Review - The Gaucho Film Club: Pulp Fiction

Location: Gaucho – Charlotte Street | Price: £50pp | Rating: 4.5 Stars

“Hamburgers! The cornerstone of any nutritious breakfast.”

Well, on the 2^nd of February, that truly was the cornerstone of my breakfast as I attended Gaucho’s screening of Pulp Fiction as a belated birthday present.

For those who aren’t familiar with it, Gaucho is a fantastic Argentinian steak house and also my favourite restaurant. So, when I heard they had established a ‘Film Club’ where they screen a film and serve you the food that appears on the screen in real-time, you can only imagine my excitement. Especially when I was told it was Pulp Fiction, one of my Top 5 films.

On paper, this is my idea of heaven. But because I had such high expectations, I was cautious of disappointment. I can tell you now that it exceeded all my expectations, bar a few small issues.

So, without further ado – here’s what we were served!

Big Kahuna Burger – ‘Classic Cheeseburger Served with Vodka Lemonade’ (00:14:08)

Arguably, this is the dish I was most excited to try.

Ever since watching Pulp Fiction for the first time I had always been curious to try a Big Kahuna Burger. Well, now I have, and what a burger it was.

Served in a paper takeaway bag - just like the film (a nice touch and attention to detail), the burger was enclosed in a beautiful brioche bun and filled with a moist, quality patty, cheese and relish. Does it get better?

This was one of the tastiest burgers I’ve had, and that’s saying something.

Go Make Yourself a Drink – ‘Naked Grouse’ (00:30:41)

I’m a wimp when it comes to spirits, so this wasn’t for me. It was, however, presented impeccably.

Served in a fancy bottle alongside two whiskey glasses, a square mirror, two bags of ‘cocaine’ (icing sugar) and a rolled up $100 bill, this was one of my favourites for aesthetics alone.

$5 Shake – ‘Served Martin and Lewis, Vanilla Milkshake’ (00:38:43)

This was my second most anticipated item.

Self-admittedly, I’m a fiend for a ‘shake. They’re easy to do, but hard to do well. Gaucho, however, got it pretty spot on. Thick, creamy, indulgent and topped with cream and a glacé cherry, it was very enjoyable.

My only criticism is that it could have been slightly more vanilla-y, and it also would have been a nice touch to have offered the other option from the film – Amos and Andy, a chocolate option. I understand why they didn’t though as the idea is to replicate what’s on the screen. Still, I’d have preferred chocolate.

Bloody as Hell – ‘Chorizo Sirloin Steak with Chips and Peppercorn Sauce’ (00:41:46)

Gaucho are renowned for their steaks. Everyone who eats there raves about them, and for good reason – they’re absolutely phenomenal. This was no different.

Beautifully cooked, rich and tender, this steak was to die for, and so were the chips.

I have always felt chips are underrated. Sure, there’s nothing complicated about them, but they’re surprisingly hard to cook well. These, however, were delicious. Perfectly crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and salted just right.

This was the standout dish of the event.

Get the Shot! – ‘A Shot of Tequila and a Hint of Absinth’ (00:58:05)

My idea of hell

.

As I’ve already mentioned, I don’t do spirits, and this was a cocktail designed to incinerate your throat. Despite my obvious aversion, I still managed to drink it… just.

Part of the fun, however, was that it was served in a large injection needle which you squirted into your mouth. Without knowing what was in it beforehand gave everyone – especially me – a big shock!

You’re Sending The Wolf? – ‘A Mug of Coffee’ (01:53:00)

Me: “God damn – this is some serious gourmet shit!”

Gaucho: “I don’t need you to tell me how fucking good my coffee is, okay? I’m the one who buys it – I know how good it is.”

What can I say? It really was a great cup of coffee.

Want Some Bacon? – ‘American Pancakes and Bacon’ (02:08:13)

Conveniently, the stack of pancakes is served right at the end of the film which makes the menu have a somewhat linear structure. Had the pancakes been served before the steak, for example, that would have been one hell of a culinary rollercoaster.

The pancakes were great though, and so was the bacon. Light, fluffy and heavily drizzled in maple syrup, this was a great dish to end on.

All in all, this is one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. The food was to die for, the attention to detail was remarkable, and the service given by the staff was impeccable.

When booking, the restaurant experienced a glitch in their system which meant we had to be moved to the following week. To make up for this, my friend and I were given a complimentary glass of Champagne on arrival – a very classy touch, and one which was appreciated.

My only criticism, however, is that I thought the restaurant could have been laid out better. Unfortunately, throughout the screening, my view was obscured by someone seated directly in front of me. I didn’t mind this too much as I’ve seen the film so many times before - I pretty much know it off by heart. But had someone who wasn’t familiar with it had this issue, I could see how that would taint the experience for them.

I would recommend Gaucho’s Film Club for any film fan who also enjoys food. It is a fantastic idea and one that won’t disappoint. Considering the amount of good quality food and drink you get too, it’s great value for money. Next on my list is to see Chef! The thought alone makes me salivate…

To see Gaucho’s upcoming Film Club screenings – click here!

To read my post on my Top 5 Films – click here!

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