Über chef-restaurateur Tim Love has rolled out his sixth restaurant in the Stockyards district with generous sides of live music. His comfy Mule Alley “tavern and music hall” is decked out in red leather booths and serves both elevated bar food and serious entrées. We started with oysters grilled in their shells and crowned with a buttery garlic-Parmesan spread; they were excellent piled on the accompanying garlic toasts. Equally indulgent: beer-infused cheese fondue that you can scoop up with crispy chicharrones. Served in a blazing-hot cast-iron skillet, shepherd’s pie came filled with novel duck confit and root veggies under a traditional mashed potato crust. Grilled Prime skirt steak was fork-cutting tender, with perfect frites and lush hollandaise alongside. The whimsical cocktail menu includes clever potions, including a tiki concoction or two.