Happy Hour Review. I fear making this review and I hope nobody reads it. We arrived at 5:45 pre-game. For $24 the chimi steak sando and fries was almost a religious experience. Cooked to perfection and drizzled with chimi sauce sitting on fluffy bread soaked with the steak drippings. Fries were crisp and delicious. Decent amount of steak on the plate. All three of us had the sandwich with happy hour drinks. Bartenders although slammed with customers were efficient and friendly. With the kraken being shutout at home this was the highlight of the night. read more

See all

The lack of culinary effort is appalling, considering the amount of money being asked for a mediocre steak and seafood. My filet, arrived over cooked, dry, and cool. There wasn't a single drop of juice on my plate after cutting it. 18oz lobster tail for $125 was a joke. It was maybe 12-14oz prior to being cooked. Poutine - cheap soggy frozen fry's with hyper salty "short rib" and overly melted cheese curd. Our server walk away from our table as I was ordering apps, to attend to the table next to us who raised his hand to complain he didn't get his Dr. Pepper soda. I expected so much more... read more

a wonderful spot in belltown! as far as i can tell, it is on the fancier, higher end side, but my friends and i came quite casually for happy hour and it was fine! the ambiance is super moody/dimly lit, which is fun for maybe a little romantic dinner date or gorls night out even. i went to happy hour so im not sure what the other menu items are like. i got to try the elixir and strawberry cocktail, both were sweet and easy to drink. we also ordered the fries with truffle aioli, and the aioli was fantastic, the truffle really came through and the fries were nicely fried. we also tried the poutine, which had a wonderful gravy/sauce full of big portions of meat. my friend and i shared the steak sandwich. the steak was tender and so flavorful and it paired really well with the slab of mushroom. i think one of my favorite parts was the live pianist! he plays every fri sat and sunday, AND he takes requests (and loves it!). we had such a fun time asking for random songs. the food was good, but i would come back just to listen to him play piano. read more

Everything was phenomenal!! Our server Todd was excellent and very knowledgeable about his wines and food selection. I will most definitely be back. read more

5 Stars - Incredible First Experience at El Gaucho! My husband and I came to El Gaucho for the first time to celebrate his birthday, and we were absolutely blown away! From the start, the staff made the night incredibly special. They surprised my husband with a custom menu that had "Happy Birthday Jamal" printed right at the top, along with a personal birthday message from the restaurant--such a thoughtful touch! Without us even asking, they gave us a tour of the restaurant, which made us feel truly welcomed and valued. The atmosphere was elegant and cozy, and the service was top-notch. Now for the food--wow. I ordered the bone-in ribeye and it was hands-down one of the best steaks I've ever had. My husband got the New York steak, which he liked, but he definitely had food envy after tasting mine! We also tried the Tenderloin Diablo and it was to die for--spicy, tender, and packed with flavor. We shared the mac & cheddar cheese and asparagus as sides, and both were fantastic. The mac was creamy and rich, and the asparagus was fresh with the perfect bite. We left full, happy, and already planning our next visit. If you're thinking about going--go! Highly recommend El Gaucho for any special occasion (or just because you deserve a great meal). read more

Are you tired of your food server bringing your food to the table before you even have your napkin and silverware, water, and beverage? I am. That is their job! So... last night my pod pal and I took a trip down memory lane and went to the Happy Hour at El Gaucho Seattle which did not in any way disappoint. We were so happy and left with our creme brulee to go that even the cat enjoyed. Fell asleep watching tv with a smile on my face! So worth the trip and we will be back again and again. And I must mention the fine looking male waiters wear suits and ties and I like that. They were so incredibly professional. Everything about the entire experience was perfect. https://elgaucho.com/seattle/ read more

Came in with a buddy, who is going to be pet sitting my cat while I'm out of town. He'd never been to The Gaucho, so I thought this would be a good way to show my appreciation. He didn't know what to expect, and was blown away. We arrived a little ahead of the reservation, so we hopped up to the bar and ordered drinks. As soon as the drinks were ready, our table became available, so the hostess put our drinks on her tray, then led us to our table. The table was in the back, and elevated, so we both had an amazing view of the restaurant. I had called ahead and asked if they could put a personalized message on the menus, which they did, and even added a little black cat as well. This was such a cool personal touch. For drinks, my friend ordered the Kentucky Jam Band, and I ordered a Moscow Mule. My friend really enjoyed his cocktails, and I can honestly say that I've never had a better Mule in my life. While we looked at the appetizers, the garlic bread arrived, which was delicious as always. My buddy ordered the Poke, which was very fresh and flavorful. He's a big sushi fan, and was definitely impressed. I was planning on ordering the scallop appetizer, but noticed that the preparation had changed. I asked our waiter, Doug, and he confirmed it was a new appetizer, but that I could still order the old one. Again, the appetizer was fantastic. They get these firm char-marks on the scallop, which not only adds an amazing flavor, but also an awesome crispy texture, to the otherwise soft scallop. My buddy ordered the roasted half chicken as his entrée. The chicken was perfectly cooked, with a nice crispy skin, on a bed of roasted corn and mushrooms. I ordered a rare sirloin (my favorite), "Gaucho Style", so it came with a lobster medallion, asparagus, and bernaise sauce. We additionally ordered mashed potatoes and roasted summer vegetables as sides. I've never had the famous Joel Robuchon mashed potatoes before, but if you told me that the Gaucho mashed potatoes were prepared in the same way, I would totally believe you. They were soft, creamy, and luxurious. The roasted summer vegetables were great (Squash, bok choy, tomatoes, kale, marcona almonds). They were perfectly cooked, al-dente. The plum tomatoes were scorched, but not falling apart, and the marcona almonds rounded out the flavor and texture profiles. Both of these appetizers are must-order items. Doug, our waiter, was excellent. He was attentive, without being annoying. He knew exactly when to check on us, and greatly contributed to our experience. Additionally, Larry Sonnenberg, the front of house manager, stopped by to introduce himself and make sure our experience was as expected, if not better. This was especially impressive since the restaurant was packed (Saturday night), and he was busy lighting skewers of meat of fire, and otherwise interacting with the tables. Neither my buddy nor I were able to find room for dessert, but we did make short work of the after-dinner fruit/cheese plate. The El Gaucho rosemary crackers are amazing, as is the fig jam. Before checking out, Doug asked if we had valet parked, and checked our ticket. When we exited the restaurant, my car was already there and waiting. Great service! Also, I was happy to see the complimentary bag of chocolate chip cookies, from the valet, waiting in my car. Needless to say, this was a superlative dining experience. If you've never been to El Gaucho, I cannot recommend it enough. They are there to take care of every little detail you require, and to make you feel as if you're in the center of their world while you are there. Thank you Doug, Larry, and the rest of the El Gaucho staff! read more

Went to El gaucho while visiting Seattle and OMG 5 stars aren't enough. Upon entering you see a fire pit and a beautiful bar and very luxury decor. They don't have a dress code but is a place jf you want to wear your Sundays best you can. Our server Jimi was on top of things. Never let our water glasses get low and he was very informative of the menu from starters to dessert. My old fashion he recommended was smoked and was exactly how an old fashion should tastes. He had wonderful energy and was pleasant to talk to. Also the manager Mauch was amazing as well. He kept us laughing and entertain upon his visits to our table as we were one of the last groups to leave. They start you with a garlic/cheese type of bread that was toasted and freaking phenomenal. We ordered crab cakes, fried calamari and lamp chop lollipops to start. The crab cakes were flavorful and the batter was perfectly cooked. Calamari was well seasoned and came with a sauce I would dip anything in. My favorite was the lamb as it was cooked perfectly with a great char on the outside. For the main course we all had steaks that were cooked and season to perfection. My first bite tasted like butter. Just melted in mouth. We ordered the Brussel sprouts and mash potatoes as sides. Brussels sprouts were charred but flavorful and the mash potatoes were whipped perfectly. For dessert I had the key lime pie and that crust and filling and me wanting more and more. All in all this was a 10/10 experience. Would highly recommend. You will pay for this service as it is not cheap but it's worth every penny. read more

So disappointing. I've been a loyal El Gaucho customer since 2010. Every time I visit Seattle I make it a point to come in for a meal. I've been to the Bellevue location a handful of times and the downtown Seattle location easily a dozen times. Club member, racked up hundreds of points, expensive but excellent food, service and always worth it. Sadly, not anymore. First visit since COVID I was super excited to visit again. I went to the new location and was warmly greeted by the hostess and seated by the bar promptly. Service was fine, menu has been updated, everything is more expensive and I get it. Post COVID, inflation, labor costs. Happy to pay a bit more. Boy was I disappointed. Blood Orange Old Fashioned $19 Smoked Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned $24 Wedge Salad $14 18 oz Bone-In Ribeye $78 Baked Potato $9 25th Anniversary Cabernet $16 Total $232.85 including a 20% service charge, 15% of which I was told by the server goes to the server. Drinks were excellent. Wine was fine. Expensive but perfectly mixed. Wedge very good but half the size it used to be. For $14 it's way over priced but whatever. It's El Gaucho. The steak. I've never seen a sadder ribeye. No way this is anywhere near 18 oz. I get the bone weighs an ounce or two and it's dry aged for 28 days but this thing looks like it came off the Golden Coral serving line or Texas Roadhouse at best. I mean seriously, less than half an inch thick, it was maybe and I mean maybe 10 oz. Flavor was fine but given the density or lack thereof the char to meat ratio made it a bit too much. Potato. Whatever. It's a baked potato. Oh and the bread basket. 4 meager sourdough slices pre-buttered and cheeesed. What is this? I'm sorry but for $250 this meal was totally unacceptable and not once did anyone ask how things were. Even when I commented on the steak the server "reminded" me it's a bone in ribeye. Look at that picture. That bone might weigh an ounce. At $78 I expect a thick piece of meat, 1.5 to 2 inches thick. Not this flattened, pounded piece of meat that looks more like flank steak. I'm very sorry to say, but as much as I've loved this place and as many memories it's created for over a decade, it appears to be a shadow of its former self and I will not be returning anytime soon as I can find way better ways to spend nearly $250. Thanks for the memories. read more

El Gaucho - Steakhouses Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I wanted to squeeze in a steak dinner before my Seattle vacation ended and decided to give El gaucho a try. Ordered their flaming sword brochette of tenderloin with Yukon gold mashed potatoes and they were pretty delish. It was also entertaining to watch a server cook the tenderloin in flaming fire right in front of my table - pretty neat experience! During my dining, my server did not ask me for my name nor did she provided me with hers, which I thought was both surprising and underwhelming especially with my dinner check being in 3-digits (before taxes) and it is not something that happens often when dining at a nice steakhouse such as el gaucho. She and her colleagues were quite attentive throughout my dining which I appreciated. Their blood orange old fashioned was pretty tasty except the bartender did not give the "extra loving pour" of bourbon you would expect from a steakhouse. I thought I would have a better experience than Capital grille and will most likely go there next time I am in Seattle. read more

See all

Mach and Sarah are amazing! If you get the table side Caesar then take the time to watch them make it or order a different salad! The wagyu poutine is to die for! Brussels are delish Chateaubriand* sub out asparagus for something else and unless you really like broiled tomatoes you can skip that too. read more

El Gaucho has been my top steak restaurant in the greater Seattle area for some time, but the new Seattle location deserved a fresh review. Once again, our experience was 100% top notch. The food is amazing, but the service is what sets them apart! At one point early in the meal, we had 5 members from El Gaucho staff talking to us -- the genuine interest in the wine we brought plus our celebration made the experience that much better. We enjoyed the usual -- Cocktails, Tableside Caesar (mandatory), Wicked Shrimp (really spicy), Filet Mignon (New York solid 1B), Baked Potato, Rosted Corn, & Bananas Foster (also mandatory)... can't go wrong. The new location has very nice vibe - next time I want to sit at the table in the center with the fire! To top it all off, my budding jazz pianist son actually got to play "Fly Me to the Moon" during a break in the Jazz Bum set - definitely a highlight! We are already looking forward to next visit read more

El Gaucho - My son rocking "Fly Me to the Moon" - Steakhouses Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

Hands down the best El Gaucho location (in my opinion). Vintage style restaurant perfect for romantic night out and great at accommodating large parties too. Wait staff is always friendly, warm and attentive. You can't go wrong with any dish! Delicious and consistent all around. I've always left this place feeling better than I came in. Truly a gem. @hungry_critic on Instagram read more

El Gaucho - Faust Cabernet - Steakhouses Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

This place was fantastic, exactly what we would expect from a high end steak house.. The service was spot on the food was tasty and cooked to perfection. I definitely recommend this restaurant read more

Amazing service and great happy hour. I am not a fan of aged steak and came specifically for the escargot. Came early enough for HH to try out their menu for a party of 1. Wished I dined with more people so I can try more food. Until next time! read more

See all

The ambiance, services and amazingly delicious and decadent food is one of a kind! Our favorite server Todd and the sommelier Gabby enlightened our experience impeccably! Our favorite date night venue read more

El Gaucho - Classic Wedge Salad Chateaubriand Asparagus French Fries - Steakhouses Near Me - Seattle, Washington

We discovered the bar at El Gaucho on a Woodinville Whiskey tour earlier this year. We loved it so much, we have been back twice for dinner. Each time, enjoying a cocktail and appetizer in the bar before dinner. We are so impressed by the service and the food. The tableside presentations are so fancy. We can't wait to return. read more

High standard service and great bar seating area for sure. Salad and cocktail met expectation. The steak was well cooked, but the crust somehow tasted a bit bitter to me, not sure whether it's supposed to be. Mashed potato would probably be better not with the cast iron taste. read more

El Gaucho - steak, wine, mashed potato - Steakhouses Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

Finally made it to the new space for HH. It's dark and luxurious like the old place. Honestly it seems a lot smaller but they do a lot with mirrors to open it up. We grabbed HH and it's more just bar counter seating than I remember it. The old stand bys are there and I think it's still a fun visit. I really do miss the movie theatre downstairs though. read more

Incredible steaks and the service is impeccable, the best in Seattle by far. They make you feel as special as their delicious food.

Its been 10 yrs since my last visit @ the previous location on 2nd and I got to tell you the new spot (The Stables) is truly incredible in every way. The old building inside was decorated as good or better then the last spot. Our sever Todd was of course excellent, made us feel right at home. We brought a very old bottle of wine that the sommelier took extra time with and came back for a tasting with us. We were asked if we wanted to tour the back end of the restaurant and of course we did. The layout of the stations, prep, and where they stored the Niman Ranch meat was incredible and very clean. This restaurant can handle up to 400 people, but they make you feel that your in a much more intimate setting. We ordered the works as to apps Wicked Shrimp an the Ahi Tuna, Caesar table side and a few Signature Drinks while we waited for the wine to breathe. I shared the Chateaubriand (which is hard to find these days), paired with this incredible wine we were all in heaven. Nice piano playing in the background. Everyone was in just a great mood we didn't want to leave. We finally finished out with the cherries jubilee that was served table side and was truly delicious. Here's my suggestion, if you have one night you want to celebrate go here and truly enjoy yourself as it will be an evening you will never forget. read more

See all

Our server, Shea, was excellent- helpful and attentive. Food was amazing. Nice peaceful ambiance. read more

El Gaucho - Food service at our table - Steakhouses Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

Everything was delicious here. Portions were a good amount and got super stuffed pretty fast. The mac and cheese had these long twirled noodles that would make the cheese drip as you took a bite out of the hot bowl. It was creamy and light cheese that didn't hurt my stomach after. The snails were huge and baked with butter and garlic. Nothing was overpowering. After eating all the snails, we dipped the toasted bread in the garlic butter. The drink we got was pretty strong, forgot the name though. Wasn't planning on drinking it, but it was pretty good to resist. Finally, the steak came out. I've never had such a good deal on steak that was actually good. Usually when I go to fancy places that sell steak, it's always dry, but this place was juicy and full of flavor! They had a delicious baked potato filled with melted cheese. Never had such a great baked potato until I can here. Service was okay. Everyone was super kind, but kind of felt like no one would check up on us and was really hard to get anyone's attention so we could order. Maybe that's why the drink hit us pretty hard lol. read more

See all

My first dining experience with the Fire & Vine group and it was awesome! Hats off to our server- we came for spring Restaurant Week and I know we were far from his biggest ticket table but you wouldn't know that from his service level. Our meal surpassed my (high) expectations. The truffle soup was rich but light, flavorful, and the mushrooms were tender without beinf weird and slimey like we all know they can be. The steak had me drooling and I apologize for my accidentally provocative pic of it. 3 courses here for $65 is unreal- if you have never been I HIGHLY suggest you venture during fall Restaurant Week. If you have been before, my message remains the same. Giving four stars as I didn't have a "traditional" El Gaucho Seattle experience but that's just reason to come back! read more

See all

Very overpriced for somewhat decent food. It used to be SO much better and worth the money

I really enjoyed my experience here - it was a great restaurant serving excellent food. Arriving to the restaurant, one is welcomed to a space that's both special, yet comfortable. All staff members were friendly and attentive. The food was great - I had the Bone-in Ribeye that was tender, flavorful and perfectly cooked. Our table shared Mac and Cheese, Mashed Potatoes and Brussel Sprouts and everything was satisfying. They offer a nice selection of different wines that will satisfy most tastes. I think the Baileys Bread Pudding is their signature dessert and it was very good - rich, warm and creamy...the alcohol flavor didn't really come through, which is actually my preference, so I really enjoyed it. If you're looking for great food in a unique setting, El Gaucho is a great choice. read more

Excellent experience! My first interaction was with Valet , Ferass , what a great guy and awesome first impression. Our server Shea was amazing, professional yet down to earth. Loved the scallop potatoes ! Wish the steaks weren't so big , really wanted ribeye but over a pound is a little too much , went with 8oz filet. The whole dining experience was top notch. The only critique is the hostess stand had 4 I am assuming hostess, and the talked and laughed so much , our table was very close to them that it was a disturbance. Girls , please show a little more professionalism and save your gossip for your break read more

Always an elevated dining experience. Really good food and beyond great service. Always top choice for cozy, romantic dining experience. read more

El Gaucho - Steak & wine - Steakhouses Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

The food and Service is above expectation. Their success is due to them putting attention to the smallest details. The bread was to die for, then our appetizer was even better. The insane mushroom soup blew the first items away. We all said, there is no way the entries could even keep up with the soup but we were wrong. The main corse was better than all the rest. All this was coupled by perfect service and great recommendations. I recommend this eatery to anyone with 6 stars!!! Enjoy read more

Service and experience were one of a kind excellent. Greeted with a coat check, passed the talented live pianist and escorted to our rose petal adorned table. Had personalized Anniversary menu, card and complimentary Champaign glasses. The bone in ribeyes were a little more cooked than the medium style we ordered, but the mac n cheese, mash potatoes and risotto were delicious. Must order the bananas foster flambé. Service was excellent. read more

See all

I must not get out very much. Because this place only got four stars and since I walked in this was like 10 stars. A gentleman in a full tuxedo welcomed us outside at the valet. He opened the door for us took my coat and gave us a claim check. Then they took my bottle of champagne (it was for caviar later this evening at our hotel) and put it on ice for us while we ate. We sat fire side and they served us a Caesar salad tableside which was crazy delicious. Now they made steak tartare TABLESIDE!! We had a white truffle mushroom soup (again ridiculously delicious). Then I had a 6 ounce fillet and a lobster tail and my friends had steak tartare, seared scallops & the singleness crab app. Service was impeccable. OH MY GAWD BECKY! Look at her butt! I'm not even going to reference the craft cocktails. We had things that were smoked, (several old fashionds) a gin drink named "Marilyn" egg whites, whipped --everything... tantalizing. I'm not sure who owns this place but they run an amazing ship because from the valet person to the receptionist and the bartender to the person pouring our water & the servers and the manager a fabulous team. read more

El Gaucho - WHAT?! Piano player? Saturday night? Sign my Florida ass up. - Steakhouses Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

probably the best restaurant i've been too. staff was insanely welcoming and nice. food was amazing. it was my birthday and they gave me a birthday menu, card and free fruit and cheese at the end of the meal. had the seafood pasta added scallops and my partner had the steak. 10/10 for an anniversary or birthday dinner! read more

I'd highly recommend El Gaucho for a special evening. Their chateaubriand for two was the perfect selection for a couple of wild and crazy carnivores out on the town. It is an upscale establishment, and my wolf hat did feel quite out of place... yet it was cold and I reveled in the startled glances from every patron we passed by. Somehow they were under the impression that we were celebrating an anniversary, and I was about to protest, until I noticed the red rose petals adorning our table under the heartfelt greeting card. The chocolate martini was another pleasant surprise, as I usually go for the lighter and fruitier drinks. Surprise number three came after the meal was finished and plates were cleared. Our fancy waiter whisked a platter of fruits, cheeses and nuts to our table. May I crack you another filbert, my dear? read more

El Gaucho - Chateaubriand wonderland - Steakhouses Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

Always amazing- Food excellent- Love tbe fruit & cheese tray perfect Touch Customer setvice always accommodating Our go to place for our anniversary read more

Amazing ambience, great and personable staff. Great food and drinks. Had an amazing time here and would highly recommend coming here for a date night. read more

El Gaucho - Steakhouses Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Had the best experience this evening! Came in to celebrate my husbands birthday and they had a personalized happy birthday note along with the menu saying happy birthday to him! Our server Todd was amazing!!! Gave great suggestions, was very attentive and made sure we had everything we needed and more! He made our Caesar salad and baked potato at the table and it was delicious! The food was delicious and the fruit and cheese plate at the end was a delicious palate cleanser and best way to end the meal. We are thankful that Todd made our night so special and will be back for him! Also love music was lovely read more

If you want to spend $600 for two people in two hours this is the place to go!!! We went all out so bring your huge wallet of bills and be prepared to spend too much. I've been to the old El Gaucho in Seattle and wanted to try the new location. The ambience was very romantic and they had a live piano player which was lovely. The staff was friendly and super helpful. Our waitress Jackie was perfect! She rocked her job. The drinks were crazy fun they even lit a drink on fire which was entertaining. The old fashion had bacon in it and I don't know what they did but the taste of that bacon is unforgettable. From the appetizers to dessert everything was fantastic! The meat just melt in your mouth. We ate too much but we still got dessert. Overall the experience was a delight and it did break the bank. :) read more

See all

Dined here recently when in town with my wife for a weekend getaway. We had a great experience. Ambiance: Absolutely fantastic. Dark, classy, and great music playing in the lounge that can be heard throughout the restaurant. Service: It was great. Don't remember our server's name but he was on point all night. Very knowledgeable and patient answering our questions. What we ordered: We ordered a bunch of stuff and split it. Cosmo/OldFashioned:Strong and tasty. Wish they had the big ice cube for my old fashioned. Wedge Salad:They split this in the back for us and it was huge. Cold, crisp, and delightful. Chateaubriand for two: They carve it tableside. It comes with two baked potatoes, asparagus, and cliff sauce. The cliff sauce is like a melted butter. I asked for a side of creamy horseradish and it was delicious. The meat was great albeit slightly overcooked.We ordered med rare, and it was definitely closer to medium. Nonetheless it was still delicious. I love that on their baked potatoes they use a cheese sauce instead of shredded cheese. Great main course for two. Side of Roasted Corn: Great flavor and perfect size to share. Honorable Mention: On a past visit the Wicked Shrimp and Caesar Salad made tableside were spectacular. The Service Charge: They charge 20% service charge on each bill. I hate fees. Just let me tip as I see fit. I bartended for 8 years I know how to tip. I cant dock them for this fee because it seems like most Restaurants in Seattle do. I know they justify it with high wages and benefits but I guess I just have a lot of apprehensions about it. Our hotel didn't charge a resort fee here in Seattle, yet the same chain I'm staying with in San Diego is charging one. Just food for thought. The fee wouldn't stop me from Dining here. Final Thoughts: I highly recommend El Gaucho for a great meal in Seattle. read more

See all

we had a wonderful evenin. food was delicious and perfectly prepared. Kyle was a fantastic waiter. The piano player did a wonderful job playing live music while we dine. It was a very pleasant evening. read more

El Gaucho - Amazing dinner - Steakhouses Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Ambience was perfect. Service was awesome as well. Food was wonderful! We sat near the kitchen and my partner enjoyed being able to see the steaks being prepared (he loves to cook)! Loved the extra touches for our anniversary celebration! read more

See all