The first Gaucho restaurant opened in London’s Piccadilly in 1994, inspired by the charms of Argentina and with a vision to bring the world’s best steak to London. The now iconic name comes from the nomadic horsemen on the grasslands (La Pampas) of Argentina and Uruguay in the early 1800s. These grasslands provide the perfect environment for raising cattle in a country with one of the highest rates of beef consumption in the world. Your average Argentinian consumes around 120 pounds of beef a year, it’s a very carnivorous nation. And we’re lucky enough to also be able to enjoy this beef from the carefully selected premium Black-Angus breed which Gaucho imports from Argentina into the UK.
From that flagship Piccadilly venue, the concept has been expanded with restaurant openings across the UK. There are twelve branches in London, as well as others in Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Newcastle, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Glasgow. We recently visited the latest London offering in the heart of Covent Garden, just a short hop from the tube station. It’s the first Gaucho to be opened in London for a decade and with its dramatic decor inspired by the tango theatres of Buenos Aires it’s creating quite a stir.
Set over two floors the interior has a warm and rustic feel with wood and leather finishes and earthy tones. There’s plenty of plush seating and a stunning bar area. We were soon happily settled in under the warm glow of the softest of lighting and perusing the aromatic leather-covered menus in anticipation.
Our first decision to make involved cocktails. We loved the warming Honey Punch which really did pack a punch with its mix of rum, two types of cognac and honey, and the refreshingly summery Lychee Blossom served martini-style. Starters include delightfully light fishy options like sea bass ceviche, yellowtail tiradito, seared scallops and sauteed prawns. The perfect warm-up for a meaty feast.
There’s a good selection of tempting mains but when in a Gaucho it has to be steak. Especially once our charming waitress treated us to a tour around the steak board. There’s sirloin, ribeye, rump or fillet, and a range of weights to choose from, depending on your appetite. Every cut of meat is meticulously sourced and hand-selected, ensuring only the best graces the Gaucho grill. And you can certainly tell. There’s more decision-making from the sides and sauces sections which include confit mushrooms (the best mushrooms ever…probably), chips, vegetables and salads and classic sauces like peppercorn, bearnaise , chimichurri and blue cheese. All accompanied by a bottle of velvety, spicy Malbec from the extensive wine list which showcases the best Argentinian wine (as you’d expect).
To finish there’s a tempting array of indulgent dishes including salted dulce de leche cheesecake, chocolate brownies, lemon tart and tray-baked cookie dough. There’s even a selection of dessert cocktails. What more could anyone want?
A visit to Gaucho Covent Garden is more than a meal out at a restaurant, it’s a passport to the vibrant spirit of Argentina through its culture and flavours. A carnivorous symphony that serenades the tastebuds and a journey always worth embarking on whether you’re a seasoned Gaucho-goer or a first-timer. And you don’t have to travel far to get there.
Gaucho Covent Garden is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tango dancers perform every Friday and Saturday from 9pm and there are DJs every Thursday from 9pm to 1am.
Words by Sandy Cadiz-Smith
