Gaucho Covent Garden – the first in the capital to open in over a decade – hasn’t arrived quietly. Landing smack bang in the centre of the Big Smoke’s tourist Mecca, the restaurant group, known for their smooth red wines and tender steaks is upping the ante, starting with the introduction of their ‘Late Night tango’ evenings.
Exclusively reappearing on Friday and Saturday nights, Late Night Tango looks beyond what’s on your plate and onto the dance floor. Revealed within a night speakeasy-style club and cocktail bar, suitably work off your meal by descending the stairs into a hidden ‘world’ inspired by the tango halls of 1930s Buenos Aries. From 10.30pm until the early hours, you can expect performances from seductive tango dancers, DJ sets with cocktails from the bar.
Gaucho Covent Garden is as restless as its central London surroundings. In addition to its new party persona, executive chef Mike Reid has also spiced up the morning menu with some new additions for breakfast. With a variety of vibrant and accessible Argentinian-inspired dishes – including a signature selection of standout 100 per cent carbon-neutral steaks – this bright-eyed menu option includes our beloved breakfast favourites with Argentinian twists. Choose from summer porridge with berries, halloumi and avocado muffin served with streaks of smoky chipotle barbecue sauce, and the quintessential classic eggs Benedict with cured Coppa ham.
Steaks from Black Angus cattle bred at hand-selected farms remain the stars of Gaucho’s show, with a healthy variety that highlights the consistent quality from across the animal. Even for those who may consider themselves a steak aficionado it can be an overwhelming task to identify the type of cut you may be after, meaning the team are on hand to help.
Sourced sustainably, choose from the day’s top picks which are presented to your table by which the team will enlighten you on the flavour and texture profiles. Options include delicately marbled ribeye, a tender sirloin, lean fillet, or speciality churrasco steaks marinated with garlic, parsley and olive oil. For those struggling with the choice (or would simply like to have their cake…. and eat too) is the ‘Gaucho Sampler’, which will dish up four different cuts.
Gaucho’s cuts come from premium Black Angus cattle that have been bred in Argentina at hand-selected farms. Reared by Gaucho’s trusted partners whom they have worked with for many years, each cow grazes on seventeen different types of grass from the Pampas provinces of Argentina – known for its lush and verdant grasses and highly fertile soil. It is these elements combined with a happy, free-range lifestyle that ensures a high quality of Gaucho’s meat across its generous offering.
To balance out the vast steak portfolio are the supporting acts. Choose from seared diver scallops with ‘nduja butter, shrimp ceviche with picante rojo and classic empanadas filled with a choice of beef, sweet potato and provolone, chicken, and chorizo. And for those who choose to steer away from the steak is whole grilled sea bass served simply with olive oil, lemon and herbs or marinated pork with Malbec jam.
A brilliantly bespoke dining experience can be had by selecting the huge variety of sauces, sides and toppings that are available. Sauces span from firecracker chimichurri for some added spice, to the rich and traditional peppercorn and buttery béarnaise options.
Gaucho Covent Garden has arrived, and it’s more accessible than ever. Opening doors at 8am for coffee and breakfast dishes with Argentinian twists, to welcoming post-theatre punters and party-loving guests into the late-night speak-easy for cocktails. With one of London’s largest collections of South American wines it’s already made a mark on the London dining scene, and I’m confident it’s here to stay.
Factbox
Phone: 0207 242 2222
Address: 8-9 James St, London WC2E 8BT
Website: gauchorestaurants.com
