Gaucho (City)

here's your tip: don't argue with the customer about gratuity!

The seven of us had a very nice, if rushed, meal at gaucho's last night. Between fending off a waitress who wanted to take our food before we'd finished and our drinks coming after the entrée, we were a little surprised at the service from such an upscale restaurant.

Upon discovering that we were unhappy with the service the manager then came over and proceeded to argue with us about how much gratuity we should pay; his main argument being that they don't pay their staff enough. Having an argument with the manager over the bill made what was a pleasant evening a sour one.
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Tiest vilee
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Sunday, August 17, 2008

A group of 10 of us recently dined at Gaucho - Bell Inn Yard, from the start of the meal to the end the waitressing staff were all smiles and very accomodating.

The waitress's constantly fill up your glasses with water whether you want it or not,

At the end of our meal we received our bill and had drank no less then 7 bottles of water, costing a whopping 30 pounds for WATER!! Because we were not asked if we wanted water everyone assumed the water was complimentary or at the very least not as expensive as that.

I'd be very careful the next time you dine at Gaucho grill
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donna meade
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, June 11, 2008

was taken to there on tuesday by my boss and it was my fourth time in a gaucho grill. i had lobster claw to begin with followed by a fillet steak, both were amazing. they don't give you a particularly sharp knife but it cut through the steak perfectly. gaucho steaks really are the best tasting steaks there are. the atmosphere is buzzing in there and times it was almost too loud you couldn't hear yourself speak. the service was good and attentive perhaps a little too much at times. would love to have lunch in there every week but it is quite expensive, i was lucky enough not to have to pay though.
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Philip Turner - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Thursday, December 06, 2007

The positives first....

The food was good. Everyone agreed the steaks were excellent quality, as good as you would get anywhere in London. The person who had the seabass said it was great. Two of our party thought their meat was a little overcooked by comparison with how they had asked it (ie they thought the rare was nearer medium) but they were not too upset.

The waiter also recommended a good red wine to go with the steaks and everyone was happy with it.

However that was the highpoint of the service. The rest of the meal was a disaster from a service point of view. Our waiter disappeared for up to 45 minutes at one point. We found it almost impossible to order a second bottle of wine. The woman at the bar ignored our frantic signals for help. Maybe they were busier than expected on a Monday night or we were at a bad table (the one nearest the door) but there can be no excuse for the delays we faced. A meal that should have taken an hour and a half at most took 3 hours. When the waiter did come he was a bit smug and unapologetic and they didn't seem to get the idea that we might be a bit peeved to be ignored for so long.

Oh, and it is quite expensive. I wasn't paying so I was in a good position but at the price you would expect to have decent service.
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jwss
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Tuesday, February 20, 2007

From the moment you enter this Argentine steak restaurant, the description 'class and quality' immediately strikes you. This description also applies to the staff who are all very professional.

I arrived before my companion, and the waitress was quick to seat me at the bar. The bar staff looked after me well, recommended an Argentine wheat beer and provided with me with bar snacks.

You are left agog at the leather upholstery on the chairs and on the walls. The leather hide is coloured white with brown or black spots. If you have not gathered by now that you are in a seriously carnivorous restaurant, then you are in for a big shock.

I felt foolish booking the restaurant for 6 PM, but by the time we started our mains, we suddenly realised the restaurant was full. So don't leave anything to chance and make sure you book ahead.

The menu and wine list was a neat, narrow and long concertina affair, which is quite unusual.

The meal began with an appetiser of bread, salt and oil. This was no ordinary bread and no ordinary dip.

To help us select our mains; the waitress brought us various cuts of raw meat. She then carefully proceeded to describe each cut of meat, explaining the virtues of the various cuts, and how best to have the meat cooked. The vegetables and chips play very much a supporting role.

I selected a medium Churrasco - a strip of Argentine beef marinated in oil and herbs and recommended by the waitress as a Argentine speciality. My companion choose a medium fillet of beef.

The wine list runs to hundred's of pounds. We selected the white. Sauvignon Blanc. We were embarrassed because we selected white and doubly embarrassed because we selected the cheapest wine on the menu. Having said that the wine was excellent or perhaps it was just our unrefined palates.

For desserts we shared a pancake and ice cream.

The service throughout the meal was excellent, and we enjoyed rewarding our waitress with a 15% tip.

For an appetiser, two mains, a shared pudding and a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc we paid the princely sum of £100, which in view of the overall package, we thought that good value.

If you love steak, if you appreciate good service, if you are not put off by having cow hides draped everywhere, and if you are happy to pay £50 per head, then go to El Gaucho Grill, for a steak to remember.
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Stephen Blagden
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Thursday, February 15, 2007

This place (and chain) is totally over packaged... but even though I hate chains I can't deny that the steak is excellent, decor is fab and the service pretty good considering how packed out it is most of the time.
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Tick - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Friday, January 19, 2007

It's just very good isn't it?

Service good, food great, well decorated, buzzy environment.

It is a chain restaurant and if you are offended by obvious brands, this place won't make you happy.

However, if you can get over that (or don't care about that sort of thing in the first place) the steaks are absolutely lovely and the place is worth a visit!
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LM
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Friday, December 08, 2006

A little Gem, newly decorated this place is superb. A great place to hide, with fantastic food and a huge wine list that I am struggling to get through! Packed every day, and you can see why. Service is great also. And the steaks are the best I have ever had in London.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Saturday, October 14, 2006

there is nothing more to say then divine!! the quality of the food and service was superb...not to mention the wine!!! tens all round!!
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, August 08, 2006

We visited at 10pm on Fri 10 Feb 05 and although they were extremely busy, they found us a table immediately.

Service was a little slow as the waitresses, seemed to be run off thier feet, but the Steak was worth waiting for.

My wife ordered the Beefburger - well done and it was exactly that!! Be careful when requesting how you want your meat cooked!

All round very good with a nice atmosphere!
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Justin Hevness - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, February 13, 2006