Gaucho Grill

Gaucho Grill Manchester, after attending earlier this year I was very impressed with the new refurbishment that has taken place.





Upon entering this opulent interior you are instantly made aware you are standing in a place of quality and attention to detail. With a warm greeting at the door you are taken through the impressive reception area to the main dining space, which is certainly no disappointment. The luxury continues from the soft, deep pile carpet to the designer hide print chairs which are everything you look for when it comes to comfort! Other great design features include the open kitchen layout which runs down one side of the restaurant allowing you to see the chefs at work, the large white church organ adding character and reminding us of the buildings former purpose (Methodist church) and the striking head to toe hide skin covered spiral stair case which carries the black and white theme through to the mezzanine level.



Aside from the stylish, theatrical interior, the service was second to none. We were introduced to our waiter who was extremely attentive and always wanting to please. Firstly he started of by bringing us the different ranges of steaks that they offer in their raw state. He then educated us about the different types of steaks, their particular flavor and texture and finally the best way to cook them. For example I had the rib eye steak which they offer in a number of sizes and I was told that it’s best to have it cooked medium to well done as this allows the fats running through it to melt, which improves the flavor and heightens the taste of the steak! Impressed? Well I certainly was! I had been introduced to a new dining experience where you don’t simply go to a restaurant to eat but to be educated in what you are eating!

We were more than satisfied with our mains and for desert decided to order cocktails. Our waiter asked us what flavors we like and advised us of what cocktails we might like. We took up his advice and went for a Mojhito and a Campaneros which was the perfect end to an amazing dining experience.

I would highly recommend going to this restaurant even though a little expensive I feel that the experience and the quality of food truly make it worth while.

Old v's New

Just the other day I was telling some friends about the beauty of old and I gave an example of a fishmongers in Borough Market, London. I didn't know the shop name but what I do remember was it's authenticity and refusal to change even though many of the original surrounding stalls and shops were shedding their old, traditional look and feel for a more modern and contemporary facelift.

My point was that with the recent rise in consumer trends towards organic, healthy and eco the more traditional shops were likely to benefit as consumers return to the 'local, independent green grocer' appeal.

The thing that I really loved about the fishmongers stall was that it had an old, gnarly wooden counter which was piled high with ice and many different types of fish. I didn't mind that the counter was crooked and leaked, in fact quite the opposite, it made the shop feel more authentic and like they were real fish experts. All in all a very authentic experience, a bit edgy and tired but cool all the same - in fact it reminded me some of the store in the gritty parts of west end of London.


(Above - A picture of the original store)

I returned to Borough Market and to my dismay they were just finishing a new fit out of the fishmongers - it's still a fishmongers but now it has a restaurant aspect and there is a brand new counter, all straight and leak-free! I must admit that the fishmongers looks great with it's new facelift and if i didn't know what it looked like previously I would be very impressed - but I miss the age and tradition of that counter and what it gave to the stall.


(Above - A picture of the new and improved store)