#WhomWeMiss In Memory of Original Owner #EnriqueTorres A Peachy's Pick Since 2012 and #Best #Spanish #Restaurant in #Manhattan, El Pote Espanol #ElPote #ElPoteEspanol Since 1977 by Original Owner Jose Larino #JoseLarino Summer 2019 #WhomYouKnow #PeachysPicks @ManhattanPeachy #PeachyDeegan
#WhomWeMiss #EnriqueTorres Original Owner of El Pote
Some of the many pictures of Peachy and Enrique, who recently passed this summer
Peachy Deegan and Executive Chef and Original Owner Jose Larino this summer
It's not who you know, it's WHOM YOU KNOW and we have known El Pote for years and it is one of our absolute FAVORITES and it is definitely the best Spanish Restaurant in Manhattan. We are heartbroken to tell you that Original Owner Enrique Torres passed away recently, and were glad to see his business partner since 1977, Jose Larino solidly at the helm, doing spectacular work with his staff. Jose is doing splendid work in the wake of this sad news and though we greatly miss Enrique, El Pote is still thriving in midtown Manhattan and you have to visit!
"Enrique was a fantastic host," says Jose Larino. "In my first two years of living in the USA I met him when my cousin introduced me to Enrique Torres in 1975. Back then, Enrique was a waiter at Pamplona on 29th and 6th and everyone that has known him over the last 42 years misses him tremendously. Enrique was friendly, honest, a fantastic worker and he took care of people."
You have not had sangria until you have had sangria at El Pote!
It is the best we've ever had, and the perfect combination of fruit to wine sets a festive precedent for successful summer dining. It is most definitely the best sangria in town, and in a town like Manhattan, that is saying something.
El Pote was first featured in 2012:
El Pote was most recently featured this past spring:
There are certain dishes that evoke the spirit of each season, and when we think of summer we think of Gazpacho at El Pote. Nobody does it better. If you personally have been around Peachy, you have been hearing about this soup for months and how she can't wait to delicately devour it. Cold Spanish Soup sings a song of summer with its unique refreshment of tomato, cucumber, onion and just the right touch of spices to put a spring in your step on the dog days of summer. Its tremendous flavor will be emblazoned upon your memory forever once you try it.
If you are an avid reader, you know that historically, Peachy Deegan has loved garlic shrimp at Spanish restaurants and wondered where it has been all her life. The Gambas al Ajillo emanate just the right amount of roasted garlic to wow you without bowling you over and six sensational succulent beauties absolutely must grace your edible presence. They will not last long! They are far too delicious to share so if you have company, make sure they order their own!
A newer appetizer sure to be added to their greatest hits someday is the Spinach with Codfish and Queso Manchego, a smashing combination. Congratulations to Jenna Bush Hager on her baby boy and note you will love this in all its QUESO MANCHEGO glory...we have heard you share this close relationship with cheese that Peachy also has. This is not the first time we've tried it but it is a complete reconfirmation of the nutritious punch it packs with a great cod flavor for summer. Obviously, Manchego is our go-to nutritional staple in this Popeye-pleaser.
You have not lived until you have had the pig cheeks at El Pote.
It is really an accomplishment to serve Peachy something she has never had, and this is her first pig cheek experience. Also notable is the fact that El Pote does not rest on the laurels of their storied reputation: they constantly and consistently improve.
This was inspired by Jose Larino's visit to Valencia, where he had this dish.
Carrillera de Cerdo is expertly sauteed in brandy, red wine and thyme to result in an incredibly tender cut set off nicely by yellow rice and green beans.
If you like bacon, ham or anything pig, you will love this and be amazed. In our humble opinion, it is the creme de la creme of the pig.
It was a special when we visited and you are one lucky duck if it is on the menu when you walk in their door.
Peachy is still crabby, and even more so with the Champinon Rellenos: stuffed mushrooms with crabmeat! They remain our favorite appetizer at El Pote.
Another significant addition to the entree selection under specials was also suggested to us by Jose. Oxtail! It will make all your other entrees seem boring and less outstanding. Its innate tender succulence warms your palate with its marvelous rich depth of flavor, evidenced by the 2.5 hours it boils just for you. Onions, peppers, tomatoes, garlic, black pepper and beef stock accentuate its natural flavors and its carnivorous nature will wow you in every bite.
Yes, it arrives that hot and is is exactly this gorgeous.
We never edit pictures.
If you like paella, you will LOVE Paella Negra.
Black squid ink uniquely flavors all seafood elements, resulting in extraordinary flavor that is as rare as a Black AmEx. It is most definitely a status symbol to be seen dining upon this masterpiece of Jose Larino, and no one has come close to replicating his perfection in this realm. Though we also love the Valencia, Marinera and Salsa Verde, we were in the mood for this exquisite wonder, and it exceeded our expectations. Those pictures should speak a million words to you, so pick up your fork and indulge.
Also, it's quite a lot of fun to eat out of a skillet! We did that again with another special and another hit that shows that El Pote is enhancing its excellence: Fideua! Elbows are so much neater to eat than twirling your spaghetti. The spanish pasta with chicken and seafood was the first dish of this review to magically disappear in someone's stomach! Another Valencia-inspired dish by Jose, the Fideua will make your personal list of fantastic flavors you can't miss. The Italians should watch out! El Pote is hot on your heels and killing it with this pasta. Finally, top off your night with the three milk (condensed, milk and heavy cream) dessert which absolutely hits the spot.
Go visit Jose and celebrate the spirit of Enrique!
El Pote continues to Earn Our Highest Recommendation.
