The Stone Goat Restaurant & Brewery Opens in St. James with Bold Flavors and Big Plans
The highly anticipated Stone Goat Restaurant & Brewery has officially opened its doors at 552 N. Country Road in St. James. Following a soft opening on November 20th, the restaurant is already making waves with its blend of elevated cuisine, craft cocktails, and ambitious plans for a brewery, event space, and outdoor entertainment area.
The Stone Goat is the vision of its owners who aim to bring something entirely new to Long Island’s dining scene in St. James. From fine dining to casual pub fare and a fully functional brewery, the venue combines multiple concepts under one roof.
Upstairs, the restaurant features a spacious pub with a laid-back vibe and plans for an event space that can host private parties, corporate gatherings, and celebrations. The brewery, set to be operational in the near future, will serve a variety of house-made craft beers, further enhancing the venue’s appeal to locals and beer enthusiasts alike.
During the soft opening, patrons were treated to an early preview of The Stone Goat’s culinary offerings.
Dean Riskin, who attended the event, posted on Facebook about his experience.
“Their aged steaks are right on point as well as the sides. The cocktails were well presented and delicious,” he wrote.
He praised standout dishes like the seafood dumplings, lobster mashed potatoes, and the short rib lobster risotto, calling it “the best he ever ate.”
The menu offers an array of innovative appetizers and entrées. Highlights include the Grilled Oysters with garlic herb butter, 45 Day Prime Dry Aged Bone-In Ribeye, and the unique Caribbean Braised Goat Shanks with coconut yuca mash. For a casual bite, guests can enjoy the Bison Burger topped with bourbon bacon jam and aged cheddar.
Beyond the food, The Stone Goat’s outdoor area will come alive in the summer with live entertainment, lawn games, and a BBQ food truck, offering a one-of-a-kind experience.
Co-owner Nick Gounaris previously said, “We’re aiming to create a destination that blends great food, drinks, and entertainment in a way that hasn’t been done on Long Island before.”
The spot is the site of the old St. James Public House building at 552 North Country Road. The site has seen a number of businesses come and go over the last 10 years or so. Before it was St. James Public House, it was briefly Grant’s Place and before that it was Five.Five 2. Prior to that it was O’s Food & Wine Bar.
Their half acre plot of land behind the restaurant (which is actually three buildings, one of which will host their brewery operations) will be used for parties, festivals and be open to families who want to chill out outside at tables, enjoying the outdoors with a brew and some food. It will also be dog friendly with a special spot for doggies to do their business complete with a make believe fire hydrant.
“People who want to have that experience don’t have to travel out east anymore,” Gounaris said.
As for the name, The Stone Goat, Gounaris says it’s different because they are going to be a different kind of restaurant and he wanted the name to stand out as well.
“Names tend to be boring, even uninteresting, and I was looking for a name that would get people asking questions,” Gounaris told us.
We recently visited The Stone Goat and captured the venue’s interior. The upscale dining room on the main level exudes sophistication, with rich wood accents and contemporary lighting.
Located at 552 N. Country Road, St. James, The Stone Goat is now accepting reservations. For more information or to explore the full menu, visit their website at stonegoatsmithtown.com.
With its combination of fine dining, casual pub vibes, a brewery, and event space, The Stone Goat is set to become a hub for food, drink, and entertainment in St. James.
