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By Hamza Khan
The Stone Goat has opened in St. James, combining fine dining, casual options and craft beer under one roof.
The new spot at 552 N. Country Rd. is the brainchild of restaurateur Nick Gounaris, along with his executive chef and partner.
Gounaris, who has spent decades in the restaurant business, described The Stone Goat is the culmination of his lifelong dream.
“It means everything to me,” he said. “The last two and a half years have been my blood, sweat, and tears.
“This is my life’s work.”
A multi-faceted experience
The Stone Goat features distinct spaces designed to cater to varied tastes.
The main dining room offers a sophisticated, “sexy” ambiance, while the upstairs pub delivers a casual atmosphere with a separate menu that includes dishes like lobster corn dogs and pastrami sandwiches.
The brewery, set to fully launch in the spring, will feature 12 house-made beers, with seasonal offerings such as a porter for winter.
Gounaris highlighted a diverse drink menu, including the unique “Europa” cocktail and an Irish coffee with a modern twist.
The restaurant’s design combines elegance and playfulness.
The downstairs bar, made of Congolese padauk wood, exudes warmth and luxury.
And goat-themed décor — inspired by Gounaris’s admiration for Manhattan’s Dead Rabbit pub — adds a whimsical touch.
Community buzz
Despite a low-profile opening with no advertising, The Stone Goat has already drawn a steady stream of diners.
Local resident Tracy Marie visited with her family shortly after the restaurant’s debut.
She said the food was impressive, from the forbidden rice to the homemade pasta. The avocado margarita also stood out to her. Marie praised the variety and family ownership of the restaurant.
“I think this is a great addition,” she said. “The variety in one place, the family ownership — which was great to see — and the unique menu make it something the community really needs.”
The Stone Goat plans to host live music and seasonal events in its outdoor brewery space, which includes a half-acre field with picnic tables.
“There’s nothing like this around here,” Gounaris said. “The area called for it.”
Looking ahead
While most of the restaurant is fully operational, final touches are underway in the upstairs pub and a planned atrium dining area. Gounaris and his team are focused on refining staff training during this soft-opening phase.
A grand opening event is tentatively planned for New Year’s Eve.
“We’ve put everything we’ve learned into this project,” Gounaris said. “Everybody who comes in says that it’s such a great idea. They can’t wait to come in the spring and try out the brewery. It seems like it’s a very positive reaction so far.”
— all photos from The Stone Goat, St. James, on Facebook
Follow their journey
The Stone Goat Restaurant & Brewery is located at 552 N Country Road, St James.
