The Earle Restaurant

We booked a table for my friend’s birthday, and our table was right next to their kitchen. No cute decorations, no jazz music, all we can see was staff coming in and out with food or dirty dishes. I think it would be better to have a better seat especially when we made a special note for the birthday dinner. It took them around an hour to get our entree out, and we lived an hour away, so we have to cancel the order. The appetizer was really good, our waiter was really really really nice as well.

Dinner near the "D" Motor City, in the heart of U Mich (M go blue 🔵!) campus. The location was underground, reminiscent of an old bomb shelter in a cool way. Bare brick walls, dim, cozy, clubby, speakeasy feel. Only lacking the smokey cigarette smell to round out the nostalgic experience. Drink list was extensive, >1K+ wine selection. Immediate proximity to U Mich brought back ghosts of beatniks past. Food was fresh, fair selection, but couldn't say that this would be considered a food destination. We had the stuffed mushroom and ginger shrimp apps. Shrimps on the small side, mushrooms were stuffed with "not sure", but ok. We had the whitefish, scallops (did not taste like dry diver scallops, possibly frozen, possibly sulfate added, as Ann Arbor is not close to fresh scallop sources), salmon and penne with chicken entrees. No standouts, but again no complaints either. The bourbon cocktails were good (the clear, round ice ball was the winner here) and the Italian super Tuscan with dinner was very good. Folks probably come here to have some drinks and some smiles, food as an accompaniment, not star. About $100/ per person all in.

I had an amazing dining experience at this restaurant, thanks to the excellent service provided by our waitress, Maria. She was attentive and made sure our meal was perfect from start to finish. We began with a dish of absolutely divine mushrooms—flavorful and cooked to perfection. For the main course, we decided to share a plate, and to our surprise, María had it split into separate dishes for us right from the start… The chocolate mouse wast great as well.

I'm reviewing this as someone that doesn't have a love of fine dining but rather someone who had the extra money and wanted to try some new food, so take that as you will. My group of 3 had a 5:30 reservation, and was seated immediately upon arrival at around 5:20. We were here during winter break, so it might be busier when UMich is in school. The server was very responsive to us, and we were served in a pretty expected timespan. We ordered the escargot, lamb chops, duck breast, and mezziogiorno pasta. One individual got one glass of pinot noir. Escargot: we came here specifically to try escargot, so I don't have a frame of reference for if this was good escargot or not. I found it a bit cloying and fatty for my taste, but the puff pastry it's served with helped cut through it. I'm glad I tried it, but I don't think I'd get it again. 1/3 of the party would get again Lamb chops: contrary to the other reviews, I thought they were fine, but nothing spectacular. The portion was good and the meat was tender, but I expected to be wow'd more with the flavor, especially when it's the price it is and the similarly priced duck breast was so much better. When choosing between the two, choose the duck. 1/3 of the party would get again Duck breast: these were incredible. Super tender, the apple topping paired well with the savoriness of the duck. The portion was pretty good as well. I really don't have anything bad to say about this dish, I usually don't like sweet paired with meat but I loved this. If I had another spare $50 I'd consider coming back to get it again. 3/3 of the party would get again Mezziogiorno: I really liked this, it was mostly salty and savory flavor-wise. I enjoyed the kick of the pepper as well; it was pretty mild to me but more than I expected from an Italian-French restaurant, another person who tried it thought it was too spicy so spiceless people be aware. The portion was big so I reccomend sharing, this is the only thing we had leftovers of. Once again, I've never had this type of pasta before so I can't compare but it kind of tasted like good chow mein. They were very generous with the toppings. 2/3 of the party would get again Pinot noir: I did not try it, but the person who ordered it said it was smooth and quite liked it. None of us are wine drinkers or even like wine generally, so that is a good sign.

Just loved that place! The atmosphere is lovely, with great decor. The food is just delicious, i tried the four cheese penne and was so yummy, creamy with good flavor. The sangria was very good to, with good portion of wine. The tiramisú was awesome, no too sweet so you can taste the flavor of the chocolate , cream and coffee. The Music was ad hoc with a good piano. And I love that you cant expect how is the pleace until toy are there. If you arre in Ann Harbor just have to go and have a great dinner.

This is my third visit to the Earle in the last few years. Great food. Good music. The waiter could of been a bit more technologically aware of how to operate the receipt split costs and coupon usage. He was an older man (probably in his 50s or 60s) so probably still learning?

Went here for a birthday dinner and had a good time. Tricky to navigate for any person with mobility issues, so keep that in mind. Fewer TRUE vegetarian options (no Parmesan or chicken broth) than expected. I enjoyed my eggplant dish after requesting extra sauce. The sauce was AMAZING! other members of the party reported that the meals were enjoyable but nothing to crave. The service was good, but not exceptional or impressive. Nice atmosphere. I’d visit again, but not on as a regular occurrence. My party REALLY liked Risotto balls and got 3 orders.

The place is a dark wine cellar, the food was ok the part things in the menu are the apps. Don't get the steak it's not a good cut and they just salt the crap out of it, for 68 dollars you can get a lot better food from many places.

I have not been to the Earle for a year or more. we went on a Sunday night and the food and service was excellent. I was pleasantly surprised because past experience has been average. our waiter Dwayne was attentive and prompt. my duck breast was fantastic. great light sauce with potato and Brussels sprouts that were also excellent. ended with wonderful strawberry shortcake.

If I lived in Ann Arbor, I would be a regular at the Earle. I estimate, as someone who grew up not far away, attended University of Michigan, and resided in the area again 20 years after departing, 20 years ago, I've been to the restaurant ten times over at least twice that many years. My wife and I just ate there. We pass through now about once per year, maybe twice, and I had booked an AirBnB a few blocks away from downtown. I would hope I am a better judge now of, well, everything, than I was a generation ago. I always liked the Earle; now, I am appreciative. This is an excellent restaurant, and reliable undersells it. It is one of the best in this quintessential college town. You will enjoy the experience. We went on a Thursday. The street was closed for a fair. Many people were out and about. But it was not so many it felt crowded. We brought our doggie. We were able to do that, seated outside. My wife remarked on having perceived the establishment as more formal. That is indoors, not during the summer; it can feel, not in a negative manner, more of a place you'd dress up for, except post pandemic nobody dresses up at all. The server was friendly. The sommelier was knowledgable and conversational, despite expertise, easygoing; I believe younger people prefer the term "relatable." We said we wanted a Gruner Veltliner. They had a half dozen choices. Their wine list is outstanding. I do not mean for the Midwest. I mean you could compare it to a metropolis ten times the size, on either coast, and it would be impressive. My wife had chicken paillard. I had escargot in a puff pastry and ricotta gnocchi. I don't eat chicken much. I just associate it with our dog, hence with dog food. This chicken paillard was the best I have ever had, moist and seasoned with complexity but not overly. It came on a bed of arucola with sun dried tomatoes and goat cheese. I would eat it again. The escargot was to my taste. My wife does not like snails. They taste like rubbery dirt. So it is an acquired taste. If you like the primary protein, these were as good as they come. The ricotta gnocchi was seared, browned. My wife said they were the best of this item she has ever tasted. I'd concur. They were not heavy, which any gnocchi can be, even if fashioned of ricotta. We also had sorbet for dessert. The wine accompaniment was a vineyard we did not know. I'd have it again: minerally, but not metallic. At the end of the meal, my wife ordered decaf cappucino. They brought out a cinnamon shaker, a nice touch.

The service and food was outstanding. The chef mad excellent provisions for my nondairy requests. Our server Kai ( ?sp) was very attentive to our needs. We were celebrating our anniversary and found out that we shared the same anniversary date as hers. This was our first time coming here and was pleasantly surprised. We started with the ginger shrimp for an appetizer. Main entree for my husband was scallops and mine was the salmon served on a bed of spinach. the chef sent out an amazing nondairy sauce for my salmon which was very tasty. There was enough to take a carryout! I forgot to snap a pic :( This ended our night perfectly. The prices were great, the food was delicious the ambiance was great and music in the background was nice. And... we received a discount coupon for our return visit as a Anniversary gift! Parking was decent, walking in Ann Arbor is always nice, so we didn't mind parking a block away.

OVERALL A lovely tucked-in dinner spot in Ann Arbor that is quiet, upscale-level dining in a low-key ambience that's perfect for a date night. Lovely menu of options that were all delicious with a good quiet and cozy (or romantic) ambiance and attentive service. We would definitely return for a nice evening out for ourselves or with guests in town! AMBIANCE We walked by The Earle building multiple times but never realized this cute casually upscale establishment was there. When we entered in for a weekend dinner, we took a flight downstairs and seemingly entered a new space -- quiet, slightly dimmed, jazzy environs. SERVICE We checked in with the hostess via a reservation and were immediately led to our seats in the dining area beside the bar. Our waiter warmly welcomed us and offered us water and drinks and time with the menu. FOOD Based on reviews, we ordered a few wines by the glass (though it was a much too dark to see the daily offering without a phone photo) and the skirt steak and double-cut lamb chops. Soon after, some lovely pieces of warm, brioche-like breads and whipped butter were brought out. Our entrees were delivered in a timely fashion soon after. The 7 oz skirt steak was served as we requested it: medium rare. It was flavourful, not too much balsamic vinegar, and paired nicely with the roasted potatoes and vegetables. The lamb chops fell right off the bone and we very much enjoyed the shallot and port tarragon sauce accompanying the entree star. To close the night, we chose the tiramisu and chocolate ganache cake (which was dense and indulgently chocolate-y but a bit more dry than expected). While we would have enjoyed more espresso-soaked ladyfingers than cream in the tiramisu, the tiramisu was definitely the dessert highlight for us!

Everything from the food, service, and ambience is worthy of five stars. This was a last minute choice but once again Yelp came to the rescue. My date and I waked in without reservations but opted to sit up at the bar. We received excellent service and ordered a round of martinis. They are know for their wine menu which includes wines from all over the world. Since it was our first visit our bartender gave us a book with their entire wine selection. It's impressive and includes all price points. We tried the tortellini and the gnocchi for starters. The gnocchi had a pesto sauce on it which was good. Portion seemed a little small but it was an appetizer. Now the tortellini with prosciutto was excellent. There was a generous amount for 2 people to share (or not). The Parmesan cream sauce over the tortellini was delicious. For our main courses I had the salmon in a puff pastry. If you haven't had a chance to try this I enthusiastically recommend this dish. It's one of their signature entrées and it's deserving of five stars. The filet of salmon is rubbed in a Dijon mustard inside a buttery, flaky puff pastry with a mushroom duxelle. On the side was a tarragon cream sauce and grilled vegetables. It was perfection! My friend had the grilled salmon with shrimp on a bed of sautéed spinach. Again the salmon was expertly prepared with a white wine, shallot and lemon sauce. It came with a side of buttery seasoned potatoes. The Earle proved to be a wonderful choice for fine dining and cocktails. They also have live music several nights of the week.

Dinner near the "D" Motor City, in the heart of U Mich (M go blue !) campus. The location was underground, reminiscent of an old bomb shelter in a cool way. Bare brick walls, dim, cozy, clubby, speakeasy feel. Only lacking the smokey cigarette smell to round out the nostalgic experience. Drink list was extensive, 1K+ wine selection. Immediate proximity to U Mich brought back ghosts of beatniks past. Food was fresh, fair selection, but couldn't say that this would be considered a food destination. We had the stuffed mushroom and ginger shrimp apps. Shrimps on the small side, mushrooms were stuffed with "not sure", but ok. We had the whitefish, scallops (did not taste like dry diver scallops, possibly frozen, possibly sulfate added, as Ann Arbor is not close to fresh scallop sources), salmon and penne with chicken entrees. No standouts, but again no complaints either. The bourbon cocktails were good (the clear, round ice ball was the winner here) and the Italian super Tuscan with dinner was very good. Folks probably come here to have some drinks and some smiles, food as an accompaniment, not star. About $100/ per person all in.

Amazing dinner!!! I took my best friend here for her birthday dinner and it was a fantastic experience. Ricardo took excellent care of our table. He was so friendly, attentive, and made wonderful recommendations. We started with the mushroom caps, which were filled with sausage, garlic, and sweet pepper, topped with Parmesan cheese. So yummy! We also had the beet and goat cheese salad. So good and bursting with flavors. My main course was the sea scallop dish and it was seasoned and cooked to perfection. Sautéed with mushrooms and garlic, with a cherry cream sauce. For dessert I loved the Frozen hazelnut soufflé!! Wow!! The textures and flavors were amazing! I have never had anything like this before. My friend ordered the Tiramisu. I have tried tiramisu many times in the past and never liked it. However, the Tiramisu at The Earle blew my mind! It's the only tiramisu I've ever liked! Excellent cocktails! I enjoyed the Havana Affair as well as their espresso martini. My friend enjoyed the Last Rose of Summer. Dark and elegant atmosphere. I love the live piano music. Great vibes all around. In honor of my friend's birthday, they even gave her a gift card to come back another time. Very thoughtful! Several affordable parking garages nearby. I definitely recommend coming here for a date night or special occasion.

We are foodies and we will NOT return here! We expected deliciousness and would rate below average for fine dining. Scalloped where drenched in a sugary sauce- gross! And that salmon puff was subpar at best. We watched a women choke right in front of us and a kind man saved her life- while the staff seemed uncaring and cold. Bathrooms are yucky too.

Before we were married, my husband and I used to come to The Earle for our anniversary dinners. This was before half the restaurants that now fill downtown Ann Arbor were open, so this was THE destination for a nice dinner and special occasions. We hadn't been there in a good decade but a few weeks ago my husband had an art opening down the street and we wanted to celebrate after. We landed on the Earle due to proximity and nostalgia. It was a great choice! Previous visits to the Earle usually meant I'd be digging into a nice steak. But this time around I went with the hazelnut crusted whitefish served with sautéed spinach and potatoes. It was quite good! A nice, light(ish) option for a late dinner. My husband opted for the roast squash stuffed with veggies, quinoa, and couscous. I took a bite and it was also very good. A huge portion, too, which is good if you're a vegetarian. No skimpy salads here! The ambiance was still lovely, though not quite as fancy feeling as I remember it being nearly 20 years ago. We did luck out and got to enjoy a nice performance by a jazz trio, though, which made the evening even sweeter. Overall a very nice night out in Ann Arbor. Though a bit on the pricey side for an every day meal I think we've added it back into our special occasion rotation.

Great food and ambiance. My wife and I dine here several times a year and are never disappointed. Every time we have been we've had great service and the food is always top notch.

We had dinner here on Friday after Thanksgiving. My wife and I enjoy dining at the Bar if seats are available. We relaxed with cocktails before dinner. Both the bartenders were very friendly and attentive. For dinner my wife chose the Linguine with sautéed Shrimp, shaved fennel. Campari tomatoes, and the dished was enhanced with Pernod and fennel. The shrimp were nice size and perfectly cooked. The pasta was fresh, light and had excellent taste. My wife said it was one of the tastiest pasta dishes she has had. Upon sampling, I had to agree with her! :) I ordered the Veal Scallopini, lightly breaded and sautéed in garlic and mushrooms and deglazed with Marsala finished in cream. It was served with Orzo and a vegetable melody. The veal was tender, and very flavorful. The breading was in fact very light which I prefer to a heavy coating. We would recommend both of these entree options. The Earle is a long established venue downtown Ann Arbor. It is below street level so has a unique, cozy ambiance. They have nice relaxing dinner music provided by a small ensemble of musicians in the main dining room. We would definitely recommend giving them a try if in Ann Arbor.

Came to the Earle to celebrate a birthday and graduation. We chose an early reservation, and were the only table in the restaurant for a little while which was nice. The atmosphere is dimly lit and downstairs in a basement. I saw they also had a piano which I assume is used for live music at times. For my drink I tried to Pomegranate Martini but with gin. I thought it was pretty good! For appetizers we chose the escargots and tortellini. The escargots come in a garlicky, buttery puff pastry. The puff pastry was light and flaky and I thought it paired perfectly with the escargots. This was my favorite of the two appetizers! The tortellini was delicious as well--the prosciutto in the dish is thick and adds a nice flavor to it. The bread was soft and fluffy and I really enjoyed it! The lamb chops were insanely good--they were paired with mashed potatoes, onions, asparagus, and carrot which were cooked to perfection. The whitefish was also very impressive. It was crusted and presented on a bed of spinach. While it is graduation, I felt that the service was a little slow for being the first table in the restaurant and ordering pretty fast. Additionally, I thought a dessert would've been offered being that it was my brother's birthday. Instead they gift a $10 off coupon to use next time you go. A kind gesture that we were grateful for, but it felt more like a "come back and spend more money" instead of a special way to celebrate your birthday on the actual day.

Brought my mother here tonight for mother's day and we all loved it. The waitress was attentive and knowlegeable and the decor was pleasing. Both of my parents had the veal scaloppine and I had the scallops. Everything was fresh and excellent. My *only* complaint is that my dish had what appeared to be a mini salad on it in addition to the scallops and rice, which doesn't appear to be standard based on others' photos. The plate comes out hot and it made that salad side hot and kind of wilted. I would have preferred a different veggie. But that aside, i loved the experience and we will return.

I ate a full course meal here during a work retreat to Ann Arbor and th experience was lovely. The staff was courteous and inviting. The mood was nice in the private group dining room where we were sat. The food was excellent. From the salad and appetizers to the delicious steak meal. All were flavorful, fresh, and satisfying. I didn't have dessert, but all my co-workers raved about it.

The food is absolutely amazing. Every single bite! We got the roasted garlic and bruschetta for appetizers and they were cooked to perfection! The Delmonico steak was a favorite with the duck in second place. The dauphinoise potatoes that were served with the peppered tenderloin was a favorite side of the table. The cocktails were made exceptionally well. We enjoyed the pomegranate martini, cucumber martini, the Earle boulevardier and the Negroni. For dessert we had the crème brûlée, chocolate mousse and white chocolate ice cream. The crème brûlée was spot on and well as the chocolate mousse. Our waiter Bruce was very attentive and had a great personality! The atmosphere is nice with smooth jazz in the background. This is our second time here and we will be back for sure!

Ambiance was lovely. Wine selection was good. The food was good but not stellar. We ordered the escargot appetizer, pastry was underdone but snails were nicely seasoned. Entrees were hot, but my veg side was cold. Service was ok. The food took FOREVER to be delivered. FOREVER! We asked twice when it was taking so long. Waiter never came back to ask how food was.

Had the duck, it was great and well cooked, but seeing the food my other guests had made me feeling like "meh" because the portions weren't what I thought they should've been for the price. THE FOOD WAS DELICIOUS THOUGH. But 5 pieces of shrimp and paper thin calamari is kinda insane if you ask me. The service was great and the staff was very friendly and festive. And I did enjoy the drinks and accommodations that were made for other at my table. On the setting, it was fine once I figured how to get in the building which isn't bad and exposed brick and dungeon like atmosphere is pretty cool. But it felt a bit cramped but pretty intimate. I don't think it's a flaw on their part but just from my preference it wasn't my cup o tea. Overall I give it a 3 because it was fine. I wish I hadn't spent as much as I did for the portion I got on appetizers. But the entrees were well worth it. The drinks were fine and made well but again the price seemed steep considering portions. Bill was about $520 10 entrees 3 apps and 6 drinks. So maybe not too bad but eh idk. 5 shrimp appetizer is literally insane.

It was one of the most underwhelming dining experiences I've had, considering their price point. Service was great, and theirs cocktails were also pretty good--I got their Gimlet, and my partner got their manhattan. However, everything else just did not meet our expectations... the ambience felt festive and cozy but definitely not high-end restaurant quality. Rather, it felt more like a bar. The food was okay at best. Both the lamb and steak tenderloins were overcooked. The sauces were greasy, and the flavors were just not balanced at all. The quality of the ingredients and cooking just did not meet the standards of what a $50 entree should be like. Would likely not return again unless they make changes in their kitchen at least.

I'm very underwhelmed with my experience at the earl. The food was just okay - nothing great. I expected much more for the prices. The service was good and the ambiance was inviting. There was live music when we went which was great!

This place, located in a brick, rustic basement, is a gem in Ann Arbor. It's a bit outdated but it gives it a homey feel. We loved the live music. The food was delicious and our waitress was really knowledgeable about GF items. We skipped the apps but enjoyed the bread (also had GF bread). We ordered the scallops and lamb chop and were pleasantly surprised with 9 scallops in the dish! The lamb chop was perfectly cooked. Everything tasted fresh and was filling but didn't make us sluggish. Unfortunately the drinks took a very long time to come out.

I took a friend her for their birthday. I made reservations here. I arrived and was seated quickly. You have to go in and go down some stairs to get to the place. The waiter was very attentive and checked often. We were given bread and we ordered the crab cakes as an appetizer. The salmon cakes were good. They were not the best I had but good. I got the salmon as the main dish which came with spinach and potatoes and my friend got the shrimp and pasta. The salmon had a great taste and was cooked well. It was not over or under cooked. I also tasted the pasta which was good. I had a groupon but found out that you can not use it on weekends and only weekdays. I should have read better and saw that there was a catch. Overall, great service. I will be back when they have live music and use my groupon.

I used to be a fan... Not quite so much anymore. Pre-COVID, the Earle was a hot downtown A2 destination for happy hour. I only went there for HH on a few occasions. More often, I was dining there on dinner. The entrees used to come with the most AMAZING orzo and shaved Brussels sprout side. OMG! Literally, a reason to come was a SIDE DISH!! So good! I virtually always ordered the veal. Post-COVID?... No more happy hour, which is not much of a deal breaker to me. The ambiance is the same - Cozy, wine cellar vibe with softy playing, live jazz in the background - A definitely plus for me! BUT, they changed the menu! The Brussels sprouts are no longer a mainstay. Don't get me wrong - The food is still decent, but overall, not as good as it used to be. I'm bummed and honestly, not sure that I'll be back much anymore.

July 6, 2024 My wife, daughter, and I decided to celebrate our daughter's birthday and our wedding anniversary at The Earle. We were seated upon our arrival. The sound system was playing some blusey riffs, and we sought help in selecting a wine. The Sommelier suggested a French Chablis, which turned out to be perfect. Half way through our appetizers of French Onion soup, Calamari, and Beet Salad, the jazz trio began playing. It doesn't get any better! Big Wifey had the Salmon, Most Honourable Daughter had the Shrimp with Linguini, and Kitty Kat (that's me) had the Pappardelle with meatballs. Kudos to the chef and the servers! Fantastic on all counts! This is the best restaurant ever!!

Great food, excellent service. The Delmonico Steak was cooked exactly how i ordered it, a nice medium rare. It was seasoned well & tender. The Bruschetta was delicious, the Mozzarella was creamy & the tomatoes were melt in your mouth filled with flavor. You taste every ingredient in each bite, the garlic, pesto, the basil. Delicious. Our waitress was very attentive and made sure we understood everything on the menu if we had any questions. Frequent refills & made sure everything was perfect. They even box up your left overs for you. 10/10 recommend

Very cute atmosphere with nice jazz music, which was not too loud. The food was great but on a pricey side. Service was impeccable. The place definitely has a good vibe and ambiance. So if you don't mind splurging, I would absolutely recommend this place.

We selected The Earle for our son's 21st birthday after reading reviews and menus at most of the Ann Arbor "special occasion" spots. The space is cozy and intimate - especially our round booth in the corner. The cocktail menu had a bunch of great options and one of the staff helped us pick a reasonably priced and very tasty Super Tuscan. The menu was classic Continental fair - done well. The staff helped to make our evening and celebration special. Glad we went to The Earle, it was exactly what we wanted the experience to be!

I grew up in Amn Arbor and came back to help my elderly parents. I. Came here on a Friday night and I enjoyed their very large menu of wine bottle available, both international and domestic. I decided on a California Cab. The restaurant had Terrific appetizers including escargot which I love but got the tortellini which was excellent. Live Jazz played with a 4 Person band Next. The Earle is a great place for an upscale happy Hour or dinner.

My second dinner here. I had the skirt steak. I was underwhelmed. It was cooked a perfect medium rare. I would have liked more seasoning flavor on the steak. Atmosphere still great. The live jazz trio was great. Volume perfect, and great selection of jazz tunes. Service was slow. There was a large party in the area which seemed to soak up all the service.

Amazing food and great service. Although we weren't super close to the bar, we could still hear the live jazz, who were impeccable. Our food did take about an hour after ordering though, hence the 4 stars. But again, it was really good and the wait staff were very nice.

Nice unexpected ambience. If you didn't know any better, you wouldn't think that the entrance was to a nice restaurant, and especially going down the stairs. We had the roasted garlic appetizer with an eggplant appetizer which we enjoyed. I had the beef Tenderloin with blue cheese which was delicious. It was served with a delicious potatoes augratin. My friend had the duck breasts with a fruit compote which she enjoyed greatly. My daughter had the Caesar salad with the spicy shrimp and she enjoyed that as well. Overall we had a great dinner. They had a good wine list, including wine by the glass as well as some interesting cocktails. Service was good and attentive. They also have live music on the weekend which unfortunately we missed because we ate on the earlier side.

My wife and I went here on Valentine's Day and had a wonderful time! Really cool atmosphere and unique menu! (A)

I would give this more stars if available. It is a cellar and restaurant bar but offers a nice Environment for eating and drinking. I also enjoyed the live background jazz that was playing. Not many places offering live music

Top dishes include: Sauted Duck Breast, Grilled Pepper encrusted Beef Tenderloin, Grilled Eggplant with a roast pepper and tomato coulis,, French Onion Soup, Caprese Salad, Messo Pasta, Shrimp Pasta with tomatoes, mint, pistachio, and goat cheese. Expensive but Worth It Didn't try dessert but the Tiramisu and Chocolate Mousse looked Awesome.

Long time AA restaurant establishment with live jazz on the weekends starting at 7pm. I really wanted to like this place and I remember this place so fondly but things have changed versus the last time I visited (which was about a decade ago). The restaurant has a fancy ambience with dark oak furniture and leather details. Our service lady was very nice and was super friendly. The food however, was a different story. The portions were so tiny and the quality was not what I had so fondly remembered. To start off, the bread was cold and reminded me of $1 loafs from the grocery store. The butter was clearly stick butter that had been cut off and was still too cold to spread. The entrees that followed were equally disappointing. The duck breast, which was $40 only came with two very small pieces of meat with large heap of mashed potatoes and four broccoli florets. The duck was also quite gamey so I was not a fan. The dish was so small that it looked like an appetizer portion, for $40 this dish was certainly not appropriately priced - perhaps shrinkflation has hit this dish disproportionately. The roast chicken was good but equally sparse in meat as the duck dish. The roasted garlic and veggies did have a solid flavor though. The mushroom caps, which are from the apps section are probably the best thing of this meal - this one I would order again. The ambience and the jazz music is probably the reason for the upcharge but for a restaurant with a price tag that averages $30-40 a dish, I was not impressed.

This place has sent EBS emails about specials for years (I am in charge of his digital afterlife) so I have wanted to try it for a while. When the dinning meetup group planned a dinner, I got my chance. Service was good but the pacing of the meal wasn't. Start at 7:30 and not getting the main course until 9:00 isn't good. The food was just average at best. I ordered the french onion soup and it didn't even crack my top 20. The crab cake sliders and fries were delicious and heated up well. Others didn't really talked about the food which is not the norm with us. With a 2 page food menu and a large drink menu and a huge wine list to me is not a good sign even for a restaurant with its repetition. I am glad I tried it and might take them up on their take out slider special if I am in Ann Arbor that day.

Great menu and great food. Service can be a little slow, but it's a good meal nonetheless.

This establishment has been in Ann Arbor forever. The atmosphere is warm and moody. It's perfect for a date night or a small gathering. When we arrived for our reservation the three young women couldn't find our reservation. Fortunately the only friendly one of the bunch remembered speaking to us. I informed them that on Waze it said they were closed. One of the unfriendly hostesses said to me, 'there's nothing we can do about it' which was untrue. I contacted Waze to notify them. Not exactly the, welcome to our establishment we were looking for from a higher end restaurant. The good news is that our server was friendly and knowledgeable. We ordered a variety of dishes to share: Duck breast, Panzanella, and the Calamari. The calamari was good and the texture was soft and not crispy ( not a bad thing, just different) the sauce was good. They served the rings and not the tentacles and I prefer a mixture of both but that's just a personal preference. 4/5 The panzanella isn't the traditional dish and was decent but probably wouldn't order again. 3.75/5 The duck was decent. I really like the sauce, it was well balanced but the membrane made it too chewy which could be resolved in the prep of the duck. 3/5 Overall, we enjoyed this place but at this price we would have expected a bit more from the food. The live music was awesome and we really enjoyed it.

So yummy and worth the splurge. First of all, this place is the perfect restaurant for an intimate date or dinner where you want to be able to talk...dark and moody, pleasant music, and quiet for an Ann Arbor restaurant. If you're a wine drinker, The Earle has a 20-page wine menu. If you can't find some wine you like, you're WAY too picky! Our server had a perfect attentiveness, and my water never went dry--a big plus in my book! Tonight, I had the boneless duck breasts (with rum-plumped raisons and apples) which were cooked to perfection...they melted in my mouth. The duck was served with cauliflower and broccoli as well as the potato turnip puree. I also tried the lamb chops, which were also delightful. Duck Breasts (GF) / Sautéed boneless duck breasts... pan sauced with applejack brandy, cider, apples, and brown sugar... with rum-plumped raisins / $38.95 Lamb Chops (GF) / Double cut lamb chops sautéed medium rare with a port tarragon sauce. Served with potato turnip purée, grilled asparagus and roasted carrot and shallot / $49.95 For dessert, we tried the crème brulee, the chocolate mousse, and a frozen hazelnut/praline ice cream-like dish. (I should have taken a picture of the menu as I'm not able to pull any of the descriptions off the website.) All were good, but I might be inclined to try the cheesecake for dessert next time.

Celebrated my anniversary at the Earle tonight. It was everything I could have hoped for and more. Bruce was our server and he gave great recommendations for food and drinks. Service was perfect and the food was better than perfect. From appetizers to dessert, 10 out of 10.

Nice service as always but my last three trips to The Earle have been met with so so food. I think that something has changed and the quality that made the place exceptional for years has faded. We both ordered a Pepper fillet tonight that was off tasting. The beef tasted like it was frozen twice. It didn't taste like a fillet. The crab cake appetizer was good. After three off meals here over the last two years, I'm taking a break. Great environment. Wish the food were as good as it was ten years ago.

We went for dinner on a beautiful fall weekend when the streets were still closed. The Earle has nice outdoor seating with lots of plants separating the tables. We sat outside and the atmosphere was lively and the people watching was entertaining. Our server did a very nice job of being attentive but also sensitive to the fact that we weren't in a big hurry. We had the crab cakes, croquettes, the Earle sliders, and the penne with chicken. Everything was very tasty.

Whether it's date night or a business meeting the Earle is a quaint setting in the basement of the building with a it's own vibe. Live music is usually really good and not too loud and the food is excellent. They have a creekstone farms steak so if you rock that way for halal purposes you know you're getting a good one!

What a meal! I regret not discovering this place sooner. The ambiance was upscale yet approachable, with live piano music, mood lighting, and some exposed stone on the wall which, when paired with the empty bottles and wine corks used as decoration, conjured images of the Cask of Amontillado. Skipping straight to the food, my beef tenderloin with dijonaisse was excellent. My beef was tender as advertised and smothered in a tangy, creamy sauce with little capers like studded jewels on top, served with sautéed greens and scalloped potatoes. I also tried the crab cakes, which were great, and the whitefish. The one bite of the steaming hot, nut encrusted whitefish was one of the best bites of food I've ever had. My wife's eggplant the cheese, tomato sauce, and basil over spaghetti was also a winner. We had tiramisu, raspberry chocolate mousse, and creme caramel for dinner. It was a top notch meal all in all, without a flaw in the bunch out of everything we tasted. The servers were attentive and the owner was personable and friendly. I'd definitely come back for a special occasion.

Really enjoyed the food and atmosphere here at this restaurant. The appetizers we had were ATT top notch delicious. My favorite was the stuffed mushrooms. A killer dish! The Calamari was excellent. Escargot in a puff pastry was good. Roasted garlic was tasty. I ordered the Caesar salad, looked green and crisp! But the dressing tasted more like lemon water than anything else. I had to return it to the kitchen. Main entrees from the group was scallops which was good but it was swimming in a sauce. Sometime with good scallops all you need is butter and salt. Shrimp fettuccine was ok only because the Goat cheese used clashed with the shrimp, ricotta would have been a better match. Jalapeños pasta had a nice taste but was a bit oily. Finally my dish was the wrong one to pick A Skirt Steak. Had nothing on it at all bland and tasteless. Ha! It wasn't even cooked well with any marks. Dessert I had was sorbet. There was a Jazz band and the service was excellent. 2 bottles of wine, Slippy ordered and was told they were good.

My husband and I went to The Earle to celebrate my birthday and it was such a lovely experience! The atmosphere was so pleasant, the stuffed mushrooms were delicious, the sommelier helped us choose a lovely wine, and my husband said the delmamico steak was probably the best he's ever had. I had the duck breast and it was way too sweet for my taste. It was cooked well, but it tasted like dessert with meat in it. It had a berry sauce and strawberries on it. We ended the night with crème brûlée and that was very good!

Cockroaches ran across the bar while I was ordering drinks. Bartender acted like it was nbd. Blech!

It's been several years since we last dined at The Earle. We booked ahead of looking at the menu and hoped for more French bistro classics. But there was enough to keep us interested. Rather than buying two entrees, we ordered 4 appetizers and the sliders. The best was the roasted garlic that came with lots of interesting sides to be spread on toasts. The sliders were delicious and plenty filling, although the fries were lukewarm/soft. Crab cakes were just fine. More disappointing were the escargot-in-puff pastry (too much pastry, not nearly enough flavor in the escargot) which we didnt finish, and the onion soup which was incredibly bland. Service was prompt, prices reasonable, and portion size was good. But overall, we wouldnt rush back for the classic French dishes. Maybe the entrees/pastas would be better.

Setting, service and food and a great jazz band playing at the appropriate level made for a wonderful experience for myself and my family. Definitely a great "date place". I highly recommend this restaurant. - Loved the Pepper Steak but would stay away from the very strong Caesar Salad.

Went there for my anniversary. Our server was kind and attentive but the food took over an hour to be ready. I liked the live music and the ambiance. We got the duck and the pesto pasta and they were delicious. The cocktails were solid but not amazing.