The building that housed Greenport seafood restaurant Vino N’ Vittles, which closed several weeks ago, reopens today as Agave Grill and Cantina, serving up a new theme and menu.
Longtime Greenport restaurant workers Elias Martinez, his brother-in-law Victor Cruz and Martinez’s cousin Luis Martinez will run the new Mexican eatery. It will remain under the ownership of Vino N’ Vittles owner Bryan Villanti.
“Our dream was always to have something like this,” said Elias Martinez, who spent two decades working for Porto Bello Restaurant, also in Greenport. “I love what I do, that’s why I wanted to do it for myself.”
The Martinez cousins will oversee the front of the house, while Cruz will helm the kitchen.
When asked how their food will stand out in the small village which already has two Latino restaurants, they said they aim to offer a different experience and their food will speak for itself.
“Greenport is a destination,” Elias Martinez said. “If you have good food and you know what you’re doing, it doesn’t matter.”
Expect dishes from their native Puebla, Mexico like pollo poblano in a mole sauce ($18) and chile relleno, a poblano pepper stuffed with queso fresco, corn and cilantro and wrapped in fried egg whites ($8 for an appetizer). The mole sauce is made by Cruz’s mother Elisia and imported from Mexico.
Staples like fajitas ($22 for steak, $18 for chicken) and enchiladas ($16 for beef or chicken) are available, as are stuffed avocado ($12) and fish tacos ($15).
Elias Martinez said the menu will be about 80 percent Mexican dishes with 20 percent American dishes.
There will also be their creations, which don’t fit squarely into any ethnic culinary category, such as mussels served with garlic, white wine, cilantro and chorizo ($12). A full bar, with margaritas and sangria, will also be available.
The grand opening is set for today, Friday, Dec. 11.
“Knowing that this is for us, it’s exciting,” Luis Martinez said. “We’re 100 percent ready.”
The restaurant will be open for dinner on Thursdays through Sundays and will serve lunch on weekends.
Agave Grill and Cantina is located at 110 Front Street. (631) 333-2323.
