El Matador Restaurant
Ever since chef Juan Alvarado moved from El Salvador to the U.S. at age 16, he has worked in restaurants, turning out cuisine ranging from Salvadoran and Colombian to Spanish, Italian and Mexican. His first restaurant, El Matador in East Patchogue, brings together all of those influences, as well as family: Alvarado's daughters, Emily and Melanie Alvarado, run the front of the house.
Credit: Daniel Brennan
Churrasco, a grilled New York strip steak rubbed with adobo and topped with pico de gallo, at El Matador Restaurant in East Patchogue.
Credit: Daniel Brennan
El Matador Restaurant is on Route 112 in East Patchogue.
Credit: Daniel Brennan
A server takes dinner orders from a group of patrons in the dining room of El Matador Restaurant in East Patchogue.
Credit: Daniel Brennan
Mero en salsa verde, an oven-poached grouper fillet topped with baby shrimp and salsa verde, at El Matador Restaurant in East Patchogue.
Credit: Daniel Brennan
Shrimp are marinated in ketchup, Clamato, lemon and cilantro for the house take on ceviche at El Matador Restaurant in East Patchogue.
Credit: Daniel Brennan
Flan is made with condensed milk and served with sliced strawberries and cream at El Matador Restaurant in East Patchogue.
Credit: Daniel Brennan
A pitcher of house-made red Sangria is served at El Matador Restaurant in East Patchogue.
Credit: Daniel Brennan
Chef and owner Juan Alvarado with his daughters, Emily, left, and Melanie, who run the front of the house at El Matador Restaurant in East Patchogue.
