CAU (pronounced ‘cow’ – can you guess why?) stands for ‘Carne Argentina Unica’ – and they’re all about the delicious grassed Argentinian beef. Apparently the Argentinians have two centuries of experience breeding Aberdeen Angus cows on the fertile Pampas (which means high quality, Buenos Aires style cow at reasonable prices) (at least when compared to other steakhouses)). Someone told me (and this may be wrong) that the Argentinians consume more beef per person than any other country (even ‘murica!)
Anyhow, the first CAU opened in 2012 – and the one you see before you (St. Katherine’s Dock) is the 10th restaurant so far, arriving in April 2015. CAU are expanding pretty quickly and can be found all over the UK at this point (Liverpool, Cambridge, Tunbridge Wells, etc.). There’s even one in Amsterdam (ever eaten half a kilo of ribeye steak whilst stoned off of your face? Now you can!)
St Katherine’s dock is the first central London location, with quayside views, walls decorated with freshly cut grass and blue skies, 160 covers and enough meat to provoke an international incident with PETA. Our time there was an excellent one – the wait staff wear shirts that say ‘CAUGIRL/COWBOY’ (depending on which gender they have decided to spend this incarnation as obviously). Of particular note was a beautifully done (blue) 500g ‘Lomito’ steak – which is essentially just a huge rump steak – South American style, described by the menu as ‘the finest cut in Argentina’.
Also an extremely expansive selection of Malbecs (including a fortified ‘port style’ Malbec which is legendary). And not to forget ‘dulce de lece pancakes’ which are possibly one the most unhealthy things you will ever eat, but every single bite will be worth it. Every. Single. Bite. *zones out* It may also be interesting to know that CAU are the sister chain to Gaucho. Having never eaten at Gaucho, I can’t tell you what the differences are exactly, but I can tell you that CAU’s a very good place to go and get a st