The Goose American Bistro & Bar — Restaurant in Darien

The Goose American Bistro & Bar – Darien, CT – 6/13/2016

Loooove the setting… You walk thru a small alley and brick archway before entering the restaurant. A long beautiful wooden bar sits directly to the left as you walk in… Wooden high tops in the bar area and beautiful glass windows… I prefer a dining room setting… As you walk thru their hallway you enter a nice size dining room… Brown wooden tables and chairs… A few booths and half booths… Beautiful Trey ceiling… Ornate lamps… A stone wall on one side with photos and a large faux clock purposely hung... Real charm! I think the servers here are all kids this time of year…

My first course this evening the Crab & Corn Chowder… More of a creamy broth based soup with chunks of Crab Meat, Corn, Potatoes and Crispy Bacon… I think they drop the Bacon in just before serving as it was still crunchy… I would say very good…

Next up the Mixed Greens… Baby Bib Lettuce, Carrots, tomatoes and I opted to add in Crumbled Gorgonzola with their House Vinaigrette Dressing… my server brought out an extra serving of Gorgonzola, a nice touch soaring me having to ask… Nicely plated and overall good…

Unfortunately I had to ask for the bread as my server forgot to bring it out... Nicely served in a woven basket, wrapped in a linen cloth with hardened, house whipped butter… Execution however did not meet my anticipation… An Italian Baguette that they bring in daily... After a couple of bites, the bread was not for me… They may want to re-evaluate where they get their bread…

And for the main tonight… The Grilled Halibut Special over Grilled Polenta, Grilled Asparagus served with a Mango Beurre Blanc Sauce Garnished with Sautéed strips of Red Pepper… Beurre Blanc…? Fancy name for Mango Butter Sauce… If they didn't tell me it had Mango, I wouldn't have known… Barely discernible in the flavor… And the fish was borderline dry… Beautifully plated but slightly off in the preparation…

They have a great selection of desserts! But in wanting to stick to my eating plan, I passed on dessert and finished the meal with my signature Cappuccino… The Cappuccino was absolutely perfect in every detail!

Overall a very nice setting and probably a great place to meet friends after work… I found easy parking and a very friendly staff and for those reasons would recommend this restaurant… For a gourmet meal, this is more of a pub...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A True Gem with the Best Bartender in Town!

The Goose in Darien is hands down one of our favorite spots—whether you’re stopping in for a casual dinner, a quick drink, or a family night out, it never disappoints. The food is consistently excellent, the atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the service is truly top notch. But what makes The Goose really special is Natasha behind the bar.

Natasha is a total rockstar. She’s not just a bartender—she’s a true professional, a welcoming presence, and someone who makes everyone feel at home the moment they walk in. Her energy is infectious, her cocktails are flawless, and her attention to detail is unmatched. She remembers your name, your favorite drink, and somehow makes the whole place feel like your place.

What really blows us away is how much our 7-year-old son adores her. Natasha always takes a moment to say hi to him, give him a big smile, and make him feel just as important as the adults. He literally talks about her on the way to The Goose and after we leave. It’s rare to find someone who connects so effortlessly with everyone, from grown-ups to kids.

If you’re in Darien and haven’t been to The Goose, you’re missing out. And if you’re lucky enough to be served by Natasha, get ready—you’re in for...

11-03-18, after doing a google search for an upscale lunch establishment, I thought this would be a nice spot for lunch. However, this turned out to be one of the worst dining experiences I have ever endured.

Started out good, hostess asked us if we wanted a more quite spot than the bar, which we opted for. The back dining room had 4 tables occupied and was quite pleasant until customers finished and left. A catering person brought a prospective client in and sat right in back of us. That was the last of my quiet lunch. The client was loud and being we were the only table in the dining room, it made it very hard to concentrate on our conversation and of course their meeting went on forever.

After our orders were taken our waiter disappeared at intervals where sometimes 20 minutes went by without a sighting. It took one hour and 55 minutes from being seated to walking out. The busboy took my soda before I was finished, thought he was getting me a refill but I never saw him again. And upon leaving we were not asked if everything was ok"?

Very poor service, although the food was good not worth the price. I usually don't write negative reviews but felt compelled to voice my opinion to save your money and especially your time. Pass...