El Gaucho showcases Northwest wines and gives back at 3rd annual Pour on the Plaza

June 21, 2011

On Saturday, June 25, Bellevue-ites can enjoy a few of their favorite things: wine, charity, music and of course―El Gaucho! The 3rd Annual Pour on the Plaza takes place from 2:00-5:00 p.m. on the City Center Bellevue Plaza lawn and inside the restaurant.

Guests will have the opportunity to sample wine from over twenty of the West Coast’s premier wineries, as well as appetizers from El Gaucho and the Waterfront Seafood Grill. Event attendees will also enjoy the Latin, musical stylings of local northwest band, A Cedar Suede.

This year’s event supports the Rainier Vista Boys and Girls Club of King County which offers food and services to underprivileged children in their area.

Making a special appearance will be Season One Top Chef Dave Martin, who will also be signing his personal cookbook for attendees.

The cost is $85 per person, including tax, gratuity and complimentary valet parking at El Gaucho’s front entrance off of 108th Avenue NE.  Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant at (425) 455-2715.

Participating Wineries Include:

Andrew Will

Bergström

Caymus

Corliss

DeLILLE CELLARS

Domaine Drouhin

Domaine Ste Michelle

Domaine Serene

EFESTĒ

Evening Land

Gorman

Grand Reve Vintners

Lachini

Long Shadows / Nine Hats

Mark Ryan

Northstar

Novelty Hill

Pepperbridge

Sparkman Cellars

Spring Valley

Va Piano

Walla Faces/Barons V

Add some spark to your Spring at El Gaucho

May 8, 2011

Downtown Bellevue’s El Gaucho steakhouse is the place to be for great food and lively entertainment this spring. Check out their Savor Summer Series and Just Another Magic Monday events below:

Savor Summer Series
It’s almost that time of year again when the sun is out, the sunglasses are on and the El Gaucho patio is open! Join El Gaucho every other Saturday (rain or shine) from May through September for tasty appetizers, libations and to celebrate those warm summer nights. In addition to the full menu, each patio event will feature an array of appetizers and two specialty drinks per person. Take a look at the lineup of events for May and June:

May 7: ¿Hey Baby, Que Pasa?
Enjoy south-of-the-border specials and learn how to make the perfect margarita.

May 21: Anchors Away
Savor a tropical array of appetizer and drink specials.

June 4: Hog Wild
Bring the whole gang to El Gaucho for some finger-lickin’ squealin’ good times.

June 18: Boys of Summer
Kick back with dad for an afternoon filled with all your ballpark favorites, Gaucho-style. Chef Steve Cain will also be there to teach the basics of grilling the perfect steak.

Advance reservations are strongly encouraged. Prices vary based on event. For a full list of dates and events, visit elgaucho.com or call (425) 455-2715.

Just Another Magic Monday
Need to add a little spark to your Monday? On May 9, from 6 ­– 9 p.m., a New York City tradition is coming to downtown Bellevue—the talents of magician and mind reader Nash Fung! Guests are invited to dine while enjoying a traditional parlor-style magic show that is sure to amaze all. Nash is an expert in magic and pseudo mind reading, and has a talent for entertaining crowds with his engaging personality and witty humor. His passion for creating original illusions guarantees you will witness magic like you’ve never seen!

To accompany Nash’s magical display, the El Gaucho culinary team is prepared to conjure up a unique twist on their signature menu items.

Cost is $140 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. This event is recommended for ages 14 and above. Cocktails, beer, wine and champagne are available for additional purchase.

For more information and to make reservations, call (425) 455-2715 or visit elgaucho.com.

Getting to know El Gaucho’s Chef de Cuisine, Steve Cain

April 7, 2011

If you’ve had the pleasure of dining at El Gaucho you know why it has gained the reputation of being one of the region’s finest steakhouses and a Northwest institution. The restaurant’s exquisitely prepared dishes and personalized service provides an experience not found in most restaurants. But have you ever thought about what goes on behind the scenes? It takes a skilled chef to artfully conduct the symphony of activities that produce a world-class kitchen. Steve Cain, El Gaucho Bellevue’s Chef de Cuisine, is exactly that person.

Originally from Olympia, Chef Cain grew up with a mother whose cooking inspired him to pursue the art of cuisine. He began his career learning about “the simplicity of food and how great that can be” from an Italian family who owned a small restaurant in Walla Walla. With no formal training but 30 years of experience, Chef Cain moved to Seattle to work at Henry’s Off Broadway under Chef Bruce Bonholzer who attended Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. It was at this stage in his career that Chef Cain learned the majority of what he knows today as a professional chef. Not only do several of Chef Cain’s El Gaucho recipes draw from what he learned in his days at Henry’s, but he says about 20% still harkens back to what he acquired as a child from his mother, specifically skills on braising and roasting. Before joining El Gaucho in 2008, Chef Cain worked for a select group of Pacific Northwest restaurants.

When asked what a typical day looks like as Chef de Cuisine, Chef Cain said “ I spend anywhere from 12-14 hours in the kitchen, cooking on the front line at lunch followed by managing the private dining events in the evening.” Luckily he has a “fantastic staff” of roughly 20 other chefs who support him in running the back-of-house operations including prep cooking and managing the pantry, as well as the sauté and grill stations on the front line. “We have an outstanding team of well-educated people who know how to have fun,” said Chef Cain. And surprisingly even after a busy day in the kitchen Chef Cain always cooks at home. Don’t expect to find him picking up take-out at a nearby drive-thru anytime soon!

Besides cooking Chef Cain enjoys fly-fishing in Yakima and taking long walks with his wife and their Pug. Finally, we asked Chef Cain what his dream restaurant would be if he opened one—his answer? Barbeque.

For information on upcoming events at El Gaucho or to make reservations for your next visit, go to elgaucho.com.

El Gaucho supports UNICEF’s World Water Week

March 25, 2011

It’s World Water Week through March 26, and El Gaucho Bellevue is proud to support the worthy cause that this week embodies. That’s why with every glass of tap water served during lunch and dinner hours, guests are invited to donate $1 toward the UNICEF Tap Project—a non-profit organization that operates to provide lifesaving water for children in developing nations.

It’s easy to take for granted what we’re fortunate to have readily available in this part of the world—necessities like clean water and healthy sanitation that many other countries live without. The UNICEF Tap Project strives to support communities who don’t have access to these amenities in order to better their everyday lives and living conditions. By donating $1 for every glass of water provided by El Gaucho at your next lunch or dinner, you’re helping UNICEF raise vital funds for programs that promote clean water, sanitation and hygiene around the world.

For more information on the Tap Project, visit tapproject.org.

Experience the best in Washington wines during the month of March

March 11, 2011

Daniel’s Broiler
Daniel’s Broiler’s Winemaker Dinner Series features amazing wine, fantastic food, and learning about pairing the two together. Each evening in the series begins with light hors d’oeuvres at 6 p.m. served during a brief seminar given by the winemakers themselves. Speakers will provide background on the conception of each wine and highlight techniques on how enjoy the delicate relationship between food and wine. Following the seminar guests are treated to a 5-course gourmet meal prepared by the Daniel’s Broiler culinary team.

Upcoming events include Mark Ryan, Stevens, and Gorman Wineries on April 13, and Rising Stars of Washington State on May 25. For more information on Daniel’s Winemaker Dinner Series, or for event dates throughout the second half of the year, visit danielsbroiler.com.  Cost per person is $125, plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, email vintagelounge@schwartzbros.com or call (425) 990-6310.

El Gaucho
Join El Gaucho Bellevue for an evening of bold delights at the “Bold and the Beautiful” Andrew Will Winery Dinner, Thursday, March 24 at 6:00 p.m. Chef Steve Cain will prepare an unforgettable culinary experience for guests as he creates 5 courses that will compliment the featured winery, Andrew Will. Insight straight from the winemaker himself, Chris Camarda, will be available throughout the evening. Attendees will also have the opportunity to preorder all featured wines (except the Discovery Vineyard) at retail price for later pick up.

To view the “Bold and the Beautiful” Andrew Will Dinner menu, visit elgaucho.com. $135 per person all inclusive. For reservations call (425) 455-2715.

Pearl Bar & Dining
Executive Chef, Bradley Dickinson, and Managing Partner, Mikel Roger, of Pearl Bar & Dining invite you to a Spring Winemaker Dinner event on Thursday, March 31. Guests will be treated to Pearl’s acclaimed contemporary Northwest cuisine paired with featured winemaker DeLille Cellars from Woodinville. This winemaker is known for creating high quality handcrafted Bordeaux-style red and white wines using only Washington grapes.

Reception starts at 6:15 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. $75 per person plus tax and gratuity. For reservations call  (425-) 455-0181.

Purple Café and Wine Bar
This month each Purple Café and Wine Bar location will offer a special wine dinner featuring wines of a specific Washington State American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). Purple Café in downtown Bellevue will highlight the Walla Walla Valley with a wine pairing and dinner on Thursday, March 17, 6:30 p.m. This well-known region has produced nearly 100 wineries and is known for a fantastic Cabernet Sauvignon as well as Merlot, Chardonnay and Syrah varietals.

$85 per person plus tax and gratuity. To view the menu, visit thepurplecafe.com. For reservations call (206) 838-3853.

Seastar Restaurant and Raw Bar
The Scandinavian Wine Hacks are back! Join Erik and Lars on March 22 at 6:30 p.m. for another tasting adventure at Seastar’s very own Wine School. This time guests will be treated to an evening exploring the exclusive 2008 vintage of Bordeaux.

$90 per person plus tax and gratuity. Space is limited. For reservations, call Erik at (425) 456-0010 ext. 46, or email at eliedholm@seastarrestaurant.com.

Wine Storage Bellevue
Wine Storage Bellevue celebrates Washington Wine Month by hosting “Two Fisted Tuesday” on Tuesday, March 22, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. with Seattle Uncorked, the area’s newest social club for wine enthusiasts. This event begins the monthly series of opportunities to socialize and network while enjoying some of Washington’s best wines as well as assorted cheese platters. All attendees are provided with two glasses upon entry to compare wines while mingling with guests.  The price of admission is one bottle of wine per person plus an additional $5.

For reservations, visit seattleuncorked.com.

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