Tipped

Steak+wine= good time

October 03, 2007

The Gaucho Grill is that rarest of beasts in London. It’s a chain which offers a consistently high quality dining experience regardless of which one you go to. Like all chains it’s not haute cuisine, but it is good authentic food cooked the way you want it from really fresh ingredients, and in doing that you’re guaranteed a better night out than in some places boasting Michelin stars. The interior is dimly lit with a noisy, buzzy atmosphere and slick, friendly service. The décor is effortlessly cool with lots of chrome and cow hide, smoked glass and mirrors and lashings of wood – a modern twist on the Belle Epoque styles of Buenos Aries dining rooms. If you want a romantic dinner for two, cocktails with mates or somewhere to take the in-laws it manages to fit the bill.

The food is very authentic, lots of flame grilled steak, sausages, chicken and Argentinean pasties (empanadas), fish, fresh vegetables and rice. The wine list is extensive and features an excellent selection of Argentinean Malbec based reds and sauvignon blancs. I’d recommend the Weinert Malbec from Mendoza (one of the best wines on offer to diners in London) some empanads to kick off with and a big chunky steak with a mountain of spinach…and wear loose-waisted trousers. The best thing about the Gaucho is you can roll-up at ten o’clock a little bit merry after a session in the pub and you can normally get a table and nobody will raise a disapproving eyebrow. It doesn’t matter which one you visit, they all do a great job. Mind you, at about £40 - £60 per head they should do.

Tags: Argentinean food, steak, wine, restaurant chain, docklands, atmosphere & character