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Reviewer: mac
Reviewed on the: 30/05/2009 05:09:13
Overall Rating: 84% |
Atmosphere 
Decor
Value for Money 
Service
Stars
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Food 
Wine 
Music
Transport and Location
Overall Experience
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Argentina is known for their beef, and London is fast becoming known for their Argentinean steak restaurants. Most Londoners have heard of the Gaucho Grill chain, and many will have had a satisfying meal at one of their 9 London restaurants, with this particular one but five minutes walk from Chancery Lane Tube Station.
When you walk into the restaurant one of the things you notice is the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff. Of course, the murmur of conversation coming from the bar area, and the restaurant as a whole, is encouraging for those who like a social atmosphere with their meal.
You’ll see a stylish and good looking restaurant inside, and my only criticism here would be the stage lights that look out of place in amongst all the leather, cow hide, wood and metal. Of course Leigh, the entertaining and friendly manager says that’s going to change in the upcoming refurbishment, which will make the venue stunning.
Now, when I speak of fatty pieces of Argentinean meat that you really want to sink your teeth into (and no I’m not talking about Diego Maradonna), Gaucho Grill is the place to go. In fact we were so looking forward to getting our fangs into the steaks that we skipped starters and went straight to the mains, having said that the starter selection did look more than just edible. The steaks were great, with my dining partner having a fillet cooked exactly how she likes it and me having a fat marbled and absolutely delicious rib eye steak. The side orders were tasty but no more than distractions to the mains.
Something you may not have heard about Argentina is that they produce some exceptionally good wines, and Gaucho grill have an almost bewildering selection of them. I have no hesitation in suggesting that you ask your waiter to help you select one, because you will not be dissapointed.
Having raved about the food and given sincere compliments to an impressive wine list, I must mention that Gaucho Grill is not cheap. I was also disappointed at the size of the standard sauce bowls, feeling that it would have served less than a quarter of my steak had I not gotten some more. Of course the sauces were very tasty even if diminutive.
Having said the only minor criticism I have for gaucho grill already, I would now like to compliment the selection of their music, modern and unintrusive whilst still being interesting.
I now feel that I can finally admit in public that I was once a vegetarian, and it’s places like the Gaucho Grill that make me very, very glad that I’m not a veggie any more. |