It figures it would take a spot as chic as Blue Agave (20 E. Cota St., 899-4694) to find a guest chef like Roberto Cortez to design its special Prix Fixe Summer Dinner Magic Mondays. Blue Agave co-owner Gabi Crosbie calls Cortez “very knowledgeable, very artistic, and really, really wonderful,” and if he’s half as talented as his gorgeous Web site (robertocortez.com), it’s no wonder he’s served up fine cuisine for the likes of Microsoft’s Paul Allen and stars ranging from Mick Jagger to Liz Phair (not at the same meal, so don’t start any rumors).
For $55, a discriminating diner can have four courses-appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert-plus a bonus amuse bouche to prepare one for the culinary event ahead. There are two recommended glasses of wine (Qupe Bien Nacido Cuvee 2006, that’s 50/50 chardonnay/viognier, and Havens Syrah 2001), but those are $15 extra. Don’t expect much wiggle room; you can choose beef short ribs, wild king salmon, or a vegetarian entree, but otherwise chef Cortez has charted your course and Blue Agave’s in-house chef Serafin Ruiz is piloting the nightly kitchen. Still, isn’t it good to be pampered and told how to enjoy oneself every now and then, especially on a Monday? After all, if a meal closes with cajeta caramel parfait, puffed rice, almond cream, and market berries, how bad can things be?