Well, it's been a while, but at last on Saturday, we made it!
Gaucho -
http://www.gauchorestaurants.com was the venue, on St. Mary's Street in the City Centre.
Gaucho is an Argentinian Steak Restaurant, that I can only describe as superb! The first good sign was that we couldn't get a table for the time we wanted - this meant it was busy!
On arrival we were met by the door being opened by a smart young lady who escorted us to a comfy sofa, where she explained we would be taken through to the lounge area as soon as space became available. After a couple of minutes, we were led to a table in the lounge and provided with our first, much needed drink.
This was our first view of the actual restaurant area which is situated in a Grade II listed former Church. The organ pipes are still on view, and the decorative ceiling seemed to be a mile high! There are a couple of mezzanine areas, and a long open Kitchen area running right down one side of the Restaurant. This place certainly has the Wow Factor!
We were shown to our table, and presented with Menus, and this is where my only criticism of the night crops up - whilst the dimmed lighting provided a romantic, dusky atmoshphere, we couldn't read the bloody menus very easily!! Anyway, I will be emailing Gaucho with a couple of suggestions, as it became apparent other people had the same problem.
As I said, we were in an Argentinian Steak Restaurant, but my "Fish eating Vegetarian" companion (don't ask - I just pay the bill!! lol) was able to choose from three dishes so no problemes there.
I had decided to "eat healthily" myself, but once our Waitress appeared at the table with a large platter of raw steaks and explained what each one was, and how it would be cooked, I succummed!
We started with Crab Cakes and Pan Fried Squid, which was followed by Argentinian Sea Bass served with Asparagus and Croutons for my friend, and a 400g Rump Steak for me - which Chef was providing with a choice of a sauce and chips at no extra cost! Bless him! A side order of Grilled Portobello Mushrooms were also ordered - just because we could! Our Waitress explained that as I had ordered the Steak rare, Chef would cook it for only 3 seconds - I don't care what he did with it - it was to die for!
We were pampered throughout the Meal by our Waitress, and one of the Managers, but certainly not pestered - I would say that they have "Customer Service" off to a tee!
Once again my Steel like resolve came to good use as I fought off the temptation to have a Dessert - a Girl has her figure to think of!
No it didnt'!! I lost all will to fight, and took great delight in polishing off warm pancakes filled and drizzled with toffee sauce, and topped with vanilla ice cream. My friend also showed equal self control, and gave in to the chocolate cake, served with oranges and coffee cream.
I wouldn't describe this as a cheap night out - we only had a couple of drinks each, didn't partake in cocktails, liqueurs, or coffees, and with a small tip, the bill was a straight £100-00 for two, however, we left the Restaurant feeling like we'd had a night out, which at the end of the day is what it is all about.
I was totally accepted as a "lady", and we were addressed as either "girls" or "madam" throughout the evening by the staff, and received only compliments and pleasant converstaion from other diners. (This is the point where you have to remember my comment on the low level of lighting - comes in handy sometimes doesn't it?!).
I know you would be dissappointed if I didn't comment on the "facilities", and I'm pleased to report that they are perfect for the purpose for which they were designed. Clean, plenty of well lit mirrors, and they smell nice - what more could a girl want!
As a closing comment, the website describes Gaucho as a 200 cover Restaurant - I reckon on Saturday there must have been around 199 people in - they must have got something right!
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