Fork

267-439-4878

306 Market St Philadelphia, PA 19106

www.forkrestaurant.com

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Old City stalwart continues to draw national accolades for its New American cuisine and reliance on fresh, local ingredients.

Categories:

Bars & Clubs, Bars & Pubs, Liquor Stores, Restaurants, New American Restaurants

Details:

After Work, Martinis, $$$, Brunch, Date Spot, Fine Dining, Local Favorite, Romantic Dining, Special Occasion Dining

Insiders:

Roberto J. L M. La Vi B. Patricia U. John G.
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Kid Friendly: yes 0 no 0
Bookmark and Share See hours

Mon-Thu 11:30am-10:30pm Fri 11:30pm-11:30pm Sat 5pm-11:30pm Sun 5pm-10:30pm

Message from Fork

Merchant_icon

Fork is a nationally acclaimed New American bistro, in Philadelphia, offering delicious food that is seasonal, fresh and inventive. The menu is printed daily and reflects international influences from around the world. Fork uses only the highest quality ingredients, many of which are supplied by local farmers from throughout the Philadelphia area. Part of Fork's allure is its hip, stylish, sophisticated interior, where the dining experience is anything but stuffy and uncomfortable. Fork's hand-painted chandelier shades catch your eye as you look above the cast-concrete bar. Hand-painted velvet-patterned curtains fall gracefully from ceiling-to-floor, adding to the restaurant's comfortable, friendly setting.

Editorial by Citysearch

In Short
An era has ended for one of the primary restaurants to spur Old City's 1990's renaissance, as original chef Thien Ngo has retired to his native Vietnam to be replaced by Maia and Striped Bass alum Terence Feury. Under the guidance of national food darling, owner Ellen Yin, Feury shifts Fork's New American cuisine ever so slightly to emphasize hearty artisanal, handmade (and locally sourced) fare like pasta, breads and charcuterie. Fork is still contemporary and refined, and a place for hip 30-something city dwellers to meet for dates and middle-aged execs to meet with friends and clients.

Key Points

  • Full Service Bar
  • Private Dining
  • Gourmet Takeout Spot

The Inside Scoop

  1. When to Go - Between 2:30pm and 5pm on weekdays, a small plates midday menu is served.
  2. The Extras - The restaurant often holds wine and beer pairing evenings as well as special guest chefs. Get on the mailing list for details.
  3. Know Before You Go - The only exterior identification consists of an icon on the glass front door and a mosaic fork on the ground at the entrance.
  4. What to Drink - Try a signature Forklift, a hot toddy, or a watermelon cocktail, depending on the season.
  5. Know Before You Go - Fork's menu changes daily and undergoes a major overhaul every season.
  6. The Extras - Chef Fuery is considered an expert in pairing food with wine and beer. As such, Fork continues to host special dinners and events that highlight local beverage options.
  7. The Extras - Chef Feury is considered an expert in pairing food with wine and beer. As such, Fork continues to host special dinners and events that highlight local beverage options.

Editorial and merchant content by Citysearch

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Latest reviews from Citysearch.

Ratings_icons Martinis?

ideviant

For a restaurant that is touted for it's good bar scene they should be able to make an Apple Martini.

Go for the food and ambience- it's good. But the martini's/ Yeah not so good

Posted 11/16/03

Ratings_icons Where's the martinis?????????

kathieann

Although my husband and I had dinner here awile ago and had a very unpleasant experience, we decided to try it for cocktails on a recent Friday evening, since it won the 2003 editorial award for martinis. Well, to our dismay, after ordering an apple martini, our server informed us that they do not make them or any other fancy martinis! So, besides avoiding dinner, avoid the over-crowded noisy bar and go around the corner to Blue Martini.

Posted 10/18/03

Ratings_icons great for romantic bdays!

sureyya

i took my boyfriend here. call in advance and when reserving arrange for a slice of chocolate cake w/ a candle. so delicious. everything was sublime. the cosmos too! the eel, salmon and duck are amazing.
the wine is good too. not too expensive for the high quality you get.
defintely recommended

Pros: beautiful interior, delicious food, good wine selection

Posted 10/16/03

Ratings_icons GREAT!

khadkerson

This classy restaurant has it all! The atmosphere is very romantic and the food is excellent. Slightly overpriced, but a great place to go for a special night.

Pros: Intimate , Excellent menu

Cons: Average service

Posted 10/08/03

Ratings_icons Great Date Spot

millerdj

I brought my girlfriend here for her birthday, and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. Our choice of an appetizer wasn't quite what we expected (essentially salad greens and raw tuna), but her pasta and my steak were excellent. The wine list has many well described selections and the dessert menu had the typical fare (cheesecakes, fruit crisp, etc.). The staff was friendly and responsive, which is not always the case at Penn's Landing area restaurants. Make reservations, and leave the kids with a babysitter.

Pros: Responsive service, Unique menu, Eclectic wine list

Posted 05/20/03

Ratings_icons Several disappointing visits

djmsalem

I've been to Fork four times and I've been annoyed at myself for returning. Lots of people have good experiences here, but each time I've visited the grilled meats and fish arrived overcooked and the rest of the dinners have been bland. Tables near the bar are so close to standing bar patrons that it's possible to be jostled in your seat. And it's noisy, although that's true of most of the hot Center City restaurants. Service is very friendly and efficient without being intrusive, the menu is nicely varied, and the prices aren't that bad. But the food isn't that good.

Pros: Ambitious menu, Very good service

Cons: Disappointing food, Crowded and noisy

Posted 03/29/03

Ratings_icons Overhyped

AdrianSnake

The atmosphere is comfortable and makes for a good time, yet the food was only average. The service was also average. I wouldn't recommend anyone to go there, but I wouldn't discourage it either.

Posted 01/20/03

Ratings_icons Philly's Best

satnight

It's the best! If your looking for a great date place, this is it. The food is tasty and the menu is always changing for come back customers. The staff at the FORK are professionals, they carry themselfs well and know the menu. Eat at the bar, it is the best spot to see everything and to get good conversation.
I think they could have a better bread assortment, the olive and white is getting boring, sometimes the bread is soft and you could feel it is from the day prior. Also sometimes the butter tastes like it was in the fridge too long.
One of the owners Ellen Yin, she is great. Always making her rounds to each customer and checking on the quality.

Pros: The bar, Nice menu

Cons: the butter refg taste, bread needs changing

Posted 12/22/02

Ratings_icons Fork it over!!!

princessww

This restaurant excelled at everything! The atmosphere, service and food were all top notch. The menu has some changes with the seasons but also keeps certain item on going. My salad of quail and frisse was fantastic! But my scallops were superb- cooked perfectly!

The prices were really good- dinner for 2 each with a starter, entree, shared dessert and 4 glasses of wine was $88.

We'll definately visit Fork again if we are back in Philly!

Pros: great food, great value

Posted 11/05/02

Ratings_icons Terrific!

phoenix_68

I've been to Fork three times over the course of three or four years, and I've never been disappointed, but the meal I had this evening was the best thus far! The food is interesting, innovative, balanced and beautifully presented. I started with the duck pate with gingered pear (yum!), continued the most amazing pork chop and split two desserts-- chocolate cake and baked apple in phyllo dough. My friend said this was the best meal she's had in Philadelphia. Everything was wonderful!

Posted 10/11/02

Ratings_icons Great Dining Experience

njpirate

We took a friend to Fork for dinner for his birthday on Sunday night. Overall, it was one of the best dining experiences we have had in Philadelphia in a long time. Try to Carrot Fennel soup- it is excellent!

Posted 09/03/02

Ratings_icons An eating utensil

catneal

My husband and I had dinner at Fork last week while visiting in Philadelphia. The overall experience was good but not excellent. The dishes we ordered were plentiful and well priced but the preparation was average. Matter of fact, my husband's ribeye was fat and gristley. My chimichurri skirt steak was tender but bland. That is my primary complaint - the food is bland. The wine list was decent, not overwhelming - a good thing.

Pros: Well priced, Decent wine list, Ample portions

Cons: Bland food, High noise level, Name not visible from

Posted 08/26/02

Ratings_icons romantic and unique

pcooperwhite

Fork has become our favorite special occasion restaurant. Romantic atmosphere, delicious food prepared creatively and beautifully. Everyone should visit here!

Posted 08/20/02

Ratings_icons pharmboy

pharmboy

Great atmosphere, good service, wondeful food! Have the rack of lamb, it is outstanding.

Posted 08/11/02

Ratings_icons briliant

rpaschall

we entered with reservastion and were seated promptly, the service was excelent, food superb

Posted 08/08/02

Ratings_icons Maybe it was an off night

melaniejearle

I ate here once for dinner (though I have been in for drinks several times) and found the food very average. Though it has been a few months since then I still feel compelled to share that I would not recommend this as a dinner spot. I remember the meal to have been a dry and bland piece of seafood and left me very dissatisfied. Though I do not consider myself a gourmet I think that I have a well educated palette and I found a lot to be desired in Fork's dinner.

Posted 07/22/02

Ratings_icons Fabulous!

yellow_vette

The food was unbelievably good!!! It's a typical smallish Philly restuarant: very trendy, with the "see and be seen" crowd, but the food is incredible. We tried a few appetizers, (the crab cakes are probably the best I've had), and I had this mexican chicken dish an my entree. I can't rave enough about this restuarant. I highly recommend it. The prices aren't outrageous for Philly and the food is well worth it!

Pros: valet parking nearby

Cons: crowded bar

Posted 06/17/02

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