El Gaucho Portland — Restaurant in Portland

I have gone back and forth on writing this review since we dined there three weeks ago. I want to begin by saying our server and the food was absolutely phenomenal. However, we had some really big issues with the hosts that genuinely ruined a $500 dinner.

My husband and I came to El Gaucho to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary. My husband has been saving up for a YEAR to afford us such a nice meal out and he was absolutely overjoyed to be taking me to the restaurant. When we came in, the hosts informed us that they were upgrading our table to the "VIP table" right behind the guitarist. The host told the others up there "it's fine! We just need to turn the table by 9." our reservation was at 7 so we assumed this would be no issue and we didn't think anything of it. By 8:15 our food still hadn't arrived and I began to get anxious.

At this point, I needed to use the restroom and had no clue where it was so I went up to the host stand to ask for help. I stood there for 3 minutes while the two hosts chatted and ignored me before I finally interrupted them to ask for help. I was pointed to the back corner with an "over there". I immediately got lost because it's super dark and the bathroom is down a hallway that has a closed door!

I came back to our table and our food finally arrived at 8:30 (I couldn't care less how long it takes, but didn't they need the table by 9?). We mentioned to our server we were really anxious about the timing and we were planning on after dinner drinks and deserts and even in a perfect world, 30 minutes isn't even enough time to enjoy our two massive steaks and four sides! She said it was totally fine and don't worry.

At this point a couple walks in and immediately clocks us sitting in the "VIP table". Servers and hosts started greeting them at the front so clearly these two were something special and at this point I was so stressed I couldn't even finish my $90 steak. I was being stared down by these two people while trying to enjoy my dinner!

So what did they do? They moved us. They made us get up, and sit at the table right next to the "VIP table". Which was absolutely humiliating, since everyone around us is watching us get downgraded to a different table so the prince and princess of El Gaucho can take their special table.

I get it. We aren't your VIPs. And that's ok. But. We are two people who were coming to celebrate. We are two people who saved up pennies to afford such a wonderful meal. We are two people who deserve the same treatment as your actual "important" guests. Was our bill thousands of dollars? Absolutely not! But for a $500 meal for two people, I expected better treatment and to not have to move tables mid meal.

I was so disappointed in this experience and wish it had been so different. Everyone deserves to feel special. We didn't even get to celebrate because everything was so awkward and uncomfortable. I left the restaurant in tears and my husband was devastated that the meal he worked so hard for was so...

My friend and I chose this place for her birthday dinner, and we were extremely satisfied with the food, service, and overall ambiance of the restaurant.

Our server, Dennis, approached the table asking how were were doing before discussing the menu and engaged in conversation with us. This was a great start to the night, especially since it helped us ease into the restaurant as individuals who were visiting from another state.

The selection of wines was spectacular, and, again Dennis helped us select a local Pinot Noir wine from Portland and some steaks (Filet Mignon and Wagyu Beef). We also ordered the Bordelaise sauce and scallop potatoes. I ordered the Wagyu Beef, and I highly recommend trying this with the Bordelaise sauce, together with one of their red wines.

We weren’t too familiar with the location and the menu, but Dennis was extremely helpful in providing recommendations and ensuring that our needs were met while we were there. He gave great explanations of the menu items and even provided some locations (brunch places and cafes) nearby that would be great to visit for first-time travelers.

A few things to note: The servers are helpful and friendly. When I needed directions to the restroom, a server kindly walked with me until I found my way instead of simply giving directions or pointing.

My friend needed to charge her phone at one point, and another server kindly let us charge her phone at the restaurant’s reception desk.

Finally, when we decided we were done with our food and ready to leave the restaurant, Dennis (and then later on another server) explained the service charge instead of simply leaving it for us to decipher. Yes, there is a service charge for those who would like to dine in this restaurant, but with the explanation from the servers and the quality of the restaurant and service, it is quite reasonable.

These little details mattered so much to us! Thank you!

I appreciate the way we were accommodated into the space, especially after having such a negative experience with out hotel earlier that evening (see other Google Review). Our experience at El Gaucho Portland helped us to wind down from all the events of that day but also set a great tone for the beginning of my friend’s birthday festivities.

It has been a week since we left Portland, yet we continue to rave about this restaurant to family and friends. This was definitely the highlight of our trip. Thank you, El Gaucho staff! We...

Left a Bad Taste Took my main squeeze out for a very special occasion. Enjoyed the usual great ambience and service one would expect from a premium priced restaurant of this billing. There was a lengthy delay (25-30min) between salad and main course. Okay, things happen. Steak was served barely warm topped with room temperature béarnaise sauce that was already beginning to “set up”. I ate some of it but I'm not into room temperature meat! My wife's diner was fine. The waiter did ask what he could do but there were few options at that point. I didn’t want to wait an additional 30 minutes for another one while my date watched me eat it. I ate a couple of bites and asked for a doggie bag. I can forgive a one-off problem like this and believe in redemption but here’s the kicker….. There was no accommodation on my bill and then I noticed the 20% mandatory service charge. OK, my bad for not noticing it on their web site. I suppose it was in fine print on the menu but it came as a surprise to me. I read their explanation but here’s where they lose me. Employee salaries, regardless of whether they are minimum wage or higher are part of your overhead, just like cost of goods, utilities and rent. Those expenses need to be reflected in the prices charged. A gratuity is for exceptional service above and beyond that. I never tip less than 20% and usually considerably more. To be mandated a “surcharge” is insulting. What if the service was poor in addition to the food? If they want to remunerate their staff at a level that is twice the rate of other restaurants in the area, then they can mention that on the menu if they want and state that a gratuity is not expected, and then let the customer decide. Yes, I would have left 20% anyway because I suspect the snafu was out of the waiter’s control but I resent being charged a “gratuity”. Every other business pays their employees from their revenues and charges appropriately. Restaurants use a unique model. If El Goucho wants to change that model, then go back to a conventional business model like the rest of us use instead of the sleight of hand. (Are we to assume that mgmt. doesn’t pay any salaries from fees and all come from mandated surcharges plus voluntary gratuities? Should they have to provide the customer with a copy of their P&L and chart of accounts so we can calculate a fair gratuity? Geesh!) Sorry ElGoucho. Did not meet...