Gaucho

Gaucho is where you go when you want steak and you want it done right. The Manchester restaurant on St Mary’s Street deals in premium Argentine beef – grass-fed, properly aged, cooked over charcoal, and served with the kind of confidence that comes from knowing exactly what you’re doing. The signature cuts are the ancho rib eye and the lomo fillet, both served on a wooden board with just enough garnish to make it look like they care about presentation. They do, but the steak is the thing.

Before you order, they bring a wooden board of raw cuts to your table so you can see what you’re getting into. It’s a nice touch and it helps when you’re choosing between cuts. The wine list is heavy on Malbec, as you’d expect, and the sommelier knows their stuff without being pushy about it. Sides are good but secondary – the creamed spinach and chips are solid.

The Damage

This is not a cheap night out. A steak will set you back forty to sixty quid depending on the cut, and once you add wine, sides, and a starter, you’re looking at a hundred plus per person. But for a special occasion or a proper treat, Gaucho delivers. The room is sleek, service is sharp, and the steak is outstanding.