What They Say
Four-legged friends are welcome at Gaucho Hampstead every day of the week. Water is always provided, and on the first Saturday of each month, dogs can enjoy food from a specially crafted three course “A La Bark” menu – like A La Carte but for furry friends!
The A La Bark menu is available from 12pm, and complimentary when human companions order from the A La Carte menu.
In addition to the free canine dining, the monthly Doggy Saturday event includes paw-sitively fun-filled activities. Ones coming up include:
- Pinot and Paws: a wine tasting with dog-friendly “wine” for pooches.
- Turbo Tails: an agility course.
- Dog Splash Pool Paw-ty on the terrace.
The Bonus That Takes the (Dog) Biscuit…
I am chuffed to bits to be having lunch with my friend Hannah and her miniature long-haired sausage dog Sedwig. We are all excited because not only is Gaucho Hampstead dog-friendly, but on top of that, we’re here for March’s Doggy Saturday event which involves a dog focused yoga practise before lunch.
Described as Dog Yoga: Stretch and Fetch the session is led by Mahny Djahanguiri, aka Doga Mahny, who’s best known for appearing on Britain’s Got Talent with her rescue pup Robbie.
Author of Doga: Yoga for You and Your Dog, Mahny has been teaching Doga for 12 years, so we’re in good hands.
The dogs love it as much as the humans, and for Hannah: “It was lovely to have the dog involved, both on the Doga level, and also just to help him spend time bonding around other dogs.”
It’s a unique touch and a lovely surprise when we’re given commemorative prints of pictures taken during our Doga session!
To Drink
While Sedwig sticks with water, Hannah and I start with something bubbly! We put ourselves entirely in the hands of the restaurant’s experts which leads to what I think may be the first time I’ve tried Argentine sparkling wine.
Hannah describes it as: “Light and easy to drink,” and for me it was a spot-on fizz for the spirit of the day. So much so that instead of switching to wine when our food arrives, we order another glass!
For our mains though, we set aside sparkly things and Hannah has a glass of the Patagonian Black River Sauvignon Blanc, while I have the full-bodied Chateau de Camarsac Merlot.
To accompany dessert, Hannah sips an Espresso Martini, while I sample one of the dessert cocktails. There are two on the menu and I am torn between them.
The Alfajores is described as Hennessy VS Cognac and Johnnie Walker Black Label infused with roasted cocoa nibs, coconut water, dulce de leche liqueur, Mozart dark chocolate liqueur and shortbread biscuit milk. I want this so much – but the other option is a Banana Pecan Old Fashioned. The Old Fashioned wins me over every time and so despite the magnetic draw of The Alfajores, I opt for the former.
This Banana Pecan Old Fashioned is made with Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva, a Venezuelan rum, known for notes of orange and toffee, that’s been aged for up to 12 years, and Flor De Cana 7, a seven year old grand reserve rum known for its nutty flavour; with roasted pecan, banana and dark chocolate.
It is, indeed, divine, and while I stand by my choice, I feel it’s inevitable that I’ll be lured back by The Alfajores – the one that got away.
To Eat
Sedwig is a precious prince and only eats the best food, so it’s great to discover that his three course meal is from the gourmet fresh dog food brand Talulah Eats.
For his starter he has the Barkino’s Pizza Slice, which is made with oat flour, egg, cricket powder, olive oil, beetroot, pumpkin, basil, almond, low-fat mozzarella and blueberries. While Sedwig enjoys his pizza, I am in heaven, mopping up the remains of my Prawns Al Ajillo with grilled rosemary focaccia.
For the main, Sedwig has the Gourmet Doggie Bowl, offered with the option of turkey or beef, while I have the ribeye steak with hand-cut, thyme salted chips, and spinach that’s sautéed in garlic, chilli and lemon.
It’s all beautiful, and Sedwig thinks so too, as despite being well fed from his own menu, he somehow finds room for a fair bit of my steak.
Hannah, rather than ordering a main, goes for three small plates from the starters, snacks and sides. As a vegetarian, she chooses the BBQ Corn Ribs – small pieces of corn on the cob, cooked with spring onion and fresh lime; the Superstraccia Tostada, made with avocado, piquillo pepper purée and coriander; and the Green Salad, a combo of baby gem lettuce, radicchio, watercress, and mizuna, with a lemon and olive oil dressing. Hannah describes the tostadas as lovely and fresh, and the salad as delicious, with a nice light dressing.
I am so full that despite sharing my steak with Sedwig, I still can’t finish it, but we can’t leave without dessert, so while Sedwig enjoys a Peony Pupcake, Hannah and I sample the Chocolate Torte and the Dulche de Leche Cheesecake. I’m a big fan of cheesecake and both desserts are gorgeous, but the chocolate torte comes with caramelised hazelnuts and vanilla ice-cream which, for me, makes it the winner.
Reasons to Return
Aside from The Alfajores, the dessert cocktail that got away, I’ll be heading back to Gaucho Hampstead for the outdoor terrace, which will be open in summer.
Dogs are genuinely welcome in the restaurant – everyone working at Gaucho Hampstead seemed to absolutely adore them – and we could not have been better looked after.
Worth Noting
There are 20 or so Gaucho restaurants, and having been to a few of them, I can honestly say that Hampstead Gaucho is by far my favourite. So if you’ve been to a different Gaucho that hasn’t put a wag in your tail, don’t let it put you off!
The Details
Address: 64 Heath Street London NW3 1DN
Nearest tube: Hampstead
Opening hours: 12pm to 11pm, Monday to Sunday
Telephone: 020 7431 8222
