Sherwin C.
Yelp
What a great spot to find in the Lincoln Park area. Unlike many of the nicer places in the city, the setup of this restaurant is much more spread out and relaxed, so that you don't feel cramped or rushed while dining -- and the noise level is low enough that you can easily hear others in your party or the staff without really raising your voice. For a restaurant that feels more upscale, the prices are also surprisingly reasonable and every element of the decor, menu, service, etc. feels intentional.
One of the standout features here was definitely the service. Our server Gary was very knowledgeable about the menu, was quick to provide drinks, helped us pay efficiently, and provided wonderful suggestions for things to do nearby. I think the last time I had such prompt and courteous service was at Ramsay's restaurant, which really helped to elevate our experience. Even outside of that, the staff that helped to bring our food to the table and to help us with a group picture were also very kind and full of smiles while providing service. Even if the food wasn't as good, the quality of service alone is reason enough to bring friends, co-workers, and clients here where I'm confident that they will be served well.
Also equally nice is the setup of the restaurant. Since I was with a group of friends that I hadn't seen a while, we needed a spot that was easy to converse in. Earls really provided the perfect setup here, with comfortable seating, comfortable lighting, plenty of refills, a reasonable noise level for a completely full restaurant, and a good amount of spacing between tables. The bathrooms are also quite spacious, very clean, and decorated nicely. I reiterate again how difficult something like this is to find in the city, particularly in the Lincoln Park area and reasonably close to the loop. The entire Newcity shopping area is in fact perfect for this, with a generously spaced out setup that's similar to what you see in the suburbs -- where you can casually try out a variety of shops and hang out in the courtyard.
The food also was quite good here as well. While it's not the best version of every dish that I've ever had, the portion sizes are filling and the presentation is outstanding. Given the affordable pricing, not really any different from what you'd expect to pay for dinner anywhere nearby, it's fantastic that elegance is so affordable and there are options to fit all needs from pizzas to steaks to poke bowls to pastas. The ingredients are fresh in every dish and it's clear that effort is put into plating everything in an orderly and attractive manner. The menu here isn't enormous but all the menu items are done fairly well and I feel that every ingredient put into each plate is carefully chosen and intentional.
Overall, excellent place to bring a group with affordable food in a more upscale setting. Definitely a good place to go if you need a more spacious setting and less noise so that you can hear others in the group. The service here is definitely a standout feature.