THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Fork & Barrel

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Fork & Barrel Restaurant Review:

If you love beer, meat and cheese, then hightail it over to Fork & Barrel, located in the blossoming restaurant scene in East Falls, a gritty little neighborhood just off Kelly Drive. The game-centric gastropub is inviting with its distinctive ratskeller vibe, flickering candlelight and live music on weekends. There must be 100 options on the vast beer list, which is divided into categories like earthy, moody and rustic or sour. There are lots of eclectic imports to peruse, including 25-ounce pours of Belgians such as Glazen Toren Saison D' Erpe Mere and De Ranke Cuvée, along with favorite regional craft beers. The food menu is an odd collection of heavy and meat-centric dishes, which, depending on one’s mood, can be just fine. Start with a house-made Bavarian pretzel with blue cheese mustard or a pot of garlicky mussels spiked with bacon in a Flemish red ale broth. Various wursts, pheasant for two, fresh oysters, and skirt steak with blue cheese butter are more examples of the stick-to-your-ribs fare. If you are vegetarian, you’ll need to like grilled cheese sandwiches or you’ll go hungry. You won't find a more convivial spot for a beer and a creatively topped $5 hot dog.