steak / Georgina Does

The Lost Year at Gaucho, Richmond

Thursday, 17 June 2021

I've always loved Gaucho. I've been for birthdays, graduations, date nights and for brunch at the weekend! It was the first place I wanted to go to as we came out of Lockdown one last summer; so yes, needless to say I'm a big fan.

Having just moved to Southwest London, I was very eager to check out the Richmond venue - which is not only my new local branch but it also sits on the riverside. I'd actually not been to Richmond before so having spotted with current promotion on Instagram, I couldn't resist making a booking.

Book your table at any Gaucho restaurant from Monday to Wednesday between 17th May and 28th July and we will give you a fantastic celebratory percentage off your food bill for your birthday decade. If you’re celebrating your 26th birthday, you and your table will enjoy twenty percent off your bill"

I got lucky with this one. I made this booking maybe six weeks ago and it just so happened to be 29° when the day finally rolled around. Ii had picked up one of my favourite dresses from home the week before and it was the perfect opportunity to wear it. I was ecstatic to get a table outside - it was the perfect evening.

The food was as good as ever, plus even more of a treat than usual as it had been a while since I'd eaten steak.

I don't rate the starters at all but it seemed silly not to make the most of the discount so I tried to sea bass ceviche whilst David ordered the empanadas. Nice, but nothing special.

Luckily I can't say the same about the steak, that was just what I needed it to be. We shared a 400g fillet which was served sliced up on a board in the middle of the table. In the heat, I found this much less overwhelming than having a huge lump of meat placed down in front of me.

Buttery soft and cooked just as we wanted it, I ate mine with béarnaise sauce and garlic spinach whilst trying to avoid gorging too much on the mac and cheese we'd also ordered.

Washed down with a sweet, summery blackberry and gin cocktail, I also insisted on dessert after seeing a huge slab of sticky toffee pudding arrive at the table next to us.

It was pretty dreamy too.

It was my first proper trip into Richmond and I thought it was just the most magical place.

We went for a little wander after dinner to let to food go down and make the most of the wonderful weather. Like us, there were lots of friends and couples enjoying green space and waterside paths. The river was filled with local boats and lined with lovely pubs. One particular place had dished out cushions so people were sitting against the walls and on the curbs, with a plastic pint watching the sun go down over the water. I just didn't want to leave.

Next time I'm in the mood for steak, I know exactly where I'm going.

Friday, 21 August 2020

Eating out has always been a huge part of my life and before March 23rd, I was doing it almost every other day so having to eat at home 24/7 was particularly hard. It's now been a couple of weeks since bars and restaurants in the UK have been allowed to re-open and I've made the most of it - I've eaten far too much of my own, terrible cooking over the past few months.

I know alot of people are still pretty scared to go out, which is why I wanted to write this post - to share my experience of this weird new world where something that used to be so normal, is now very odd - going for dinner.

black mesh off the shoulder top

Usually, I would double check my bag for my phone, card and keys. Now it's face mask, hand sanitizer and a plastic bag to sit on on the tube. Yes I know that's a bit extreme it but it makes me feel better okay?

Getting on the tube isn't quite as scary as I originally thought. A few weeks into lock down I ordered myself a contactless card because my old school one just wasn't cutting it anymore, obviously, so it's all good on that front and even though the tube is getting busier, I feel safe in terms of social distancing; with my mask firmly on my face and my plastic bag under my butt. I also tie my hair up and am very mindful throughout my journey not to touch anything.

Sadly, I come across loads of people not wearing a mask.

Gaucho Steak

I got on at South Kensington and headed to Gaucho just a short walk from the station. Not quite full to its normal capacity to every other table, as they were limiting numbers, the place still had its usual buzz. With every other table empty, not only did it feel totally safe in terms of distancing but also a little more luxury than usual with more privacy and space. Being close enough to hear what the next table are talking about is a little pet hate of mine.

We filled in a track and trace card and then ordered some cocktails! Pornstar martinis and then a little later, strawberry daiquiris. Yum.

Staff weren't wearing masks or any type of PPE for that matter. They were however, always cautious when getting close or moving things around on the table; not so much that it was a hassle though - just trying to keep their distance which obviously is a good thing right now.

Apart from that, it was pretty normal - just the odd dancing around the tables when walking past people to go to the toilet, but everyone was respectful of each other and we all had a laugh about how strange it was. There were a whole load of Uber eats bags going out through the night so obviously not everyone is as keen to get out just yet.

cocktails and burrata

I can't tell you how good it was to have have a real cocktail (or four), not just vodka and juice from the fridge at home; and also a three course meal. I started with a burrata, which of course was delicious. Then a fillet steak, cooked rare, with fries and mac n cheese on the side. We shared a sticky toffee pudding for dessert and finished up with a fresh mint tea.

By the end of the evening I had forgotten that corona virus was even a problem.

I cant speak for everywhere but Gaucho have done a very good job at maintaining their usual vibe in a safe way.

Have you braved a restaurant yet?

Wearing my pretty mesh top from femmeluxefinery *gifted

Tuesday, 6 January 2015

OK! I've turned my laptop back on after nearly three weeks and I'm ready to get started again, finally. It's been a super hectic few weeks obvs and your going to have to bare with me while I get used to actually typing again - I've been finding it a bit hard so far this morning haha. I should start with some holiday photos but as usual, on a family holiday, I didn't really get many interesting ones haha.

My last blog post was on my NYE make up ideas but now I'm going to take you though getting ready and what I actually did on new years eve! As for my outfit I was stuck between two, so I started my day by trying them both on an making a decision. This first one is the one I didn't go with - It's this amaaaazing jumpsuit* from RARE. I loved that it had so many aspects to it with the plunging V neck, the peplum and the sequin body and I am very pleased to say that it actually stays up which I was a bit surprised about. I loved it loads and it was something really different for me but it just wasn't right for the sort of plans I had, I was going for food and cocktails and for me, this is the kind of outfit I'd wear to a club! Isn't it pretty though?

The outfit that I actually ended up wearing was something I bought a few weeks back on a whim. I was literally just scrolling though the Clothing at Tesco site picking up anything that I liked the look of and when it arrived, I noticed that I'd picked out the perfect little top for my night! It's a black crop jumper with gold threat though it which was perfect as the cocktail bar that I went to was going for a black and gold theme! I tried to top with jeans and shorts but finally decided to wear it with a simple black mini skirt and my new boots from ASOS.

I know I was chatting about my new silver nail polish previously but when I realised it was a black and gold themed night that all changed. The polish that I ended up wearing was actually one of my stand out favourites from the past year so it was quite fitting! Its a gold texture one from Barry M called Majesty and it covers the nails really well. I popped that in my bag for the night along with the other two products I told you about from ASOS! The little mascara sample was great and even small enough to actually keep in my purse. For me, it was great for a more natural look and didn't clump my lashes together! As for the liner, there is no other one I'd use at the moment, its just so easy to apply.

Amongst my outfit and my make up I also wanted to mention my underwear haha. Since either outfit was nice and easy it meant I could wear any shape and colour underwear I fancied. I stuck with my usual every day comfortable fit but opted for this lovely teal set from Ann Summers* (The bra is now just £10 in the sale). I'm not usually one for lace but since teal is my absolute favourite colour, I couldn't resist this! I ordered it online which is very unusual for me and it fitted perfectly - I was very pleased as you can imagine. The cups come with extra removable pads and it was so lovely to find a pair of matching knickers that wasn't a thong.

Now that my outfit and everything else was sorted it was time for a nice relaxing bath before getting ready! I got to use my melting snowman that Andrew bought me as part of my christmas present! He smells like christmas, fizzes up alot more than I expected, left my skin super smooth.