Agave is expanding into adjacent  space

Agave Mexican Grill and Restaurant on Second Street in Lewes is expanding. Owner Chris McKeown said the restaurant, which opened in March 2008, would expand into the area where Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory used to be, was, adding 24 seats to the 35 it has.

McKeown said he’s aiming to finish construction by the first week in May. “That means it will probably be June,” he said, laughing. “If I could be open by June 1, I wouldn’t be happy about it, but I’m being realistic,” he said.

McKeown said to finish the job, the restaurant would close one week before reopening. McKeown said he plans to add a few new entrees to the menu.

“The problem with changing the menu is I have take things off to put new things on. I don’t want to be one of those typical Mexican restaurants with pages and pages of stuff on the menu,” he said. He said a major change is plans to begin using a different brand of tequila – Herradura – in the restaurant’s margaritas.

“This is one of the best tequilas ever made. It makes fantastic margaritas,” he said. He said although Herradura costs significantly more than the brand he has been using, he plans to keep margarita prices the same.

The restaurant also has an upstairs area, which McKeown said doesn’t have an official name but is commonly called Agave’s Lounge.

“It’s an old office space turned into restaurant space. It’s a lounge with couches, softer music and a small bar,” he said. The emphasis is on quiet and relaxation. “There’s not even a blender up there,” he said.

Agave is at 137 Second St., Lewes. The restaurant is open daily 5 to 11 p.m; bar hours are daily 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. For additional information, call 302-645-1232.