Fresh from the Grill: A Taste of Argentina at El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse in Century City

El Gaucho redefines the traditional steakhouse with a flamboyant Argentine flair...

The flame performs its graceful dance on a slab of premium meat and the romantic image of the gaucho in the wide open pampas of the South American lowlands leaves a lingering impression. It's a steakhouse that goes against the usual mold. Using only the finest high grade meat like Prime Black Angus Grain-Fed, Australian Black Angus Grass-Fed and Pure Blood Australian Wagyu, El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse adds its own distinctive vibe and bold flavors to the city's ever-growing culinary scene. From Vietnam to Thailand, Hongkong, Germany and Slovakia, El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse is now here in Manila...

Located at the ground floor of the new and elegant Trump Tower in the modern development of Makati's Century City, El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse brings a festive Latin elan and exuberant style centered around its signature steaks. The extensive menu also includes burgers, pasta, chicken, pork and seafood dishes as well as desserts and handcrafted cocktails from a well-stocked bar...

In contrast with the formal steakhouse template, El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse adds a youthful and exciting tone to your steakhouse dining experience with an Argentine touch. Combining old and new elements with rustic brick walls, wood, metal and glass, the vibrant interiors of El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse exudes both a modern and contemporary vibe. It's also the perfect spot for a tipple, before or after, your steak. Wine, cocktails and the finest spirits, the bar at El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse has your favorite drink to get you in the groove. 

Inside El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse, you'll find special rooms (L) for private functions as well as the El Butcher Shop (R) where you can take out some of the freshest and finest imported ingredients, from prime beef to an assortment of charcuterie.

For Dany Himi, owner of El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse, the much-anticipated opening of the Manila branch is a culmination of "eight years of outstanding experiences with wonderful guests and incredible employees" that began with their very first restaurant in Ho Chi Minh back in 2011. "I am grateful and I am excited, excited of all there is still to come." Danny Himi now has a growing network of branches in Southeast Asia and Europe, spreading the gaucho's free-spirited style to a wider global clientele.

Your experience at El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse begins with their fresh-baked bread. When an establishment places the same importance to little details like bread in the same way as their signature mains, you just know the guys at El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse are pretty serious in delivering a lasting impression to your dining experience.

El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse offers a variety of tasty starters, like the Salchicha (P 490) or homemade spicy Argentinian sausage served with a refreshing side of garden-fresh salad. The bold smoky notes of the sausage coats the palate with a savory richness followed by s subtle and soothing heat from the spices.

The Beef Carpaccio (P 890) is the perfect way to get acquainted with the premium beef served at El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse. Paper-thin slices of prime beef topped with Parmesan cheese and drizzled with lemon and olive oil, the carpaccio just melts in your mouth with the lingering richness of the beef tempting the palate for another bite. The rich notes of the beef are tempered by the sharpness of the Parmesan and lemon, and perfectly finished by the smooth nutty flavors of the olive oil. It's a deceptively simple dish, made better with the finest ingredients. And when you have the freshest and best ingredients, real flavors follow.

The Provoleta with Chorizo (P 990) is a sumptuous starter with grilled provolone cheese, tomato and oregano topped with savory pork and beef sausages served on a hot skillet. The cheese and chorizo combine for multiple layers of fresh and bold flavors with the tomato adding just a hint of tartness for a balanced finish.

The Beef Empanada (P 490) offers a different kind of flavor experience with a crusty yet soft pastry generously stuffed with a savory beef filling. The flavors are comfortingly familiar, with the beef filling delicately spiced without overwhelming the palate. Other tempting starters include Smoked Salmon (P 890), Chicken Liver with Sauteed Onions (P 790), Cheese Platter (P 1,590), Serrano Ham (P 890), Beef Lemone (P 990), Foie Gras (P 1,390) and Hand-Cut Beef Steak Tartar (P 990).

But it's the Avocado Salad (P 990) that surprised me the most, with the creamy flavors and textures of avocado and feta cheese blending seamlessly with the onions, corn and tomatoes draped in a dressing of olive oil and lemon for a unique salad experience.

El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse offers quite a selection of fresh salads like Arugula Salad (P 790), Arugula Salad with Ribeye/Filet (P 1,390/P 1,490), Warm Goat Cheese on Toasted Bread  with crisp salad greens (P 790), Greek Salad (P 890), Spring Salad (P 890), Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella with Tomatoes (P 990), Beetroot Salad (P 890), Caesar Salad/Caesar Salad with Chicken (P 890/P 990).  

But you'll find both the heart and soul of El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse at the fiery grill, loaded edge to edge with premium Lamb Chops...

...along with their signature Wagyu Tomahawk (L). The flames do their their magic on the slabs of meat, adding a crusty charred layer on the surface. It's this delicate dance of fire on meat low on a grill that flavors the choice cuts. And they do it well at El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse. 

The Grilled Lamb Chops (P 2,190/P 3,190) were the first off the grill and served to our table. Perfectly grilled with its charred lines, the grilled lamb chops are tender and juicy with rich savory flavors without any gamey hints. Grilled to a medium doneness, each bite bursts with juicy and savory flavors. The savory notes are fresh and clean, with that layer of smokiness to complete the flavors...

...pairing well with the creamy yoghurt sauce. For lamb chops this good, I prefer mine as is with its pure, clean and juicy flavors. And while you're at it, you can just ditch the fork and knife and nibble you're way to the bone. It's El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse, and you make your own rules.

To pair with your juicy Grilled Lamb Chop, El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse offers a variety of tasty sides...

...like the Sweet Potato Fries (P 390) with a thin layer of delicately crisp batter adding a delectable crunch with every bite and the classic French Fries (P 390). Large, thick-cut fries that's soft inside and crunchy on the outside, both the French Fries and Sweet Potato Fries pair well with the grilled meats at El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse.

Other must-try sides include the Sauteed Mushrooms (P 490) with the nutty and earthy notes of the mushrooms complemented by butter and the Potato Gratin (P 490).  And there's more. Baked Potato (P 390), Truffle Mashed Potatoes (P 490), Cream Spinach (P 490) and Grilled Asparagus (P 790), take your pick. 

Then, the Wagyu MS 4/5 Tomahawk (P 1,090 per 100 g) was served...

Dany Himi brings out his long knife and carved up the massive Wagyu Tomahawk into tender strips for sharing at the table.

With just a pinch of rock salt, you don't need much when you have a premium bone-in slab of beef like this. Tender and juicy with a butter-like richness, each bite brings the fabled lore of the free-spirited gaucho to the table. The wooden chopping boards were gone in no time...

But Dany Himi pulls out another surprise fresh from the grill...

...with the USDA Prime Fillet Steak (P 3,490). Grilled to medium with a juicy pink center, we welcomed another round of premium beef at El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse.

The fragrant smoky aroma draws you closer, the grill has done its magic once more. With swift and deliberate motions, Dany Himi carved up several slabs of USDA Prime Fillet Steak in mere minutes. A final sprinkling of rock salt, and the sliced USDA Prime Fillet Steak was served...

Sliced and served, this is the El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse experience replicating the same distinctive style of their restaurants in Vietnam, Thailand, Hongkong, Germany and Slovakia. And you can experience it too right here at the Trump Tower in Century City. Just like the Wagyu Tomahawk, rock salt is all you need for beef this good. If you'd like to have some sauce with your steak, choose from a selection that includes Pepper Sauce, Chimichurri, Wild Mushroom Sauce, Blue Cheese Sauce, BBQ Sauce, Spicy BBQ Sauce, Bearnaise Sauce, Horseradish Sauce (they also offer Fresh Horseradish) and Red Wine Sauce. 

Your savory and juicy steak feast isn't complete without an equally decadent ending at El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse. The indulgent Dulce de Leche in Crepe (P 550) drizzled with caramel and served with vanilla ice cream is the perfect finish at El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse, but there's more...

Indulge with the Homemade Cold Cheesecake (P 550) topped with berry compote...

...or the Flan Caramel (P 490), perfect with a freshly brewed cup of coffee.

At the end of your Argentinian steak feast, you can have a soothing cup of Latte (L) or cap your meal in true El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse style with a shot of Belvedere Vodka infused with sweet caramel made in-house (R). Poured over a chilled shot glass, raise a toast to a sumptuous feast...

The world's finest beef, fresh off the grill. Experience a different kind of steakhouse at El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse, now open at Trump Tower in Makati's Century City...

El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse is located at the Ground Floor, Trump Tower, Century City, Kalayaan Avenue, Salamanca, Poblacion, Makati City or call 0917-323-8019 for inquiries and reservations. For more updates, visit their website at https://ph.elgaucho.asia/.

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