Our favorite new spot to meet friends and kick back for elevated pub food and drinks is Wild Goose Tavern on East 17th Street in Costa Mesa. Locals will remember it as the former Little Knight; in it’s new metamorphosis it’s a fantastic intimate bar, owned by Mario Marovic and Andrew Gabriel.
These two have created a cozy and casual watering hole that serves world-class cocktails, single barrel whiskeys and small-batch spirits, seasonal beers, as well as draught and bottled beer. And it’s menu features tasty craft burgers like the classic cheese with tomato jam, oven dried tomatoes, Romaine, caramelized fennel, and garlic aioli; locally-made sausage sandwiches like the wild boar sausage with sweet Asian slaw, Thai peanut sauce, sweet Dijon; and chicken mole sausage with mustard beet relish, garlic aioli, fried quail egg, and sirachi; sloppy fries, tacos, and seasonal salads.
Play a game of pool, relax on the patio or pull up a chair at Wild Goose’s curved bar topped with classic hammered copper, and enjoy the mini lodge saloon décor like its collection of taxidermy including a Canadian goose, stag, beaver; hunting motif art, retro beer signs, lighting made from old chicken feeders, and a vintage American flag.
Open daily from 10am for lunch and dinner with cocktails ‘til 2am. Wild Goose Tavern is at 436 East 17th St. in Costa Mesa. On-site parking available. 949.722.9453 or visit goosebar.com
Share the Spirit
You can give back to the community and get involved at Someone Cares Soup Kitchen’s annual backpack assembly, clothing drive and holiday dinner for Orange County’s less fortunate. The campaign’s goal is to host one hundred volunteers and take donations of money, toys and clothing for the drive on Saturday, Dec. 22 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The donations will be used to deliver a sled full of holiday cheer where it is most needed. On Sunday, Dec. 23. From 2 to 4 p.m. volunteers will help the soup kitchen’s Chef Lori serve a delicious holiday dinner to more than 500 guests.
Someone Cares Soup Kitchen is at 720 W. 19th St. in Costa Mesa.
