EL GAUCHO REVAMPS LUXURY | SEATTLEITE
Critically acclaimed wine is just a few bills away | By Erin Thomas
“They’re just grapes from a farm, that’s all it is,” said Kristen Young, former Wine Director at AQUA by El Gaucho (formerly Waterfront Seafood Grill). “People like to make such a fuss about wine.” El Gaucho Restaurants couldn’t agree more, and are proving it by slashing wine prices by 40 percent. The goal of the “Luxury List” promotion is to sell the high-priced wines that have collected dust in their cellar, thereby reducing their crowded inventory. Read Article >

FOOD MATTERS | Rebranding a restaurant vs. opening a new one
Rebranding a restaurant vs. opening a new one | By Ronald Holden
From Waterfront to Aqua. Not far away, at Pier 70, the upscale Waterfront Seafood Grill, owned by Mackay Restaurant Group, has given way to a new concept called Aqua by El Gaucho. A stunning, new entry, a new coat of paint, some new upholstery, a few new toys in the kitchen and some tweaks to the menu, but it’s still the same staff headed by executive chef Peter Levine, the same splendid, copper light fixtures and the same jaw-dropping location. Read Article >

AQUA by El Gaucho | The D List Magazine
NOV 2011 - AQUA by El Gaucho, with a family past that is richly embedded in Seattle’s history, now provides customers a subtly revamped, warm and vibrant interior that features modern artwork and aqua colored walls to enhance the already extraordinary waterfront views. Beyond providing a sensational view of Elliot Bay and the Olympic Mountains, exceptional service and an elevated form of fine dining, AQUA by El Gaucho is also just as proud of its many charitable contributions to several great causes around the city. Read Article >

El Gaucho Debuts “Luxury Wine List”
Exceptional wines at unheard-of values; El Gaucho’s new wine list exemplifies their focus on guest reward. 
View Release >

El Gaucho to Serve its 2,500th meal to Homeless in Pioneer Square
SEATTLEPI.COM | OCT. 19, 2011 Today, El Gaucho will serve its 2,500th meal at Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission’s Men’s Shelter to homeless individuals. Over the past year, El Gaucho’s chefs and staff have donated, prepared and served healthy and delicious lunches every third Wednesday to anyone who walks through our doors. Executive Chef Matt Brandsey will prepare a meat pasta. “It’s truly our pleasure to help out and be a small part of the big things the Mission does,” said Cooper Mills, general manager of El Gaucho. Read Article >

The Waterfront Seafood Grill’s New Name: AQUA By El Gaucho
SEATTLE MET | SEPT. 29, 2011 The Waterfront Seafood Grill at Pier 70—site of the legendary Real World house—is owned by Mackay Restaurant Group, which also owns El Gaucho. In an attempt to marry the brands a decision has been made to change Waterfront’s name to AQUA by El Gaucho, according to the restaurant’s gaucho-in-chief, Chad Mackay. Read Article >

Waterfront Seafood Grill changing its name to AQUA by El Gaucho
PUGET SOUND BIZ JOURNAL | SEPT. 29, 2011 The Waterfront Seafood Grill at Pier 70—site of the legendary Real World house—is owned by Mackay Restaurant Group, which also owns El Gaucho. In an attempt to marry the brands a decision has been made to change Waterfront’s name to AQUA by El Gaucho, according to the restaurant’s gaucho-in-chief, Chad Mackay. Read Article >

Best Locally Owned Steakhouses in Puget Sound | September 15, 2011
Sure, there are plenty of delicious chain steakhouses out there. But what we like about these Seattle area restaurants is that they’re locally owned. No matter how you like yours done, you can sink your teeth in at one of these area steakhouses. Read Article >

425 Magazine Best of 425 | 2011
"Best Service," "Best in Show," and "Best Private Dining"

South Sound Magazine | 2011
"Best Steak" and "Best Service"

Puget Sound Business Journal SCENE | August 26 - September 1, 2011
El Gaucho Bellevue Executive Chef John Broulette, El Gaucho Corporate Executive Chef Ken Sharp, and El Gaucho Bellevue Chef de Cuisine Steve Cain featured with Bravo TV "Top Chef" contestant Dave Martin.

Good Taste: Local Restaurants Giving Back | by Denise Sakaki | Bellevue Downtown - Fall 2011
You know and love downtown Bellevue restaurants for what they do best - delivering outstanding dining experiences. Digging deeper, though, we quickly found more reasons to admire their great service. Read Article (6.8mb pdf) >

Sip and Savor: Dine Waterside by Andrea Delimont Dshiell | WHERE Magazine-Aug. 2011
When summer's at its peak, so is the opportunity to take in the glistening views of Seattle's many sparkling waterways during a forget-me-not meal.

Happy Hour: A tale of two El Gauchos | by Tan Vinh | Seattle Times - July 2010
In Belltown, in the dimly lit, cabaret like ambience of El Gaucho, a vodka cocktail can cost up to $22. A porterhouse: $65. More of an expense-account and celebratory-steak-dinner kind of place. Or maybe you didn't notice. But the bar is also a haunt for bartenders and waiters. Always follow those in the industry when it comes to happy hour. They are wise on these matters. Read Article >

Best of Award of Excellence 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 | Wine Spectator
Wine Spectator's Restaurant Awards recognize restaurants whose wine lists offer interesting selections, are appropriate to their cuisine and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers. Read Article >

May 15, 2009 | KOMO
Congratulations to our Executive Chef, Peter Levine, for being one of the three Seattle area Chefs selected to greet the Alaska Airlines flight carrying the first shipment of Copper River salmon! Chef Levine was also featured on KOMO 4 “Tarmac to Table” and KCPQ 13 “Plane to Plate”.

Power Lunches at El Gaucho Bellevue | By Ethan Chung | May/June 2009
Google. Expedia. Microsoft. Technology giants have become the business focus on the Eastside, but the truth is people have been doing business here for a very long time. So where do they go to broker deals or develop corporate strategies? With the opening of El Gaucho in downtown Bellevue and its lunch offering, many have been saying that the power lunch has finally made a return. Or maybe it really never left.

Swanky Days are Here Again | By Kathryn Robinson | Seattle Metropolitan Magazine – 3.09
Call me easy, but I’m a sucker for a gent in a tux who takes charge of my napkin by snapping it onto my lap. This is a man who asks if he can fluff my baked potato with cheese sauce and chives, then doesn’t stint on the butter; a man who sets my brochette of tenderloin aflame... Read Article >

El Gaucho to Open In Downtown Bellevue | Seattle, Wash. | September 14, 2007
Eastside El Gaucho devotees have long wondered when their favorite steakhouse would appear on their side of Lake Washington, and now they have an answer. Set to open fall 2008, El Gaucho Seattle will be the only high-end restaurant slated for the 26-story City Center Plaza (under construction at 110th Ave. N.E. and N.E. 6th St.), Designed by Arellano/Christofides Architects PLLC (the design team that has been behind every Mackay restaurant) El Gaucho Seattle will proffer its own distinct character without sacrificing any of the luxurious, sophisticated appeal that characterizes its siblings. Read Press Release >

El Gaucho makes new reservations in Bellevue | Puget Sound Business Journal
Sep.2007 | by Jeanne Lang Jones After years of effort, father and son restaurateurs Paul and Chad Mackay have finally secured a spot for an El Gaucho steakhouse in downtown Bellevue. Read Article >

El Gaucho Seattle Raises over $145,000 for Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission
The Washington Restaurant Association’s 2007 Humanitarian of the Year, Paul Mackay, transformed a typical Monday night at El Gaucho Seattle into a modish, charitable affair. Closing the doors to the public on October 15, 2007, the Seattle restaurateur hosted “A Promise for Tomorrow,” the second annual auction and dinner benefitting Seattle’s Union Gospel. View Details >

Paul Mackay Named 2007 Cornerstone Humanitarian of the Year | Seattle, WA
Paul Mackay and his six restaurants have adopted a "never say never" philosophy when it comes to giving back to the community. Mackay Restaurants' in-kind contributions of $75 gift certificates generate $1/5 million in revenue for local schools and organizations annually. Read Article >

RETURN TO SOCIAL MEDIA ≫