Come Dine With Me featuring Argento Steakhouse

Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Argentinian food in the national spotlight

ARGENTINIAN food has recently been thrust into the national food spotlight with the appearance on Gordon Ramsay’s F Word TV programme of top London Argentine restaurant, Santa Maria Del Sur.

Robert Melman, who runs Huddersfield’s Argento says: “Alberto Abate, owner of the restaurant in Battersea, London, is a very good friend of mine and it was great to see him on the TV programme. Although his restaurant only made it to the semi-finals, Alberto says he has been inundated with bookings from people wanting to try his Argentinian food."

At Argento, Robert says: “We serve the same style of food, with authentic empanadas and trademark great steaks and desserts.’’ During the TV programme Gordon Ramsay said the rib eye steak was the best he had ever tasted. Santa Maria del Sur and Argento have the same source of beef, direct from the rich, lush Pampas grasslands of Argentina, where there are no additives in the animals diet. The meat is then matured for more than 60 days.

Robert and wife Helen are assisted by their daughter Ayelet and son Nathaniel. The team is mainly composed of Latin American and Portuguese staff which is ideal as they bring their knowledge of South America to the restaurant.

To accompany the food, Argento offers a great choice of Argentinian wines from the vineyards of the Andes slopes. Malbec is the signature grape of Argentina, and Argento Malbec Reserve, their superior quality house wine, is incredible value.

Robert says:“Here at Argento we try to bring a little bit of Buenos Aires to Huddersfield. Once you’ve eaten one of our Argentinian steaks, you won’t find any other steak that tastes so good.

“Part of the Argento experience is to cook the steaks on the Hot Rock at the side of the table.

This is a unique cooking method, where a rock, served at 400 degrees, seals in all the meat’s natural juices and flavours and offers an interactive eating option.

“But it’s not only beef that is served on the rocks; swordfish, tiger prawns, a combination of the two or a mix of meat and fish also make a perfect choice. Vegetarians do not worry. Several options including homemade pasta and grilled vegetables are available. And for this cold, snowy winter weather Argento is offering early diners a three-course meal for only £ 15, with a choice of four starters and six home-made desserts.

For more information, take a look at the website www.argentosteakhouse.com or ring Robert and the team to book a table on 01484 535440.

Avoid disappointment and book early for Valentine’s Day. Treat your partner to a very different dining experience.

Argento is open seven days a week. Monday to Saturday 5.30 till 10pm and Sunday 4 till 9pm And now open for a three-course lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 4pm.