Wild Goose

Dive in for Date Night in the Deep! We’re throwing a launch party for our BRAND NEW Spring food and cocktails. Try the latest and greatest creations from Taco Jefe and Drink Master Toshi… they did not disappoint!

Brand New Menu Launch! Ever tasted Grilled Portobello Mushroom Artichoke Spinach Dip Burger? Candied Walnut and Bacon Bread Pudding? Short Rib Grilled Cheese? Rhubarb Wild Boar Sausage? You’re about to! Join us for Date Night in the Deep as we launch *NEW* food items and 10 *NEW* seasonal cocktails! 20% of sales between 6-8pm will go to Ensign Middle School Fund. Dive in for the fun and full appetites. 21+

Join us for breakfast tacos and mimosas for our Brunch Kick-Off benefitting A Walk on Water! We will be serving up Piggie Smalls Breakfast Tacos, so get there early! 100% of proceeds from the sales of THE EPIC MARY’s will also go to WOW. The Epic Mary is our featured cocktail for the event loaded with Grilled Sausage, Bacon, Bacon Infused Tito’s Vodka, Zing Zang Mix, and toped wih a Deep Fried Blue Cheese Stuffed Olive! Yeah… like I said, IT’S EPIC!

A Walk On Water provides #SurfTherapy to individuals with special needs by hosting Surf Therapy events that celebrate courageous kids, adults and their families. For one beautiful day at the beach, there are no labels. Everyone is an athlete. Surf Therapy yields the thrill and confidence that only “A Walk On Water” can provide. Brunch for a good cause? I’m there!

From 6:00 – 8:00pm we will be benefitting St. Joachim. 20% of sales will be donated. Complimentary apps. Get loose at the goose with a little fun night out for the parents! Call the baby sitter, you don’t want to miss this!

Celebrate January Mentoring month with Wild Goose as we benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation. On Thursday January 26th, 2016 from 6pm – 8pm we will be throwing a happy hour mixer with complimentary apps and great company! Come as we honor a local charity that does great work in the OC community! A whopping 100% of proceeds will go to the foundation from 6 – 8 pm. Be sure and be there to support this fantastic cause.

Saddle up! Get your boots on and mosey on over for a Ho Ho Down Santa Style! We’re hootin and hollern over Toys for Tech! Round up a new toy and bring it on down to Wild Goose for a FREE Incipio Phone case. 20% of all sales will be donated to Toys for Tech.

Try our MUSTACHE MULE! Happy to be out here at the annual Movember Golf tournament benefitting prostate cancer awareness. This is our third year participating and it’s always a blast with the Movember squad!

Can you believe it? We have been the go-to bar on 17th street for 4 years! Come by for your chance to WIN amazing prizes including a SUP Paddle Board, Duffy Boat Trip, Beach Cruisers and more!! Plus, 100% of the proceeds go to benefit @joinweareocean!

We are ocean is a local non-profit dedicated to improve the lives of cancer patients through ocean based activities and camps! Celebrate with us. Celebrate for a cause.

Sometimes parents get to have a little fun too! Tomorrow from 6pm – 11pm, 20% of our sales will go to the Newport Heights Elementary Foundation!

Get ready Orange County!
Wild Goose will be at the 10th Annual CHILI COOK-OFF hosted by Hi-Time Wine Cellars!! This Sunday NOON-5PM. Get ready to have your taste buds rocked with our Bison Chili & Specialty Cocktail Strawberry Fields Forever. Plus After Party at Goose!

Join the Miracle Circle OC Auxiliary for Miracle Babies! All money raised will go to support families in OC in the NICU at CHOC and UC IRVINE.

Excited to launch Miracle Babies Charity Event! Enjoy delicious food and cocktails benefiting this amazing cause! Miracle Babies mission is to provide support and financial assistance to families with critically-ill newborns and to enhance the well-being of those affected. 25% of all sales will lead to benefit women, children, and families!

Summer doesn’t officially start until the Wild Goose Luau & Pig Roast!! This year will be our 4th Annual Summer Kickoff Luau on Sunday, June 12th starting at 11am.

Come out and celebrate with us all day as we roast a pig and say aloha to those beautiful summer days! As usual we will have our outside tent with a bar, live music, BBQ, DJ, and giveaways!

You never know what can happen at the Goose Luau so make sure you don’t miss it! And tell all your friends to come by as well for the best Sunday Funday in town!

The Wild Goose Tavern isn’t your average hunting lodge. This upscale saloon specializes in elevated pub fare served alongside seasonal beers. Happy hour is served Monday to Friday from 3 to 7 pm, when all food items on their happy hour menu (including a classic cheeseburger and bratwursts) are just $5. Pair these with any of the drink specials, like $3.50 Coors Light drafts or $1 off well drinks, and you’ve got an incredible meal at an incredible price.

It has been a beautiful day sponsoring Hole #2 at the Mesa Verde Classic Golf Tournament! At the Wild Goose tent we have only the best local sausages and coronas.

Join us for our Annual Toys for Tech Drive with Incipio! Get into the holiday giving spirit! If you bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to a child in need, you will receive a complimentary Incipio smartphone case! Toys will be distributed as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in Orange County via the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.

Enjoy a night full of holiday cheer, free appetizers provided by Incipio, and donating to a great cause!

Though this establishment has a great patio, folks in Orange County primarily frequent this Tavern for the delicious food and décor, which reminds patrons of a hunting lodge. Stuffed stags, beavers, and other critters surround the interior as customers enjoy their cocktails and seasonal beers. Calling their menu “elevated pub grub,” Wild Goose offers burgers and salads as well as white truffle fries. It’s their wide selection of sausages though, that really stands out on the menu. Like a neighborhood bar, the Wild Goose Tavern can attract an overflow crowd at times.

We can’t wait to celebrate our 3 Year Anniversary with our friends & We Are Ocean! 20% of event sales & 100% of proceeds from Silent Auction and Raffle will be donated to We Are Ocean. Complimentary apps from 3:00-4:00 pm. Limited edition Wild Goose + We Are Ocean hats available.

Everyone who stops in goes, ahem, wild, over the Wild Goose Tavern. The atmosphere is a hunting lodge mixed with a little bit of hipster dive bar, plus it has a breezy outdoor patio (perfect for brunch) and corner booths. The Wild Goose has extra long hours, 10 a.m.-2 a.m., because patrons just can’t get enough of this neighborhood favorite. Happy hour is from 2 p.m.-6 p.m. and loaded with tasty options, plus the Tavern also has a weekly special. Don’t miss out on the Kobe dog or the sweet potato and goat cheese fritters.

Chefs, restaurateurs and food journalists descended on the Fairmont Newport Beach hotel Sunday to celebrate the achievement of local culinary experts.

The Golden Foodie Awards, now in their fourth year, recognize the best culinary stars at independent Orange County restaurants and are the people’s choice of food awards.

Culinary writer and Food Network television personality Simon Majumdar led the ceremony and bestowed the 14-karat gold Golden Foodie statues on winners.

The winners were announced at Sunday’s gala, which the Los Angeles Times, parent company of the Daily Pilot sponsored.

Winner of the 2015 Golden Foodie Awards:

Bartender of the Year 2015: Alex Filkins (Wild Goose Tavern, Costa Mesa)

Come out and support Wild Goose Tavern as we compete in the Chef’s Challenge at the Modern Luxury Orange Countyevent To Live & Dine at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. We will be serving pork tacos.

Though this establishment has a great patio, folks in Orange County primarily frequent this Tavern for the delicious food and décor, which reminds patrons of a hunting lodge. Stuffed stags, beavers, and other critters surround the interior as customers enjoy their cocktails and seasonal beers. Calling their menu “elevated pub grub,” Wild Goose offers burgers and salads as well as white truffle fries. It’s their wide selection of sausages though, that really stands out on the menu. Like a neighborhood bar, the Wild Goose Tavern can attract an overflow crowd at times.

We are excited to announce our participation in the 9th Annual High Times Chil Cook-Off, Sunday August 2nd. Stop by and try our delicious Lamb Merguez Chili 12pm-5pm! Featuring the “Pimm’n Ade Easy” cocktail 12pm-5pm. We took home the “Most Unique Chili Award”!

A big thank you to everyone who came out to the third annual #WildGooseLuau- thanks to your generous support we raised $10,419 for our charitable partner Boys Hope Girls Hope of Southern California!

Sometimes it’s all about the drinks. One Friday night when we met friends in Costa Mesa for some killer cocktails at Wild Goose Tavern – refreshing Moscow mules and a bourbony drink called the General – I kept seeing plates glide by with hearty munchies. OC Restaurant Week is my chance to try them for $20 per person. Their three-course dinner includes a choice of three items. I’m going Southern comfort food with my picks: pulled pork fries, peppadew cheddar burger and bananas foster bread pudding for dessert.

Wild Goose Tavern recently celebrated its two-year anniversary by holding a fundraising party that netted $22,110 for Newport Beach-based We Are Ocean, a non-profit charity dedicated to reinvigorating and enriching the lives of cancer patients and survivors.

Join us as we Give Cancer the Bird with our Breast Cancer Awareness Month fundraiser on Wednesday, Oct 1 from 5pm. 20% of event sales to benefit Hoag Breast Center. Plus, 100% of featured pink margaritas, “Give Cancer the Bird” merchandise, and raffles!

Join us for the big day at the Hi-Time’s 8th Annual Charity Chili Cook-off! Proceeds to support The Boys & Girls Club of the Harbor Area. Wild Goose’s chef Chris Rubinstein will be putting up our featured Alligator Chili against a host of contenders! Kick back and relax at our hospitality area to the beat of live Reggae! Following the event, join us back at the Goose for the official after party! Hi-Time Wine Cellars is located at 250 Ogle Street, Costa Mesa. Just down the street from Wild Goose!

Wild Goose Tavern in Costa Mesa has raised thousands of dollars for charity since the popular restaurant opened its doors in 2012, and they’ve done it again with their 2nd Annual Luau & Pig Roast held June 22.
Proceeds from this year’s event totaled more than $11,000, and benefitted Irvine-based Boys Hope Girls Hope of Southern California.

We are excited to once again take part in Riviera Magazine’s annual “To Live & Dine” tasting event, Thursday, August 7 from 6-8pm at South Coast Plaza Village! It’s an evening of culinary pleasures where guests sample featured dishes from 16 acclaimed Orange County chefs!

Wild Goose is honored to be in the mix and our very own chef Chris Rubinstein will be going head-to-head with some of the most venerable restaurants and leading chefs in the county. Each dish is voted on by all of those in attendance and a crowd favorite is announced at the end of the evening. We would like to count on your support by joining us!

Our largest single day fundraising contribution to date! With proceeds generated from our 2nd Annual Luau & Pig Roast benefitting Boys Hope Girls Hope, we presented a sizable check today to BHGH’s Mark Schechter and Melissa Leonard, pictured with Wild Goose’s Andrew Gabriel and Mario Marovic with his daughter Gracie. The funds raised will go towards helping academically capable and motivated children-in-need to meet their full potential by providing family-like homes, opportunities and education through college. Thanks to all of you who helped support our efforts in making this donation possible!

Tune into KOCI 101.5FM at 11am today to hear our very own Mario Marovic and Andrew Gabriel! They’ll be talking about some exciting new developments at the Goose! Tell your friends to listen in! Broadcasting live from the Goose on KOCI 101.5FM – Sunday Brunch with Tom & Lynn and Lynn Selich! Come on down and join us!

In our quest to discover and re-discover fun places to eat in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, this week’s feature is Wild Goose Tavern, 436 E. 17th St. in Costa Mesa.

If you’re in the mood for bar food, this is a good stop.

Though the front of this bar faces 17th Street, the main entrance is in the rear of the building where there’s ample parking.

The interior décor is just a gritty enough to make this place hip and trendy. Adorning the walls are some interesting things like a stuffed boar’s head, a squirrel in a small canoe with an oar in its mouth, and deer antlers with colorful bras hanging from them. It’s all good fun as patrons sit at long booths with high top stools enjoying drinks and an interesting bar-food menu.

Foods selections here include a wide variety of sausages served on hot dog buns.

It’s the season of giving and Incipio Technologies and Wild Goose Taverninvite you to join us for Cans, Cases & Cocktails, a fun way to raise food for the needy, Wednesday, November 20 at 5:30pm.

Give and you shall receive! Donate non perishable canned food items or personal care items and receive an Incipio cell phone case and drink voucher for half off featured signature cocktails! All food donations benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.

Goose very own Andrew Gabriel and Mario Marovic on the air today with KOCI 101.5FM’s Craig Carpenter’s Lunch Box. Made a guest appearance in support of Movember Golf Tournament – The 2nd Annual ‘Stache Clash Event, Thursday, November 21. We’ll be hosting the official after party at The Goose so make plans to attend! Special thanks to KOCI and Craig and the crew for all of the great support!

Enjoy an evening of celebration with good friends, food and drink! In addition to some fantastic raffles, take part in a silent auction with a chance to win some incredible vacation packages and other great items! 100% of the proceeds from the raffle and auction items will be donated to We Are Ocean! We are also donating 50% of the entire night’s food and drink sales!

With proceeds generated from our one year anniversary fundraiser benefiting We Are Ocean, Wild Goose’s Andrew Gabriel and Mario Marovic presented a check to Jack Shimko, Founder/President of We Are Ocean, along with Riviera Magazine’s Alexandra Taylor, and We Are Ocean’s Jim Gray and Danette Dye. “It was amazing to see the local community come together at Wild Goose, celebrate its anniversary and raise funds for We Are Ocean,” said Shimko. “The money raised will be used to send more cancer survivors on our ocean-based adventures, motivating them to live a healthier and more active lifestyle post-treatment.” Thanks to all of you who helped support our efforts in making this donation possible!

With proceeds generated from our Breast Cancer Awareness Month fundraiser, Wild Goose’s Andrew Gabriel presented a check today for $6,205.00 to Carlin Schneider, Director of Development at Hoag Hospital Foundation. The funds raised will be provided to Hoag Breast Center for ongoing breast cancer research and education in Orange County. “Philanthropic support is increasingly important in Hoag’s mission to provide the very best care to our community. The Hoag Hospital Foundation is grateful to Wild Goose not only for the impact their support will have on the Hoag Breast Center, but also for creating a great opportunity to get their customer base involved in supporting Hoag,” said Schneider upon receiving the check. Thanks to all of you who helped support our efforts in making this donation possible!

Proceeds from Luau & Pig Roast benefit group dedicated to cancer treatment. Wild Goose Tavern has donated $7,029- the proceeds of the tavern’s first Luau & Pig Roast – to the John Wayne Cancer Foundation. “We’re thrilled to be able to make this donation to the John Wayne cancer foundation.” Said Wild Goose co-owner Andrew Gabriel.

End the evening at the Wild Goose Tavern where taxidermy of a Canada goose, beaver, stag and mythical jackalopes hang from the walls, creating a rustic, lodge-type atmosphere. Seasonal beers and a variety of whiskeys and bourbons round out a menu of elevated pub grub.

Wild Goose Tavern is one of many eclectic… To be sure, 17th Street will never be Costa Mesa’s version of Brooklyn’s Williamsburg, a well documented New York City neighborhood considered the epicenter of hipster culture. That’s because not only are Costa Mesa and Brooklyn utterly different, but two other shopping centers – The Camp at Bristol and and Baker Streets and South Coast Collection….

Look at it from the top, and you’ll think the Baked Italian is a piece of freshly cooked lasagna rather than a sausage sandwich. Melted and fused over the gap is a circular slice of provolone sealing it like a drum. Then there’s a chicken mole sausage for which the kitchen smears garlic aioli,…

Get past the decor and you’ll find a lively menu. From the looks od it, the Wild Goose Tavern is just another dive bar with dimly lit that looks like it hasn’t really been properly scrubbed in years. The only dead giveaway that it’s not quite as old as it looks? The trndy Edison bulbs, which cast a beautiful glow upon a taxidermy goat head and a ratty stuffed goose that appears to be frozen in motion as it flees for it’s life. Another giveaway is the food, which is more than a step up from standard bar fare. The menu is short, which suits a small watering hole like this. The main focus appears to be a collection of gourmet hot dogs, which are petite but ambitious.

We’re excited about our participation in the 2nd Annual To Live & Dine Chef’s Challenge this Weds! Our featured dish by chef Dave Burg will go up against some of the most notable chefs and restaurants in the county! Event guests will also be able to try our Wild on the Riviera featured cocktail! Attendance is $20, which allows you to sample dishes from all of the featured restaurants. Help us win with your vote!

We are excited to be honored as a Great Bourbon Bar of America! Stop by tonight for some fine#bourbon whiskey!

Wild Goose Tavern in Costa Mesa went whole hog at their First Annual Luau & Pig Roast on Aug 4. Wild Goose Tavern donated 50 percent of all event sales to the Newport Beach-based John Wayne Cancer Foundation. All images by Ed Carrasco.

We’re pleased to announce our First Annual Luau & Pig Roast!
With proceeds to benefit John Wayne Cancer Foundation, featuring a festive outdoor beer garden and pig roast by chef Dave Burg. Also, dedicated patio bar featuring our new Wild on the Riviera tropical cocktail!
Make “The Duke” proud, and join us in our fundraising efforts to help battle cancer while enjoying a day of fun, food and drink!

Wild Goose Tavern executive chef David Burg has created quite a stir among Costa Mesa foodies, who keep coming back for the venue’s artisanal pub grub. Comprised of inventive craft burgers and a host of artisanal sausages, items such as the devilishly delicious Cilantro Caprese Burger have quickly emerged as a town favorite. It’s made with fried mozzarella, cilantro chimichurri, oven-dried tomatoes, and garlic aioli on a fresh-baked brioche bun.

Celebrating Costa Mesa’s 60th anniversary Goose style! Good news travels fast! Chef Justin hamming it up for the cameras!

All set up and ready to serve! Total of 600 guests lined up for Nepenthia Beer Garden in support of inspire Artistic Minds! On hand with Ramon, chef Dave and Lanee!

Kick back on the patio at Wild Goose Tavern, and savor gourmet pub fare and craft beer. Or sip cocktails, single-barrel whiskeys and small-batch spirits in a cozy booth.

Costa Mesa’s Wild Goose Tavern made a donation today of nearly $5,500 to the American Red Cross tornado relief efforts. In response to the Category 5 Tornado that ripped across Oklahoma and Texas this Monday, Wild Goose dedicated 100% of its total proceeds from Tuesday’s business in support of those whose lives were touched by the devastation.

“We can’t thank our guests enough for the incredible support,” said Wild Goose co-owner Mario Marovic. “As soon as we heard the news, we wanted to find a way to support those in need and making a donation to the Red Cross was an obvious choice. It warms our hearts to see how much the community cares and we’re thrilled to make even the smallest difference.”

Red Cross representative Dave Martinson joined Marovic, co-owner Andrew Gabriel, and general manager Dan Noon at Wild Goose where a check for $5,459 was presented, earmarked specifically toward tornado relief efforts.

Those who were unable to join in the fundraiser on Tuesday are invited to text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a secure $10 donation through their wireless carrier, or visit www.redcross.org to learn how they can help in the tornado relief effort.

About the Red Cross:

Founded by Clara Barton in 1881, The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. The American Red Cross operates under the fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

About Wild Goose Tavern:

Wild Goose Tavern is located at 436 East 17th Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92627.  In addition to classically-crafted cocktails, seasonal craft beers, and a vast selection of premium spirits, Wild Goose offers guests a menu comprised of artisanal burgers, tacos, and gourmet sausages. Open daily from 10am for lunch and dinner with cocktails ‘til 2am. On-site parking available. Private bookings at goose@goosebar.com.  For more information, call 949.722.9453 or visit goosebar.com

Following the catastrophic tornadoes that recently swept through Oklahoma and Texas, Costa Mesa’s Wild Goose Tavern held and impromptu fundraiser to help provide aid for the thousands off residents affected. The tavern dedicated 100% of its total proceeds which resulted in a donation of $5,459 to the American Red Cross.

A note from Wild Goose: “To aid in the efforts to help all the families who have lost loved ones and the thousands who lost their homes in the devastating Texas and Oklahoma tornadoes, 100% of today’s Taco Tuesday food and drink sales will be donated to the Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross with proceeds directed to tornado disaster relief. Please join us!

We can’t thank everyone enough for joining our fundraiser for tornado disaster relief yesterday! We made the decision to do something to help yesterday morning after Monday’s devastating tornado in Oklahoma. Thanks to your support, we raised a total of $5,459.00 for the American Red Cross! It warms our hearts to see how much the community cares and we’re thrilled to make even the smallest difference. Thank you all!”

Have you been to Wild Goose Tavern yet? Here’s the best excuse yet to go, like, now!

Tonight only, the restaurant has announced on its Facebook that it will donate 100% of all its Taco Tuesday food and drink sales to the Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross with proceeds directed to tornado disaster relief.

Missed our live appearance on KOCI 101.5FM – Sunday Brunch with Tom & Lynn last Sunday? Well, we’re doing it again this Sunday! So join us at the Goose from 11am-1pm!

Help us raise funding for Newport Beach Water Polo on Thursday, April 11th 5-9pm. 20% of the night’s proceeds will be donated to the club!

The 2013 Alternative: Wild Goose Tavern.
Located in Costa Mesa where the Little Knight used to be, this place offers craft cocktails and every kind of hot dog/sausage you could imagine – not to mention ample taxidermy. (Vegan options too!)

Wild Goose Tavern on 17th Street has quickly gained a reputation as a convivial neighborhood bar that serves complex, handcrafted cocktails. The mixologists at Wild Goose have created the spicy and sweet Mango Habanero Margarita. It combines a special house infused agave, reposado tequila, mango puree and hand-squeezed lime juice. The Wild Goose Tavern opens daily at 10 am, so any time is the perfect time for the Mango Habanero Margarita.

Edwin reviewed the Wild Goose Tavern in Costa Mesa, and their tasty sausages. He told us about the opening of an Italian burrito concept, found in Costa Mesa, as well. Then he shared Subway’s testing of a so-called “Sriracha sauce.” Last, he wrote about how, oddly, some Starbucks are now selling the Square credit card reader for $10 – which you can get for free from the website.

A lovely loaf cradles the sausage sandwiches at Wild Goose Tavern. It’s big and pillowy, thicker than the average hot-dog bun, and when you bite into the chewy, slightly yeasty roll, you realize you’re eating real bread—something designed for this very purpose and with a substantial crust impermeable to liquids. This isn’t the stuff you buy in bulk for Fourth of July, but rather a custom-crafted piece produced by Dean Kim at OC Baking Co. similar to those used to make proper Maine lobster rolls. The sausages wedged into them are also of enviable pedigree; some are said to have come from Mattern Sausage in Orange. But it’s here, in this bar, that this bread and these sausages become one—and great.

From world-class grub to first-class ambiance, the Wild Goose’s repertoire will certainly leave an impression on future patrons. With a welcoming spirit, genuine disposition, and charmingly exquisite menu, the Goose is here to stay. Did I mention they have a pool table?

Join us for Toys for Tech Holiday Toy Drive for Charity, hosted by Incipio Technologies, Monday, Dec 17 at 7pm. All guests who bring a new or gently used toy for the Toys For Tots Foundation, will receive a FREE Incipio iPhone case!

Enjoy live entertainment, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and special $5 handcrafted cocktailsAll toys raised will be delivered to children who are less fortunate, helping put a smile on faces this Christmas. So bring a toy and your holiday cheer!

The Wild Goose Tavern recently opened on 17th Street and offers gourmet burgers and sausages. Some of the sausages are not your average link with options like rabbit, wild boar and andouille. There are several craft beers on tap that pair well with the food, including Palomino Pale Ale from Bootlegger’s Brewery.
If you are looking for a bar, restaurant or store for craft beers, Costa Mesa, the City of the Arts, has an establishment that serves the art of craft beer.

“When I first got wind that a new bar was opening in Costa Mesa, I was not that interested. But then I heard that it would have good pub food, cocktails made with fresh ingredients, a pretty extensive whiskey collection as well as small-batch spirits, they had my attention! I anxiously awaited its opening day but today, the wait was over.”

“The menu will feature elevated pub food that was a collaborated effort by Marovic, Gabriel and their culinary trained chefs. The menu will feature house made sauces, gourmet pub burgers, sausages and salads. They will serve locally sourced boar, alligator and rabbit sausage perfect paired with a craft cocktail menu with the bar’s very own resident mixologist.”

“These days, OC’s most anticipated drinking joints aren’t velvet rope, pinkie-raising hotspots with snooty bartenders and microscopic, overpriced appetizers. Instead, we’re seeing a crop of new watering holes that seem cozy, casual and inviting, where everybody knows your name (well, maybe).”

“They quite possibly will have the largest whiskey menu in the area. Housemade foods include even their sauces and condiments! Early visitors have talked about how comfortable and at home they feel with the relaxing ambiance and refurnished decor.”

With an array of signature, handcrafted cocktails by professional mixologists and draught and bottled beers, including locally brewed craft beers, the Wild Goose Tavern in Costa Mesa promises to be the premier destination for tasty libations once it opens this fall. Complete with a full  menu featuring burgers, seafood, and exotic, locally made sausages, this watering hole is fit for any occasion. The retro, lodge-like décor, complete with reclaimed wood walls and rustic mirrors,  provides character and vibe, and the ambiance will surely make the Goose a favorite haven for those seeking a unique and fun night out. Lead mixologist Kevin Eyles’ Mango Habanero Margarita exemplifies the refreshing offerings of Wild Goose’s cocktail menu with its sweet flavors of mango and precise heat of habanero-infused tequila. Made with house-infused habanero Sauza Hornitos Reposado, fresh habanero mango puree, hand-muddled fresh mango and mint, lime juice, and topped with Sprite with mango and  mint garnish, the Mango Habanero Margarita’s undeniable flavor appeases the senses.

“The warm, lodge vibe comes alive with interior decorations such as a mounted ram’s head, a mythical jackalope, and of course, a Canadian goose, among other taxidermic treasures. A stained-glass lamp situated over a corner booth is an relic from the original Wild Goose in Anaheim.”

“We wanted to create a place that we wanted to hang out in,” co-owner and Newport Beach native Andrew Gabriel said. “Not a regular old bar or night club, but we kept family and friends in mind when thinking about our concept because we wanted that cozy atmosphere that brings people together.”

Mario Marovic— the man behind popular O.C. restaurants and watering holes like 2J’s Cocktail Lounge in Fullerton, the District Lounge in Orange and Newport Beach and Corona Del Mar’s Landmark Steakhouse – is opening another place in the trendy food ghetto of Costa Mesa.

“We love to explore food and drinks with our friends and families,” Gabriel said. “We just pulled a bunch of ideas from different places we’ve visited outside of Orange County, San Francisco being the main source of inspiration.”