The ‘El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse’ is a renowned steak restaurant, beginning its business in South East Asia with the first location in Saigon since 2011. Quickly, seven other steakhouses across Vietnam were opened. To the locals, the name is known for its superior steak, modern ambiance, and world-class service.
Located on one of the most European streets in Hanoi’s French Quarter – the Trang Tien Street, which is an inviting corner for business, shopping, dining, culture and leisure alike. El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse Trang Tien is just a few steps away from the beautiful Opera House, Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel, and the legendary Hoan Kiem Lake.
The location is a two-floor wide and accessible space Vietnamese house with a terrace area on the first floor. With an open kitchen and bar area on the ground floor, the location also offers separate and more intimate corners for small groups. Serving lunch and dinner, corporate, as well as private guests can be found at the same time.
We’ve been taking our foodie clients here every time they said wanted a fine steak, it’s never ever let us down. This week, we went back to the house to celebrate the return of international visitors after almost two years. We made a reservation and arrived at 19h00 on a Friday evening, the restaurant was not crowded at all.
As we went through the door, there was a glass-fronted refrigerated counter displaying every kind of steak and other meats, available to take home. The décor and the atmosphere were relaxed industrial style. Upstairs in the house, the food was being served in a colorful dining room, by smiling and friendly staff.
The menu was impressive, it got a good selection of food including steak cuts, lamb, fish, chicken, pork chops, and vegetarian dishes. Though we were tempted by every item found on the menu, we were finally sold on the T-bone, the New York striploin, and the USDA Prime Ribeye with fries and red wine sauce. There were three of us and those, with starter and vegetables, were more than sufficient.
Their wine list was then immense, dominantly Argentinian, Chilean, and Italian wines, but there is also good selection from Napa Valley, Burgundy or Margaret River. We settled down a bottle of Argentinian’s Alamos Malbec, which was filled with aromas of crushed berries and black fruit. Dry, high acid and full-bodied wine with long finish. It just perfectly accompanied the meat.
The food started well with a complimentary, interesting take on garlic bread, which was served with a half-roasted Garlic clove, pesto sauce, and garlic butter; it couldn’t taste any fresher. Then it came a baked Provolone for starter.
Our steaks were accompanied with a selection of vegetables, including cream spinach, steamed broccoli, fries and wild mushroom sauce. The USDA Ribeye was superior grade of steak, which was so juicy, flavorful, and tender. The T-bone and the striploin were perfectly cooked with running juices and bright pink warm centres. All cooked to perfection 9.5/10.
Unfortunately, we ended up having no room for dessert. Once finished, we were served with a manager complimentary homemade “El Caramel” shot size drink. It was such a nice touch from the house that made our evening rounded off by complimentary Caramel Vodka.
Our bill for three steaks, two side vegetables, a share starter and a bottle of Argentinian wine was lightly above 300$. Obviously, the price, though just about the same in high-end steakhouses around Asia, was very expensive in Vietnamese context – where food is cheap.
Overall, time cooking was quite long, but it’s meat so most of the time the same in the steakhouse. But we got what we paid for, since the service and food were excellent. When you get the quality of food, service, and the wine we did, you don’t mind paying for it. Surprisingly, it’s not reviewed as the first restaurant in Hanoi – which is bad cause they really deserve it.
We would defenitely recommend El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse if you are in mood for a high-quality piece of beef, and of cause, ready to spend, in Hanoi. It’s the place for steak. And in addition to the steaks, it offers burgers, a couple of pasta options for vegetarians.
El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse Trang Tien
- 11 Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- 024 3824 7280
- 11h00 – 23h00
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