A Peachy's Pick Since 2012 El Pote Espanol #ElPote #ElPoteEspanol @elPoteEspanol Since 1977 by New Owners Nicolas Ahuatl and Juan Costa Summer 2025 Starring Waiter Since 1980 #AvelinoDiego #WhomYouKnow #PeachysPicks @ManhattanPeachy #PeachyDeegan
Star of this review, Avelino Diego, veteran waiter of El Pote Since 1980!
Time to try tender Pork Cheeks:
It's not who you know, it's WHOM YOU KNOW and we totally know El Pote, A Peachy's Pick Since 2012. Say a prayer for our friend Enrique who is now reading upstairs. When Peachy used to call he would answer and say to Peachy, "When are you coming to see me, my love" in the most friendly, classy manner as someone in your close family would. We were not related at all but would think of Enrique and Jose as family members for sure and feel the same way about everyone there today at El Pote. You do not find this kind of service and style and manners at new places for the most part, and the ones without phone numbers, forget it. The Girl Scouts say make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other's gold.
Yes, flawless.
Have we ever said that about an ownership change?
It really makes us happy to see Nicholas continuing to do such a fabulous job at El Pote, carrying on the legacy of Enrique and Jose. El Pote was last featured this past March, and they have some of the best summer hits in Manhattan. Allow us to elucidate:
El Pote is beautiful and clean. They already know we want water with no ice and lemon wedges and do not make the mistake of confusing them with lemon slices. You cannot squeeze slices.
The bathroom is also beautiful and clean and improved and renovated by Nicholas.
It is summer so it is Gazpacho-time! Cold Spanish Soup is emblazoned with authenticity with fresh tomatoes and well-cut bell peppers and onions coming to the party. Absolutely fantastic bursting with flavor, this cold soup will start you off festively.
We like to dip bread in it.
Veteran waiter Avelino Diego, who has menu favorites of veal and octopus, brought the party with their amazing proprietary Red Sangria with apples, oranges, and lime which sings a song of summer. Everyone knows that Kermit and Miss Piggy did the Muppet Movie in 1979. We bet when they were scouting out for locations in the Muppets Take Manhattan they might have seen Avelino make his El Pote debut in 1980. Most restaurants have not even been around that long but Don Filippo has, stay tuned for more on our new friend Phil.
Everyone knows Peachy adores Garlic Shrimp, and the Gambas al Ajillo delivered a solid performance: eight great little shrimp beauties smiled at us and had a short life. The Champiniones Rellenos were the first item to disappear in total from this review: actions speak louder than words, readers! You will especially love the crabmeat stuffing that we cannot get enough of. Peachy actually was so excited to see them she touched the silver plate. DO NOT DO THIS: THE SILVER PLATE IS HOT.
We do not recall having Pork Milanese here before but we are glad we had it this time because it is simply outstanding. We reveled in the tastefully appointed simplicity: it was light and crispy and just perfect for summer and what you would want to eat on a humid day. The yellow Spanish rice is fragrant and flavorfully captivating, successfully singing backup.
Sorry Miss Piggy, Pork Cheeks were suggested to us and we must say, they are quite delicious and uber-tender! Although we've been eating here for 13 years and counting, this may be our first pork cheek anywhere ever and it reminded us of an elevated pot roast. Among Peachy's most favorite entrees throughout the visits to El Pote remains the Pollo al Ajillo: Chicken in Garlic Spanish Style. It's fragrantly captivating and we love the drumsticks especially.
If you don't eat seafood or meat, opt for the Tortilla: Spanish Omelette with potatoes, onions and eggs that is packed with protein and flavor! Our seafood star this visit was the Camarones en Salsa Verde: Shrimp in Green Sauce. Olive Oil, dry white wine, parsley, a touch of flour and garlic give the cute little shrimps a big hug for this under the sea extravaganza:
Owner Nicolas Ahuatl with the Shrimp in Green Sauce. It must be IRISH, right?!
El Pote continues to Earn Our Highest Recommendation.
