IT has been billed as the finest Argentinian steak restaurant in Birmingham – you’ve definitely at least heard of it, but does Gaucho live up to the hype?
Well, interestingly, I found myself subscribing to that very idea within minutes of being seated, writes reporter Harry Leach.
Gaucho prides itself on being stylish and exceptional. And rightly so. It is.
On arrival, your nostrils are treated to the smell of fresh beef cooking and bottles of aromatic wines being uncorked.
Your eyes immediately wander around the room in awe at the plush restaurant’s sparkling decor and perfectly dimmed lighting.
The mood is perfect. You soon realise this isn’t just a restaurant, this is an experience.
And what’s more, the staff, who are are extremely sophisticated and attentive, make you feel like you’re the only person in the room.
Their knowledge of the menu is vast and their recommendations are extremely useful. I followed their guidance all the way and I wasn’t disappointed with the results.
After being served a glass of the gorgeously thick Journey’s End red wine, I made a beeline for the food menu.
To begin, I had the seabass, which was fresh, tasty and light – the ideal choice before tucking into my monstrous main, the ‘Gaucho Sampler’ (£100).
The sampler is 1.2kg of steak (I was sharing, don’t worry) and includes cuts of rump, sirloin, ribeye and fillet.
For sides, I ordered the tenderstem broccoli, mac & cheese and the deliciously creamy mashed potato which complimented the main perfectly at £5 each.
The steaks, all medium rare, were flawlessly cooked. Each mouthful was a gentle reminder of the beef’s high quality, all of which originates from premium black angus cattle in Argentina.
I chose the mouth-watering peppercorn and blue cheese sauces to accompany my beef.
Despite being on the brink of fullness, for dessert I had the deceptively large salted dulce de leche cheesecake (£9.00) which had my taste buds tingling as I tucked into its toasted marshmallow base.
It’s fair to say that Gaucho dazzles beyond known superlatives.
I know I will be recommending it to friends, family and even colleagues standing around the water cooler.
I will tell them yes, it’s true what you have heard, Gaucho offers the best steak in the city.
Gaucho is a fashionable, ultra-modern fine dining experience which is a stone’s throw away from Cathedral Square in Birmingham. To book a table visit http://www.gauchorestaurants.com/restaurants/birmingham or call 0121 439 9236.
