Gaucho, Richmond – Review

Any restaurant that undergoes a sizeable building extension is doing something right, and Gaucho in Richmond is no exception. One of our favourite restaurant chains in the UK, we`ll never turn down an opportunity to review a Gaucho and the finest steak money can buy.

Gaucho Richmond is one of the latest restaurants to join the chain and is nestled bang on the riverside within an absolutely idyllic setting. The restaurant itself is glass roofed and fronted, which allows for a cracking view of the Thames, it`s ducks and some rather athletic runners and rowers pretty much wherever you sit.

Once you`ve parked up somewhere along the main road you`ll simply need to make your way down to the river and you`ll see it – just looked for the huge` glass house` and you`re there.

The restaurant comprises the familiar furnishings and dimmed lighting to the other Gaucho restaurants – the cow hide chairs, long bar, delicious smells and extremely friendly and welcoming staff. However, we felt that there was an absolute elegance to Gaucho Richmond that surpasses the others we have been lucky enough to review to date.

We decided to start with a drink at the bar, a chance to try out one of Gaucho`s reputed cocktails. Luckily I wasn`t the designated driver so opted for a rather alcoholic (and very tasty) KINOTO. For the driver – a tasty, alcohol free fruit cocktail.

We were sat at our table with a cracking view of the river, debated the menu at great length and then opted for the selection of seafood tasters and the fried squid for starters. Our waiter also brought around the trademark wooden slab showcasing all the various cuts of meat we could select for our mains – for all those of you who haven`t yet experienced a Gaucho, the concept is simple… they serve up possibly the best, tastiest cuts of beef that money can buy. We ordered the ribeye and the Lomo (a spiral cut of fillet).

The food started arriving pretty much straight away, incredibly quick service for such a busy restaurant. It was faultless, delicious (especially the Lomo) and more than ample to fill us up. However… somehow we found room to try the cheesecake and selection of cheeses. The cheesecake was incredible – the cherry on top of the incredible evening we had. You simply have to try it. The cheese was also good, although the attention was firmly on the cheesecake in both cases.

So, to sum up: If you are lucky enough to live in Richmond, or perhaps just fancy a walk along the historic Thames towpath, love a good steak (and healthy portions of it), appreciate good service and a delicious glass of wine handpicked for your choice of meal then you simply must visit Gaucho Richmond.