A Peachy's Pick Since 2012 and #Best #Spanish #Restaurant in #Manhattan, El Pote Espanol #ElPote #ElPoteEspanol Since 1977 by Enrique Torres #EnriqueTorres and Jose Larino #JoseLarino Fall 2018 #WhomYouKnow #PeachysPicks @ManhattanPeachy #PeachyDeegan
Owner Enrique Torres with the Triumphant Paella Valencia!
He is still as young as he was 40 years ago!
You too, Jose!
No working out required! EAT the mussels!
We only write about you for six years straight if we really love you.
And we do love El Pote and that's Enrique above, host with the most, and Jose was in the kitchen since he's the Executive Chef.
The only other mussels that are this terrific in Manhattan are by Luc Holie at Jubilee, and if you want French food, you go there. If you want Spanish food, you go to El Pote. They are both respectively natives of those countries and we love them.
Let's admire how beautiful the mussels are at El Pote!
El Pote is the BEST Spanish restaurant in Manhattan, and probably North America also.
They have been open for 41 years straight and they are killing it.
Trendy places come and go, but EXCELLENCE ENDURES.
El Pote was last featured last spring:
El Pote was first featured in 2012:
We began with the Mejillones Al Vino: Mussels in Wine Sauce, and it is white wine. Substantial, savory and sauteed with diced onions, they are a bastion of elegance and authenticity which is a missing element from many new restaurants. Enrique suggested we try the mussels and we started off with a lovely, festive sangria. This winning team of Enrique and Jose are from Galicia, Spain, just like Culinary King Rufino Lopez. They are all probably our distant cousins because note that Peachy is black irish and some of her ancestors came to Ireland in the 14th century via the Spanish Armada we think.
We are WILD about the Stuffed Mushrooms, labeled in Spanish as Champinon Rellenos.
Look it is smiling at you!
Five magnificent, decadent little beauties await you stuffed with amazing CRABMEAT, bacon and shrimp. No one else stuffs mushrooms so well. We love love love crab and Peachy is probably related to them too because she is intrinsically crabby.
One item that you might miss is the Higado al Jerez:
If you think you don't like chicken liver, clearly you have not had it at El Pote. This undiscovered delicacy was the nicest surprise and the richness will emanate from the plate and delight your tastebuds. It's particularly smashing on a chilly day, as is the Sopa de Ajo:
The garlic soup is total enchantment from the first sip, and it will bring you a moment of zen in a city that never stops. Why would you do yoga to relax when you can instead eat the Garlic Soup at El Pote? Also garlic fights off colds we believe so not only is this delicious but also healthy. The aesthetics of this soup do not rival its superlative flavor. It is one of the wonders of the dining world in Manhattan, by Jose who did it for the Spanish Navy as you read in previous reviews.
Catch of the day when we visited was Cod and we reveled in its quality simplicity. Broiled to perfection and joined by gorgeous creamed spinach, carrots and potatoes, it is super fresh from the North Atlantic and hits the spot. It is the definition of dinner.
Now this is what game food should aspire to be.
Who needs wings when you have Spanish Pollo al Ajillo?!!!!
Our resident garlic monster, Peachy, love love loves this chicken sauteed in lemon and garlic Spanish style. They use just the right amount of evoo and it is entirely flavorful! We are also proud to be addicted to the perfect baked potato chips of El Pote which we absolutely adore in all their flavorful crispness.
Do not miss a perfect green salad, dressing on the side! We love classic green salads and they are a necessary component of a balanced meal. We were delighted to meet Jose Arrufat Gracia and Antonio Santofimia, and it is further evidence that if people from Spain eat here, it is truly amazing.
Finally, the firecracker of the evening was the Paella Valencia!
It is the best Paella you can get in New York. All other paellas dream of growing up to be this paella. Classical chicken, seafood (clams, mussels, shrimp), sausage and rice team up for an edible extravaganza that will wow you immensely. It is one of our New York favorites.
If you want a winning dinner, you eat at El Pote.
El Pote continues to be Highly Recommended!
