Iron Gate, Birch & Barley Introduce New Family-Style Options

Two different Neighborhood Restaurant Groups have embraced family-style dining with new menu options.

Birch & Barley recently launched The Beast Feast. It's sort of a revamped version of the pig and other whole-animal roasts they used to do in the past — with even more food. On Tuesdays-Saturdays, small groups (six is the ideal size) can share a multi-course menu that features family style portions of fish, meat and poultry (plus charcuterie, sides and dessert). Each course is paired with beers, and the price is $95 per person. A recent menu featured Japanese suzuki fish (sea bass), duck with foie gras and porchetta as the mains.

Meanwhile, Iron Gate will launch its Agriturismo menu July 27. On Sundays and Mondays in the patio, Iron Gate will create a menu inspired by Italy's farms that serve as restaurants and inns for tourists.  It will be four courses, and served family-style. The menus will feature antipasti, pastas, meats, seafoods and desserts. The menu is inspired by chef Anthony Chittum's recent trip to Sardinia. Couples pay $50, and additional people can join in for $25 each. There will be $25 bottles of house wines available, too.