Girl & the Goat

Some people want to meet actors, actresses, presidents, athletes, writers, singers, and musicians — but me, I want to eat food from creative chefs.

I have a growing list of chefs I want to eat — wait, that doesn’t sound right. Their food! I want to eat their food and experience their restaurants.

In July 2013, I was fortunate to cross another one off of my list: Stephanie Izard’s Girl & the Goat in Chicago.

The main menu at Girl & the Goat is divided into three categories: Vegetable, Fish, and of course Meat.

We ordered 9 plates to share between four of us. I absolutely love this style of eating because I get to taste so many different flavors.

I don’t know about you, but I get really stressed out when I have to choose 1 starter, 1 entrée, and 1 dessert.

Talk about an uncomfortable commitment.

So without further ado, here is everything we ordered that night.

Squash Blossom Rangoon with crab, chive yogurt, and toasted almonds:

Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon with shrimp, white asparagus, grilled blueberries, and peas:

Charred Pork Belly with spring onions, tangy jus, and sunflower seeds:

Roasted Cauliflower with pickled peppers, pine nuts, and mint.

Confit Goat Belly with bourbon butter, lobster, crab, and fennel:

Wood Oven Roasted Pig Face with a sunny side egg, tamarind, cilantro, red wine-maple and potato stix.

Crisp Braised Pork Shank with grilled spring onion kimchee, buttermilk dressing, and naan.

And last but not least: dessert.

Goat Cheese Bavarois with brown sugar cake, blueberries, and caramel krispies.

We also had the Milk Chocolate and Galangal Napoleon with blackberries and passion fruit, but for some reason I don’t have a picture of that one.

Knowing me, I was busy guarding the goat cheese dessert.

I don’t really have a favorite from the night, but there are a couple of dishes I’ll be sure to order again: The Pig Face, the Pork Belly, and the Goat Belly.

I know most of you aren’t surprised by that.

Executive Chef Stephanie Izard has created an incredible atmosphere at Girl & the Goat. The setting is energetic, the service is spot-on, the staff is extremely knowledgeable, and the food . . .

WowWee! The food is creative, fresh, and tastes amazing!

Girl & the Goat is located at 809 W Randolph Street in the West Loop. Chef Izard recently opened Little Goat at 820 W Randolph Street and I can’t wait to eat there next.

There is a Goat Burger with my name on it.