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(212) 206-8930
228 W 18th St
(Between 7th Avenue and 8th Avenue)
New York,
NY
10011
40.7414
-73.9987
Neighborhoods: Chelsea, Midtown
El Cocotero
Last updated 11.20.09
What People Are Saying About El Cocotero
The Owner
El Cocotero
Owner
El Cocotero, serves delicious and authentic Venezuelan cuisine. Come join us for breakfast, lunch, brunch or dinner in our warm, casual cafe. Our friendly service, warm decor and authentic specialties such as arepas, pabellon and many others will transport you back to Venezuela. El Cocotero is also available for Delivery. We look forward to serving you.
The Editor
Kathleen Squires
Citysearch
In Short – Blue walls, green palms, terra cotta floors, and languid ceiling fans conjure the leisurely cafes of Caracas while the menu's specialties pay homage to Venezuela's unique culinary legacy. Everyone here is eating the arepas, savory corn cakes stuffed with everything from flank steak to panella cheese and anise seed. Other homespun specialties include hearty pabellon, a plate of stewed meat, rice, beans, plantains; yucca fries with sour cream; and tequenones, savory cheese pastry sticks.
12/07/09
Awful service.
by hallaca at Citysearch
Terrible food, too expensive and the worst of all they charge us to our credit card more than we originally bought.When we called them back they were nasty and so unfriendly.Our bank said that the charge was made from the restaurant and they very freshy saying they weren't.Of,course the bank only charged us the amount this pathetic restaurant sent to the bank after sendind the correct amount.If we haven't called the bank, what would they have charged us???The owner seems to be he doesn't care about its clients.We will never, ever come back.
- Pros: Nil.
- Cons: Not worth to even drink a coffee.
10/22/09
What a Dissapointment....
by InThe Road at Citysearch
Our friend was visiting us from Chicago and she wanted to try the Venezuelan food and Me and my Partner choose El Cocotero to take our friend to dine out; but what a Mistake!!!..We arrived and noticed that the place is not cozy (too many tables for the capacity of the Restaurant); the chairs are too close from each other that you are eating and you’re shoulder-shoulder with the next person… not good lighting ( we had to use the light of our cell phones to see the menu..which is fine printed )…A waiter approached to our table and, started a “non sense conversation” and then he walked away…we looked at our faces like” what happened to that guy”..another waiter came and took our order...I ordered as an appetizer “arepitas con nata” and my friend an “empanada” as a meal I ordered “Pabellon” and my partner and my friend ordered the “Hallacas”...well the “empandada” arrived but my “arepa con nata” took so long to be served; I had to call the “waiter” who took our order and he said that it was a mistake and then finally it came 15 minutes later…The “Pabellon and the Hallacas” took forever to be served…( I for sure can say 30 minutes) …We called again and he said that it’s coming…10 minutes later the food arrived..The Hallacas was OK but the Pabellon ( specially the shredded beef) was salty and spicy that I couldn’t eat it. After we finished we had to wave the waiter who was like in La-La Land talking with the owner and the other “Non sense waiter” was too entertained talking with another costumer about hair and nails…???... Finally they came and picked up the dishes and then we ordered as desert “Tres Leches” and “Quesillo…And again, it took forever I think that they were too busy chatting and gossiping among them that they don’t realize that they are working in a restaurant and people need be to be attended..I had to call again and reminded them about the deserts; at this point my discomfort was obviously on my face that one of the waiter noticed it and gave to my friend a free drink “to go”..I wanted to leave that place!!!..It’s was so embarrassing for us to take our friend to that restaurant and Honestly I won’t recommend this place to anyone…Poor service..Bad Condition of the place…Too Hazard…
- Pros: Location
- Cons: Not Cozy Place - Poor Service - Bad Lighting -
06/17/09
Best Arepas in NYC
by Moni112 at Citysearch
We walked by this place one late night, saw the menu and finally went a few weeks later. We were upset that we hadn't gone sooner because it was GREAT. the arepas and entrees are delicious. The staff is so friendly that it feels like you've known them for years. The environment is fun yet chilled. The owner has been there the 2 times we've been in the last 3 weeks; and the 2nd time- he was our server! We decided it's a favorite restauarnt of ours and a place we'll take our out of town visitors. Try the mango juice w/milk; the Miss Venezuela arepa, el pepito, tres leches dessert, and the shrimp entree. That's what I've had so far and all was sooooo goooood
- Pros: friendly staff (like family); delicious food; easy on the $$
- Cons: None!
The Details on El Cocotero
What to Drink:
In addition to fresh juices like tamarind, passionfruit and papaya, beer and wine is on offer.
The Extras:
Try the hallacas, Venezuela's traditional tamale-like Christmas dish, during the holiday season.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Family-Friendly Dining, Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch Spot, Food Delivery, Cheap Eats
General Info:
Open 7 Days
Cuisine:
Spanish, Tapas / Small Plates, Latin American, Venezuelan, Mexican
Message from El Cocotero
- Venezuelan-Latin-Spanish-Tapas
- Breakfast-Lunch-Brunch-Dinner
- Delivery Available
El Cocotero, serves delicious and authentic Venezuelan cuisine. Come join us for breakfast, lunch, brunch or dinner in our warm, casual cafe. Our friendly service, warm decor and authentic specialties such as arepas, pabellon and many others will transport you back to Venezuela. El Cocotero is also available for Delivery. We look forward to serving you.
