11 July, 2017
Gaucho entrance
Gaucho entrance
Eat & Drink

Gaucho’s New Chef Makes Lunchtime Dining an Experience

11 July, 2017
Gaucho entrance

The new monthly menu at Gaucho is made to impress

District: Central, Hong Kong
Cuisine: Argentinian
How Much: Set-lunch menu is priced at $260 for two courses, or $290 for three (a-la carte dishes range from $70 to $678)
Best for: Business lunch or fine dining
Must order: Any of the steaks, and the Dulce de Leche Cheesecake!

Empanadas Gaucho

It’s not often a midday meal can make you feel special, but step into Gaucho and you’re immediately aware that this will not be any ordinary lunch. The elegant décor, cool music playing at just the right volume, and the excellent service make this a lunchtime spot for when you want to splash out or impress that potential client. And the reason this experience was even sweeter is because the resto has a new chef. Head Chef Eggi Enkh-Amgalan (whose Mongolian name is too hard for any non-Mongolian to pronounce, hence the super cool moniker), took us on a lunchtime journey called Feel Good, Feel Great menu ($260 for two courses, $290 for three courses), as well as a few a la carte options, and afterward, we felt more than good – we felt damn good.

Watermelon salad Gaucho

We started off with an impressive variety of starters, including the signature Empandas ($70 each, beef, chicken and cheese – we had to try all three!), which arrived hot and crispy but perfectly moist and delicious inside. We treated ourselves to the Watermelon Salad ($135), which was a refreshing mix of avocado, feta, chilli, mint, basil and toasted almonds, complete with a lemon dressing. Next was the 48-hour Dry Aged Provoleta ($148) which was pan-fried and made with basil, pesto, served with a plum tomato and basil bruschetta, Salmon Tiradito ($158) which came with mango, passion fruit, pomegranate and aji Amarillo, and my favourite of the bunch, the Braised Beef Back Ribs ($138), which were mouth-wateringly delicious and tender, served with a glazed in a hoisin and chilli orange sauce with sesame seeds, fresh orange and pickled chillies.

Roasted Cauliflower Gaucho

I even decided to try the Veal Sweetbreads ($168), although it was a first, and honestly, I was shocked at how much I enjoyed it. They came pan-friend with a whole grain mustard potato salad, which was a perfect complement.

Lomo steak Gaucho

To begin our mains, we were presented with a platter of the different types of steak, and making a decision was not easy. I decided to go for the 225g Lomo Steak ($328 for two medallions), and Chef Eggi, who has been with Gaucho in the United Kingdom and Dubai, knew just how to cook it. I would have stuffed my face with the entire two medallions if I didn’t have to attend a dinner that night because it was just that good. Tender and so full of flavour, I wanted to take the last bit home with me!

Fat chips Gaucho

No steak is complete without a hefty portion of fries, and the Fat Chips ($78) which Gaucho has on offer will satisfy the pickiest French fry lovers out there. The large chunks of potato sprinkled with truffle oil – need I say more – hit all the right notes. And because we were feeling so indulgent, we also go the Roasted Cauliflower Cheese ($78), which was heavenly. The perfectly toasted top crusted with cheese and creamy inside was decadent yet not overpowering. In fact, it allowed us just enough room for dessert so we could try the Sassy favourite, the Dulce de Leche Cheesecake ($108)!

Dulce de Leche Gaucho cheesecake

Read more: Sassy’s Five Favourite Cheesecakes in Hong Kong

Gaucho, 5/F, LHT Tower, 31 Queens Road Central, Hong Kong, www.gauchorestaurants.com/restaurants/hong-kong

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