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MANILA -- El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse holds the distinction of being the first and only commercial establishment inside the Trump Tower in Century City, Makati.

While the façade is nondescript, entering the restaurant shows off classic industrial chic interiors denoted by bricks, Edison lamps. Polished brass lamps, and an exposed ceiling. The staff occasionally caramelize onions in the open area, the aroma just adding to the ambiance of country cooking.

A mini butcher shop with a display freezer at the back shows off the meats available to cook on the roaring fires of El Gaucho’s grill. Right beside this is an enclosed temperature-controlled wine room holding an assortment of wines to pair with steak. A 20-seater private dining room is available for private functions and parties.

Daniel Himi, El Gaucho’s founder, reflects the global nature of the steakhouse.

Himi is an Israeli based in Hamburg, Germany who made it big in the Czechoslovakian fashion industry. His business partner introduced him to Asia by way of Vietnam where he set up an Argentinian steak house with Australian and American cuts of beef. El Gaucho’s first store was a small shop in Vietnam established eight years ago. Today, Himi has 15 El Gauchos all over Vietnam, Thailand, Hong Kong and now in the Philippines.

Himi credits working with Filipinos as the reason why he decided to put up a branch in the Philippines

“I was easier for us to open here because of the good staff that we have already. Our start here was very easy and was very smooth because we have the people. And El Gaucho is all about people and the service. Our Filipino staff is amazing. I love them!” Himi beams.

Himi stressed that the beef is what elevates El Gaucho from other steakhouses. Their meat is sourced from the US and Australia and their suppliers set aside the best cuts exclusively for El Gaucho’s consumption.

Here’s a sample of entrees from El Gaucho’s menu.

I’ve seen avocado salad done before in other restaurants. El Gaucho includes corn, feta cheese, and tomato, each adding their own flavors to the creamy avocado slices.

Chorizo with melted provolone is a favorite appetizer at El Gaucho. Salchicha, a slightly spicier sausage, comes with a side salad.

The delicate paper-thin slices of raw beef in El Gaucho’s carpaccio is nicely dipped with extra virgin olive oil and slices of parmesan cheese

The empanadas are large with a thin shell of pastry encasing a tasty minced meat filling flavored with El Gaucho’s secret spices.

The lamb chops served on a paricha, a portable charcoal brazier, are tender and cooked with just salt and pepper. These are bone-out chops. Put aside your utensils and pick these up with your fingers!

All the steaks come with one side, which range from Asian favorite rice, to traditional ones like creamed spinach. Guests have different options for sauces such as bearnaise, wild mushroom sauce, red wine sauce, and El Gaucho’s own zesty chimichurri.

El Gaucho’s tomahawk is simply flavored with salt and several cracks of pepper. While meat from tomahawks is usually a little chewy, the meat carved out of El Gaucho’s tomahawks are nice and tender.

The filet mignon is so tender that it takes just a little bit of knife pressure to slice into melt-in-your-mouth portions.

The dessert menu has a selection of sweet endings like the crepes, berry cheesecake, and crème caramel.

El Gaucho has its own tradition of serving its proprietary salted caramel-infused vodka. This is complimentary for all guests before they are presented with the bill. This is done in all El Gaucho branches all over the world.

Himi said that they didn’t come to the Philippines just to set up one branch, as the have plans to expand to other affluent areas of Metro Manila soon.

El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse is located at the ground floor of Trump Tower at Century City in Makati. Restaurant hours are from 11 a.m. to 12 midnight. It has a lunch menu from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. where features steaks and dishes that are discounted up to 50%.