The Flying Goat - Spokane, Washington

Riverside Focaccia

Euclid Pizza

The Flying Goat in Spokane, Washington is a neigborhood pizza place/bar. It so happens that we live within a few blocks of The Goat, making it our favorite local haunt. It only seems appropriate, therefore, that it should be the subject of my first restaurant review.

Ambience
The Flying Goat is a relatively small restaurant, with maybe 10-12 tables in the general restaurant. There are also four or 5 tables within the bar, as well as typical seating at the bar itself. During the warmer months, the outside patio is opened for additional seating. It is adorned with a central fireplace, which is a nice feature, especially in the evening. The restaurant can get a little loud, though not terrible, and families with children are often present. For these reasons, I prefer to sit in the bar, which is also less brightly lit than the dining room. Music is always playing at The Goat, with the bartender determining song selection, so selection varies greatly from day to day.
GRADE - B

Service
Service at The Flying Goat is typically very good. We do happen to be "regulars" here, so we may be attended to better than most, but I have rarely heard complaints about the service. Reservations are not accepted here, and it can get crowded, especially on weekends. But, you can always grab a beer from the bar while you wait for a table to open up.
GRADE - A

Food & Drink
Food at The Flying Goat is primarily pizza and sandwiches. The pizza is cooked in a Woodstone oven, giving it a very thin, somewhat charred crust. If you do not care for that charred flavor, this pizza is probably not for you. Overall, the crust is very good, though it can vary in crispness. Topping combinations range from very standard (cheese and tomato sauce) to very unique (truffle oil and an egg). The Fairview (pears, salty ham, balsamic reduction, blue cheese) is one of my personal favorites. Always remember to check the chalkboard near the hostess stand for the special pizza of the week. Appetizers here are large enough to share. If you are a wing person, which I am not, their wings are supposed to be stellar. They are on the spicy side, so be conservative with how spicy you choose to go. The Plese Flats Chips and Salsa is a great appetizer to share, consisting of crunchy pita-type chips and a very flavorful Mediterranean-style salsa. Sandwiches are also good here, though we typically go with the pizza. For two people, splitting an appetizer and a pizza seems to be the perfect amount of food. Desserts here are nothing special, but the beer selection is great and rotates weekly.
GRADE - A

Value
The value here is very good. Appetizers range from $4 for a healthy portion of potato chips to $11 for the dumplings. Pizzas are $10 to $15.
GRADE - A

Overall
For what it is - a neighborhood pizza and beer place - The Flying Goat is worth checking out. Servers are friendly, appetizers are hearty, and pizzas are unique.
GRADE - A