Upmarket Argentinian steakhouse is heading in a new direction
Manchester's Argentinian steakhouse Gaucho looks to have survived a recent administration scare, as the group reveals plans to rebuild.
The overhaul, spearheaded by M restaurants CEO and former Gaucho managing director Martin Williams, includes refurbishment and upgrade of all sixteen restaurants within the group, with each site being given its own identity and a new menu.
A number of newly appointed managerial staff, appointed specifically for their hospitality expertise, will oversee the changes.
Gaucho’s financial recovery also involved selling off all sites of its loss-making CAU restaurant brand, including restaurants in Didsbury, MediaCityUK and Wilmslow.
Although Gaucho’s signature Argentinian steaks are still available, the ‘nuevo’ menu, launched this week, aims to appeal to a wider customer base. Their new menu sites the inspiration as ‘a reflection of the innovation and creativity which has inspired a new generation of chefs and emerging restaurants now celebrated across Latin America’. It includes some lighter, meat-free dishes such as grilled swordfish with mixed bean cassoulet, palourde clams and grilled lemon, as well as pearl barley arrabiata with grilled courgette, artichoke heart, Peruvian olive, cipolline onion and cherry tomato.
Williams took over in September after previous CEO Oliver Meakin stepped down. The company has now been acquired by Lomo Bidco - a new conglomerate owned by Hong Kong-based bank SC Lowry and Investec Bank PLC - resulting in the saving of 700 jobs.
Following the news, Confidential publisher and long time Gaucho fan Mark 'Gordo' Garner said:
"I'm a trained master butcher, as was my father, my grandfather and great grandfather. My love affair with the weird but lovely Gaucho in Manchester started when my dad and I went to try out the Argentinian beef; we hadn't had any since we joined the common market as we weren't allowed to import from outside of the EU. We both loved the place and latterly Leeds. My father is currently irritating St. Peter, smoking a Cohiba Robustos outside the gate. So I'm looking forward to going back, having a mighty rib eye and a glass of Malbec, which I'll raise to him".
Gaucho, 2A St Mary's St, Manchester M3 2LB
