One of the oldest iconic restaurants in Ann Arbor stays true to its well-established cuisine. With our dear friends, we celebrated our 2 wedding anniversaries. We truly enjoyed our dinner: in the appetizer, escargot, the pastry was fluffy, and the snails had just the right amount of butter, garlic, and herbs; the whitefish in beurre blanc was tender, delicate, and mouthwatering; Delmonico steak was juicy and perfectly grilled; the lamb chops were perfectly sautéed in port tarragon sauce. We finished our fantastic dinner with the skillfully prepared raspberry almond cake and chocolate Chambord mousse. To celebrate our happy event, the restaurant offered us the complementary drinks and 2 gift certificates toward our next visit. The joyful atmosphere was enhanced by a talented trio of jazz musicians who created a unique ambiance for our soirée. It was a marvelous experience. We cannot wait to come back. I highly recommend it! read more

See all

The Earle is a well known staple of Ann Arbor dining. This was my first visit and I have to say it won't be my last. We sat outside and with them closing off and washed out Washington. It was a wonderful people watching opportunity. Complement that with an amazing wine list and incredible food. It makes for such a fun experience. The service was excellent and I highly recommend their creamy pepper dressing for the salad. read more

A nice, more upscale dining experience. Not my favorite of the pricier options in Ann Arbor, but nothing to complain about either! Would recommend for special occasions where you have a hankering for French bistro-esque food. Strolled in for dinner on the earlier end on a weekday and immediately seated. There's an extensive wine and cocktail menu to start. We shared the escargot starter, which was in my opinion, ok. I think I personally prefer the more classic preparation. This escargot has snails stuffed into a puff pastry concoction. Was there a hint of licorice flavor? That threw me off just a little! Also shared a French onion soup. Pretty good, with thick and tasty gruyere and plenty of onion. Personally was missing some crouton crunch for texture. I got the beef bourguigon for my main. This was really good! Tender, flavorful beef and veggies over pappardelle noodles. I would get this again! (Forgot to take a pic though!) read more

The Earle Restaurant - French Onion Soup - Wine Bars Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

See all

A great night out! A cozy dining atmosphere with a lot of wine related decorations. Our booth was private and secluded. Our water was attentive and professional. The initial bread offering was delicious. Our starters of the risotto croquettes and mussels were perfect (lots of sauce with the mussels, could definitely use the bread for). Split the French onion soup which was excellent. The roasted acorn squash had delicious vegetables and cous cous accompany it. The puff pastry salmon was delicious as well, the sauce was fantastic. Unfortunately did not have any dessert (next time!) read more

See all

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. read more

See all

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Ann Arbor for special occasions! You will need to either walk down a flight of stairs or take an elevator down to get to the hostess stand. Once down there, you enter a cozy and warm ambiance. At times they have live music playing! Service has been excellent each time I have been here. Some standout dishes are the roasted garlic, Earle sliders, beef tenderloin with Roquefort, lamb chops, and veal scallopini. The dessert is delicious too! If you come for your birthday they give you a $10 voucher to use next time as well :) can't wait for my next visit here! read more

The Earle Restaurant - Veal Scallopini - Wine Bars Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

The ambience and service were great, but the food was inconsistent. The garlic appetizer was excellent. The scallops in the sea scallop entree were cooked perfectly. The rice with the scallops was terrible. The duck breasts were chewy with lots of gristle, which made them barely edible. The cooks on each breast were different; one was medium rare and the other was medium. The "sauce" for the duck was a mess; it was watery and lacked flavor. The "vegetable" side was just boiled Brussels sprouts and carrots, which also had no flavor and a weird texture. The potato-turnip "purée" wasn't puréed, and also had an unpleasant texture and flavor. For the price, you're better off going to the Chop House, where you actually get food worth the price and fun to eat. Don't waste your money at The Earle. There are better options at a similar price point nearby. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

A truly classic experience. Delicious food, especially the salmon in puff pastry. Attentive service, old-school ambience makes for a great night. read more

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. read more

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! read more

See all

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. read more

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. read more

See all

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. read more

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. read more

The Earle Restaurant - Linguine with Shrimp, fennel, tomatoes. - Wine Bars Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

See all

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. read more

The Earle Restaurant - The cool room we were seated at. - Wine Bars Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

See all

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. read more

The Earle Restaurant - Inside - Wine Bars Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

See all

This used to be my favorite restaurant. They've made changes and it's not nearly as good. My favorite appetizer was the bruschetta. It had a very flavorful pesto and toasted pieces of garlic. The last time I ordered it, it was described as Earle bread rubbed with garlic. The garlic flavor was non-existent. The pesto was different and lacking flavor as well. My partner's favorite appetizer was the fried eggplant. It had a very tasty Italian bread crumb shell. Now it's grilled with very little flavor if any at all. They took away my favorite dish from the menu, veal marsala. It used to have a rich marsala cream sauce. Now it's deglazed with marsala wine and lemon. It has half of the rich flavor it used to. They will make it the old way if I ask. I would come here weekly with friends and or family but now it's every other month if that. read more

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. read more

I happened to walk by a happy hour sign on the sidewalk and stumbled into culinary perfection. I ordered a delicious Old Fashioned and let the bartender choose my food. After enjoying some fresh bread and butter, I was served what may be the greatest piece of chicken I have ever eaten. The shaved Brussels sprouts were just as impressive. It is hard to capture how good it was with words, so I suggest you try it yourself. The atmosphere was wonderful, the service was perfect, and I even had some lovely conversation with other customers at the bar. Five stars. read more

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. read more

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. read more

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! read more

See all

Appetizers were good (stuffed mushrooms/baked goat cheese); salads were very good (panzanalla/gorganzola); rib eye steak was excellent; beef bourguignon was a disappointment, not good (beef tenderloin tips were tough and the pasta was gummy/sticky/underdone), hardly worth $39; and tiramisu was spectacular. Service was excellent and loved the ambiance. A restaurant with class. read more

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. read more

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. read more

Pop up happy hour is great. Kevin the bartender is very knowledgeable. Get therecat 5 pm and enjoy the quiet, unique atmosphere.

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. read more

The Earle Restaurant - Lamb Chops, French Gimlet - Wine Bars Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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! read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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. read more

The Earle Restaurant - Scallops - Wine Bars Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

See all

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 read more

The Earle Restaurant - Delmonico - Wine Bars Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

See all

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. read more

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. read more

The Earle Restaurant - We MIGHT be too close to the band. - Wine Bars Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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!! read more

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. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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. read more

The Earle Restaurant - Wine Bars Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan