Earle Downtown

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Went on a Friday evening with family for my parents' anniversary. The decor was interesting and the seating prompt. Excellent, extensive wine list. The food was hot or miss. Starters: The roasted garlic wasn't roasted enough, calamari was okay- lightly breaded and not too greasy, escargot was average. The French Onion Soup was good and served hot. The beef dished were done well but mine was too heavy on the pepper. The sides were done very well- beans were cooked but still crispy, potatoes were excellent. My wife's boulebaisse went cold quickly and was less than average. My brother in law raved about the duck breast. The chicken was overcooked. Pasta was reported as average. Service was good. An okay dining experience, but for the price I would expect more. Pros: Excellent Wine List Cons: Inconsistent Food, Price more

Atmosphere was definitely cool, but that is where it ends. Our food was not well prepared. The scallops (which were on special) were rubbery and just plan gross. We have had better food elsewhere, and will NEVER go back to The Earle. Pros: Ambience Cons: Food, Price more

The food is worth returning for. Fresh ingredients, very well prepared, and pleasingly presented. I was on a vegetable bender (pistou, vegetable casserole) and the various elements were crisp, flavorful and totally satisfying. Pros: Large, with several seating areas Cons: Insufferable UMICH 'tude more

The place is unusual, in the basement. Pretty easy to get lost in the entrance , many steps and and narrow entrances before you get to the restaurant itself. The service was way too slow (culdn't get a waiter for 15 min and after that another 10 min for geting beverages). Two different waiters served us drinks and food (which was confusing enough). Very noisy (without music) and dark, cold athmosphere. Food is good (veal and tuna steak were absolutley delicious) - but too pricy. Restrooms are below average (for this kind of place). Waters wrote down on the bill the recomended tip - which , in my opinion, is awful (because tip depends on the quality of service and not on the price only). Nice choice of wines, good place to drink (but for same price you can easily find warmer place in the Downtown location). Pros: Good wine list, good for nightlife Cons: Noisy, Pricy, Dark more

The atmosphere in the resturant is wonderful. It may be a little too dark and it was definatley too noisy. We had 6:30 reservations (seated immediately) for 10 and were there until about 10pm and the noise never subsided. A strange thing - we were seated right next the band that started playing at 9pm and they were soft enough we didn't need to move. The food was decent enough but way overpriced. My sister and I split 4 appetizer dishes - Tortolini, Calamari, Spicy shrimp and Beef tenderloin. The tortolini was excellent. The calamari wasn't bad. The shrimp was too spicy and it drowned out all other flavoring. The Beef just tasted like overseasoned parsley. On an up note - the drinks were good, wine selection excellent and the service was outstanding. I would only go again for drinks (there is a wine and cigar bar) but not dinner more