Ellen Yin, before going to college at Penn, worked as a teenager in restaurants. "I love the community of the restaurant," she says. "I like serving people." (MICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer)
About the restaurant
Rating:
Neighborhood: Old City - Society Hill
Parking: Street parking only.
Handicap access: Wheelchair acccessible.
Handicap access: Wheelchair acccessible.
Hours:
Lunch Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Midday menu, Monday-Friday, 2:30-5 p.m. Dinner Monday-Thursday, 5:30-10:30 p.m.; Friday, until 11:30 p.m.; Saturday, 5-11:30 p.m.; Sunday, 5-10:30 p.m. Sunday brunch, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Prices:
$$$
Payment methods:
American Express
Discover
MasterCard
Visa
Cuisine type: American
Meals Served:
Brunch - Sat., Sun.
Lunch - Mon. thru Fri.
Dinner - Mon. thru Sun.
Style:
With the arrival of a new kitchen star, this Old City pioneer has suddenly morphed from "old reliable" into "oh, my!" as one of Philly's most satisfying dining experiences. Chef Terence Feury (Striped Bass; Maia) has given the menu a sophisticated artisan upgrade in both the fine-dining room and the Wednesday night prix-fixe bargain meals in the market next door, finally crystallizing the potential of owner Ellen Yin's vision for the ideal New American bistro.
Specialties:
Dining room: House-made charcuterie; tapas; lamb belly confit; saffron potato soup; baby lettuce with ricotta fritter; smoked beef sandwich (lunch); smoked pork chop with potato-bacon terrine; whole Cape May fluke; striped bass; pappardelle with spicy sausage; strawberry-rhubarb tart; chocolate macadamia torte; cookie plate. Bistro dinner: scrambled goose egg with house merguez; braised beef shins.
Alcohol:
A very good 48-bottle cellar that focuses on lesser-known wines from France, Italy and Spain offering quality values in the $35-$50 range. Selections by the glass, from Scherer pinot blanc to Peique from Spain, as well as a thoughtful craft-beer list, are worthy, too. There also is a small but smart reserve list.
Weekend noise:
A surprisingly noisy 89 decibels can strain conversation. (Ideal is 75 decibels or less.)
Philly.com Dining
The Rating Key
$ = cheap eats
$$ = moderate priced; most entrees $16-$25
$$$ = premium priced; most entrees $26-$35
$$$$ = hey, big spender; most entrees $36 and up
Superior 
Rare; sets fine-dining standards.
Rare; sets fine-dining standards.
Excellent
Excels in every category of the dining experience.
Excels in every category of the dining experience.
Very Good 
Interesting, with above-average food.
Interesting, with above-average food.
Hit-or-miss 
Poor — No bells
RELATED
There may be no restaurant duo in town more capable than front house-pro, Ellen Yin, and her talented chef, Terence Feury – and no all-purpose restaurant as reliably good as Fork, whether for a business lunch, bar meal, romantic dinner or special event.
This trailblazing Old City American bistro, now 15, is as good as ever since Feury’s arrival three years ago, thanks to the ex-Striped Bass chef’s talent for pristine seafood, house-charcuterie and the bargain Wednesday prix-fixe meals served around the communal table in the Fork Etc. market next door.
