Waterway's first diner relocated from Ireland

The Woodlands first restaurant on the Waterway was bought and shipped from Ireland in pieces. The owners of The Goose's Acre Bistro & Irish Pub purchased the restaurant of the same name in the southwestern region of Ireland and shipped much of the facility's dcor and both of its bars back to Texas.

"It wasn't cheap, but we loved the way the bar looked," owner Brian Young said. "Rather than replicate it, it was just as easy to buy it and bring it over. It doesn't get more authentic than actually bringing it from Ireland."

The owners identified the Waterway square area early on, despite the early stages of its development, as a site that would likely prove to be popular.

"We were familiar with the Waterway and the development that was coming," Young said. "It's next to the Marriott Hotel and a 5-minute walk to the Pavilion. Geographically, it's about as good as you can get."

The owners' concept for the restaurant was an Irish pub with a focus on quality food, Young said.

"We wanted to make sure we focused on the food, so we hired a world class chef," Young said. "We have an open kitchen, so people know we are serious about the food."

The Goose's Acre offers waterfront dining with two outdoor patio areas and an Irish pub ambiance inside, with two bars and plenty of seating upstairs and down.

The restaurant recently expanded, adding a new upstairs patio area with 16 tables, a misting system and umbrellas. The expansion has added 20 percent more business, Young said.

"Business is phenomenal," he said. "The [added] patio was a leap of faith, but we felt it would pay off and it has."

With the restaurant so close to the large office buildings at Waterway Square, the pub gets a steady lunch crowd as well as foot traffic, said general manager Brandi Viehe.

The Goose's Acre offers live music Fridays and Saturdays and moves some tables and chairs in the downstairs bar area to create a dance floor on those nights. The Woodlands pub offers 28 draft beers, including local selections from Conroe's Southern Star Brewery and two different ciders.

"We're not just a pub, and we offer more than just pub food," said Viehe. "People are surprised when they see our menu and see we have rib-eye steak and salmon."

The restaurant participates in various charity events throughout the year, including raising $47,000 last year for St. Baldrick's pediatric cancer.

"We like to do a lot of charity," Viehe said. "It keeps us close with the community."

Customer comments

"They have good service here, and it's probably the best shepherd's pie I've ever had."

-Zack Hendry

"I like the view sitting out here. It's a nice atmosphere. I like the shepherd's pie and [they have] the best BLT I've ever had."

-Glenn Gilchrist

Customer favorites:

Cod fish & chips-Ale-battered fresh Atlantic cod with seasoned chips, fresh apple coleslaw and malt vinegar tartar sauce ($12.95)

Enzo pizza-Margherita pizza with pepperoni, Italian sausage, crisp-peppered bacon, fresh mozzarella and oregano ($12.95)

Sirloin shepherd's pie-Stout-marinated braised sirloin served with leeks, carrots, peas and onions and topped with creamy cheddar whipped potatoes ($12.95)

The original certified angus burger-Topped with Irish cheddar, peppered bacon and BBQ sauce on the side ($10.95)

Oven baked artichoke, sun-dried tomato & Parmesan dip-Served with garlic bread, flatbreads and crackers ($10.95)

The Goose's Acre Bistro & Irish Pub, 21 Waterway Ave., Ste. 140, The Woodlands, 281-466-1502, www.thegoosesacre.com

Sun.—Mon.: 11 a.m. to midnight, Tues.—Sat.: 11 .am. to 2 a.m.