Signature Dishes: Butter sauce adds magic to saffron mussels at Gray Goose in Ligonier

This is portion of an ongoing series highlighting Signature Dishes at domestically owned restaurants in the region. See Trib Total Media’s new on the internet directory of dining establishments, Dine Regional, at dinelocal.triblive.com.

An appetizer with large flavor is generating a splash at The Gray Goose Lakeside Lounge in Ligonier Township.

The Saffron Mussels ($13) is a signature dish at the upscale eatery at 2377 Route 30 West.

Created this year by chef Ben Gahr, the seafood blend of steamed mussels with chickpeas, saffron, olive oil, garlic, butter and crusty, toasty bread is a strike with patrons.

“It’s a convenience dish. It’s big sufficient for a meal,” Gahr explained of his dish that is built with a magic butter sauce that will continue being just that.

“I really don’t even know what is in it,” explained operator Michelle Kent of the sauce.

Gahr created his preferred dish out of excess chickpeas he experienced on hand 1 working day in the kitchen area.

The mussels are shipped in weekly from Prince Edward Island in Canada. Sopping up the sauce with the accompanying baguette is a have to.

Kent purchased the restaurant 7 yrs ago. She reported an abundance of Canada geese on the house lent the inspiration for its name.

A resident white swan has since shooed most of the geese absent and normally is noticed in the lake seen from the bar inside.

Gahr focuses on presenting Mediterranean and French-infused specialties with costs ranging from $7-$29.

A substantial patio offers outside lakeside dining choices.

Within, five dining rooms deliver a cozy and heat dining vibe total with fireplaces, hardwood floors and a substantial different bar region.

Shoppers are invited to peruse an expansive vintage A.C. Gilbert Co. erector assortment, housed upstairs from the private collection of Kent’s late husband, Michael.

Kent described the covid-associated pandemic as a “long haul” for her small business.

“We had been shut down wholly because we weren’t well prepared to do wonderful eating to go. Covid was tough, but it gave me a likelihood to sit again and see what I need to do below. Bringing Ben on has really enhanced matters — anyone loves the foods.”

Gahr updates the menu seasonally, but Kent explained the mussels are in this article to keep.

“The mussels have been a massive strike, and no person around below truly experienced nearly anything like that,” she reported.

The Grey Goose Lakeside Lounge (2377 Route 30 West) is open 4-8 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, 4-9 p.m. Fridays, noon-9 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays shut Mondays-Tuesdays. Reservations are advisable at 724-441-4947. For a lot more information and facts, check out graygooseligonier.com.