Wednesday night, I joined Robert and Joel Paget, an attorney from Seattle, for dinner at El Gaucho, next to the Benson Hotel on Broadway. For appetizers we Oysters Rockefeller and Diver Sea Scallops. I had a mixed green salad that had a balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Little did I realized that it was straight vinegar. I didn't care for it. The other two had nice salads one with shrimp and Robert's with crab and shrimp with a creamy dressing.We all had the 8 oz. filet mignon, that came with a large mushroom on top. I had chopped mushroom au jus put on top of it all. We shared two sides - Sauteed Spinach and Lobster Mashed Potatoes. The spinach had too much garlic and pepper. The potatoes were fun to try and quite good. We were too full for dessert, but turns out they bring out a cheese plate with dates and a huge bowl of nuts and fruit. I had some cheese and dates.
The place was full. Had a great atmosphere, with a small musical group performing in the attached bar. For the price, I think I would rather go somewhere else, since I rarely order a steak and El Gaucho is really a steak house. But I have always wanted to go there and now have.
