Gaucho Manchester, Comments or Alternatives?

[anonymous-user]

Going to take the wife out as a suprise, used to live in Leeds so used to some nice places around the city to eat but have been stuck on the wrong side of Saddleworth for a while
Fancy the look of Gaucho but wanted to hear any experiences eating there or indeed any alternatives in Manchester.
Not being flash in any way but the money is not the issue as it is a bit of a one off, just want a nice alternative to the usual italian/asian places.
Looking at Latin,Morrocan or maybe Persian??

[Mobile Chicane]

If it's anything like Gaucho Sloane in London, avoid.

Steak was so-so. I could have done better myself with the same quality of ingredients.

Wine was ruinous. £40 a bottle for an oxidised Argentinian white I'd have considered worth £5 retail, tops.

Also, all accompaniments are extra. Sauces, £3. A tiny bowl of chips, £4. A tiny bowl of salad, £4.

I think there is far better value to be had, tbh.

[JQ]

Not what you want to hear, but just round the corner is San Carlo a truly fantastic Italian - it's absolutely packed every day of the week or you could try over the road at Cichetti, which is their Italian Tapas bar which is just as good but you're not able to book in advance.

Also have a look at Australasia which is getting good reviews and is next on our hitlist, which is located further down Deansgate.

[CHIEF]

If you're not far from Saddleworth and want a steak then try the Old Original, Must make some of the best steaks in the Northwest.

[Bullett]

I've always had good food and service from Gaucho (not Manchester admittedly but a couple of other branches on different occasions). It's not going to change the world but it was a good steak.

Not great value for money though.

[tj2002]

An alternative to Gaucho would be either the Grill on the Alley or Grill on New York St. Both blackhouse restaurants, great selection of steaks and Wagyu Kobe beef if you're feeling particularly flush.

[sclayto2]

Was there a couple of weeks ago and it was all very nice.

Staff could be a little difficult to get hold of, though.

[15yrold]

The Lowry
San Carlo
Wings

probably the 3 best resturants in Manchester from my experience, the rooms is over rated as many others in the city are

(p.s i'm 29 not 15 before you question the development of my tastebuds!)

[Rollin]

tj2002 said:

An alternative to Gaucho would be either the Grill on the Alley or Grill on New York St. Both blackhouse restaurants, great selection of steaks and Wagyu Kobe beef if you're feeling particularly flush.

Agreed.

[LooneyTunes]

15yrold said:

The Lowry

Don't expect to be able to use their car park if you go to use the restaurant - it's for guests only. I kid you not.

[escargot]

Sam's chop house!

[JQ]

escargot said:

Sam's chop house!

Sam's Corned Beef Mash - yum yum.

[Rollin]

JQ said:

escargot said:

Sam's chop house!

Sam's Corned Beef Mash - yum yum.

Followed by a massive steak and kidney pudding.....drool

[Ian_S]

tj2002 said:

An alternative to Gaucho would be either the Grill on the Alley or Grill on New York St. Both blackhouse restaurants, great selection of steaks and Wagyu Kobe beef if you're feeling particularly flush.

I second this, gaucho was a bit meh, but the grill on the alley do a steak of the month, and their hereford ribeye, was the best steak i've ever had.

[Calculator]

JQ said:

Also have a look at Australasia which is getting good reviews and is next on our hitlist, which is located further down Deansgate.

Definately Australasia. Best restaurant in Manchester at the moment. Vertigo (ex Ithaca) is also good.

[Soir]

has anyone been to michael caines at abode?
quite fancied it, but australasia and vertigo are both looking very good

[WCZ]

LooneyTunes said:

Don't expect to be able to use their car park if you go to use the restaurant - it's for guests only. I kid you not.

Are you serious?

I've been before several times but was unaware of this (I have the luxury of living next door to it at the edge!)

Not keen on Sam's Chop House tbh, though I can vouch for the portion sizes! (GIANT)!

[theboss]

I haven't been to a Gaucho for a while but used to go to the Picadilly restaurant frequently about 10 years ago when I thought the steak was great. Is it the case that, since then, they have been a little too successful for their own good?

[LooneyTunes]

WCZ said:

LooneyTunes said:

Don't expect to be able to use their car park if you go to use the restaurant - it's for guests only. I kid you not.

Are you serious?

Yes. Even with heavily pregnant other half. And a reservation in the River Room. And a mostly empty car park. And empty spaces immediately outside the door. And arriving in something "appropriate" for their target demographic.

About 90 seconds after I phoned and canceled the table the manager called back to advise they'd (miraculously) now be able to find us a space.

Went to elsewhere on principle and haven't been back since.

[Mr Gearchange]

Mobile Chicane said:

If it's anything like Gaucho Sloane in London, avoid.

Steak was so-so. I could have done better myself with the same quality of ingredients.

Wine was ruinous. £40 a bottle for an oxidised Argentinian white I'd have considered worth £5 retail, tops.

Also, all accompaniments are extra. Sauces, £3. A tiny bowl of chips, £4. A tiny bowl of salad, £4.

I think there is far better value to be had, tbh.

Holy thread resurrection Batman.

Anyway I went for lunch here on Friday and have to concur with MC's review.
The Lobster Ceviche I had for a starter was lovely - but everything else was incredibly average.

It's just appears to be insanely overpriced steak and chips.
Steak was ok - but for 45 quid I expected it to be something really quite special - it wasn't.
I could wax lyrical for over a page about some of the triple cooked amazingness I have sampled elsewhere but these were just chips. There is nothing more to say about them. Their garlic hollandaise was - well, meh.

I've had meals that were 10x better for half the price elswhere. Thankfully I wasn't picking up the bill and I certainly wouldn't be spending my own money in there. Outrageous.