Tag Archives: Argentina

The Fiesta Continues

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Argentine Pop-Up Barullo delivered and conquered the appetites of many an anticipating guest this week. Hosted by Wines of Argentina and catered by Mauro Colagreco, we danced, drank and dined our way through the South American splendour in the heart of Hoxton. Barullo delivered to us Argentina with an extra serving of wine. My aim was to make my way though the extensive wine list but found myself somewhere after my 4th glass of Torrontes before I found that to be ‘wishful drinking’. Mauro Colagreco, owner of renowned Two Michelin Star French restaurant Mirazur, served up a sumptuous four-course meal perfectly suited to the supper-club style dining area making it an evening full of the delights of Argentina.

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The end of Barullo does not mean the fiesta has ended though as our equally esteemed Argentine friends at Gaucho have come up with another night to remember with another appearance from Mauro himself. On the 11th November. Gaucho welcomes “The 10 Hands”. Featuring 5 of the most influential and creative chefs of Argentina; Mauro Colagreco, Fernando Trocca, Narda Lepez, Guido Tassi and German Martitegui, are to showcase their gastronomic expertise just for you. Centered around the infamous Asado (Argentine Barbecue), Gaucho Piccadilly’s terrace will be transformed into a night of Argentine bbq indulgence featuring five-courses of pure Argentinian fayre served with pairings from their sumptuous wine list.

Tickets are priced at £100 and will be available from the Gaucho Website;

www.gauchorestaurants.com

Argentinean Pop-Up Barullo comes to London

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East London is infamous for hosting some pretty exciting pop-ups and now we needn’t look further as Hoxton welcomes a Wines of Argentina production, Barullo. This October we will be treated to four spectacular days of the best of Argentinian culture. Hosted by Hoxton’s JJ Studios, prepare to be immersed in art, wine, music and of course food and spend an evening being serenaded by sweet Argentinian fayre.

Mauro Colagreco

Mauro Colagreco

For the very first time ever Mauro Colagreco will be bringing a touch of two-star Michelin restaurant Mirazur to Barullo providing ticket holder’s with a slice of some fine dining. We are talking four days of dining curated by one of the best restaurants in the World. Guests enjoying dinner can expect a four-course feast featuring; Antarctic King Crab, Scallops, Pumpkin and Coconut milk and Patagonian lamb confit with sweet potato, dates, caramelised shallots and sesame sauce.

What’s more, Barullo are including a second ticket option for those who still want to enjoy the “best of the best” wine’s alongside music and art but do not wish to dine. With a focus on the best Argentinean wines, wines from almost 40 of the country’s winemakers will be making an appearance. Highlights include sommelier led tasting bars with 5 of the world’s top 10 sommeliers sharing their expertise, including Argentina’s number one sommelier, Paz Levinson. Art will be provided by the country’s most renowned contemporary galleries, Buro for you to enjoy whilst listening to live sets by two of Argentina’s hottest DJ’s. So tango your way to Barullo to experience an Argentinean pop up with flavour, culture and fiesta. Salud!

Tickets start from £32.45 (including booking fee) per person which include Wines, Art, Music including access to the wine tastings which can be enjoyed from 8pm

Tickets are priced at £106.79 (including booking fee) per person for those who would like to try the full Mirazur dining experience starting at 6.30pm

Tickets can be purchased at;
Eventbrite

For more info;
Wines of Argentina

Gaucho presents… Seven days of Malbec

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Gaucho_David-Griffen-Photography-3215bwThe iconic restaurant Gaucho, famed for capturing the essence of Argentinian food, wine and passion are about to embark on a very special week of events celebrating the very wine that put Argentina on the map, The Malbec. Gaucho popularly known throughout the Capital as being known for their delicious steaks and decadent decor are also UK home and champion of the Argentine grown grape, making it all the more apt that a number of the restaurants across London and the North will be home to Gaucho’s wine tasting events coinciding with Malbec World day on April 17th.

Frost were fortunate enough to get a little taster of the weeks events hosted by Gaucho’s Director of Wine, Phil Crozier, aka, Mr Malbec. Not only were we lucky enough to have him talk us through a number of the fine and exclusive Malbec’s but they were served to us in a bespoke new wine glass designed for optimum drinking by Mr Malbec himself.

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Seven days of Malbec is due to commence on Monday the 13th April with a whole host of Malbec tasting sessions appealing to any wine taster from novice to connoisseur. As I soon realised as we began the wine tasting, my wine knowledge was almost non existent compared to the others in the room not to mention the passionate musings of Phil who went into a lengthy and extremely informative lecture about the legacy and intricacies of the history of Malbec and current Malbec production just one of the things, aside from the wine, expected from one of the value for money tastings. There really is something for everyone here as I was keen to know top tips and boy did we get more than a few as well as dispelling a few myths that a lot of wine drinkers would be shocked to hear themselves. For example, the fact that red wine should be served at no higher than 16c in fact Phil suggested, popping the wine in the fridge for an hour beforehand. Or the fact that Malbecs are best enjoyed young going against the old adage that the older the wine the more refined.

With Malbec quickly becoming one of the most important and popular wines in British Culture, Seven days of Malbec cover the following;

The Pioneers – Monday 13th April at Gaucho Piccadilly; covering the range of Malbecs from the pioneers that bought Malbec to the international market.

The New Generation– Tuesday 14th April at Gaucho Richmond; giving you a chance to try the new, super cool wine makers that are causing a stir in Argentina.

Old Vine Malbec – Wednesday 15th April at Gaucho Smithfield; for those of you wanting to try some Malbecs from the oldest vineyards in Mendoza.

Malbec Blends – Thursday 16th April – Gaucho Leeds; A chance to taste the blends which add a new dimension.

Extreme Malbecs – Friday 17th April – Gaucho Chancery Lane; A chance to look at Malbecs from the extreme high altitude regions in the north of Argentina on Malbec World day itself.

Super Malbec – Saturday 18th April – Gaucho Charlotte St; The creme de la creme of Malbecs straight from the ‘uber’ special, single vineyard Malbecs.

Vina Patricia – Sunday 19th April – Gaucho Hampstead; A chance to taste Gaucho’s very own Malbec grown in Lunlunta, Mendoza.

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In addition to the exclusive tasting events, guests of Gaucho will be given a chance to try two Malbecs with their steak choice throughout the week.

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Seven Days of Malbec begins on Monday 13th of April with all tastings priced at £20 per person, bookable through the Gaucho website;

http://www.gauchorestaurants.co.uk/events/

Gaucho Sloane Restaurant Review

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The Gaucho has a reputation that precedes it. Quite a few people were jealous that I was reviewing it, more so than any other restaurant I have reviewed. It was all apparent why when we arrived. To begin with, the decor is stunning. The chairs are comfortable: high-backed with a black and white animal print. The entire place is just stylish. The atmosphere is not stuffy and there are a few families here with (well-behaved) toddlers.

Our waiter, Ewan, is incredibly knowledgable. He knows everything about the food and the wine. His recommendations are also excellent.

Our meal is started off with some bread and Chimichurri sauce, a staple in Argentina. It is made from parsley, garlic, fresh pepper, olive oil, red pepper and red wine vinegar. The bread comes in a good variety: there is some corn bread and some cheesy bread to go with the ordinary bread. All tastes great and fresh.

Gaucho Sloane Restaurant Review bread

For our starter I have the pan-fried scallops with watercress purée, smoked pancetta and confit red peppers and my colleague has the crab caustic with egg, lime and avocado. The scallops are perfectly cooked and the sauce is wonderful, the smoked pancetta on top really works too. The crab is delicious and unique. It is presented on top of mashed potato. The avocado is perfect and the hint of egg is unusual but works well. It is complex and creative. The potato is smooth and well seasoned. It holds everything together.

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For my main I have to have a steak, the Gaucho is famous for them after all. I have the churrasco de lomo: spiral cut, marinated for 48 hours in garlic, parsley and olive oil. It is 400g of pure heaven. Even more impressive because I cannot have it medium rare as I am pregnant but the chef manages to make it taste amazing, even though it has to be well done. This is the best steak I have ever had in my life. High praise indeed as I have eaten a lot of steak. It is just perfect and you can tell that a lot of time and effort went into it. Our waiter, Edwan, brought out the steak in advance to show us. The cows are grass fed and roam around an area of Argentina three times the size of the UK. I have a garlic hollandaise sauce on the side which is simply divine. However, the steak is so marinated and delicious it could be eaten on its own.

Gaucho Sloane Restaurant Review steak

My colleague has pork belly with pumpkin purée, glazed button onions and buttered cabbage. He says it is a triumph: perfectly cooked pork with sweet caramelised onions and cabbage. It has a fantastic, sweet, sticky sauce that is not heavy and is divine with the pork.

Gaucho Sloane Restaurant Review sides

For our sided we have baked and grilled sweet potato, brushed with butter. It is perfect. We also have some perfectly cooked buttery curly kale.

Gaucho Sloane Restaurant Review porkbelly

Gaucho Sloane Restaurant Review steak

To drink we have mocktails. I have a virgin mojito that tastes just like the real thing and my colleague has a fruit punch. Both are excellent. I could drink a virgin mojito everyday.

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For dessert I have a chocolate and raspberry alfajores: milk chocolate and raspberry parfait cake with italian meringue and crushed raspberries and my colleague has dulce de leche cheesecake, a salted dulce de leche. Both desserts are delicious.

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Gaucho also have an extensive and wonderful list of Argentinean wine. Make sure you have some. There is also the Bar Galante next door. It is a beautiful bar, very stylish and perfect for sipping a cocktail or two.

I can highly recommend Gaucho. It is right at the top of my list of the best restaurants in London. Just superb.


Gaucho – Sloane
89 Sloane Avenue
London
SW3 3DX
Phone: 0207.584.9901
Fax: 0207.584.0045