If you love Argentinian steak, book a seat at Gaucho Dubai this week as it carves up a special menu for Dubai Restaurant Week. We sampled the limited-time set menu and we would happily return for another taste.
We immediately love Gaucho’s ambience when we step inside. It’s dimly lit and the interior is sophisticated, trendy and masculine — a meat-lover’s restaurant. After we’re seated, our waitress turns up with an impressive plate of steaks, explaining the qualities of each one. The wait staff here is refreshingly knowledgeable and they remain friendly and attentive throughout the night.
Our starters turn up with impressive speed. We get a humita empanada with creamed corn, basil and mozzarella (a tasty meat-free option for vegetarians) and a beef empanada, a staple of Argentinian cuisine. These tasty parcels are a promising start to our meal.
The mains take a bit longer. We’re told the chef wants to recook our steak as he’s not happy with the result. We appreciate the honesty (and the chef’s pride), despite the delay.
The ancho we eventually get is a 200-gram marbled rib-eye — and it is cooked to perfection. Tender and juicy, this steak is loaded with flavour. It’s one of the best we’ve had in Dubai. We also get the tasty, oven-roasted salmon. Served with crushed potatoes and spiced corn bisque, the fish is also well prepared — tender, flaky and moist.
For dessert, we devour the dulce de leche profiteroles and a white chocolate and ginger cheesecake, which comes with toasted hazelnuts and praline cream. The desserts are pleasantly sweet, but not overly so — just enough to satisfy our sweet tooths — and both are worthy of praise.
Gaucho Dubai is one of 15 restaurants serving special menus for just Dh199 per person during Dubai Restaurant Week. There are two seatings nightly — 7.30pm and 9.30pm — through March 4. To book, visit www.roundmenu.com/dubai/restaurant-week
elau@thenational.ae
