Located adjacent to the Chestnut Hill Hotel on Germantown Avenue is El Poquito, renowned as the latest success of an Iron Chef Jose Garces protégé, George Atterbury. With Executive Chef Andrew Sabin on staff (also a Garces alum), El Poquito opened its doors in late 2014. We’re proclaiming it a hit, with several repeat visits under our dining belts.
El Poquito, named after cafe racer motorcycles that were popular among Baja California’s locals in the ‘70s, has brought delectably unique varieties of Mexican cuisine previously missing from our neighborhood. Open daily at 5 p.m. for dinner or at 11:30 a.m. for weekend brunch, this stunningly remodeled space is welcoming for groups of all sizes and serves a menu suitable for the youngest and oldest of palates.
Our first visit was with friends for Sunday Brunch. The gracious and attentive wait staff opened with offers of margaritas and mimosas made from fresh ingredients, sangria made daily or a strong cuppa joe while we perused our food options. Finding a brunch venue to suit the egg-hating taste of my main squeeze as well as all other egg-loving Desayuno eaters is always tough. El Poquito hit it home in spades from the tender chicken in the Enchiladas De Pollo to the impeccable squash/pomegranate/chipotle flavor combination in the fresh Ensalada Picada. The Poblano Potato Hash was the perfect accompaniment to the Enchiladas Verdes, and the hottest of the bunch, the Huevos Rancheros, had the perfect kick.
Our dinner for two the next week similarly impressed. It was a wintery Saturday night before 6 p.m. and the dimly lit establishment was already heaving. They seated us quickly and we selected La Casa—El Poquito’s Philly house-beer-and-shot special served with a can of Tecate and a shot of Lunazul blanco tequila—and a shot of sagrita to sip in between.
Having met the “sin huevos” brunch challenge, it came as no surprise that they could accommodate my awkward food allergy (no onions) with plenty of delicious recommendations. The staff knew everything about their food. Our favorite picks of the night were the Coles de Bruselas and the Tacos De Baja. The Brussels sprouts had a sweet finish that matched well with the chorizo. The fish in the tacos was light and flaky and the crisp apples added a hint of tart, but the smoky lime aioli at the base was the “Piece de Resistance” that finished off this delicious dish.
Unfortunately, there was no room saved for dessert; I’ll have to save the Death-by-Ice-Cream special for next time. And there will be a next time, as there are plenty of mouthwatering selections still to try. No happy hour specials yet, but El Poquito boasts a full bar with solid beer selections and plenty of snacks to sustain the after-work stop. The obliging and knowledgeable servers, the classy venue and the distinctive menu make this thriving new restaurant well worth a visit.
Find El Poquito at 8201 Germantown Ave., Chestnut Hill; phone: (267) 766-5372. El Poquito plans to open a second location, in Wilmington, in the near future.
Photo credits: Interior/exterior collage: Gayla Fecher; remaining photos: El Poquito
