Sara P.
Yelp
The Smoking Goose offers on-site charcuterie and small plates at its Public Smokehouse concept. When you enter Smoking Goose, you can select from a "build your own" charcuterie option board, with the smallest portion serving 1-2 for $15. The two (2) of us chose the smallest $15 option, where you mix n' match whatever three (3) items you prefer under the cheese, meat, or seafood categories. We chose a delicious Kenny's Farmhouse gouda, smoked trout, and lomo (cured pork loin). The charcuterie plate also came with a spicy mango chutney jam, an assortment of pickled veggies (such as delicious curry-pickled cauliflower), and crunchy olive-oil toasted bread points. There were a bunch of interesting small plates to choose from, such as gin-soaked olives with blue cheese and octopus with chorizo, but we decided upon the creamy smoked seafood dip with capers and pickled onions. The dip was very rich, but lemon zest was thoughtfully micro-planed on top it; the brightly flavored zest, capers, and pickled onions helped to cut through the smoke and creaminess.
The Smoking Goose staff were very friendly and descriptive in their answers, when we had questions about particular options or flavor profiles. They checked in on us without being too obtrusive and obviously put a lot of care/attention into our plates. We thought the plating was beautiful and the portion size was generous for the price, especially when considering the flavor "bombs" that accompanied it. Other local places charge similar (or more) for very sad-looking, poorer quality charcuterie with just a few slices of meat/cheese and no accompaniments. You can also add other Smoking Goose grocery items to your Public Smokehouse meal, such as quality tinned fish, jerkys, jams, or unique sodas/seltzers. For seating options, there is a large wooden table that seats about eight (8) people inside or picnic tables outside; not a lot of inside seating, but perhaps you'll meet a fellow charcuterie lover by sharing the table and bonding over cured meats and stinky cheese?
Our only recommendation is that it'd be fantastic if raw oysters were also an option, like at the Goose the Market location off of Delaware...but that's only a minor quibble. I'd highly recommend checking out Public Smokehouse if you'd like a different lunch time or afternoon snack option and want to try out new flavors (especially more of Smoking Goose's offerings). We want to go back for octopus, smoked oysters, and more unique pickles. Afterwards, you can continue your regular Smoking Goose shopping; don't forget to check if a freezer sale is going on!
