So, Jacob and I were in Portland, on our way back from our friends’ house to our hotel, and suddenly Jacob elicited a sigh, wistfully saying “Oh…  El Gaucho.  I love El Gaucho.” 

Spontaneous fellow that I am, I said “Then let’s go to El Gaucho!  I seem to recall my folks talking about having dinner at El Gaucho, back in the day, when we lived in Seattle.  I wonder if they’re related…”  (They are, kind of, but that’s irrelevant.)

Somewhere between pulling open the brass handled door and being greeted by the hostess I went into sensory overload as all of my senses were bombarded: the lights were dimmed so low as to give every booth its own sphere of warm glowing light.  The hum of the dining room as table captains performed culinary theatre with tableside preparations and presentations of dishes including Steak Tartare, Caesar Salad for two, and a spectacular entrée known as the Flaming Sword (more on that, in a sec).  And then that olfactory caress that comes from a steakhouse that’s not afraid to use garlic.  Wow!  All of this, and I still hadn’t given the hostess my name!

After a few baskets of the house Garlic Bread (it’s no joke), we ordered a virtual onslaught of food, including the three previously mentioned items, as well as a Grilled Filet of King Salmon, and sides of Asparagus and the Gaucho Mac and Coastal Cheddar Cheese (more precisely, Tillamook Vintage White Extra-Sharp Cheddar Cheese, thank you very much).  The Caesar was just the way I like it, and the Steak Tartare was tender and made from huge chunks of filet.  But my favorite was that Flaming Sword, a supple brochette of tenderloin with Roma tomatoes that (post-flambé) is laid on a plate drizzled with a seductive Béarnaise.  Oh yeah – the wedge of a Pacific Northwest derivation of Stilton Blue, served on a silver tray with dates and crackers that came-out alongside an abundant silver bowl of fruits and nuts was sublime and just this side of decadent (not to mention very high on the snooty scale).

If you find yourself in Portland, and are looking for a restaurant with attentive service, romantic atmosphere, comfortable booths, and a fantastic steak – then tango over to El Gaucho.

El Gaucho
319 Southwest Broadway – Portland, OR
Click HERE for more information

Get into it!