Stumbling Goat Bar & Bistro

Stumbling Goat Bistro was truly one of my most favorite dining experiences to date. The service was FABULOUS. Our waiter was knowledgeable, passionate about the food he serving, and just an overall jolly man. His joy for food was contagious. He was attentive but not over bearing.

The food is simple - but so unique! And the menu rotates depending on the season. It was so so delicious.

This is a perfect spot for a first date or a 10 year anniversary. And really, I would go here alone too. It is such a fabulous environment. Not only does the food taste wonderful, you feel like you're doing something good for your body and community.

WELL DONE Stumbling Goat. You guys are the best.

Pros: location, organic, local, great service

Cons: none!

Posted 03/23/09

Why is it that I am so good at reviewing places when we're out of town but I'm so lax when it comes to great spots in my own town? Well, I apologize to Stumbling Goat because this review is long overdue.

We're in the neighborhood and have walked by Stumbling Goat more times that I care to admit without going inside. We finally made a reservation and ventured in for a proper culinary experience recently, and I am so glad that we did!

The ambiance is wonderful, cozy and romantic without seeming overdone. At our romantic table for two, it felt like we were the only two people on the world (but that we did indeed have a great chef with us). The staff was helpful but didn't hover and every part of our meal was delectable....that's hard to find!

Now that we know it's in the neighborhood, we save our pennies for every opportunity to return to Stumbling Goat.

Posted 02/08/09

My husband and I felt instantly welcomed by the hostess and our waiter. He chose an excellent wine for us. Our meals were extremely tasty, perfectly seasoned, the meat perfectly cooked. My husband pointed out it's a good sign when you don't have to tell them how you want your meat, it just comes out right. Even though we were stuffed, we indulged in creme brulee and it was sublime. This is now one of our favorite restaurants.

Pros: Great service, delicious food

Cons: None

Posted 02/07/09

Located on the main stretch of Phinney Ridge, The Stumbling Goat features some of the best comfort food in all of Seattle. I went with my wife and her 3 friends, and as "just one of the girls," our server enjoyed giving me a little good-natured ribbing, and didn't hesitate to be frank in his recommendations. Based on his raves, I ordered the lamb shank and it was absolutely the most delicous thing I've had in Seattle. Coming from the foodie capitol of the west (San Fran) to a good-but-not-great city like Seattle, I was very happy to find a place that reminded me of home in both a daring menu, competent and confident staff, and a dark and modern vibe throughout. I highly recommend this place as a date spot or a nice place to have conversation amongst good food and a pretty decent wine menu (although a little too pricey for drinks).

Pros: Ambience, Deliciously Prepared Meats, Home made Pastas

Cons: none

Posted 07/06/08

I can't say enough about the quality of the food served here. It's local, organic when available and delicious. They steer toward comfort food but make it feel like gourmet food. My friend and I laughed mid way through the meal when we realized we were oohhing and aahhhing over essentially beef stew, roast chicken and mahed potatoes. But it's great, great quality, well seasoned, well thought out food combinations. It's a casual atmosphere and the staff is quite friendly and helpful in their recommendations. I would highly recommend the Stumbling Goat

Pros: great local and organic food, very good service

Cons: sometimes hard to find parking

Posted 06/06/08

We came at 8:00 pm on a Thursday night and had fabulous service from John. He explained the organic menu, gave great recommendations, was very friendly and professional, and gave us perfect service. He let us eat our meal at our own pace; we were the only couple in the restaurant and we didn't feel rushed at all when we ordered dessert and sat there chatting for a long time. I didn't find the organic bent of this restaurant to be a pretentious experience at all as another review suggested. The food was absolutely incredible. We started with the mini burgers and those were juicy deliciousness. The special herb salad was amazing, and John kindly wrote down the name of the herbs for us on his own when we complimented the dish. The duck confit on top didn't really match the herbs but it too was tasty. I had the chicken for my main course which was out of this world, and my company had the beef special which he thought was good. We splurged and had an apple/crepe/ice cream dessert that truly was delicious. The best part about all of this is that I have never been so full in my life but I still slept great and felt fantastic in the morning due to the freshness and organic nature of the food. I highly recommend this place. Oh, and I think our total tab with two appetizers, two main meals, dessert, a nice bottle of wine, 2 coffees, and available free parking, was around $150 + tip. We will be back, and I'm bringing my friends!

Pros: Service, Food, Atmosphere, Live acoustic guitar

Posted 05/03/08

Exterior is very inviting, the service was great (I didn't have to ask for my water glass to be refilled) and the decor nice, though a little cluttered.

The food, however, was not worth the price. $18 for an entree of ravioli that is worth $10 is pretty absurd. Our bill was a little over $50, for two people, with each of us having only an entree and a glass of wine. For food that is only so-so, the price does not fit the quality of the food.

The search for good italian continues...

Pros: good decorations

Cons: Prices, quality of food, prices

Posted 04/11/08

I've had a lot of great meals around town and "the Goat" is surely on my go-to list. Yes, they care about what they feed you; yes, sometimes the descriptions make my head spin but they always make my stomach growl. But I don't understand why anyone would complain about them being preachy about the food they serve. I've only ever felt welcome to ask questions or be left alone depending on my mood. They have an incredible pasta dish (bolognese) that makes me wish I could eat there every night. Last week I had the pasta and my date had the roast chicken (BEST!). They are a good group of folks who genuinely care about what they do....BTW on my check the chicken was $23 plus tax (maybe they sensed you didn't really get it ;)

Pros: great staff, simply well prepared food

Cons: parking with the condos

Posted 03/29/08

This restaurant is far too in love with its sustainable, organic, holier than thou virtues. If I'm paying nearly $30 for roasted chicken and mashed potatoes, it had damn well better taste great. Want a Diet Coke? Sorry, we only have pure cane sugar soda...rolls eyes...please!

On the plus side, the Wagyu beef mini burgers were great, albeit miniscule and $7 each.

We won't go back, which is a shame, because it's convenient and has a nice atmosphere.

Posted 03/28/08

Dinner with our out-of-state friends, a party of 6, with reservations. Noticed immediately was the lack of attention as we walked in the door, which continued. The waitress put on the airs of a fine restaurant, but didn't carry it off with adequate attention to her tables. I actuallied had to wave after other efforts to get anyone's attention with 3 staff standing behind the counter more interested in their own flirtations than their tables.
The food was imaginative to their credit and well prepared, but the service sorely lacking.

Posted 03/21/08

A very cozy bar area is a pleasant place for a romantic dinner.....really inspired cocktails.....we enjoyed the Alaskan Spot Prawns with farro fries......SO fresh.....a delicious combination that showcased the chef's creativity and his commitment to local, seasonal & organic ingredients.....this is a place that adds luster to the PNW dining scene...and the staff is a delightful & passionate-about-good-food & drink group.

Pros: quality ingredients, creative preparation

Cons: parking a challenge

Posted 11/30/07

The Stumbling Goat has been one of my favorite places for years. I have had birthdays and anniversaries there and it has been a go to place to take out of town guests for a great meal in a great relaxed and intimate atmosphere. The Stumbling Goat was also the place to get great food at a great price. Sadly over the last year much of what was great about the Goat has faded. The service gets slower, less informed and less attentive with each visit. The food has also gone from spectacular and inventive, featuring the best of local products, to bland and poorly prepared. I didn?t think it was possible but even their signature chicken has been off. There aren?t very many places I can think of that I would go for the chicken but this was one of them. Sadly what was once a buttery savory garlicky masterpiece has become dry, chewy and over-salted. To make the worst of a bad situation the prices have also begun to creep upward. I would have been happy to pay a bit extra for what the Goat used to be but these days the quality just does not justify the price. I really hope they turn it around because I loved that place. Maybe I will give it one last try in a few months, but for now I have to find a new place to dine.

Pros: What it once was and could be again

Cons: what it currently is

Posted 11/26/07

Unattentive wait staff and poor food made for a very long evening. The best thing we had was the cheese plate and they didn't make that. When all your thinking while at the table is when can I get out of here you know your in the wrong place. The only good thing they did was comp one of our meals after we complained. I don't know if they were having a really bad night or if this is business as usual but I will not be going back.

Posted 11/25/07

Our choice on a recent Seattle trip for a birthday dinner, this was a highlight of the vacation. We went on a Friday night and it was clear that reservations were a good idea (there were about five other groups waiting when we walked in and our reservation was honored and we were seated immediately). The restaurant is small, with probably a dozen tables, so it might not be ideal for a group of more than four diners, although I'm sure larger groups could be accommodated with sufficient advance notice. The food was amazing, all made from local ingredients. The cheese plate we ordered as an appetizer was revelatory. We ordered a Washington white blend (Ash Grove) with it - well priced and tasty. Our salad course was one beet salad, which is the first time I've ever like beets (the accompanying greens complemented the distinctive beet taste perfectly), although the cheese in the salad overpowered both (we picked it out and ate it separately afterward); my salad was fresh-caught salmon fingers, lightly breaded and served with fresh provolone slices over greens, again delectable. Our main courses upped the ante even more. My partner's mushroom tart with goat cheese was incredible, and my Hangar steak was cooked to perfection (the very definition of medium rare) and the accompanying whipped potatoes were again perfect. The texture and flavor were both amazing. We coupled it with the extremely hard-to-find Carnival of Love wine, which was reasonably priced. Our desserts capped things off nicely. My dark-chocolate brownie was incredible, and my partner's pear shortbread with unbelievable homemade honey walnut ice cream made my dessert choice pale in comparison. My one complaint would be to have a better Port on the menu. The one choice was less-than-stellar. The service was not super speedy, but the mood was consistently casual and friendly, especially the hostess, who came over several times to check on us. Would love to return next time we're in Seattle!

Pros: Local products highlighted, made-to-order, freshness.

Cons: A bit far from downtown - take a taxi so you can really enjoy yourself.

Posted 10/21/07

I had heard a lot about this place so was excited to go last week. Unfortunately the service was the worst I have had in Seattle (and we've been to a lot of restaurants, including Serafina, which I used to think was the worst).

After being seated it took forever for the waiter to acknowledge us, forever to place an order and then our food didn't come out for the longest time. Finally I was told that the duck I had ordered was not fit to be served but they could give me beefalo instead. I went instead with the halibut, which was ok, but definitely not one of the better halibuts in Seattle (Restaurant Zoe has my favorite).

One note on the otherwise poor service: The sommelier was very courteous and knowledgeable and the Slovenian(!) Pinot Nero he recommended was wonderful.

Posted 10/06/07

Really enjoyed our meal here. The opening course cheese menu is nicely balanced and is a perfect compliment to a fantastic wine list. Though our entrees took too long to arrive at the table- they were fantastic. Found the ingredient combinations to be inventive and unique. Would highly recommend this neighborhood restaurant for a small group (6 or less) or couple.

Pros: cheese and wine list, great organic Northwest cuisine

Cons: service was slow and had to ask for things a couple of times

Posted 08/16/07

My colleagues kept telling me, "you have GOT to try this restaurant." I'd walk by it and think doesn't look like much and what's up with the funny name? But, my oh my! Fantastic food, (I didn't like lamb until I had it there.) Cozy ambience and excellent service will keep me coming back again and again. It really is the perfect neighborhood restaurant, but you could set it down anywhere and it would hold up very well.

Pros: cozy, intimate, excellent-expertly prepared food

Posted 08/16/07

I'm not really one to rave about restaurants, but this is truly a standout! From the all-organic selections, the willingness to work with allergies, the AMAZING meat selections (I've never had such delectable chicken), and the always attentive but not to the point of annoying waitstaff, this one is just excellent.

Pros: Everything

Cons: Nothing

Posted 06/10/07

This is what all Northwest cuisine restaurants should aspire to be. The ingredients are seasonal and local, ethically and sustainably raised. The staff is engaging and they really do know where their stuff comes from and how it was raised or grown - you can ask at length and they can answer in detail. The menu is playful, varied, and frequently inspired; the portioning, plating, and balance of flavors finely done. Nice wine list and house cocktails. The atmosphere is comfortable, stylish, and fun, successfully performing a balancing act between relaxed and romantic that makes the room unusually flexible. My expereince has been that the clientele is both attractive and considerate, but that is to be expected of the neighborhood. I can (and do) unreservedly recommend the Stumbling Goat. As a local haunt, it is exceptional. As a destination for out of town guests, it is required.

Posted 03/21/07

I don't usually write reviews in general but I had the most wonderful experience at the Stumbling Goat not too long ago so I thought it was my duty to share.

My girlfriend and I had dinner on Valentine's Day and let's just say it earned me a lot of "points" so I'm told. The atmosphere was perfect, not crammed with as many tables as you could fit in the space, instead just the right amount of intimacy in a cozy room. The service was pleasent as both the hostess and server had nothing but smiles on their faces and seemed quite sincere when checking on us.

As for the food, it was exceptional. I'll be honest I'm not the biggest fan of "pre-set" dinners but thought it would be nice on a special occasion. Well, I'm glad I partaked b/c I probably wouldn't haven't ordered a few of the items I had, such as this amazing mushroom risotto, which was so flavorful and the perfect texture (and I don't really like either mushrooms or risotto). The oyster appetizer was also just right as it had a slight garlic flavor and not too fishy. I decided to choose the prime rib as my entree which was very tender and not too "gamey", and my girlfriend opted with the ahi tuna. When she told me this was the best piece of tuna she had ever had, I had to try it myself, and while I don't like to always just agree with her, I did this time! I can't remember the name of the dessert, but it was of the chocolate variety which was quite rich and gooey, nearly perfect and I LOVE chocolate.

I knew this restaurant made an attempt to use organic products in their cooking,which is important to me and my girlfriend, but little did I know as to what extent. I now know b/c the owner of the Stumbling Goat took time to meet us and see how how are dinner was, and when we asked about the food we were informed that the restaurant supports mainly all local organic farmers and changes their menu accordingly as to what is in optimal season.

Wow. A great experience all together.

Posted 03/05/07

Stumbling Goat has become our special occasion restaurant. I recently took my girlfriend here for our anniversary and we could not have been more pleased. The food is well-prepared, the atmosphere is romantic and it's quiet enough for easy conversation. One of our favorites.

Pros: Romantic and tasty!

Cons: A little spendy

Posted 02/28/07

Recently, 4 of us went to "the goat" for what we thought would be a very special birthday dinner.
The first issue was a huge delay with my husband getting his drink. It was
awkward because the rest of us received our glasses of wine right away. He
had to seek someone out to re-request his drink..
Secondly, our appetizer didn't arrive for about 15 minutes which seemed
like a long delay. Incidentally, the only reason we ordered this was because we
were told our dinners would take 25-30 minutes.
Thirdly, one entree did not arrive as ordered so it was a nother delay of 20min after a new order
was placed. It was awkward that the 3 of us had to start eating
after 5-10 minutes, realizing that our food was getting cold.
4th, the quality of the pork chop dish didn't seem to be up to the standard
we had experienced in the past.
I would expect much more for $130. (not including tip). We do not plan
to return.

Pros: lighting

Cons: parking, service

Posted 02/20/07

We recently spent our anniversary at the Stumbling Goat and had a lovely meal. The service was wonderful, the food was tasty (if a bit on the salty side) and the owner cam by to say hello, (always a nice touch.) We will definitely be back and now include this on our list of favorite restaurants in Seattle.

Pros: Nice ambiance, quite enough for conversation but fun enough for a group

Cons: a little pricey

Posted 01/04/07

This place is one of our favorite discoveries of the past year. The staff is courteous and helpful, the dining room warm, in color and ambience. And the chicken ... oh, my. Haven't had as good anywhere. Ever. Beautifully crusted and served on roasted garlic mashed potatoes and its own savory sauce. Sounds too simple, but don't be fooled. It's the best dish on a very fine menu. I also recommend the duck and the pork. I'm still working my way down the menu.

Pros: It's finally about the food, isn't it?

Cons: Still looking.

Posted 09/27/06

Average food disappointed. Not nearly as good as reviews I've read from others. Service friendly, but long wait for everything. Likely won't give it a 2nd try.

Pros: ambience

Cons: food and service

Posted 09/26/06

Well going here, I was taken a back by the red velvet curtain that greets you at the entrance.
The eatery reminds me of a place in Santa Barbara CA. The atmosphere is very enlightening and nice. We had scallops to start and they were buttery good. Though the appetizer portion might be small, but I think they're aiming for a fine dining, but cozy atmosphere. I loved the Cabernet Sauvignon that was recommended to me. It was very fine and full bodied. I had their wild mushroom risotto and that was SO delicious. I recommend this place for a nice romantic date, though if you are dining in the evening time on a Saturday, dress it up a bit. We felt under dressed! :-)

Pros: Romantic Atmosphere, and good food.

Cons: The price is a bit, well pricey.

Posted 08/22/06

Love, love, lurve(!) this sweet little place. Great place for a date. The food is amazing. Do NOT miss the cheesecake with drunken cherries. Seriously. Eyeball rolling good. Great wine and Tuesday is half-price wine night, so go already! And say hi to Wendy and Luisa.

Pros: Service, Food

Cons: none

Posted 08/03/06

As my waistline and bank balance can attest, I eat out a lot. Probably too much. But The Stumbling Goat provided me with the best all-around meal I've had in Seattle. We last visited on a busy weekend evening and we had a perfect glass of wine in the bar before being seated by the owner, Erin. She presented each course in such a lovely, personal way. We were totally won over by the whole experience. The Stumbling Goat uses the freshest ingredients and most enticing presentations! You won't regret your visit.

Posted 04/05/06

I am confused by the last review. Perhaps they were writing about a different Stumbling Goat. I ate the kobe hanger steak earlier this evening and it was both delicious and tender. Yes there was some fat, but that is what made the meat tender and gave it all its flavor - it certainly was not excessive. The food was so good, I even finished all of my vegetables.

Pros: Food, Friendly Owner

Posted 03/15/06

The Stumbling goat is a nicely apointed place with fine service, but the food on our visit was terrible. The special steak that I ordered was so fatty and tough that my dog was reluctant to eat it when I brought home the remains. My girlfriend's chicken was also really dry.
All in all the menu was quite pretentious, but the food did not live up to it. Wildly "creative" choices are not always good.

Pros: Service

Cons: Food

Posted 12/17/05

My girlfriend and I finally made it to the Goat and are so happy we did. Great service, very good nice menu choices and a warm inviting space. We will be back. Side note- tuesday is 1/2 off wine night!

Pros: service, decor, food

Posted 11/05/05

came in from Vancouver, BC after doing some research on a nice place to goto for a friends birthday and picked a winner!

The location is very cozy and the decor is very yaletown-ish (for vancouverites)... without the pretentiousness.

The menu is small without a lot of choice but everything is tasty! I had the pork dish and it tasted like chicken... good chicken! Portions are decently sized.

The damage isn't that bad if you don't order appetizers, which we did and it came out to around $130 for three.

Pros: nice ambiance, great food, good service

Cons: In greenwood...

Posted 10/31/05

This is what happens when chefs care more about seasonality and quality ingredients than about the latest fusion du jour. The meals are simple and very, very good - all the flavors are distinct and the seasoning is used to enhance, rather than smother. Added bonus: everything in the kitchen comes from local growers and all desserts are made from scratch in-house.

Pros: Food, Service, Ambiance

Posted 10/18/05

The atmosphere of the Stumbling Goat is great, it is romantic and soothing. The food is top-notch, some of the best dishes in the city. The drinks are fun, the wine was perfect and the beer never tasted so good with the food. The staff was very professional. Everything about this place is great. One of the best places in the city and the state and hell even the country. World-class.

Pros: Food, Atmosphere, Staff

Posted 10/11/05

We love Stumbling Goat and we end up there for every special occasion in our lives - the night we got engaged, the day after our wedding, anniversaries, etc. We are never disappointed with the food or the service and Erin always makes us feel like we're the most important people in the room. This is truly a restaurant not to be missed if you enjoy a casual yet elegant ambience with incredible food and wine. A perfect neighborhood bistro!

Pros: Great Food, Great Service

Posted 05/02/05

My girlfriend took me to dinner here for my birthdayt, it was our first time for either of us and our meal was superb! Erin (the owner) seated us and was witty and fun, in fact her whole staff were very nice. We had the pork with pasta, which literally melts in your mouth ,the Acorn Squash Risotto ,as well as desert, too good!!!! We came in the middle of the week and it was quiet and romantic without being snooty or worrying about what damn fork to use! We will be back!

Pros: food, wine, staff

Posted 10/27/04

This is where my wife and I go when we want to dine right. The soups and salads are outstanding, the entrees are always right on (the roast chicken and the double-cut pork chop are my favorites), good wine list, great desserts, and above all, excellent service. They really encourage you to relax and enjoy your meal.

Pros: great food, great atmosphere, good parking

Posted 06/24/04

Had reservations on Valentine's, but still had to wait about 10 minutes. However, not too surprising on a major "dining out" holiday.

Our waiter manage the somewhat difficult task of being friendly and attentive while simultaneously being unobtrusive.

I like the idea of a small, rotating menu based on the local ingredients that they could get their hands on. Drink menu was somewhat limtied, but the food more than made up for it. The homemade pasta with black truffles was testament to the elegance of simplicity. The veal chop was the best I've ever had. And, to quote my dinner companion, "I'd be happy eating nothing but the [duck liver pate] for the rest of my life."

It is a place where you'll drop a dime on dinner. But it's well worth it. And it's still less then you would pay at some other comparable places that spring to mind...

Pros: excellent food, great service, fresh ingredients

Posted 02/16/04

We just had our sixth or seventh consecutive perfect meal at Stumbling Goat. Why this place is not packed every night is a complete mystery to me. They limit the menu to only a few items and do each one perfectly. I couldn't imagine a better meal.

Posted 09/18/03

The food is certainly impressive here, thoughtfully prepared and changing regularly depending on availability. The menu is brief, as is the wine list but there is something for everyone. The place can be noisy on weekends as the tables are a bit close together and it's certainly not a "romantic" place but is charming and welcoming. The waitstaff has always been pleasant and professional when I have visited.

Pros: Good food, Friendly service

Cons: Noisy, A tad pricey

Posted 09/11/03

Not sure how anyone could feel "let down" by this gem, unless they went expecting the Herbfarm. Okay, the Herbfarm is HUGE and costs about $500 per couple, and this place is a quiet, cozy, neighborhood bistro with a former Herbfarm chef who puts out simple, fresh dishes with as many locally farmed ingredients as he can get his hands on! This place exudes "welcome to our family" from the moment you walk in the door. That's probably the owner who shows you to your table. Her mom did the paintings. Her dad did all the carpentry. This is one family you'll want to be a part of!

Pros: Woman-owned business, No smoking or cell ph, Stay awhile!

Cons: Not open for lunch!

Posted 08/17/03

Take it from a Concierge. I have eaten at nearly every restaurant between West Seattle and Wallingford, and this is my favorite. Every meal feels like an education in simple food done right. I am 'so over' places with stacked food, or colorful drizzled food served with something on fire! When I order something at the Stumbling Goat, it often seems like the first time I've tried it, as in: "Oh, THIS is what a pork chop should be like," or, "I've never liked beets in my life until now, THIS is how they should be served!" I am no chef, but after eating at the Goat, I feel like I've taken a culinary class. This place has a simple, irresistable charm radiating from every corner, every server, and every lovingly prepared dish. Take it from me, I've tried every place in town!

Pros: Inexpensive, Unpretentious, Romantic

Cons: , no smoking

Posted 08/09/03

I am a Greenwood local and was excited to try this restaurant given the accolades and pedigree of the chef touted in the press. Ive dined at The Herbfarm and Campagne Cafe with happy results and expected the same especially given the price ($85 for two entrees, one appetizer, two glasses of wine, and tip). I was tragically disappointed. The wine list was scant but reasonably priced. Choices by the glass are very limited (only 3 reds). The pate was served too cold, impossible to eat with the marginal bread (also served as table bread). The flavor was lacking even with the overuse of pistachios. The lamb was cooked well but was smothered in an overabundance of tomato compote sauce and way too much polenta. The risotto with chanterelle mushrooms lacked the creamy flavor expected and about an eighth of the rice was undercooked (very crunchy). We skipped dessert.

Pros: beautiful decor

Cons: bad food, bad value, hot in summer

Posted 07/23/03

I've been here a few times now and it is consistently excellent. Service can be a bit spotty, and the menu is fairly limited, but the food is stellar. We had a gnocci that was amazing. Even the side dishes and salads are innovative and superb. The ambiance is romantic, yet unpretentious.

Pros: great food, romantic ambiance, innovative

Cons: spotty service, limited menu

Posted 06/15/02

The Stumbling Goat does a fabulous presentation of familiar comfort foods. Try the roast chicken and mashed potatoes, or any of the pork dishes. The beet salad is fresh, wonderful, loaded with Stilton, and big enough for two people to share as an appetizer. Save room for the molten choclate cake for a perfect way to end the evening. Service by Sarah or Michaal adds measurably to the evening.

Posted 06/13/02