I finally got to visit Earl’s Beer and Cheese the other night on Park Ave. between 97^th and 98^th Street. This place is awesome – I kept repeating this the entire time we were there.  I bellied up to the bar with Gianni and Chris and we sampled some beers from the menu – Victory HopDevil Ale, Shipyard Blue Fin Stout, Smuttynose Winter Ale, Oskar Blues Ten Fidy, and Oskar Blues Pale Ale – to name a few. For a small cheese-focused boutique-like restaurant they had some great craft beers and a nice wine selection.

 The scene was very cool and casual with long bench-style tables and chairs and probably only seats around 20 or 30 patrons so get here early and get a seat if you can. The large chalkboard menu and the hunting motif makes this place different than anything you would see in the neighborhood.

 As for food, well, bring your appetite and be prepared to be rolled out onto Park when you leave. It’s heavy, cheesy, comfort food. I had the chicken mac and cheese and Gianni had the NY State cheddar grilled cheese sandwich with pork belly, kimchi, fried egg on sourdough. Chris had the Calabro mozzarella cheese sandwich with miso mayo, potato, dill pickles on English muffin. They were all very good and very filling. We had our fill of good beer and good food that evening and we even came in second in trivia night, which is every Tuesday.

 If you’re not in the neighborhood, this place is well worth the trip.

 Visit their website (www.earlsny.com) and checkout their beer list on beermenus.com (www.beermenus.com/earl-s-beer-cheese).