Goose & Gander
I was initially frustrated when entering Goose & Gander. However, first impressions are lasting ones. My girlfriend and I entered this establishment right as they opened and when we walked in the manager (I think) told us they were not open but there were people already sitting down. Now it could have been a private party but I will say, we did not look like anybody else in the restaurant. So I am not sure if the manager or whomever greeted us was shocked that we were there, got caught off guard or what but when I said "excuse me" and pointed at other patrons sitting down with water at the tables, he then said oh did you have a reservation. I said I did not realize I had to make a reservation and started walking out of the establishment. He then offered seating at the bar downstairs.
We decided to not make a big deal out of the situation and took the offer because it was a highly recommended restaurant and we were starving.
Once we got downstairs the bartender (sorry I cannot remember her name) was phenomenal. We told her it was our first time in St. Helena and Goose and Gander. She immediately welcomed us and made several suggestions from the menu. She also made my girlfriend a special drink based on us describing what happened to us when we first arrived.
We went with the Martini House Mushroom Soup and the Pub Fish & Chips with Duck Fat Fries. Yes the fries were cooked in Duck Fat.
The food was amazing especially the fish and chips. I was skeptical about the duck fat fries but they were actually pretty good.
I cant get over how nice the bartender was to us and for that reason if we are every in St. Helena again we will possibly stop in again.
