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206-728-1337
City's Best

2505 1st Ave
Seattle, WA 98121
Fax: 206-728-4477

Average Rating 3 (19 Ratings)

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A throwback to the supper clubs of the 1930s, El Gaucho is one of Seattle's more expensive restaurants. Its location in Belltown (Seattle's latest 'in' spot) and dark, dramatic black-on-black decor attracts an upscale, hip clientele. Steak is the unabashed house specialty, but items served tableside flambee (like kebabs, bananas foster and cherries jubilee) definitely fun-up your meal. Coupled with appetizers, a bill can easily lighten the pockets of two diners by $100 -- even before ordering wine. But part of the price is the presentation.

The restaurant is a large, open space, broken up into several semi-circular "corrals," each with half a dozen or more comfortable banquettes and broad passageways between them. A three-foot raised platform along two sides holds even more tables, affording diners an excellent view of a continuous stream of impressive tableside preparations. Four separate rooms accommodate private parties from eight to eight-score, and there's even a Cigar Lounge. Check out the nightly piano bar music, or on weekends head downstairs to the Pampas Room for dancing and entertainment.

Categories: Restaurants-Mexican, Restaurants

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19 Ratings and Reviews

  • mildly disappointed

    Review rating : 3out of 5   stanwells - 09/22/2007

    I was told this was one of the premier steak houses in America. My wife's NY strip steak was okay, certainly not great. Side dishes and appetizer were very good. My brouchette was very good. Bar was excellent. Does not meet the standard of midwest steak houses in my opinion.

  • It's Suberb

    Review rating : 5out of 5   ginmasterchef - 03/09/2007

    Took my fiance to celebrate his birthday and retirement. From the moment we walked it, we were treated like genuinely welcome guests. It wasn't pretentious, it was just first class (we know the difference). We asked for and got wine and food recommendations without being treated like we were ignorant. The wait staff was just wonderful. The ceasar salad (along with the prep) was outstanding. Our steaks were melt in your mouth, and those scalloped potatoes--wow.The fruit and cheese plate is such a nice touch for after meal mellowing out. We've eaten all over this country and honestly, this rates with the best.

  • A Memorable Dining Experience

    Review rating : 5out of 5   two4yeshua - 05/11/2006

    My husband and I being new to the area were actually looking for an Italian restaurant.
    From the appearance entrance,we were expecting a small although not impressive restaurant.
    Imagine our surprise when we walked into a wonderful world of
    amazing service, reasonable prices and amazing Argentinian cuisine!
    The ambiance was definately Five Star as was the cuisine.
    We were treated like royalty, but the service was not intrusive. I would, and have, recommended El Gauchos to anyone in search of a Memorable dining experience

  • CONSISTENTLY GREAT!

    Review rating : 5out of 5   twstoft - 03/23/2005

    I've read all of the other reviews here and noted that the negative ones were from foreigners (read: East of Denver). What would you know about the Food of the West?! This place is the quintessential steak house, offering a fabulous variety of the best and most delicious steak you will ever have! The sides alone will use up your appetite, but save room for the custom-made, tableside-prepared desserts (BANANAS FOSTER!!). And the service......exemplary! This wait-staff is professionalism at its best. You will be treated to a wonderful meal and a delightful presentation. Oh, and let's not forget the ambience - calm, glamorous, romantic, completely comfortable. This is money and time well spent.

  • Way Overrated

    Review rating : 2out of 5   trpl0svn - 09/30/2004

    You know....they say Seattle is supposed to be a ffod city but I just don't get it. El Guacho for steak?......Bucca Di Beppo's for Italian? Seattle can't hold a cnadle to places like San Fran, NY or New Orleans (my stomping grounds)for high end food. Even the asian restaurants with the high population of asian inhabitants are mostly lousy. In a place like New Orleans, it's hard to get a bad meal and some of the corner places are where the best cheap eats are. There are no corner cheap eats places that I ever tried in Seattle (and I lived there for 3 years) that were even worth recommending. Want to try a great place for steak. Go to Dickie Brennan's in New Orleans. Top Notch. I'll have to admit I didn't get to go to the Metropolitan grill so I don't know about all of Seattle's carnivore spots. After my experience at El Gaucho I just stuck with Ruth's Chris. A New Orleans institution and pretty dang good at all the different locations I have been to.

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