Gaucho Piccadilly

Gaucho – Swallow Street Piccadilly

I’m sure that if the popular Gaucho chain were allowed, it would place a large sign, probably in bull’s blood, reading ‘No Vegetarians’, outside all of its London restaurants. Not a place for the squeamish, Gaucho is a celebration of all those things that vegetarians cannot enjoy. Chopping boards of raw meat, cowhide chairs and a carnivorous menu with a strong Argentinian influence are all about as off-putting to our veggie counterparts as a branding iron is to a heard of cattle. The South American inspiration is seen in the menu but abruptly stops there, before the London interior designers and foreign waiters take over, creating a unique and funky environment for the capital’s yuppies to enjoy. This makes for fashionable meal, ideal before a night out in Mayfair, but sadly scores zero marks for authenticity. Never mind, who cares about an Argentinian experience when Dom Perignon is on the drinks list, and ‘they still do chips’.

Everything about Gaucho is glamorous, from the red carpet entry through heavy, black velvet curtains, to the cloakroom housing enough fur for me to wonder whether venturing between these designer jackets would lead me to Narnia. Any hopes of making the transition to another land, perhaps the Argentinian Pampas, were dashed as we were led upstairs to the impressive dining room. Typically London, the exceptionally dark restaurant was dimly lit by a few huge chandeliers and the DJs laptop which played background music, the genre of which was certainly not Tango.

Sat at our table, we were greeted by a knowledgeable waiter carrying a board vividly displaying the various cuts of meat available. To some this may have been slightly sickening, yet to myself the meat looked perfect and his lecture on each cut couldn’t end quick enough. Being a man’s man, I ordered the largest rump steak at 400g for a reasonable £21.50. It arrived in all its glory, alone on a large white plate except for its own juices; perfectly medium rare as requested. It didn’t necessarily need the tart béarnaise sauce, such was its flavour, but my greed got the better of me. The chips were also excellent, not greasy but golden with a crisp outside and fluffy center, the perfect combination that so many restaurants promise but fail to deliver. When asking for ketchup the waiter looks blankly, and I wonder if this is a strange request? I begin to doubt the acceptability of my typically student-like demand, but after three attempts the language barrier had been broken and the European apologised and promptly obliged. Accompanied with a ‘truly Argentinian red wine’ of which I was assured was ‘excellent’ the carnivore inside me was totally satisfied. With sides at £3 and reasonably priced wines, the meal was not the ludicrous price that some restaurants worse than Gaucho steal from the deep pockets of its diners.

From every meat-lover’s dream menu, Gaucho sears up a steak that anyone who thinks-they-know meat should judge against their finest. Likening this restaurant’s food to a rugby team with the finesse of synchronised swimmers would be accurate. As I leave through the spacious entrance hall and out through the curtains I imagine being snapped by paparazzi before remembering that once outside I am no longer subject to celebrity-like treatment I had received within. Walking as far as my girlfriend’s heels would let her, we succumb to the black cab and head home after an excellent dinner.

I have been to Gaucho several times and never had an experience like this one.

Let’s get the good things out of the way… waiter and waitress that served us were excellent. Food was good, but not in the same league as the top floor restaurant at Smiths of Smithfield’s and the prices are comparable.

Now the things that ruined our evening (and due to work commitments we don’t get out that much together!

1) Sat outside for a drink first and one of the champagne glasses came with a crack… basic error.
2) We were sat in the basement which is not as cosy as upstairs and on the evening we went far too cold.
3) One of the knives brought for the main course had food residue left on it. Again basic error and one that turned our stomach to be honest 4) Espresso coffee came with so much coffee residue in it it was undrinkable.

Now all these thing were dealt with quickly each time we pointed them out and in isolation (apart from the knife) were not really a big deal, but when you have 4 things happening it just makes you wonder what is happening overall.

My GF who works in F&B complained to the manager who to his credit, did not charge us for our wine and gave us a complimentary glass of sparkling wine and dessert.

However to add insult to injury when the bill came it included two random drinks that we had never had. Incredible!

Would I go back, nope, I'll stick to SoS top floor restaurant

Typically slick Gaucho operation where the staff know what they're doing, but unfortunately go about their work in a slightly wooden and robotic way. Efficient though they are, charming they are not. As a group of girls we found it a little sterile and aloof in its environment, although the drinks were fabulous and there was a lovely and healthy buzz to the place even on a Tuesday night.

The cheese bread is superb as always and even though I am supposed to be on a carb-light diet I couldn't resist these lovely lumps of cheesy delights. We ordered some ceviches (raw seafood cured in lemon or lime juice) for starters and whilst they were tasty I had the feeling that the portion size had shrunk considerably from a few months ago to the point where we didn't actually order enough for the four of us.

For mains, we had a variety of steak and lamb chops which were decent but not wow. The beef was tasty enough but the ribeye quite chewy which was surprising for a medium-rare. The lamb chops were very undercooked first time round and sadly overcooked by the time they came back. The lamb also had an overly pungent aroma which was a little off-putting.

Skipped desserts in the end in favour of some bellinis and they were a nice way to round off a slightly disappointing meal. I get the feeling Gaucho is becoming more of an average restaurant that still charges premium prices.

2nd visit. Loved it the first time. Unfortunately the years have not been kind. Staff seemed stressed and it showed. Toilets still too dark and now rather tatty with overflowing Sanitary bins! Very unpleasant.

Both bottles of wine we ordered they could find and eventually almost an hour later (and I half suspect a visit to the local off licence) we got our bottle of Pinot Noir.

Food still good but we were 40 minutes late being seated so by then we would have eaten anything.

For the service and ambiance this is not good value for money.

It ruined a special birthday celebration for us. We won't be returning.

This is our favourite steak restaurant. We've been several times and each time have thoroughly enjoyed the food, the wine and excellent service. It can get quite crowded, however, this adds to the atmosphere. I've recommended Gaucho's to friends and colleagues and it hasn't disappointed yet.

Having been a diner at both the Hampstead and O2 branches of Gaucho I decided to book the Piccadilly branch for my Fathers Birthday / My Parents Anniversary – The food has always been excellent and Saturday was no exception.
HOWEVER
The service was ridiculously over the top and rather than feeling personally cared for we were passed from individual to individual who clearly were following a very strict training regime (and I would not be surprised, script…)
From the moment we entered the restaurant until we left we were served by at least 9 people.
Having reserved a table and at the time of booking and highlighted it was a special occasion, we shown the small round table next to the wash basin and grill area: Most certainly the least attractive table in the restaurant. I understand restaurants like to release their less favourable tables first but to do so on a reservation is disappointing.
The waitress was polite, however overly attentive when we just wanted to relax and enjoy the dining experience. Clearing away plates when other parties on the table are still eating is irritating. We had to twice ask her to stop clearing the table until we had finished our main courses.
When we decided to take our coffee down in the bar she failed to order them for us so we were sitting downstairs for over half an hour until they realised the order had not been passed on.
Of the two ladies cubicles available to customers, one was out of order and the other has no toilet roll. I and others had to resort to using the thicker hand wipe towels. This is certainly not what I have come to expect from a restaurant that appears on all other levels to aim for optimal comfort and appealing to the needs of the client.

I understand that the concept of the restaurant is experience and attention to detail but they should also consider that not every client will require that same level of attention. I have never been one for too much interference by waiting staff at dinner – excellent service should not have the waiters as the focus of attention.

Despite all of these disappointing issues the food (especially the steak) was every bit as delicious as ever and my parents, who had never eaten at Gaucho were extremely complimentary about the meal.
It is a shame that at Gaucho Piccadilly it was the misjudgement of the level of service that spoilt my and my guests dining experience.

As a regular visitor of this branch of Gaucho on Swallow Street over the past 4-5 years, I was very disappointed with my most recent lunchtime visit, which will probably be my last. Despite having booked a table in advance, we had to wait 45 minutes to be seated. When I asked the waitress whether she wouldn't mind removing the cost of the drinks we ordered while waiting for our table, she just gave me a hostile stare and said that wasn't up to her to decide.

Once finally seated, we had to stand up and wave at the staff to get any attention (not just to make an order, but even to get menus). We arrived at the restaurant at 1:20pm and at 3pm, we had only just received our starters – a couple of which were the wrong dishes.

The food was very good and the meat was delicious, but given the price of the food, it ought to be extremely good. Not good value for money and generally terrible service.

Headed back last night for the launch of the new winter menu, which i have to say ticks all the boxes. I started salmon ceviche which was wonderful the balance between salt & sweetness was wonderful. After seeing the mouth watering meat board a went for the 300g rib eye or Ancho as the lovely waitress mentioned. It was like eating butter she mentioned have it a medium and she was right…so right.

What Gaucho offers is simply but amazing the menu has shifted in a new direction its captures whats great about Argentine culture, rustic, wholesome food with amazing service. The latter made more apprant when i arrived and they offered the same Malbec i had last time, simple things go along way…

We closed of the night by heading to the supper lounge for a night cap, the DJ relaxed the mood with a mix of gotan project & latin house.

A wonderful night, Piccadilly just keeps getting better & better

The first thing you will do when you arrive at the Goucho in Swallow St is thank the staff for ensuring you have not stumbled into a guest or drinks laden member of staff in a blind state of panic, lighting doesn't get much lower, which doesn't much matter in the evening but at lunchtime on a bright summers day poses a real challenge.

The courteous welcome at the door is entirely typical of the service you will get throughout your time at the Goucho, staff are attractive, pretty knowlegeable, friendly and attentive.

The bar area is cool and…dark,serving a mixture of cool cocktails, beers, wine by the glass but not, shock horror, sherry!! My companion and very good friend Mr Jones, said “Why would it, Argentina doesn't make sherry?” Me, I think that's taking things a bit literally, if vodka and gin are available then…

The menu is a very silly size and shape, two feet tall and conertined like a fan. The dining room is up stairs via a lovely, dark, stair case.

We were shown to a table right next to the grill, which we didn't like and which they were happy to change without fuss.
Uncooked meat was brought to the table for us to admire, we chose 300grams of Argentinian ribeye medium rare, rare was discouraged. We had a meat charcuterie and a couple of Argentian pasties for starters. I wasn't keen on the pasties, a bit non descript, pasties have there place but not I think in a restaurant that aspires to offer a fine culinary experience.
The wine, a pinot noir, was offered to us in the same size and style of glass as we had enjoyed the rose, in my view 99% of red wine, good or bad, should be shown off in a large glass, we asked and they were happy, after a brief lecture on why a pinot noir strictly speaking didn't need it, to oblige.

The food, when it arrived, was I am afraid average. The steak, which is after all the main event, we both agreed, did not burst with flavour, nor was it very tender, plus no steak knives. The salad was over dressed and too salty. The chips/french fries were good.

Its not cheap, you can spend less at a several places in town and get much better quality steak and chips.

A final word on the clientelle and the music: the former mostly youngish and well dressed, the latter too loud but as very possibly the oldest person in the room I would say that.

Deep down I'm a serious carnivore – Meat is my thing. The more meat the better. At times I'd prefer a side of meat to go with my meat – perhaps with just sprinkling of greens to ease my guilt and the strange looks I'd get. Gaucho's flagship restaurant in Piccadilly therefore is ideal for me. It's a carnivore's dream – if you are a vegetarian go elsewhere. They can of course accommodate you but let's face it this place is about the fab cuts of beef. A great selection of starters provide the tease before the main event – crab cakes with cucumber and pepper salad in my case, the chilli, coriander and chipotle mayo got the taste buds going perfectly, as did the Argentine Baby squid my dining partner had. On to the main course and as mentioned you are spoiled for choice: rib eye, fillet, sirloin, rump, churrasco cuts or even a sampler of all the cuts – it's all there. They even bring round the selection of the raw product to explain the difference and let you see exactly what you are getting. I went for the fillet myself, which was suitably juicy and tender cooked to perfection – with hand cut chips and pepper sauce it was just what I'd been dreaming of all morning.

Finally I was dining with a companion who can remember the wines we had and it turns out and the waitress had suggested Terrazas de Los Andes 2006 which complimented the steak perfectly. Desserts I had to ignore as I was so full. The venue itself is lovely, with big spacious banquette/booths and an open grill where the chef does his thing – I also had a sneaky peak at the upstairs room they use for functions which is very glam indeed – great for a work function. Anyway to sum up if you like steak then go. If you want a huge choice of dishes with steak being only one of them go elsewhere. There are other dishes available on the menu if you don't fancy steak but to me it's the reason to get down to Swallow Street and enjoy. I've given the food and drink a 10/10 as for me personally it was – it fulfilled me in everyway.

Went for a business lunch here recently, and it truly is a beautiful place. From the sofa's outside to the upstairs dining room every detail has been thought of. Service was impeccable and the breads that arrived were delicious. Everyone in my party had steak, my sirloin was unusually fatty and difficult to cut but I was the only one on the table so I think it was just bad luck. Sides were interesting and offer more choice than the usual ‘chips’ – the traditional Argentinean corn side dish was delicious, as were several different vegetable dishes.

As others have said it is very dark, so perhaps not somewhere to go on a sunny day. Definitely one for the boys – I think we were the only female table in the restaurant.. so a great place to take male clients (and there are other things on the menu if people don’t like steak – although it’s a bit of a shame to go there and not try their speciality). The steaks do come up on the rare side – just something to bear in mind for those who aren’t keen on blood – a medium is more like medium rare in other places.

Have been to several Gaucho's and whilst they all follow a similar theme there isn't the commodity feel you get to other chain restaurants. In Piccadilly, the staff are very friendly, helpful and attentive and make you feel very welcome. Drinks were brought swiftly and we were able to just catch the waiters eye for ordering etc. I hate it when you've got to leave your table conversation and spend 5 minutes trying to make direct eye contact with someone who seems intent on ignoring you! If you're going Gaucho's you have to have steak and as always it was cooked exactly as ordered – i guess you'd expect it but steak so often disappoints – not here. The onyl slight downside here is the lighting which is quite dim and i'd put this as more of an informal evening dinner than a business lunch. Other than that, cannot fault – best steak eaterie in town.

Gaucho is the first place i think off when i need a meat fix, its a steak lovers heaven. It really is no matter whether you go for the lean 300g rump or the 400g ancho its amazing time after time.

I just wished they would open up one in Islington, until that happens Piccadilly will be my home.

I took my wife for our wedding anniversary on the request of a friend, I have to say she wasnt wrong in her recommodation of Gaucho Piccadilly.

We were greeted by a friendly reception team, our experience started in the bar with 2 amazing argentine cocktails after that we were asked if you wanted to move to the table. We were told we would be dining on the top floor and told to make our way upstairs where we were greeted by a lovely face who not only knew our name but congratulated us on our anniversary which was a lovely touch.

As we sat down 2 glasses of champagne were brought over, sent over with compliments of the Events Manager again a lovely touch.

In all I felt so welcome at Gaucho, I have booked my birthday in April in the beautiful wine boutique.

Pete, Windsor

I have visited 3 gauchos now (o2, hampstead and Piccadilly) all off them never fail to deliver. In this climate its nice to see a restaurant operate sticking to its guns in offer quality service, amazing food and inviting atmospheres when the world around us is discounting and slashing prices.

The beef is well worth the price, the education offered through the beef board is pricless if your looking for the wow factor for your clients this is it.

Our waiter (ben i think his name was) was excellent, we mentioned we were discussing business and didnt want to be disrupted, Ben skills in handling us were excellent.

I enjoy myself no matter which Gaucho i visit, but I just love the atmosphere of what has to be the busiest restaurant in the west end

Keep up the good work Gaucho,

excellent excellent excellent

Great service, great steak and great atmosphere

Its not just about the steak, its wine, music, ceviches and cocktails

Gaucho really is an amazing experience, if you love steak and you like an education in steak this is the place for you.

I enjoyed the Lomo 300g cooked rare, it was quite simply the greatest steak I have ever had. My waiter presented us with the cuts on a board beforehand to show what gaucho was all about.

We had cocktails in the bar beforehand, ther bar was beautiful and the servcie fast and prompt. Our waiter exdplained the process that they go through in something called the Academy, this showed as ll waiters were on the ball and very attentive.

We finished our evening with the dolce de leche cheesecake, wow it has to be tried to be believed.

I look forward to my next visit

Bear30

I have dined here on numerous occasions and as with all the branches (also visited the O2 and City restaurants) the quality of the food is fabulous for the price and the atmosphere is exciting; with all that cow hide it is hard not to get a little carried away with the South American vibe! The upper floor dining room is, in my opinion, more relaxed but the lighting in the entire restaurant is purposely kept very low and often it can often get quite noisy so much so that it is hard to hear ones own party. The lower floor is far more sedate and intimate and the bar on the ground floor is similarly dimly lit. A good stable choice for a fun evening out.

I have eaten in this restaurant twice now (and also Gaucho O2) and find the service friendly and effiicient and the quality of the meat outstanding – but only go if you are hungry – they don't do small cows in Argentina! It is quite dark in the bar / restaurant, so perfect for dinner – not sure about lunch.

After the waitress tipped a gin and tonic over us it was never going to be great but the waiter in the dining room actually argued with my client over his order. Never before have i had to give my own meal to a client and go hungry. Avoid this chain unless you are part of a macho boys lunch out. I refused the service charge – that's a first.