Cuisine:

• American
• Brew, Pubs, Microbreweries

Birch & Barley Description:
This pub-plus-eatery features a dynamic husband-wife cooking team downstairs and a brewpub, Churchkey, upstairs, one for which people wait in line for hours to access. There's even a "bouncer" out front checking IDs for under-agers. The obvious draw, of course, is the food-brew combo. What you eat downstairs can be paired with any number of imported and domestic brews---the smoky ones are terrific---but if you are simply a dedicated foodie, focus on the main menu. Whatever else you may select, include the appetizer crispy duck egg paired with a smoky beer: the waiter is correct saying this mimics your breakfast bacon and eggs with toast and is one of the city's most unusual starters. Flatbreads, generous enough for an entrée but still an integral part of any meal, should include the port-glazed version topped with Gorgonzola. As for entrées, any one of them will please, but for burger fans, the brat burger (a deconstructed bratwurst in hamburger form) delights even the most jaded palate. Dessert musts: the chocolate peanut butter tart.


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