Gaucho Manchester

Gaucho is an Argentinian steak restaurant tucked away behind Deansgate on Saint Mary’s Street. Its small frontage next to a tailor’s shop hides an enormous vaulted dining hall, retaining the original organ from its former life as a church. 

The restaurant hosts a series of ‘Pour Decisions’ events, with a recent one celebrating prestigious tequila makers, Patron. The £80pp menu showcases their Argentinian roots, with three courses and paired tequila-based drinks. 

One notable example is the Chimichurri Margarita, a delicious concoction served in a glass rimmed with a playfully inventive chimichurri salt. This was served with a light, fresh starter of tequila-marinated sea-bream ceviche in crispy tacos. 

Next, a much-prized version of Gaucho’s Argentine classic Tira de Ancho, a spiral-cut rump steak. This is melt-in-the-mouth tender, slowly chargrilled and brightened up with a pop of tequila pico de gallo.

Dessert brings a revelation – the joys of tres leches cake. A favourite across Latin America, it generally involves a light sponge soaked in three kinds of milk: evaporated, condensed, and whole. Gaucho’s lime-tinged, margarita-inspired version ably demonstrated what all the fuss is about.

The evening ends with a final pick-me-up of hard-to-find Cafe Patron XO – you’re unlikely to find it anywhere else in the UK.

Gaucho is renowned for its steak, and rightly so. But it’s worth highlighting the pocket-friendly price point, especially in these trying times. The pre-theatre set menu comes in at a mere £22.50 for two courses, or £26 for three. Weigh up quality, surroundings and price, and that has to be one of the best dine-out deals in the city. ¡Hasta pronto, Gaucho!