The Goose’s Acre Bistro & Irish Pub

As I made my way through the crowd downstairs at Goose’s Acre Bistro & Irish Pub, I eyed the perfect bar stool for my Sunday visit. As I sat down to relax, along came a girl on a mission… to never let TABC down for any reason whatsoever. She asked me what I would like to drink. As I answered, she reached her hand out, as if to greet me, then mouthed the words, “I need to see your ID.”

Are you serious? I knew I had just been to the bank ten minutes before this, and recall throwing my driver’s license in the front console of my foodie friend’s car… The same car that is parked three and a half blocks away from the comfy seat I am now sitting in at Goose’s Acre.

I haven’t been carded in a while. Thanks. Thanks a lot. So, her reason for making me run a marathon before receiving my first drink, “It’s the law.” This drawn out valley girl version of informing me of a law, well, it was annoying.

P.S. I realize it is my fault for not having my ID with me.

After returning from my afternoon stroll, a guy walks up to the bar with the huskiest of all husky voices, not to mention the sleeve tattoos on both of his arms. This FBI Agent in the making let him know right away that he needs to produce identification or …Denied.

Luckily, his tight jeans (as she so noted…) were not too tight, as to trick him for long. He realized his pass to drink happiness was there after all.

This bartender is not only in charge of legal drinking, she is also a fan of the Happy Hour Clock. After inquiring about the Happy Hour food menu, I received a response that was definitely about time… “WHEN it turns three o’clock, the only food on Happy Hour today is the Signature Salad with chicken.”

The Signature Salad consists of rotisserie chicken and organic greens tossed with sliced apples, pears, seasonal berries, dates, cornbread croutons, goat cheese, toasted walnuts & apple cider vinaigrette dressing.

My iPhone believes it is 2:58 p.m. I suddenly became frightened at the thought of requesting to sub shrimp for the chicken on the Signature Salad. This is potentially going to be painful. I decided to wait until at least five minutes after three, in hopes this rule following phenomenon would relax a bit.

As I asked, she thought about it for a moment and said, “Maybe… I have to ask the kitchen.” She then quickly snapped that I would have to pay $2.00 extra, which is not unreasonable or uncommon for substitutions.

Upon ordering, I requested my dressing be delivered on the side. I prefer to choose the amount for each individual bite, which brings me salad dressing happiness.

Enter into evidence Picture #1.

My salad arrived with the dressing on, which is not the end of the world, but… the shrimp were very scary. The odor of my salad was that of a shrimp boat lost at sea for a few years… not attractive.

The bartender said she could just tell the kitchen I didn’t like the dressing, and they would make a new salad. False. I do not want to take the blame here. I like the dressing…. on the side.

Um, the dressing is the least of my worries at this point. The rotten shrimp on my Signature Salad are now the focus of my drama.

Enter into evidence Picture #2.

The new salad arrived in less than two minutes. Really? If my salad were alive, I would describe it as frightened. Before, I may have ordered Peel & Eat Shrimp, but not now.
Check Please.

Time to be nice to the bartender… While she is definitely no Tiana, she was constantly busy, yet not looking at all in the weeds. She was also helping others that were busy, even greeting a table and taking their drink order.

She is a rule follower, which is good for her. It may have been an inconvenience for me, but she did nothing wrong by insisting I have my ID.

I had previously been to Happy Hour at Goose’s Acre a few weeks earlier, and it was an entirely different experience.

The kitchen sent out several items for us to taste that day. It is disappointing how very different the food was then, when they knew AVH was there, in comparison to the food that was served a few days ago, when they didn’t.

For starters, the chef sent out the Wood Oven Baked Artichoke, Sun Dried Tomato & Parmesan Dip. This is served with garlic bread, flatbread, and crackers.

The manager mentioned that this appetizer is a house favorite, and I can see why. It tastes extra creamy, with just enough artichoke for good dipping!

Next, we tasted the Grilled Eggplant & Vegetable Pizza. This is a Margherita pizza with grilled eggplant, artichoke hearts, fresh tomato, roasted garlic, mozzarella & fresh basil.

The chef then sent out the Four Cheese Pizza, which consists of Parmigiano-Reggiano, fresh mozzarella, gorgonzola, goat cheese, roasted garlic & fresh oregano. My foodie friend asked for a bit of meat to be added to half of the pizza…Yikes.

Even though the odor of my shrimp almost knocked me out during my second visit, I still think Goose’s Acre deserves another chance.

The atmosphere inside and out is incredibly fun, with great Happy Hour food and drink specials during the week. Not to mention, they have entertainment and… The Woodlands Rugby team sometimes grace all commoners with their healthiest of all healthy presence… Rugby = Dreamy.

FIVE: High 5!
FOUR: Please & Thank You
THREE: Yada
TWO: Double Wow
ONE: Wow + Ouch = Wouch


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