U Street NW’s newest eatery, Fainting Goat, is set to open next week. First things first: what’s with the name?

Fainting goats are a real thing—just watch this YouTube video. Also known as myotonic goats, these animals freeze and fall over when they’re frightened or panicked. Owner Greg Algie, who’s also a partner in Fado Irish Pub and Cantina Marina, says his friends used to call him a fainting goat for the way he’d freeze up around women at bars.

Heading the kitchen is chef James Barton, who’s worked at Westend Bistro, Oval Room, Bibiana, and Atlas Room. The menu is broken into “nibbles,” “graze,” sandwich, and “feed” (entrees) sections. Among the more shareable items: pork fries (think fish sticks but with pork), charred leeks with romesco sauce, and goat ricotta with olives, rapine, and bread. Diners will also be able to get boards where they mix and match meats, cheeses, pickles, and other specialties. Sandwiches include porchetta and a shrimp roll with creme fraiche. For entrees, look for bass with butternut puree, baby bok choy, and bacon and mushroom broth, as well as a beef bourguignon-style dish that’s actually made with goat. 

The Fainting Goat has a limited number of cocktails including the My-Q-Tonic (a play on myotonic) with Jensen gin, Q tonic, charred orange juice, and “flamed” orange, as well as the Kumquat Fashioned with Smooth Ambler Old Scout rye, kumquat, Luxardo cherry, and Angostura sweet soda. The bar is building a collection of bourbons, ryes, and Scotch whiskies, as well as about a dozen beers on tap plus bottles, several ciders, and an international wine list.

The restaurant was designed by Edit Lab at Street Sense, the same group responsible for Daikaya and The Red Hen. The space is divided into lots of little nooks with funky wall papers and chandeliers. A small bar occupies the ground floor and a second, larger bar spans the length of the mezzanine level, where the main dining area sits. A tiny basement room, next to the kitchen, will eventually be used for whiskey or wine tastings or for private events. Check out more photos below.

Fainting Goat, 1330 U St. NW; faintinggoatdc.com