Ambience is nice, food is great. What you'd expect from a high end steakhouse. Drinks aren't a highlight.

El Gaucho Portland is the epitome of fine dining, and our recent visit was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we stepped in, we were greeted with warmth and professionalism that set the tone for an unforgettable evening. Our server, Aaron, went above and beyond to make our dining experience exceptional. His attention to detail, knowledge of the menu, and genuine passion for his work truly stood out. Aaron's recommendations were spot-on, and he made sure every aspect of our meal was perfect. It's rare to find a server who combines expertise with such a warm and personable approach, but Aaron nailed it. He made us feel like we were the most important guests in the restaurant. The entire team at El Gaucho worked seamlessly together to create an atmosphere of elegance and comfort. From the perfectly timed courses to the attentiveness of the entire staff, it was clear that everyone was committed to making our evening special. The food was impeccable, the ambiance was luxurious, and the service was truly outstanding. If you're looking for a place that delivers on every front delicious food, top-notch service, and a memorable experience look no further than El Gaucho Portland. Special thanks to Aaron and the entire crew for making our night one we won't forget. We will definitely be returning soon!

My wife and I have been going here for special occasions over the past 15 years, and it never disappoints. The steaks are done exactly as you ask, and the scallops are to die for. There are a wide variety of side dishes, salads, and entrée add-ons. The wine list is extensive, and the bartender can make anything you can describe. The ambience is top-notch, with dim lighting, comfortable seating, live music, and customized recognition of your special event. The wait staff are professional and attentive. They also remind you that the 20% service charge added to all tickets goes towards their gratuities, but of course they also allow you to tip above and beyond that.

One of my favorite places for dinner in the Northwest States is El Gaucho. I enjoyed a bottle of Pinot Noir with my meal, as well as the table-side Caesar salad, the filet, and the table-side banana foster dessert made with Bacardi. The service, atmosphere, and food and wine were all incredible. Be prepared to spend a little (expect to spend over $700), however it's definitely worth it. I can't wait to go back.

Five star meal with five star service by Melissa Perfect anniversary experience and meal!

Excelente encantada lo recomiendo la comida exquisita los cócteles y el postre el servicio excelente, el restaurante muy elegante muy acogedor romántico y la música en vivo

My boyfriend and I came in on Fathers Day as a sort of going away gift for me. Ambiance: I loved the dark lighting and the live guitar. Our seats were perfect for the two of us. It was really cool that we could see the chef and the kitchen out in the open. They all looked so focused and were in sync with eachother. Service: Daniel was incredible. He explained everything so thoroughly and made us want to try new foods. I even got a fancy mocktail, which I never do. The water was always full and it actually tasted so good. The food did take a while to get there (about 1hr) but it was really busy and the bread was soooooo good so I can't complain. The food: Ok, this is where I was a tiny bit disappointed but to be fair, I should have listened to Daniel when he said the medium rare was slightly more rare than I would be used to. We ordered the roasted corn 10/10 yum, the Yukon potatoes 10/10 yum, the Diablo steak bites 8/10 still yum, and the ribeye 7/10. I guess maybe I've never had 28 day aged steak because I thought it would be something different. It wasn't very juicy but it wasn't dry if that makes sense. It definitely had a cool red center so my boyfriend wouldn't eat it but I did and it was pretty good. I feel like it could have been a little more seasoned but again, I'm not a steak expert so I don't know. Overall, we had a really good experience and would definitely come back. They had a peach tomato salad and some French onion soup on the menu that I saw come out of the kitchen and I kicked myself for not getting that too. It was also fun to watch other people get the table side food made so I would probably do that next time.

Mmm mmm, EL 'effin' Gaucho is more like it! I'm gonna start by saying that my lasting impression of this steakhouse was simply thinking, "Whoa! When the scallops taste as soft and as tender as the steak, then that's perfection!" Here's the gist: :: Location & Parking :: At the corner of Broadway and Harvey Milk St, in the heart of downtown. You're gonna need to whip out that Parking Kitty app to find street parking. We did find parking at a small garage across Broadway, but it might be safer to park on the street versus a garage in my opinion. Just realize you're in the heart of downtown. ::: Dining & Atmosphere ::: White table cloth dining. It's like your typical steakhouse experience; Low lighting, but not super low to where you can't see the menu. Just right. Wine flowing, but I didn't see your common wine refrigeration display. I only saw big wine bottles around the tables, but also not a big deal. Happy patrons dressed to the nines, but also dressed comfortably. You can come here wearing a t-shirt, but you'll stand out as the odd one. Everything else appeared pretty clean. Even with a restroom break, I'd say it was fairly clean inside as well. :::: Starters, Steak & Service :::: My party wanted to share a few sides. So we did the Gaucho Mac n Cheese ($14) and mmm mmm what a great starter indeed. Loved the toasted bread crumbs on top. We tried the Grilled Sweet Corn ($14) which was also a pleasant honeyed sweet choice. And finally we gave the good ol' fashioned Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes ($14) a try, and yeah "light and lovely!" I'm not a fan of the "Lets add some seasoning to mashed potatoes" type. They kept it basic, and the side itself was truly golden! As for me, I kept eyeing the French Onion Soup ($16), so I'm glad I gave it a try. It wasn't overly salty and the cheesiness level was just full of stretchy ropy fun! The way it should be. Since I've never been here, I did their signature plate, the Steak El Gaucho ($89). An 8oz aged filet with Maine lobster medallion on top covered with this creamy bearnaise sauce. And of course an asparagus companion. I had the steak medium-rare, took one bite, and ugggh heaven! Grilled perfectly! Honestly, I could do without the toppings which were also delectable, but the filet was one of the best I've ever had in a long time. My friend ordered a side of scallops, and I had one with my steak. And man, that tenderness comparison just topped it all! Finally, with service. Maaan, I cannot thank Mathisen enough. He was serious when I asked him snooty question, but also hospitable when I threw stupid 'dad jokes' at him. He made an excellent wine pairing to go with my steak, and he definitely kept our party entertained. Mathisen deserves a promotion. He brings a lot to the table! (: hehe :) At the end of our dinner, we were also greeted by Gillian, the manager. She too was very courteous and another reason why we plan to come back someday. Thank you Mathisen and Gillian, it was a pleasure dining here.

I have been to most of the locations in the Pacific Northwest. It is a chain that I enjoy very much. From the food, service, and ambiance. It has not disappointed me, ever! Came here on a Wed night. There was live music. I ordered the table side cosmo, table side beef tartare and oysters. I always get the escargots. Dinner for 1 or 10, this is a great place. Make sure to sign up for their rewards program as well!