Black Goose to Open as The Goose

The site of the former Black Goose Grille is on track to open as The Goose, an upscale American bistro, sometime in March.

"Darien is going to get their hometown restaurant back," said co-business owner Michael Friedman.

The site at 972 Post Road was first purchased by Hattco Post Road, LLC, a family-owned real estate investment company, in 1997, and served as home to both the Black Goose Grille and a number of small offices for over ten years. In April of 2008, the Black Goose closed, and the space has been vacant ever since. It's now set to open as The Goose, and "if all goes as planned," prime investor Michael Gaglardi said he and Friedman will be opening the bistro in March.

"It's all systems a go." said Gagliardi.

Negotiations with Hattco began in November. Gagliardi said the terms of the lease have been "all set" for about a month.

Senior Vice President Al Mirin said Hattco saw seven or eight restaurant proposals before settling on The Goose.

"These guys were great to work with, and we think they'll bring what Darien wants," he said.

Gagliardi knows Darien well. A longtime resident, he's is involved with a number of civic organizations and sports programs including Challengers and Darien Little League.

"I've coached every kid in town," said Gagliardi.

And while the first-time restaurateur is admittedly "more comfortable on the sports field," than behind the bar, Gagliardi said he's had his eyes and heart set on opening a restaurant like the Goose for two or three years now.

"I'm retired now and not looking to make a living; but until recently, the combination of time, money and partners never clicked," he said.

Partnering with Gagliardi is Friedman, co-owner of Ash Creek Saloon, a Fairfield restaurant that first opened in 1993, and due to booming popularity, opened at a second location in Norwalk some eight years later.

"Let's dispel the rumor that I'm opening an Ash Creek in downtown Darien," said Friedman.

The Goose circa 2010, so described as an "upscale, casual dining restaurant with great food and a great bar," will be similar to the late Black Goose, said Gagliardi. The menu will feature classics—steaks, hamburgers and salads—and a few special items for those looking to splurge.

"I could've just opened a bar, but we want people to eat here. I think were going to have really good food," said Gagliardi. "A bit better quality than what it was."

Minor—albeit expensive—renovations are well underway. Gagliardi said while there are no "extraordinary plans," and the restaurant shell remains, most of the utilities need replacing.

"The former owner ripped out everything," said Gagliardi.

Everything except the bar.

"Thank God the bar is still intact; it's just a classic, big, beautiful American bar," said Gagliardi, adding that he plans to open the bar up a bit, stripping the room of the booths that once lined the walls.

The atmosphere won't change much either, said Friedman.

"So many people want to have that warm, cozy place in town. We're not coming in with some New York City style place," said Friedman. "It's going to be very much the way it was—but better."

Gagliardi said "a very good chef has been hired," and that price points won't be too expensive.

"We're going to make this affordable, so you can have a super nice meal, or you can have hamburgers with your kids and watch the game," he said.

The outside "smoking area," will be outfitted as a heated dining space, and the small room at the back of the restaurant, once reserved for special occasions, will become part of the main restaurant.

"We're decorating that room with historic photographs of Darien, so I've been spending a lot of time at the Historical Society," said Gagliardi.

An application for a tenant fit-up and building permit that will allow for necessary electrical and plumbing renovations is pending review with Planning & Zoning.

"In a restaurant-to-restaurant case like this, the application does not need to come before the commission," said P&Z Director Jeremy Ginsberg, noting that turn around for such permits is "not very long."

As for the name, a tribute to the Black Goose legacy, Gagliardi said there really was no other choice:

"We could've called it 'The Love Shack,' and I still think everyone would refer to it as 'The Goose.'"

Gagliardi said with the exception of last Sunday's false fire alarm activation that resulted in a $100 fine, the renovation process has run smoothly, and feedback has been positive.

"When I tell people I'm opening The Goose they say 'Thank God.' I can't really think of any other business that would get that reaction. Everyone seems as excited as I am. Thank God."