CAU takes third site, more on the horizon
CAU Blackheath will open on the former Cactus Pit unit overlooking the Heath in August. It follows restaurants in Guildford and Cambridge, with further sites being sought in towns such as Oxford, Bath and St Albans as well as within London.
Speaking of the Blackheath opening, CAU’s managing director McLean said: “After the successful opening in Cambridge earlier this year, and the continued success of our Guildford unit, we are delighted to have secured such a strong location for our third site.”
CAU, which stands for Carne Argentina Unica, opened its first branch in Amsterdam. Like its sister restaurant Gaucho, its focus is steak, but delivered in a more casual setting.
The UK launch came in the form of the Guildford site in 2011, a second restaurant then opened in Cambridge in January 2013, with a site also planned for Kingston later in 2013.
On the menu
The restaurants use beef bred on the Argentinian Pampas, wet-aged for six weeks and grilled in such a way that the meat is turned only once, and is salted on one side only. Diners can choose from a detailed list including sirloin (8oz, £14) rib eye (10oz £15.95) lomito (16oz, £27.50), and tapa de cuadril (8oz £14.50).
CAU’s range of grilled steaks, chicken, pork and burgers is balanced with a variety of fresh fish and pasta, and Argentinian wines prevail the drinks menu with a nod to the ‘old world’.
McLean has worked in the restaurant industry for 12 years, previously with Yum brands and latterly with Gaucho restaurants. The CAU team also includes Patsy Godik, creative director of both the CAU and Gaucho brands.
