Stumbling Goat by Shelley Lance, Blog Editor
Our friends, Jane and Annette, emailed us that they’ve been loving their neighborhood restaurant, Stumbling Goat, ever since it changed ownership last August. “Great cocktail list and the food is better than ever,” they said, which was all the encouragement we needed to make a date for dinner together.
On a rainy Friday night, Stumbling Goat was lively and jamming. The familiar red room was cozy and comfortable, though it also seemed a little brighter and more open, a little more modern, than I remembered it.
As promised, the cocktail list was very cool, and I ordered a tasty French 75. I liked the mussels, served in a light broth of Champagne and curry, and loved Frank’s wild boar rillette (photo right). Presented in a glass jar with 2 mustards and dabs of sauces, the rillette had perfect texture and good flavor, lush enough but not overly fatty. Also on the table: a beet salad and wild mushroom soup- both very nice.
For an entree, I had the sugar pie pumpkin risotto with leeks and sage (photo top left)- creamy and satisfying. Frank enjoyed his very tender and juicy pork tenderloin with curried farro. Our friends ordered the salmon and the New York steak. Everything was cooked and plated with care; everyone was happy. In fact, the whole joint seemed to buzz with pleasure, but that might be the combination of my French 75 and a lovely bottle of Matello Pinot Noir 2006, Willamette Valley.
Since we are diligent, dutiful eaters, we saved room for dessert: a light, flan-like bread pudding, a rich flourless chocolate cake (photo middle left), and a trio of ice creams (photo bottom left)- chocolate, Grand Marnier, and huckleberry with a perfect chocolate cookie- crackling and crinkled with sugar on top and soft in the center- all of which made a fitting end to the meal.
I plan to return soon. Maybe for a hip Old Fashioned and Stumbling Goat roast chicken?
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October 26th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
My wife and I LOVE the Stumbling Goat in both its iterations. Well prepared food in a very inviting environment. We used to live just a few blocks north of it and will happily make our way back to the old neighborhood to eat again.
-L