The Gaucho Grill

"More international and vibrant than the Chancery Lane branch..."

Added Fri 25 Jul 2008 by KimT

My first experience of the Chancery Lane branch many years ago was at an informal catch up lunch with my business friends and then I started eating there with the girls after work. But it’s a tad too dark and informal for regular business meetings so don’t worry about being surrounded by the dull suit brigade.

The bar there is lively and full of after-workers, which, with a location so close to the Courts, has a fair smattering of the legal profession but is also surprisingly mixed. They certainly know their wines and if you like the warm, full bodied reds then you will be in heaven. Or you can try and perch on top of one of the wonderfully garish cow hide stools and sample some of the cocktails. During the week it is a bit quieter so a good place if you want a long uninterrupted chat or a real heart to heart. But bear in mind that there is a limit to where you can go nearby for drinks afterwards…

This place is amazing for steaks. For the uninitiated they bring out a board which shows all the different cuts of steak and explain the differences and the flavours so you can be sure to pick what suits you best. There is a good selection of sides – which are extra – which includes a choice of fat or thin chips. On occasions, I have found the choice of starters a bit limited although seafood is well represented but whatever I have had has been delicious.

The waiting staff are friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. Yet they don’t hover. And most have warm, suitably Argentinian/Spanish dark looks and accents to match.

More recently I visited the Canary Wharf branch – a weekend evening dinner for two couples. This made the dark and intimate atmosphere more palatable although reading the long thin menus remained a challenge. The view outside this branch is wonderful and if you haven’t been to Canary riverside then this is a good place to start. Internally, it is much bigger too and the clientele are younger, more international and generally a bit more vibrant than the Chancery Lane branch.

Each starter is around £10 and steaks range (you have a choice of size) from £12 to £30. If you add wine, dessert and coffee then it starts to get a bit expensive so probably a place to reserve for the serious steak fans on a treat

3 out of 10 stars

Friday 17th June - Gaucho Grill Westferry Circus Disappointed that hot weather caused such a decline in level of service. Booked table for 9. Left at bar but following persistent complaints finally seated at 10.00 with very little apology. Service thereafter very slow, staff friendly but food not up to previous standards.