The Gray Goose Cafe
Gray Goose
Southport, CT
I’m starting this food review with a quick movie review. Not actually, but have you seen The Holiday on Netflix? The adorable holiday classic where Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet do one of those house swaps for Christmas from England and LA? Jude Law graces our presence as the ultimate single dad? If not, there’s your weekend homework, and when you’re eating at The Gray Goose Cafe in Southport- you’ll understand why.
Gray Goose is quintessential “The Holiday” core. There’s even a telephone booth outside… C'mon. Eating there during this 30° weather, nestled under the heater outside on the patio, you’ll feel like you’re in the English countryside. The inside is small but intimate and cozy, and even the bathrooms feel "homey."
Luckily, the menu is not just beans and toast but every cuisine you could imagine. There are bang-bang shrimp bowls, pizzas, tuna tacos, burgers and pasta. I started with being the most indecisive I’ve been when it comes to a drink menu. The South Porter sounded delicious (gin, grapefruit juice, prosecco, pomegranate juice...), as did the White Winter Cosmo. However, knowing I was heading towards a seafood and pasta type night, I strategically ordered a crisp glass of Sauvignon Blanc (ok, fine, a bottle) and then went to town on the apps. For the table, we went with eggplant parmesan, steak tips, and fire roasted Parmesan oysters. The steak tips came with an incredible dipping sauce, the oysters cheesy enough, and the eggplant parm stacked in two cute layers that were just enough for the table. The appetizers may have been the best part of this meal, but I'll continue. I had no trouble deciding on my entree despite this massive, enticing menu. A creature of habit, I went for the mussel fra diavolo. One day, I’ll do a guide to the best mussels around... Other honorable orders at the table were scallops, shrimp scampi, and zucchini noodles (although I was way too absorbed in my dinner to taste test anything else) My mussels showed up with so many mussels I couldn’t see the angel hair- this is not a complaint. The pasta was cooked to perfection, and I hate to pull a Carrie Ann Inaba (see Dancing with the Stars for reference), but one note- more sauce. Please.
Just reading this back, I'm starting to feel full, but last night, I had enough room for both a doughnut and half a chocolate mousse (this is a safe space.) The mousse was fine, but the doughnuts were the real star. They were perfectly crispy with a doughy inside, paired with your choice of dipping sauces. The perfect warm, sweet treat to end a perfect night.
The Gray Goose is perfect for a slightly upscale dinner that still feels inviting and family-friendly. Whether you're with friends, on a date, or even bringing the kids and Mr. Napkinhead (Just watch the movie), it's a spot where you can channel your best Cameron Diaz vibes while enjoying a delicious meal. As the weather cools down, it’s the perfect place to warm up with good food, then head home to curl up and watch a feel-good holiday movie.