Fork Restaurant

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306 Market St (at Third Street)
Philadelphia, PA 19106

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(215) 625-9425
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Fork Restaurant - Philadelphia, PA
Fork Restaurant - Philadelphia, PA
Fork Restaurant - Philadelphia, PA
Fork Restaurant - Philadelphia, PA
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Reviews
( 29 )
( 19 )
( 7 )
( 7 )
( 8 )

Best

My friend had a surprise bridal shower here in one of their private rooms in the back. The menu we had to choose from for brunch was spectacular -- I had a hard time deciding. B...

Worst

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 edit...

Superb service 3/3/2007

My wife and I went to Fork for the first time last night. The food was good, not great, but the overall experience was excellent due to the atmosphere and service. Our waitress, Beth, was one of the best, if not THE best, server we have had at any restaurant at any price...very attentive and friendly without being at all intrusive. Atmosphere is very nice - dimly lit, but you can still read your menu easily, and not too loud (could have been a bit quieter, but I'm splitting hairs). Overall, an excellent dining experience. Pros: SERVICE, cocktails, wine list more
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Excellent dining experience 2/14/2007

I had a very pleasant dining experience at Fork; a kind, attentive waitstaff and wonderful food. It started with a well-made drink - the bartender was on that evening, producing a refreshing Whippet cocktail. I ordered the lamb and found it highly satisfactory, grilled to my liking. I went for the mousse which I thought heavier in texture than most mousses, but still velvety. For ambiance, this place is romantic and would be great for a tete-a-tete, warm interiors and soft jazz-like music in the background. After dinner I went next door to Fork's take-away, upscale salads and sandwiches to purchase lunch (beets & pear, goat cheese salad) for the next day. Parking would be an issue, there are several restuarants on this block, save on the cab fare and take the Philadelphia blue line subway to the Market @ 2nd stop - half a block away, very easy and convenient. more
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Definitely recommend 2/8/2007

I consider myself a bit of a ""foodie"" i enjoy going out to dinner with my boyfriend for the ambiance and we enjoy eating delicious meals.... i have worked in the restaurant world for years, so I think I have a good opinion.... fork was amazing from the service to the ambiance to the food. we went on a sunday night to celebrate a birthday and felt pampered when we left. the beef carpaccio was TO DIE FOR! we ordered TWO!!! definitely recommend fork to others. Pros: lighting and beef carpaccio Cons: if it is busy, the tables are close together....limited intimacy more
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Great room for a private party 12/11/2006

I have never been disappointed in Fork's ability to create a meal to remember and the last time I went there was no exception! Working with Ellen to create a small holiday party was great. From the wine choices to our fabulous menu, I could not have been happier. My thanks to their staff for the great work. I highly recommend utilizing their private dining room for any event you are considering- it's a great place to spend an evening with colleagues and friends! Pros: Ambience, Wine, Menu more
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Best consistently excellent food in the city 11/29/2006

While they may not be splashy like some others, Fork knows how to serve up a good heaping helping of great food. Other restaurants have off days, Fork doesn't. I've been going for over 8 years, and I'm not stopping anytime soon. I've also gotten better service here than at places like Le Bec Fin. more
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Check out Fork Etc. (right next door) for awesome imports and take-out. 11/18/2006

The little store on the side of this restaurant is wonderful. As far as I know, they're the best (if not the only) place in Old City to get delicious imported French, Italian, and Spanish cheeses and crusty baguettes with which to enjoy them. They also have a variety of crackers and biscuits for serving your cheese course, and many freshly made sides and specialty entrees. For my money, it doesn't get better than the spiced goat cheese on English walnut crackers that you'll find here. If you want a baguette, though, try to go early; they tend to sell out. more
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Liked it did not love it 11/15/2006

We walked in on a friday night without a reservation in April and were treated very well. Given a great table, and told it had to turn over in an hour and fifteen minutes, which was fine by us as we had to travel anyway. Pros: Trendy more
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Great Service 11/12/2006

I went to Fork this past weekend and I must say the most outstanding was the customer service. I had reservations for 6pm and was about 15 min late. (Parking can be difficult unless you are willing to pay)This was not a problem. We were seated right away and greeted by a pleasant server. She was more than happy to explain certain dishes to us on the menu that we had never tried before. Unfortunately, we were seated in the back right by the kitchen. Some people like to see their dishes being prepared though, my wife isn't one of them. The seating in the entire place is a bit cramped. Not to worry though, the food is incredible. My wife had Pros: Great food great service great price Cons: tight space, no parking, more
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Classy joint 11/9/2006

Serious eating and drinking establishments don't make apple martinis because they aren't real drinks. This isn't Friday's, afterall. Fork is an elegant and sophisticated space that for some reason, doesn't feel stuffy. I go there regularly for brunch. The cocktails are always amazing (bloody mary especially) and the food is always fresh. The hostesses are gems and the service is typically good. Getting good service at the bar can be a challenge, but nonetheless, I'd recommend it to anyone. Pros: Space, atmosphere, food Cons: Tables around the bar are tight more
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Excellent Atmosphere and Food 8/9/2006

The elegant yet funky decor at Fork was the first thing to allure me. After reviewing an eclectic and extensive wine list, our waiter helped us choose several different wines as members of our table were quite varied in the preference - sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinot grigio, and merlot. Our waiter was excellent in helping us pair our wines with our food, which far surpassed my expectations. Fork puts a delightful spin on typical upscale cuisine - incorporating uniquely savorous sides such as Israeli cousous and carrot mashed potatoes. Dessert impressed as well, offering a varied selection such as an incredible peach crostada, and of course the creme brulee. All in all, I was delighted in my experience and Fork and look forward to returning soon. Pros: Food, Wine List, Ambience Cons: - more
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great food 8/8/2006

great food, alittle crowded, nice atmosphere, we found the wait staff good could have been more
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Great Party 5/22/2006

I held a party in their private room and it was excellent. Everyone commented on how beautiful the room and mural in the room were. The food was delicious and the staff was wonderful. I would recommend this restaurant to hold a party and would hold my next party there. more
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Restaurant Week Review 2/22/2006

I went during RestaurantWeek, and was disappointed. The menu we were given, the menu on their website, and the menu on the Week website (that's 3 menus) were all different, and then they were out of an entree and all veggies! After ordering, we found out that another entree had run out, and was replaced with an entree that had partial substitutions! It is hard to understand how a restaurant with filled reservations doesn't anticipate ordering enough food! Service was slow, something had burned in the kitchen, and when dessert finally came there were more substitutions in flavors - a poor decision in general, and especially without informing the customer. After over 2.5 hours in the restaurant, poor service, and numerous substitutions, we were given a bill with an automatic 18% gratuity (which isn't written anywhere)! I see RestaurantWeek as an opportunity for restaurants to showcase themselves, and Fork failed... Pros: good food Cons: substitutions, slow, bad for groups more
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Orgasmic Food 2/21/2006

Fork is smart about restaurant week - it presented our group of four with some of the best food we've ever had in Philly, we all left very full, the martini list and wine list were reasonably priced and delivered excellent selections (they don't over-sweeten their cocktails which is very refreshing and they seem to use fresh-squeezed citrus juice, an effort which is appreciated in a restaurant that does not claim to be a high-flying bar/club). Needless to say, we will return. I am still dreaming about the ribs, spinach and smashed sweet potatoes, but I will never forget the pate - served with quince, sweet gherkins, mustard and crostinis...the most delectable I've ever had. And dessert. God, dessert - I had enough leftover to take some home - not the tinsy portions one expects from such locales. Service was prompt, friendly and professional. You must go!!! Pros: cocktails, FOOD!!!, big homemade dessert Cons: a little crowded more
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User review by nej1227 2/19/2006

We went to Fork during restaurant week expecting good food, but what we got was a very long wait and a moody waitress. The service was beyond terrible. We sat in a back room for over two hours and only got out of there because we took food to-go. The food was good, but the overall experience wasn't worth it. Cons: Poor service!! more
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Nothing special 7/25/2005

I was very excited to try Fork as it was highly rated in the 2005 Zaget guide. However, I was extremely disappointed with the service and set up of the restaurant. I went with a group of four males, and the table was so small and close together that we were unable to fit our appetizers, bread, and drinks on the table all at once...not to mention that our knees were consistently hitting each other. As for the service, our waitress was boring at best. Not once did she smile or give us any details about the menu. After a friend ordered the Porterhouse, I asked which she would suggest between the Porterhouse and Striped Bass...She said the Porterhouse is not very good right after someone had just ordered it....weird. Fork did not live up to the hype, and the food was average for the price. Pros: Location Cons: Service, Crammed tables more
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Great Dinner & Drinks 7/24/2005

Beautiful decor and trendy, eclectic clientele make Fork a great place for good food and drink while enjoying the refined and hip, but casual, ambience. Interesting and tasty dishes, great bar. I got a tour of the private rooms in the new addition, and they are remarkable spaces for a small party or a business dinner. Overall, very nice, and very reasonable. Pros: ambience, scene, decor more
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wonderful experience 7/21/2005

fork is one of the best dining experiences we've had. on a particularly busy saturday nite, we were promised a table in 10 minutes. 15 minutes had gone by and no table. the owner ellen yin had been circulating the room and came over to see if we had been waiting long. when she found out we were supposed to be seated 5 minutes ago, she apologized profusely, got a table ready for us and gave us a complimentary bottle of wine! we have been regular patrons ever since. like any good restaurant, there are ups and downs, but ellen always makes sure you feel welcome. Pros: great food, friendly service Cons: hard parking more
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perfect for a date 7/4/2005

The intimate aura that Fork exudes makes it a perfect date resteraunt. Elegant, but casual environment provides a comfortable place for enjoying a great meal with a special someone. I had the steamed whole white bass. Perfectly cooked and incredibly tasty. She had the free-range chicken which she thoroughly enjoyed. Portions were sizeable for being a part of the old city restaurant scene. Pros: Delicious Food, Romantic, Great Service Cons: too small for groups more
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This place just plain stinks. 6/6/2005

Sorry, I just don't understand the rave reviews of this place. I found the wait staff rude and unattentive. Even if we had the best waiter/waittress in the world the food was uninspiring. Everything is LOADED with garlic and butter to mask the shortcomings of the chef/s. On the bright side it seemed like a great place to grab a martini and do some people watching. Otherwise...go somehwere else. THere are plenty of nice places nearby. Pros: Bar Cons: Food, Rude Waiter/s more
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Menu for Fork Restaurant


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

Owner Message

  • 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

  • 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...

  • 4/9/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon-Thu 11:30am-10:30pm Fri 11:30pm-11:30pm Sat 5pm-11:30pm Sun 5pm-10:30pm
  • Payments: American Express, Master Card, Discover, Diner's Club, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: Center City East, Center City
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