This was a bit of an impromptu visit, so please forgive the lack of photos. This local Argentinian came recommended by a few people, so we were fairly excited to taste. We are both big fans of Gaucho so I guess Santa Maria del Sur had a lot to live up to. Unfortunately it didn't quite meet the grade.

The glass fronted open kitchen displays a large tantalizing charcoal grill and every time we passed by the Empanadas would tease us. So naturally we couldn't disappoint those pequeño empanadas. Compact Chicken and beef pasties were delivered to the table steaming hot. Whilst tasty the pastry wasn't quite melt in your mouth.

Summary of the main course was a big plate of sizzling meat. Presented on a charcoal-filled table BBQ box was a selection of sirloin steak, fillet steak, black pudding, pork sausage, and provolone cheese with a side of grilled mushroom filled with pesto.

Most people know how important it is to rest meat before serving. It allows all the wonderful juices to redistribute and for the meat to de-contract. Well as one might expect from meat which is still being cooked when brought to the table, the meat was dry and tough. I'm not sure that's how the Argentinians would want it served.

As for the rest, the mushrooms were chewy and the cheese tastless.

Desserts are marginally better with a running theme of Dulche de Leche: cheesecake and a caramelised bread pudding. Who couldn't love the creamy sweetness of the dulche. The cheesecake was on the dry side though.

At £102 for three courses and a bottle of wine for two this certainly wasn't a value for money meal. For this sort of cash we could have had a meal guaranteed to please at Gaucho.

Food: 2/5 – Meat must rest before serving – really basic stuff!
Service: 3/5 – Friendly but average
Environment: 3/5 – Your average local restaurant

Santa Maria del Sur
129 Queenstown Road
London, SW8 3RH

Tel: 020 7622 2088
Web: www.santamariadelsur.co.uk

This restaurant was reviewed on 25^th June 2009.