Agatha for Ladies Lunch

I’m not sure if you noticed but there was no ladies lunch last week.  Last Wednesday was a rainy day and we had started out with a destination of the Bruja restaurant.   That didn’t thrill most of us so we changed it to Agatha but then almost everyone dropped out for one reason or another.  So….cancelled due to lack of enthusiasm! 

Today we were back on track and we were off to the Agatha restaurant which is on Playa Gaviotas in the south end of the GoldenZone/Hotel Zone. 

There are nine of us today and we’re just waiting for Sharen who is wearing a boot for her torn achilles tendon.  She says it’s pretty good now but she’s being a good girl and wearing the boot. 

We got off the bus a little south of where we wanted  as the bus driver wasn’t real co-operative but we all have legs and are capable of walking….even Sharen.  I do note as I travel the buses the amount of people who can hardly walk and can barely get on and off the buses.  Size does’t seem to be the issue just….inactivity!  Use it or lose it!  Yes I know some people have health and mobility issues but that isn’t the case for everyone. 

This is a newish looking restaurant that the “ Travelling Lunch Ladies” have never eaten at.  I believe this was Marilyn’s suggestion and it turned out to be a good one.

We are eating on the front patio as it was a bit warm inside.  They’d just opened the door at 1pm so the A/C hadn’t kicked in yet.

 

The interior is very modern and tastefully decorated.  The washroom was beautiful and spotless which is always nice to see. 

This restaurant has a very Asian influence to the menu.  The prices are a little bit above average but not out of line for a good restaurant.  The service was quick, professional and attentive.

I’m sitting with Ruth, Cathy, Marilyn and Jeannette.

        

The inside of the menu had a description of Agatha and her origins.

Ruth had a caesar and I had my usual pina colada.  It is one of the best ones I’ve ever tasted.  More fruity than coconutty!

While we waited for lunch we were served a bowl of warm bread with what appeared to be small pieces of olive in it.  There was a pesto of garlic, oil and olives to be used as a spread and it was a perfect appetizer.  Very nice. 

Here is one of the Asian choices.  Ruth and Cathy shared two dishes and you can see some of Cathy’s tuna on top of Ruth’s sushi rolls.

Some dishes were on the other table and I don’t know exactly what they are. Obviously some sort of sushi….right!

Ribs and onion rings to share for Marilyn and Jeannette. 

This looks like a pork shank….perhaps and it’s in front of Janice.

Now this looks delicious and it’s sitting in front of Sue. 

These are Connie’s tacos Gobernador.  They are a shrimp taco with bell peppers, onions, cheese etc. 

Funny enough I had made shrimp tacos the night before with mexican rice and salad.  I had onions, poblano peppers and salsa in mine so I guess they are Tacos Gobernador a la Kathy!  Funny, and yes they were delicious.

This roasted cauliflower was also in front of Sue but I’m guessing she was sharing it.

Connie, Sue, Janice, Pat, Robyn and Sharen.  Everyone looks pretty happy!

Both Sharen and Robyn had these ….and it looks to be salmon sushi slices.

This is Pat’s clam chowder.  After the meal she said it was the best clam chowder she’d ever eaten.  Now Pat is a really good cook so that is saying alot.

My tuna a la plancha with tempura vegetables.  The tempura was excellent and the tuna was good but not the best I have ever eaten.  I think I will have to give that honour to the Water’s Edge where I had it a few years ago although Hector’s was also very good.  Both of these restaurants served it in a steak which was cooked a little bit more but very tender and juicy so maybe it’s the style of cooking I prefer. 

When I finished there wasn’t anything left on my plate!

The meal is over and everyone is going their separate ways.  The consensus was that this was an excellent choice for lunch.  Not a place to drop in for a quick bite but a place to stop and enjoy the atmosphere, good service and a lovely dining experience.  Thumbs up!

Janice, Cathy, Marilyn, Pat and I wandered down to the Designer’s Bazaar to shop and I think almost everyone left with a purchase.  I did buy a nice white top that is a little different than others I have seen.  This shop has a good variety of clothes, jewellery etc. 

As we walked back up the street I noted this tourist attraction which I believe is some sort of a climbing tower or maybe it’s just a glorified treehouse….I don’t really know!

The hotels are on the left along the water and it’s a pretty street to wander along.

The hydro crew had the sidewalk blocked a bit as they were pulling electrical cable down the street and into manholes etc.  Always something going on. 

At this point we stopped in at another shop but we were all too tired and hot as it was already 4pm so it was off to the bus and home.  Dangerously close to happy hour! 

A good afternoon.