01/03/09

A Fine Place to Dine

by vin101960

A friend of mine who lives in the area took me there one weeknight around 6PM. The charming atmosphere and intimate setting puts you in a relaxed mood for dining. The appetizers of cheese, ham and olives were tasty. I had the chicken and lobster with a side of cream spinach. The lobster was sweet and tender. The chicken was a little overdone, but the sauce made up for that. My friend enjoyed her shrimp in green sauce. The service was good, the staff polite. As our dinner was progressing, the place was getting more crowded. That didn't bother us because the conversations were subdued and polite. It wasn't a noisy crowd. We enjoyed our dinner and definitely go back there again.

11/24/08

El Pote

by dtrencher

Everything is delicious dont forget to get the Sangria. A great hidden gem in Murray Hill a must for all.

• Pros: Best Paella

05/17/07

OLD NYC CHARM

by merlu

It's not a glitzy place to star gaze, with a celebrity chef and tons of attitude. Instead it is the kind of restaurant that seems to be disappearing in NYC: a great old school restaurant with great food and great service. The kind of place your parents and grandparents would remember, the portions are plentiful and the ambience is warm and inviting...

• Pros: Food & Service
• Cons: Small

03/04/07

Authentic Spanish food

by belle654

Mouth-watering paella and arroz con pollo. Portions are huge - leftovers are almost guaranteed. One of the best Spanish restaurants in Manhattan.

• Pros: Authentic Spanish food, great service & value
• Cons: Small, but cozy

01/22/07

Disappointment

by qtgurljny

After reading such great reviews. I was surprised at the food. It was very average at best. I had the mussels, serrano ham, cheese platter. The service is impeccable and prices are low but, somehow the food just doesn't stack up.

11/06/06

Wonderful Spanish restaurant

by nycpsu

Great value for wonderful tasty food. I had the chicken in garlic sauce, flavorful without being overpowering. It is small but it has a more intimate feel to it thasn cramped. We got there right before the rush, the place was packed the whole night so I would recommend reservations. Head waiter was so nice. An elderly man felt ill and the head waiter sat by him with water and a cool towel until the ambulance came. The fried plantain chips were delicious. Will definitely go back for sangria and paella.

• Pros: tasy food, nice staff, warm ambiance

10/19/06

Great, authentic food!

by chipchip4

My friends from my Sevilla study abroad program had a 2 year reunion this week and we picked this restaurant to relive the great memories. The food was excellent. The pollo al jefe was amazing. The staff was very attentive and even brought us a complimentary round of tapas. I'm definitely going back there soon.

07/22/06

Wonderful!

by amierin

A friend of mine had been trying to get me to eat here for three years. I finally made it last night and I have to wonder why I waited so long! My friend was delayed forty minutes due to the NYC Subway and while I waited the staff was attentive and did not make me feel unwelcome at all.

The food? Magnificent. I had the shrimp in wine sauce and my friend had the paella. We both enjoyed our dishes very much. The sauce was delicate with just the right touch of sweetness added by the sweet peppers. Of course we had sangria and it was the perfect complement to our meal. I plan to order the paella the next time so I can bring some home to enjoy the next day.

I left my reading glasses on the table and a staff member ran out to give them to me.

I would recommend this restaurant to everyone. It is small but if you linger after your meal no one is hovering to throw you out.

06/16/06

Oh, and do not forget to order la paella valencia!

by scile313

I ate at El Pote Español during prime lunch hour and thought it was fantastic. Though, I have to say that the place is a bit small, but rest assured that there is ample space between the tables if you are claustrophobic. In terms of decoration, the place is appropriately decorated with various Spanish motifs and Catelan accents. Food. I ordered the paella valencia and I must say that the portion is definitely worth the very affordable price. Ingredients were fresh and the way the waiters served the paella was also very pleasing. Not to mention that the food had that particular "home style" seasoning which gave the dish a succulent twist. I have to agree with the other reviewers and do not miss the thirst quenching sangria - one of the best around the city - which is a great substitute for wine (which by the way El Pote Español has a limited selection) and a great compliment to the food. Overall, I have to highly recommend El Pote Español from anyone that has never had any typical dishes to the most demanding and savy connoisseur in Spanish food.

• Pros: Decor, Food, Sangria
• Cons: A bit too small

03/14/06

Good food, good ambience, good service!

by kaudable

The food was good (rack of lamb was superb), the sagria was great, the staff was super friendly. Its a good place for big parties and good Spanish food.