El Gaucho Tacoma — Restaurant in Tacoma

What can I say about the place (sigh)..... My partner and I have been to fine dining establishments in the US and abroad and this is probably the best restaurant we have ever eaten at. It starts with service and the service here is leaps and bounds above anything you could imagine. The employees seem happy to work there and you can definitely tell. They were so friendly and worked so great together as a team. They would actually help each other to achieve total satisfaction for you the patron. They make sure to work quickly and efficiently to make sure your needs are met and you want for nothing. Constantly checking in you giving great recommendations and are knowledgeable about the restaurant history, food, drinks and how what food would please what palate. Even though the place had three stories of seating everything came out quickly. We got served 4 drinks, some prepped tableside, 2 apps, 2 soups, 2 main courses, 2 side dishes, and a tableside prepared dessert all in the span of an hour in a half when ordering everything at different times and asking questions on a busy Friday night with everything coming hot and cooked perfectly with flavor (but more on the food later). They achieved this because of great teamwork and the seeming of them actually wanting to please the patron. The ambience of this place in heavenly. Great live piano player that was great on the keys. Playing any kind of music you can think of. Nice dim lighting. Candle lights, a great lounge area with leather chairs, comfortable seating, great table placement and it smelled divine in there. The food...omg...where do I start. Divine, heavenly, amazing, and worth every penny. The appetizers we had (Korean Pork Belly and Tenderloin Diablo) was literally chef's kiss. The pork belly was crispy, fatty and melted in your mouth. The pickled vegetables were delicious and paired perfectly with the pork belly. The tenderloin tips in the Cajun cream sauce was spectacular. When you dip it with the housemade garlic, parmeasan cheese bread (by itself, it was amazing) was a flavor bomb. The truffle soup was delicious, especially with the ample amount of mushrooms added. The French onion soup was perfection.. the right amount of cheese and sweet onions provided a delicious flavor balance. I had the bone-in ribeye (medium rare) with 3 prawns added on, my partner had the bone-in NY strip (medium) and our side was the crispy brussel sprouts. Great marbel on the ribeye with a true appreciation of char which made the flavoring intense. The NY strip was succulent and flavorful. Each piece of steak melted in your mouth and definitely lived up to the oz advertised (18oz each, respectively). The brussel sprouts were pleasantly charred and balanced with the crispy pancetta. For dessert, we had the Bananas Foster, presented tableside. It was a beautiful fire display. The carmelization on the bananas were top tier, the caramel sauce was sweet, but not overpowering and the two scoops of vanilla bean ice cream brought the dish together. As it was our first time there, our server brought us a fresh fruit and cheese plate to cleanse our palate before dessert, which was unexpected yet greatly appreciated.

The drinks were absolutely superb. I had the Gaucho French 75 and the Zuccardi Q malbec was 10 out of 10. My partner had the Strawberry Limeade Mule and Girl's Night Out, which she thoroughly enjoyed (she highly recommends the Mule).

Overall, El Gaucho is an experience. From the excellent service that started with the complimentary valet to the warm/welcoming hostess stand to the wait staff to the pianist, it's a 10 out of 10, 5 stars (5+ if possible) and worth a beautiful date night out with your partner. I've never been to a restaurant where I wanted to tip more based on the service (more than the customary 20%), which we did. They were amazing in every single way. This is definitely an experience to return to as they're exemplary in every...

If you're searching for a dining experience that combines extraordinary cuisine, impeccable service, and an ambiance that leaves you spellbound, look no further than El Gaucho in Tacoma, Washington. My recent visit to this esteemed establishment exceeded all expectations, and it was an evening I will cherish forever, especially with the help of three outstanding members of their team.

From the moment we stepped inside El Gaucho, we were transported to a world of elegance and sophistication. The dimly lit dining room exuded a sense of intimacy, while the rich decor and plush seating added a touch of refinement. It was the perfect setting to celebrate my sweet mother's birthday, and El Gaucho rose to the occasion in the most remarkable way.

Allow me to begin by praising the incredible bartender, Spencer. His expertise behind the bar was second to none. Not only did he craft exceptional cocktails with precision and flair, but he also exuded a genuine warmth and friendliness that immediately made us feel welcome. Spencer's knowledge of spirits and his ability to recommend the perfect libation to complement our meal truly enhanced our dining experience.

Equally deserving of praise is our server, Pepe. From the moment he greeted us with a genuine smile, it was evident that we were in the hands of a true professional. Pepe's attentiveness, knowledge of the menu, and genuine passion for hospitality made our evening truly exceptional. He guided us through the menu, offering insightful recommendations and ensuring that every aspect of our dining experience was flawlessly executed. Pepe's dedication to his craft is commendable, and he truly went above and beyond to make our celebration memorable.

Last but certainly not least, our primary server, Zedd, added an extra layer of excellence to our dining experience at El Gaucho. Zedd's professionalism, attentiveness, and charming demeanor made us feel like honored guests throughout the evening. He skillfully navigated the intricacies of the menu, providing detailed descriptions of each dish and catering to our preferences flawlessly. Zedd's impeccable timing and genuine care for our dining enjoyment truly elevated the experience, leaving a lasting impression.

Now, let's talk about the food. The culinary creations at El Gaucho are nothing short of extraordinary. Each dish was a work of art, carefully crafted with precision and attention to detail. From the tender, perfectly cooked steaks to the delightful seafood options, every bite was a revelation. The flavors were exquisite, and the presentation was stunning, creating a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds.

One aspect that truly set El Gaucho apart was the table-side preparation of certain items. It was like having front-row seats to a culinary show. From the dramatic flambé of the Steak to the skillful carving of the Caesar Salad, the artistry and expertise displayed by the staff, including Zedd, truly elevated our dining experience. It was an immersive experience that delighted all of our senses and added an extra layer of excitement to our celebration.

To the entire team at El Gaucho, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for making my mother's birthday celebration truly unforgettable. Your commitment to excellence, exceptional service, and culinary mastery, as demonstrated by Spencer, Pepe, and Zedd, created an evening that will forever hold a special place in our hearts. We are grateful to have had the privilege of dining at your establishment and can't wait to return for more memorable experiences in the future.

If you're looking to create lasting memories over an extraordinary meal, I wholeheartedly recommend El Gaucho in Tacoma, WA. You won't be disappointed.

Thank you, El Gaucho, for an exceptional...

$354- for 2 to eat dinner. 2 drinks, one app, 2 steaks and 1 shareable side. $354!!!!!!! This was our first and last experience at El Gaucho and I wish I could say it was a better experience. A friend suggested this place saying she had such an amazing time sitting down on the floor near the musician and watching the various fire demonstrations while eating dinner. She said this is one of the nicest restaurants in the Tacoma area. In our experience it was the worst. An Olive Garden or Chilis would have offered a better experience with much better prices for what we were given. This evening out was to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary! Imagine if this is what you experienced for your 10 year celebration. I would like to point out that I made reservations in advance and indicated it was our 10 year wedding anniversary. When we arrived we went to the hostess stand and checked in. She told us our table would be ready shortly. We waited for about 20 minutes before we were seated- with a reservation. When we were seated the hostess walked us UP the stairs to the right of the hostess stand and seated us at a tiny square table right on the edge of the stairway- immediately across from the door and oppposite the coat closet. Every time the door opened and closed we felt the freeezing cold air. The only mention of our anniversary was the card she left on the table. The location of the table was unacceptable and I wish we would have refused and went elsewhere. These seats should not be an option for anyone if you claim you are offering an exceptional experience. Especially not with a reservation for a special event. We could not see ANYTHING. The musician was underneath us. The fire shows were also on the main floor so we couldn't see any of that either. We had extremely long wait times in between our drinks and app and dinner... probably bc our server had to come upstairs to reach us. The food was subpar at best. My husbands plate and meal was freezing cold. It was clear it sat for a while waiting for mine (his was medium rare- mine was well done). So he had a cold meal. Mine was burnt. I asked the server for a steak that didn't have a bright pink center but wasn't burnt either, she suggested well done but said she would make sure she tells the kitchen. The steak was charred. When I ordered I asked about the peppercorn add-on and she told me it was a crust on the steak- and then told me they also have a peppercorn sauce that I could try. She never indicted each of these would be an INDIVIDUAL CHARGE. The prices are outrageous and do not equal the awful quality of food and poor service we recieved. I can't say anything positive about our experience. I am so upset we wasted our 10 year anniversary dinner at this restaurant. A special event that deserved a special dinner. We did not receive that. We were extremely overcharged and treated poorly. We were 1 of 2 interracial couples who were eating dinner at El Gaucho... BOTH OF US were seated in the top right section- out of the way. Treated like an afterthought. This says something about the type of establishment you are running- one that does not treat their guests equally or offer the same experience to all guests. We should have left when we saw the table we were being seated at.

It is unfair to claim exceptional food and service- charge outrageous prices- and then offer this piss poor service. I would have given 0 stars for the review requested if it was an option.

$354. Insane....