Midtown Lunch

A little while back I asked for some help with planning a nicer lunch for my sister’s 21st birthday. We ended up going with Fork, a new American Bistro in Old City.  And while all menu items fall over the $10 range, I figured I would tell you guys about the meal anyway, since it was a really lovely lunch and a great option for a nicer occasion AND open for lunch on Mondays which is, for some reason, not the case with many Philly restaurants.

To start, a selection of “tapas”, which came with marinated olives, chorizo patties, shaved salmon and blood orange, and vegetables a la grecque. A good palate opener with very clean flavors.

We were also served our choice of rolls with lunch, including sour dough and raisin.

The crispy soft shell crab sandwich came with one whole medium size crab on a brioche. Is it just me, or does that crab look like it is saying “arrrg!”  The crab was well-prepared; it was extremely juicy and the crab was fresh enough to not require any heavy, masking batter.

The beef stroganoff is made with home made egg noodles and sauteed filet mignon and joined with a ton of little cippolini onions and mushrooms. I usually think of beef stroganoff as a bland dish, but Fork’s version had a unique curry flavor that worked well with the noodles and soft pieces of steak. The hearty ingredients and rich flavors went well with my Maker’s and muddled blackberry cocktail.

THE + (What somebody who likes this place would say)

• Awesome and unique version of beef stroganoff
• Outdoor seating as well as a pretty interior
• Fully stocked bar with a nice cocktail list
• Open on Mondays

THE – (What somebody who doesn’t like this place would say)

• I hate paying over $15 for my lunch entrees
• The amount of cippolini onions in the stroganoff was a little overkill

Fork,  306 Market St  (@ 3rd ), 215-625-9425