Fork Restaurant in Old City Announces New Chef and New Look

JBFA-winning Restaurateur Ellen Yin’s beloved Fork, the flagship of High Street Hospitality Group and iconic Old City restaurant, has ushered in 2025 with updates to both the front and back of house. With the appointment of a new Executive Chef, and following a thoughtful renovation to the 27-year-old restaurant, Fork is poised to evolve and continue its legacy of excellence as it embarks on the next chapter.

New Chef at Fork

The team is pleased to announce Sam Henzy as the new Executive Chef of Fork, joining a legacy of great chefs who have honored local foodways and contributed to  Fork’s ever-evolving pursuit of excellence and incredible hospitality. Chef Henzy brings nearly two decades of experience to the role including time spent at the world-renowned Noma in Copenhagen, 3-Michelin-starred Quince in San Francisco, Angler, a live-fire seafood-focused sister restaurant to Saison San Francisco, and several years spent alongside celebrated Philadelphia chef, Greg Vernick, at Vernick Food & Drink. Henzy is excited to bring what he has learned in these Michelin-starred kitchens and bring that same respect for ingredients to Fork. 

Items from Henzy’s menu debut include: 

Amberjack Crudo
with butternut squash, pomegranate and sicilian pistachio
Smoked Bluefish Rillettes
with dill oil, salmon skin crisps
Glazed Baby Carrots
with black sesame, aleppo, local fresh cheese and mint 
Smoked Kabocha Squash Capelletti
with brown butter, calabrian chili and crispy sage 
Pansotti
with bitter greens, local milk ricotta and walnut bread pesto
Grano Arso Pappardelle
with braised beef cheek and parmesan 
Butter Poached Monkfish
with charred fennel, broccolini, pine nut and cherry pepper tapenade 
Roast Duck
torchon confit, parsnip, endive and mandarin 

Renovation at Fork

Fork’s recent renovation, led by Philadelphia-based Interior Designer Marguerite Rodgers—Fork’s original designer and long-time collaborator—introduces a fresh, refined style to the High Street Hospitality Group flagship. Marguerite (Meg) and her team worked closely with Ellen to thoughtfully update key elements of the restaurant, blending restored and repurposed materials with new elements. The goal was to honor and preserve the restaurant’s storied character while emphasizing its longstanding commitment to sustainability both on and off the plate. 

At the heart of the redesign is a striking U-shaped bar, topped with rich cherry wood from Meg’s personal collection and flanked by bespoke black walnut bar stools and charcoal black oak chairs from FYRN San Francisco. A custom liquor display, featuring steel and glass shelves by local fabricator Alli Fab and millwork by Contemporary Artisans, serves as an elegant focal point and divides between the bar and dining spaces. The booths surrounding have been meticulously restored, with pine wood-topped tables and signature church pews thoughtfully brought back to life by Jim Moore of Staack Moore Woodworking. New sconces illuminate with soft lighting, and the space now effortlessly extends the bar area for casual drinks and bites.  

The main dining room received a handful of changes including custom wood paneling by Staack Moore which introduces texture and warmth, while a subtle color shift from Tuscan yellow to deep green creates a sophisticated backdrop. New banquettes and upholstered chairs offer updated comfort, while vintage floral, fruit, and vegetable prints adorn the walls. The striking pendants in the dining room, originally designed by Meg Rodgers, were expertly restored by Chris Lynn of Faux Fax.

Functionality was a key focus of the renovation and as a result, introduced a new waiting area and an impressive custom wood and tile server’s station by Contemporary Artisans which adds the finishing touch to the open kitchen. 

A refined floor refinishing in both the dining room and kitchen (soon to be completed) will add the finishing touch, ensuring every detail contributes to a timeless and elevated dining experience.  

Sounds about time to revisit Fork Restaurant in Old City, don’t you think?

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