Reed: Treat yourself well at the Crown & Goose

Eric Weide and Jennifer Cooper, from left, enjoy an evening of British-style nightlife at the Crown & Goose.

Eric Weide and Jennifer Cooper, from left, enjoy an evening of British-style nightlife at the Crown & Goose.

The Crown & Goose offers Madison Fortner and Kat Brown, from left, a chance to catch up on European football.

Eli Blattner and Elizabeth Olivier, from left, cozy up to the bar at the Crown & Goose.

This week in Nightlife I found myself going out with a purpose for once, not just wandering into a random bar to pass judgment. That purpose was to celebrate my friend Kat's 21st birthday with a little bit of class that only a place like The Crown & Goose can offer.

I enjoy all bars, even the dives, but sometimes it is just nice to walk into a place such as The Crown & Goose (or any other pub-style bar) and relax in a more elegant place than the typical smoky sports bar. Of course my current income keeps me from experiencing such an indulgent night out all that often, but it is nice to splurge every now and then.

The Crown & Goose is situated in the Old City on South Central Street just across from the Knoxville Cigar Co. I made the mistake of looking all over the Old City for parking on this busy Friday night, only realizing that The Goose has its own parking lots, also across the street.

Once inside, you are greeted with a fairly traditional pub-style feel with plenty of booths and bar seating. If you follow the bar around to the right you will eventually hit the stage, where a pretty good Beatles cover band was playing on the Friday night we visited.

The Crown & Goose really strives to bring an authentic English-style pub feel to downtown Knoxville, and they have done a great job. From the custom built 19th-century bar replica to the Crown & Goose's authentic beer garden, the owners have done a great job creating a mood that no other downtown Knoxville establishment can touch.

In addition to the look and feel of The Crown & Goose, they also offer three of their own brews for you to enjoy. I'm a big fan of trying new beer, especially local microbrews, and all three passed the test. You can try the Directors Bitter, London I.P.A. or the Royal Stout for $4, $5 or $12 for a pint, 20-ounce or pitcher respectively. My personal favorite was the I.P.A., followed by a delicious Royal Stout for dessert.

For the less adventurous, you can find most of your regular domestics, as well as a wide selection of imported European beer ranging from $4 to $6. The Goose also offers a wide selection of signature mixed drinks. A few favorites that were mentioned during the evening were the Pimms in the Garden, the Piccadilly Cosmo and the Lady Guinevere. They range from $6.50 to $8.

As for food, The Crown & Goose offers plenty of it, but for a price. For dinner everyone ordered a variety of items, including for $15 The Irish Whiskey Marinated Dublin Steak Sandwich (that was a mouthful), The Ploughman's Lunch Cheese Plate (serves 2) for $18 and an order of the Mediterranean Mussels for $12. I had the Fish and Chips appetizer for $8, which I thought made a great meal for those looking to spend a little bit less. All of the food was delicious, although the Steak Sandwich was a little underwhelming for its cost.

Our outing to The Crown & Goose was our first and I hope not our last. I was thoroughly impressed with the service and quality that the Goose had to offer. With several specials throughout the week, I may have found a new favorite in the Old City.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!

© 2009 Knoxville.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.