Lewisburg's French Goat Marks 10 Years in Style!

Ingrid Lemme
May 11
3 min read

Updated: May 12

A Decade of Elegance: The French Goat Marks 10 Years in Style

Voted Best Fine Dining and Best Sunday Brunch in the State by the readers of WV Living Magazine

Nestled in the heart of Lewisburg, WV, The French Goat has become one of the region’s premier fine dining destinations. This August, the elegant bistro style restaurant celebrates its 10th anniversary under the stewardship of Debbie and Arthur Forgette, whose vision and dedication have transformed it into a hallmark of sophisticated hospitality and elevated French-inspired cuisine.

This is not just a one-time stop for us—The French Goat is truly one of our favorite restaurants in the Greenbrier Valley. We’ve dined here on several occasions for dinner, and each visit feels like a special occasion. Often, we’ve met fellow guests who were staying at The Greenbrier Resort and made it a point to reserve at least one brunch or evening to dine at "The Goat"—a glowing testament to its stellar reputation.

For Sunday brunch this Mother’s Day, we were seated indoors at a cozy table for two, surrounded by fresh-cut flowers, glittering chandeliers, and the gentle hum of celebration. The weather was perfect—warm, breezy, and sun-filled—which meant both the refined indoor dining rooms and the charming garden patio were fully booked.

During the warmer months, guests can choose between the candlelit intimacy of the indoor space or the relaxed elegance of dining al fresco beneath striped umbrellas and twinkling lights.

Our fabulous waitress, Savannah Steele—who had just returned the day before from her honeymoon in Colorado after getting married on May 2nd—greeted us with glowing smiles and gracious service. Congratulations, Savannah!

I began with a chilled beet soup, deep in color and velvety in texture, finished with a dollop of sour cream and served alongside warm grilled baguette slices. My spring greens salad was a seasonal stunner—made with local greens so fresh as they had been harvested that very morning—tossed with creamy blue cheese, radish, cucumber, sunflower seeds, and a light vinaigrette. Marcus chose the French Goat Burger, topped with pork belly and local cheese, served on a house-made bun with golden truffle fries. “Best burger I’ve ever had,” he said, genuinely impressed.

Note: Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to capture the full beauty of our brunch dishes—while the lighting was perfect for dining, it wasn’t ideal for photography. So instead, I’ve chosen to feature Marcus’s Bloody Mary and the vibrant beet soup, along with a few images from past brunches to give you a taste of what makes The French Goat so special.

For dessert, we shared the house-made lemon tart—bright, silky, and topped with toasted meringue, fresh raspberries, and a swirl of raspberry coulis. A French press pot of bold, aromatic coffee brought the meal to a flawless close.

And as for the heart of this place—Debbie and Arthur—it’s hard to say who’s the perfect host, because each brings something so special to the table. Watching them work the floor together on a fully booked Mother’s Day—gracious, calm, and warmly attentive—proved what we already knew: they are a priceless team.

A special nod also goes to Executive Chef Hannah Reid, whose culinary artistry shines in every dish. As we looked around the dining room, it was clear we weren’t the only ones savoring the experience—beautifully plated entrées and delighted faces at every table spoke volumes.

From its exquisitely crafted seasonal menus to its impeccable service and timeless atmosphere, The French Goat continues to enchant. Cheers to Debbie, Arthur, Chef Hannah, and the entire team on ten extraordinary years—here’s to the next delicious decade. www.thefrenchgoat.com

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