your dining experience. As far as the food goes, I ordered the Cedar plank Wild Sockeye Salmon with whipped Yukon gold potatoes, asparagus and root beer chive glaze for $24. I’m no domestic diva, but any experienced chef knows the secret to perfect fish is "do not overcook". The salmon was burnt, and the portion was small; for that price, I expect a heartier meal.

Keith: You’re right. Texas and air conditioning go hand in hand. Regarding your salmon, some like it cooked through while others prefer more sushi style, but burnt should never be an option. I’m with you on the portion size. I ordered the Italian sausage with broccolini ravioli for $21. The French might be proud of the size and delicate julienne cut, but I was unimpressed. In addition, it wasn’t all that appetizing. The flavoring was average, generic at best, and not at all what I expected from the menu description. Furthermore, I wasn’t too impressed with the service overall, were you?

Marcia: No. My poor waiter was so overextended that by the time I sent the dish back, re-ordered and ate, it was 90 minutes later. I ended up swapping the salmon for a burger with aged cheddar - all I can say is, when a restaurant of this caliber can’t get a burger right, something’s seriously wrong. It was a mushy mound of meat on a soggy roll and when I picked it up, it fell apart in my hands. On an up note, my lemon drop martini and skinny fries were delicious.

Keith: Time is a valuable asset and 90 minutes is a life-time when you’re hungry. But they do have a really nice wine bar with a terrific view of the lake. The music started a bit early for my taste and seemed out of place. Jazz or soft pop would fit in with the décor better, instead, I felt like I was at a rock concert. The place lacks consistency - their balance is off not really knowing which direction to travel. Might I suggest a GPS? 

If you love Mexican or Tex Mex, there’s one local establishment that gets it right every time: Gloria’s Restaurant located at The Harbor.

Marcia:  I love this restaurant.  In fact, my husband and I go as often as we can.  First off, the décor is fabulous, the location terrific, and the place has such wonderful energy.  The music, the lighting, the food ---- it’s upscale, flirty and fun.  It’s almost impossible not to be in a good mood when you’re there.

Marcia:  I love those too, and what I really appreciate is the fact that it’s still appropriate for every age.  We generally see whole families there with babies in tow.  And even though it tends to get crowded by 6:30 p.m. especially on the weekends, it’s a well-oiled machine.  Bottom-line, even if you have to wait, it’s worth it.  And that’s when you know you have a hit, when it’s worth the wait.

Marcia:  Hey, details matter.  However, the main reason it’s always crowded is because the food and service are consistently good; you can depend upon a great meal and a fun time. And reasonable, let’s not forget that important point.  Most entrees are under $16. We just love to sit at the bar, order frozen margaritas and munch on salsa, black bean dip and chips.  When we’re really hungry, we get the chicken/steak fajita combo.  I personally think it’s the best around.  Yikes, I’m salivating just thinking about it. What are you doing for dinner?

       Planning a weekend getaway at the HiltonBellaHarbor?   Be sure to pack a dose of patience and a sense of humor because looks can be deceiving.    

      Marcia:  After booking a room 7 weeks in advance to make certain I'd get a premiere view of the lake for my 15th wedding anniversary, my husband and I end up in a room with a lake view obstructed by an elevated patio and roof located near the elevators.  They "double-dinged" every time they opened.... even at 4 a.m.

    Keith: You would hope the key words, 15th wedding anniversary, would have triggered the appropriate response.  Sadly, common sense is often lacking when it comes to customer service.  They should have followed up with a call to the room to see if you were happy.  Or how about a mint on the pillow…something, anything.  As far as the elevator ding, sounds like a design flaw or volume issue.  Buyer beware and move your room.    

      Marcia:  We go looking for a snack at 11 p.m. only to find that there are no snack machines in the entire hotel.  This is an establishment allegedly catering to the weary, late-night, hard-working, business traveler.  We go to bed hungry.    

     Keith:  Again, common sense would lead you to believe they would relish the extra income and put a snack machine on every floor.  Bring your power bars.    

      Marcia:  Next morning, 9 a.m., I request our room be made up.  At 2:30 p.m., the room was still not made up.  The front desk manager’s response?     

     “You’re on the list.  They’ll get to it when they can.”       

      At 3 p.m., my husband bribes one of the housekeepers with a ten dollar bill. It works.      

      Keith:  I would like to think the delay was due to an employee calling out sick.  However, I too had to ask that the men’s bathroom in the main lobby be cleaned up during my stay.  Understaffed, mismanaged or both.      

    Marcia:  Then there’s the poor pool-side bartender ill-equipped with a badly-stocked bar, broken cash register, incorrect menu and no wait staff, hand-delivering each order to and from the kitchen himself. Two burgers took 69 minutes.  All this while the hotel manager strolled by without a glance.     

    Keith: ‘Is anyone there?  Hello, I’m a guest here!’  Delegation is an acquired skill these days.  Either the service is great or it’s non-existent.      

    Marcia: Let’s not forget the fact that it was prom night and many of the late-night ‘promsters’ were staying on our floor.  Between their rowdiness and the dinging elevator, sleep was not an option.  Hotel manager’s response?      

     “The problem’s being addressed. I’m sorry you feel the way you do.”    

    Keith: Funny you should mention that.  A friend staying there told me every guest had to sign a form stating they were 21.  I suppose it was an attempt to prevent “promsters” from booking rooms and turning the hotel into a frat house.  However, sounds like they didn’t anticipate parents booking rooms for their teens.  Regardless, hotel management should have made certain “promsters” were assigned rooms on the same floor.      

     Cultivating quality is a process that begins on the inside and works its way to the surface over time.  A qualified management team and adaptable staff are key to long-term success.     

      Bottom-line, their customer service needs serious attention; if there’s an oversight, an apology should be made and appropriate compensation offered in the form of a future discount or complimentary continental breakfast.