Earl's Beer & Cheese
1259 Park Ave. (97th St.), Manhattan
The lefthandedmale scratch on the chalkboard was a big hint as to the Appropriateness of Earl's. Eek. We over-30 like to be able to read the menu, and happiness is surely linked to aesthetics nomatter your age. Perhaps acknowledgement of, however, is the issue. But misfitted counters are undoubtedly part of the 'design' here so who are we to judge. Plus, alls we cares about is the peoples. That said, to the chagrin of the staff, "since The New York Times article came out" there are many Age Appropriate moments at Earl's. Otherwise, says the staff, the patrons are cool. Ha ha. We saw grad students (AI) and a professor or two (AA). Staff says late night it's med students; happy hour is hospital employees and "people with beards". So, we're deeming Earl's a high risk venture. Best case scenario, you get lucky and have time for a quick beer (good selection of 4) and a beer cheese (toast with oil, raw garlic rub, pimento cheese; good, really) before the students and beards crowd the teeny space.