Gaucho Smithfield is a great steakhouse for city dwellers, primely located between Farringdon and Barbican for carnivorous patrons looking for an Argentinian feast. The restaurant may be within shouting distance of Smithfield market, but this branch of Gaucho is unapologetic about shipping its prime beef straight from the pampas of Argentina.
Diners are presented with a board piled high with slabs of raw meat – it’s simply a matter of choosing what you want and how you want it cooked. Pick one of eight sumptuous cuts such as cuadril or ancho, and decide on the weight – for a proper hearty affair, the scales can balance out at 800g. Then choose your sauce, the blue cheese hollandaise is a real treat, and you can even go for some indulgent chorizo butter to level things up even further. Get some sides of creamy mashed potato and beef dripping, garlic chilli mushroom confit to complete the meat-central feast. Red meat demands red wine, and the impressive list touts some of Argentina’s finest from all over the country – including a special collection from Gaucho’s partnership with a vineyard in Mendoza and leading wine makers.
However, if beef doesn’t float your boat, you can also plump for other flavour-packed options such as Atlantic cod on a healthy bed of quinoa and edamame with a delicious blood orange dressing or a beetroot risotto with puree and toasted almonds.
Inside, the interiors, famously known for their opulence and extravagance have been given a sleek makeover, the cow-hide furnishings are complemented by textures of the South American landscape, and the furniture remains just as chic and modern. For more party vibes, the bovine-inspired restaurant hosts an electric brunch replete with live music and sets from DJs to get the booze flowing on weekends fuelled by chimichurri steak and eggs.