I’d heard good things across the country about Argentinian steak restaurant Gaucho, who have locations from Manchester to Liverpool and London. So when I was invited to try their brand new venue in Newcastle? I jumped at the chance to get my hands on food, cocktails and wine.

The Gaucho Newcastle reviews are in - and the interiors are just as fancy as the food. 

Having been seated in a plush leather booth surrounded by crimson walls and signature low lighting, it's fair to say that first impressions hit the mark for Gaucho Market Street. Staff were really attentive, so a round of cocktails was promptly ordered to begin the evening. I went for the Flor del Mundo (£12.50), a vibrant combination of gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice and matcha - giving the drink its bright green colour. It had a beautifully sweet flavour and was full of fruit with just a slight sour hit of citrus. My partner opted for the Lychee Blush (£12.50), which blended gin, lychee, lemon juice and rhubarb. Foamy and topped with fruit, this was as aesthetically pleasing as it was flavourful. Both concoctions were light and refreshing - perfect, in retrospect, because there was a lot of food to come.

To start? Burrata (£14.50), my personal favourite dish of the night. This came on a slice of toasted sourdough, paired with rich tomatoes coated in a balsamic dressing. The cheese itself was indulgent and creamy to offset the sweet salad. My other half chose two of the empanadas (£6.25 each), one sweet potato and one beef - Gaucho’s speciality. The veg was buttery, while the meat had a classic south American flavour with a slight kick to it; but both boasted crispy pastry. These were also served alongside a spicy, tomatoey dipping sauce.

From red walls to matcha-green drinks, presentation is key here.

Before any mains, we decided to get a bottle of wine for the table. As I don’t consider this my forte, we made use of the sommelier service that Gaucho offers. Unfortunately, my taste in vino has not developed since I turned 18, so I asked for a rosé recommendation. The Love By Leoube (£58) was fresh, fruity, and nicely balanced between sweet and dry.

When torn between main course choices, our attentive waitress steered me towards the black truffle stuffed gnocchi (£21.50). This came in a flavourful, creamed mushroom sauce with kale and chestnut pesto beautifully complimenting the tender dumplings. Across the table, a beef option was ordered - at Gaucho, it would be rude not to. Passing up the carbon neutral steaks in favour of the classic burger (£18.50), he was treated to a succulent and sizable patty. The meat was juicy and slightly pink at the centre, served with crispy thyme and salt-covered fries. His only criticism was of the slightly soggy bun. We also shared spinach (£6) and sauteed broccoli (£6) sides. The spinach was dressed in garlic and lemon, giving a subtle extra flavour, whereas the firm tenderstem came alongside garlic and almonds for texture.

Succulent beef? Soft cookie dough? Find it all across our Gaucho Newcastle menu review.

After almost convincing ourselves we were too full, a little break meant we could be persuaded to try some desserts, going for the cookie dough (£8.50) and brownie (£8). The former was served in a hot skillet and had the soft texture of a chocolate chip cookie, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melted on top. The latter was warm, gooey and possessed an extremely rich chocolate flavour. Word of warning when rounding off a meal here: these desserts are absolutely huge portions.

The DesignMyNight Digest 

While the Gaucho Newcastle menu is on the pricier side, the ambience and staff certainly make you feel like you’re getting a cut above the rest. What impressed me the most was the quality of service: a dedicated waitress, who was able to offer us informed recommendations on each course, and the sommelier to match. The restaurant may be best-known as a venue for steak-lovers, but our visit proved they offer something for everyone.

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