Located near Battery Park in lower Manhattan, the newly opened El Vez is a New York version of the Philadelphia Mexican restaurant. A few of my colleagues and I recently visited the Stephen Starr eatery after attending a nearby event. I’ve dined at the Philadelphia location on multiple occasions, so I was interested to see what New York’s El Vez had to offer.
El Vez seems to be popular among those who work in the surrounding high-rises, as I noticed many of the patrons wearing business attire. There is an outdoor seating area overlooking the river, though the wait was long, so we opted to sit inside where we were seated immediately.
We started our meal with a pitcher of frozen blood orange margaritas. One of my favorite margarita flavors, El Vez’s version did not disappoint. We then ordered classic guacamole for the table. Our attentive waiter refilled our chips when we devoured the bowl. For my main, I enjoyed the seasonal soft shell crab taco. The rich, crunchy dish was filling. I ordered watermelon and cucumber salad as a side. Queso fresco, mint, cilantro and agave-lime vinaigrette were perfect complements to the refreshing watermelon and cucumbers. There’s always room for dessert, so my colleague and I chose to split the chocolate taco. Much like the popular ice cream truck favoriet, El Vez’s version features a sweet waffle taco with dulce de leche ice cream, chocolate fudge and peanuts.
Toward the end of our meal we noticed restaurateur Stephen Starr sitting at an adjacent table. We hoped to say hello, but, as expected, he seemed busy making trips to the kitchen and speaking with employees. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my dining experience at El Vez.
259 Vesey St.
New York, NY 10282
212-233-2500
Read This Next
Nobu Fifty Seven
Restaurant
Aug 21, 2014#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedHotel
Mar 27, 20256 Eco-Friendly Resorts Honoring Earth Day Every Day
While Earth Day is a day to celebrate our planet, it’s important to respect and honor Earth every day. That’s just what these six resorts do, putting sustainability first year-round.
Sponsored Content
AmaWaterways’ Specialty River Cruises
When you embark on a river cruise with award-winning AmaWaterways, unpack once and step aboard a world of unparalleled experiences. With enriching excursions, exquisite locally sourced food and wine, nightly entertainment and more included in the fare, you will learn why AmaWaterways has the most returning guests out of any river cruise line.
Dining/Entertainment
Mar 27, 2025The Peninsula New York Introduces Sunday Brunch Buffet
The Peninsula New York recently introduced The Peninsula Sunday Brunch Buffet at Clement, the hotel’s contemporary American restaurant, offered weekly 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Popular brunch classics pair with live music, ensuring a perfect dining option for both hotel guests and Manhattanites alike.
Hotel
Mar 26, 2025Andaz, Hebru Brantley Debut Away We Go Collab
Andaz recently debuted its capsule collaboration with artist Hebru Brantley, named Away We Go and available at Andaz West Hollywood, Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht and Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills. Brantley is known for his Afrofuturist style and narrative-driven work. At the hotels, guests experience Brantley’s work through room takeovers and a limited-edition capsule collection.
Sponsored Content
Madrid: The Charm of an Authentic City
They say Madrid is in vogue for many reasons: its lifestyle, its heritage, its cuisine and all of its new attractions. And it’s true, because Madrid is on the radar of travelers looking for a cutting-edge destination that still holds onto its essence. Join us as we explore its charms.
Hotel
Mar 26, 2025Have the Ultimate Solo Travel Adventure at This Belize Resort
With 40 percent of women expressing interest in solo travel, Alaia Belize welcomes solo female travelers like no other. This resort offers an immersive experience into local Caribbean culture while offering luxury amenities for ultimate relaxation.
ShareThis