A Peachy's Pick Since 2012 El Pote Espanol #ElPote #ElPoteEspanol @elPoteEspanol Since 1977 by Nicolas Ahuatl and Juan Costa Winter 2026 Starring #NicoleAhuatl 718 Second Avenue between 38th and 39th Streets #Midtown #East #PeachysPicks @ManhattanPeachy #PeachyDeegan
It's not who you know, it's WHOM YOU KNOW and we love El Pote, one of the best and most consistent Peachy's Picks Since 2012! Here it is on our Best of 2026, and the excellence of the Spanish culinary feats combined with the amazing hospitality make it one of our favorites. This time, server Nicole Ahuatl wowed us and as you can see she is the spitting image of her dear old Dad right down to the glasses. As you might have read, Peachy's favorite person at all ever is her Dad and we are certain that Nicole is the new secret weapon to El Pote's success! We were welcomed with Queso Manchego, a super start any time of year. The premium Manchego cheese with olives ignites your appetite, and absolutely essential in this single digit farenheit weather is the commanding prowess of the Sopa de Ajo: Garlic Soup. Delicious as it is nutritious, it is a total must for the perfect February thaw, and you will be glad you ventured outside. It is amazingly invigorating and served piping hot. It truly is the peak of winter refreshment but not overwhelmingly garlicy: it is just right.
You will not see it written on the menu but there is a terrific green salad available with mangoes, avocados, green apple, pears, tomato and mixed greens all entirely fresh and a lovely balance to all of the carnivorous wonders of El Pote, which as you know means "the pot" in Spanish. Of all of the appetizers, the Champiniones Rellenos: stuffed mushrooms with crabmeat, may be our favorite. They are served in silver style and exactly as inviting as they look in the pictures. We never edit pictures anywhere but El Pote in every season is in it to win it and you will taste it in every premium bite.
Their signature Rioja is elegantly appointed and our favorite other than Sangria (more summery to us), however you ought to know that El Pote has tremendous depth in the spirits category, and includes this gin, from Marcos Lopez, son of Culinary King Rufino Lopez one of our favorites and now in Spain himself:
It's not who you know, it's WHOM YOU KNOW: Peachy Deegan and Marcos Lopez, Rufino's son who sells this gin to El Pote, at the Christmas Catalan event
If you are looking at this House Specialty with curious eyes, let us elucidate: the Espinaca con Bacalao totally hits the spot particularly in wintertime in our humble opinion. Spinach and Manchego sing a symphony in Codfish, striking the perfect balance of comforting elegance and pure deliciousness in every bite. Chuletas de Cerdo is a majestic entree that is fabulously tender pork chops! Served in a most nutritious style with suberbly sauteed red pimentos, onions, red and green bell peppers and wine, this carnivore's delight is a premium pork wonder with superlative aroma to greet you.
There is more than one chicken option at El Pote, but the one Peachy Deegan loves most of all is the Pollo al Ajillo: dark meat Chicken in Garlic, Spanish Style. The flavor will skyrocket this dish to among your most coveted favorites and the moist, enticing taste that is an El Pote signature will truly wow you. Not only is the food amazing but the staff as you know from all of our past features is stellar. So stellar in fact that waiters become owners here: Nicolas himself started as a waiter in 1991. If you are also excited about the superbowl like us, and sports in general, be sure to say hi to Rogerio Cabrera, a veteran of about 4 decades at El Pote. Clarabelle is a new addition smiling at the bar with a sparkling personality. Finally, all great Manhattan places ought to have a commanding steak and El Pote certainly does. Entrecote was seared to medium rare perfection as ordered and lovely creamed spinach sang backup in this hot number. Of course they give you the correct steak knife.
Nicole and Nicolas Ahuatl
A fantastic waiter who started in 1980, Avelino Diego
El Pote continues to Earn Our Highest Recommendation.
