This comes from a man who has contemplated stabbing someone in the hand to get the last piece of steak at Peter Luger's in New York. El Gaucho is the premier steakhouse in Seattle: service, food, and decor unite in a fusion of culinary brilliance. El Gaucho is one of the very few places in Seattle where I would feel awkward dressed casually and that's a good thing. The place looks like an upscale swank 50s supper club. You could just imagine Sinatra crooning by the piano. Service is par excellence, quick, attentive, unobtrusive, knowledgable, friendly. The steaks are magnificient, excellently marbled and aged, and perfectly cooked as directed. The tableside caesar service is an impressive show and produces a magnificent flavorful salad, everything a caesar is supposed to be, unlike the drivel served everywhere these days. Save room for dessert because the bananas foster is a much better show than the caesar, prepared en flambe tableside. And it tastes as good as it looks. The side dishes are all spectacular, but save them for when you have a big crew to share them with, otherwise there's way too much food. If you like steak and you like class, this is the place for you and you will not be disappointed.
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