Mercado del Lago is a lakeside strip mall of pizza, sushi and insurance offices, which makes it a good place to hide a bar. The Goose opened in May 2024 next to Crust Simply Italian and is run by the same people. There is no name on the door. You find it by looking up: a small golden goose marks the entrance, and behind it are 42 seats of art deco brass and geometry.
Cocktails carry bird names, Take a Gander and OnlyFeathers among them, and the classics are stirred properly. The two things worth the drive are the whiskey flights and the Goose Bumps, two shots of premium vodka with two portions of caviar. Crust’s kitchen sends over spiced olives, calamari and pizzas, so you can make it dinner.
When to go: as of this writing, 5:00 to 10:00 PM Sunday through Thursday and until midnight Friday and Saturday. Reservations help; 42 seats go fast on a weekend.