Power Lunches

Get the Meal and Deal

GET YOUR MEETING ON The main El Gaucho Bellevue dining room seats about 150 people, with 50 seats at the bar. But if you’re looking for a more private affair, El Gaucho Bellevue has six different private dining rooms, with seating up to another 150 people. Contact Laura Mistretta at 425.455.2742 or request information at mackayrestaurants.com/elgaucho/_bellevue WHEN YOU GO El Gaucho 450 108th Ave. N.E. 425.455.2715 Lunch: Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Power Hour Happy Hour: Monday to Friday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

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.

According to Paul Mackay, Mackay Restaurants’ namesake, the Bellevue location is his “crown jewel.” And from the inside, it looks like he’s right. Expect interior details similar to other El Gaucho restaurants, such as genuine Italian leather, intimate lighting and fine furnishings. While you’ll certainly feel like you are in an El Gaucho, there’s a distinct difference. Most El Gaucho restaurants are quite dark, setting a nostalgic tone. But Bellevue’s location has a wall full of floor-to-ceiling windows that reveal a gorgeous view of the courtyard at City Center Plaza, with the backdrop of Bellevue’s rapidly developing downtown core.

El Gaucho has long been known as a local leader in providing fine dining, but the focal point has been dinner. The Bellevue location will be the first to offer lunch. The menu lists familiar items such as baseball sirloin and filet mignon, but new items such as wood-fired flatbreads, salads and sandwiches more offer affordable lunch options — both in cost and calories. The oven-roasted tomato flatbread with ricotta cheese is served with soup or salad, and makes for fantastic light fare.  If you want a salad, but are looking for a little more heartiness, try the Eastside seafood salad. It’s a large romaine salad with huge chunks of Dungeness crab, organic bay shrimp, hearts of palm, tomato and house-made crispy taro chips with a light soy vinaigrette.

Meat-eaters don’t despair. The El Gaucho burger is cooked to order, topped with New York white cheddar and bacon, and served on a foccacia bun with all the fixings. It is juicy and well seasoned — the perfect meat-to-bun ratio. And it wouldn’t be El Gaucho without the steak. The flavorful, beautifully cooked baseball sirloin is always a favorite.

Microsoft is opening a new office in the City Center Plaza building. With 17,000 square feet (including outdoor dining space), multiple private dining rooms, a beautiful mezzanine overlooking the main dining room, the signature great service, delectable food, and now a lunch offering, El Gaucho is sure to jibe with its new neighbors.

THE QUICK BITE
These spots are great for an in-and-out experience.

Danelli’s Delicatessen, Bellevue
Food: Sandwiches
Full-service deli offering sub sandwiches, salads, soups, Boars Head meats and specialty cheeses, including local artisan cheeses; box lunches available.
danellispreads.com

Chipotle, Bellevue
Food: Fresh-Mex
Serves beef, chicken, pork and veggie items; Fact: Chipotle is the largest restaurant buyer of avocados and naturally raised meats in the country.
chipotle.com

Ooba Tooba, Bellevue, Redmond, Woodinville
Food: Mexican
Casual, funky atmosphere; fresh, healthy ingredients.
oobatooba.com

Gilbert’s on Main, Bellevue
Food: Sandwiches
Specializes in bagel sandwiches; nice outdoor dining on sunny days.
425.455.5650

Thai Ginger, Redmond, Issaquah, Factoria
Food: Thai
With five locations in the state, Thai Ginger offers fresh-ingredient filled dishes from all of Thailand’s geographical areas; catering available.
thaiginger.com

Santorini Greek Grill, Kirkland
Food: Greek/Mediterranean
Fantastic gyros, hummus and pit, among other classics.
425.822.0555

Garlic Crush, Bellevue
Food: Mediterranean and authentic Middle Eastern
Offers traditional items, such as gyros, shawarma and falafel; catering available.
garliccrush.com

TAKE A SEAT, WE’LL BE HERE A WHILE
If you’re looking to take your time with lunch, you may want to take a look
at these restaurants:

Seastar Restaurant and
Raw Bar, Bellevue
Food: American
Check out the Raw Bar for some unique cuisine options; private banquet facilities available.
seastarrestaurant.com

Purple Café and Wine Bar, Kirkland and Woodinville
Food: American
Delicious artisan cheeses, small plates, salads, sandwiches, pizzas, entrees and desserts fill this menu; catering available.
thepurplecafe.com

Maggiano’s Little Italy, Bellevue
Food: Italian
This popular Italian chain is the perfect stop for a nice lunch meeting, or they can come to you; catering and banquet space available. maggianos.com

The Barking Frog, Woodinville
Food: American
Attached to the beautiful Willows Lodge, this restaurant offers delicious sandwiches and entrees; meeting and banquet space at the Lodge.
willowslodge.com/culinary

0/8 Seafood Grill
Food: American
Fresh, local seafood and meats highlight this menu; private dining and catering available.
08seafoodgrill.com

Monsoon East, Bellevue
Food: Vietnamese
Stretch your food palate here with modern twists to classic East Asian cuisine; private dining available.
monsoonrestaurants.com

Pearl, Bellevue
Food: American
This hip, urban eatery is located right next to the Westin Bellevue, and is perfect for the business traveler; private dining available.
pearlbellevue.com

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