El Gaucho's pricing

[AuntieMame]

Originally Posted by geoawelch

The way I look at it is if the worst thing you can say about a great steak restaurant is that they have bad corn, I think you are doing well.

I would agree. But that's NOT what I said. I said "The steaks were just okay (Had better here in the USA for sure) and the vegetables were terrible."

[pkornnh]

I have had good, but not great steaks at El Gaucho. In my opinion, if you want a steak comparable to Morton's, you should try Sunset Grill in the Radisson or L.G. Smith’s Steak & Chop House in the Renaissance. They have comparable quality steaks and they are slightly cheaper than Morton's. I have gone to Sunset Grill on each of my five trips to the island and have never been disappointed. Also new to the island, Ruth's Chris Steak house in the Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino, I have not tried this particular location, but they are comparable to Morton's in quality and price. I look forward to trying this one in May.

Happy eats, Pete

[sagman17]

i have eaten at el gaucho about 20 times over the years..i believe it's one of the the better restaurants on the island..in all my times there i've never had a bad meal..my wife loves the chimicurra sauce which she puts on the bread..i love the pickled onions..we even buy the three pack to bring home to the states to remind of us el gaucho during dinners at home..i don't think we've been lucky 20 times..in the last couple of years i think they have even gotten better..plus either before or after dinner you can go listen to some great music across the street at garafu..

[Freon]

Originally Posted by AuntieMame

There would be the difference, Michele. I don't put any sauce at all on a good steak - ever. For me, a proper steak doesn't need a sauce. Especially with a garlic pesto, the flavor of the steak would be masked. (I do love garlic pesto though - probably ought to have put it on my ElGaucho steak.)

I should add that the soggy, previously frozen, tasteless mess they use for corn on the cob could never appeal to this Jersey girl . Jersey, Penna and Maryland have the best corn. We're spoiled.

I also do not put anything on a steak and agree a good steak shouldn't need it. However, El Goucho was not only the best steak I have ever had but one of the best dining experiences. No wait, great corn on the cobb,good atmosphere,excellent service. Maybe it all depends on when you go. We spent just under $ 100(tip included) for 2 meals, 4 drinks and dessert.

[AuntieMame]

There are a number of variables in judging a restaurant's food.

There is one's palate - some are more keen than others.

There is one's experience - if one has never had an excellent (whatever) then even a mediocre one will seem fine.

There is one's preference - if one simply does not like (whatever) then it really doesn't matter how brilliant the chef is.

Because all those vary widely, it's nice to have a large number of reviews. I like to check the top ten at http://www.restaurantsaruba.com/. There need to be at least 25 reviews to make the list.

[sagman17]

definitely i agree that many different people have different opinions about different restaurants..with that in mind usually a restaurant fares by how well their business is and does..obviously since el gaucho has been around from i believe 1977 they must be doing something right..they get packed mostly every night and people keep returning time and time again..since there have been some restaurants that have closed up on the island during this time period el gaucho must be a pretty good if not great restaurant..some people will slam a restaurant if every single little thing isn't exactly the way they like it but forget to realize that restaurants are serving hundreds of people a night and going out to a restaurant is different than eating at one's home..el gaucho is consistently getting great reviews by their happy customers..i for one say keep up the great work and i hope you're around for the next thirty years..

[AuntieMame]

Originally Posted by sagman17

usually a restaurant fares by how well their business is and does..obviously since el gaucho has been around from i believe 1977 they must be doing something right..

If you're judging by popularity then yes, El Gaucho does very well indeed - as does MacDonalds.

[geoawelch]

Originally Posted by AuntieMame

There are a number of variables in judging a restaurant's food.

There is one's palate - some are more keen than others.

There is one's experience - if one has never had an excellent (whatever) then even a mediocre one will seem fine.

There is one's preference - if one simply does not like (whatever) then it really doesn't matter how brilliant the chef is.

Because all those vary widely, it's nice to have a large number of reviews. I like to check the top ten at http://www.restaurantsaruba.com/. There need to be at least 25 reviews to make the list.

I think words like "keen" "excellence" etc. are all subjective. If you like the place, go again; if not, stay away

[AuntieMame]

Originally Posted by geoawelch

I think words like "keen" "excellence" etc. are all subjective. If you like the place, go again; if not, stay away

"Excellent" is certainly subjective with respect to a dish but a palate can be tested. In Culinary school they do that quite often. You taste test foods while blindfolded. It's not as easy as one would think - and even harder when your nose is sporting a clothespin or nose clip. There are a fair number who can't distinguish an apple from an onion without their nose being involved. (It would be a fun thing to do if it weren't so important for the culinary student.)

[geoawelch]

Okay, I surrender.