Capricorn Rising

Girl & The Goat

A scene of soaring ceilings, chunky exposed piping and burnt cedar beams, industrial lighting, a bustling open kitchen and delicately carved wooden bar cabinets – you’ve just entered the expansive dining space of Girl & The Goat. From the eclectic soundtrack (everything from Johnny Cash to 80s new wave) to the diverse clientele and happy atmosphere, it’s hard to stop the perfect descriptive word from springing to mind – fun.

As exuberant as both the setting and owner (Top Chef alum Stephanie Izard) are, the most impressive thing about G&TG is undoubtedly the inventive menu, starting with a range of vegetable, fish and meat small plates including pan-fried shishito peppers, sautéed shrimp and peanut-pork ragu combo, and an imaginatively-monikered roasted pig face cleverly served with sunny-side egg.

But it’s the namesake beast that takes centre stage, with the oft-overlooked goat served in a delightfully diverse range of dishes, from carpaccio and confit, to shanks roasted with pepperocini-grape relish and goat chorizo, and a pre-orderable full leg. The locally-sourced, farm-to-table fare is complemented with a craft beer selection, house-made wine, and a cocktail list that reads like a string of misdemeanours, including Double Barrel, a heady mix of Old Forester Bourbon, Pierre Ferrand 1840 Cognac, Blenheim Ginger, Lemon and Angostura Bitters. Impressive, fun and we’re not kid-ding.