Ancona The Earle-a mid-range data night restaurant

Ann Arbor’s “Meh” Spot – Great for Drinks, But Food Falls Flat I’ve only been to this restaurant once, and honestly? The food was mostly underwhelming—some dishes were even bad. It gets busy, and the waitstaff can’t keep up, but if you’re just here for drinks, it works. For a meal? Not so much 😕. 📍 Vibe: Cool Wine Cellar Design Saves the Space The dining area is in the basement, but it’s surrounded by wine cellars—super unique! The wine racks add warmth, so it doesn’t feel dark or cramped. It’s a fun, cozy setting… too bad the food doesn’t match the vibe. 🥢 Apps: Onion Soup Is a Disaster, Mozzarella Is “Fine” Appetizers were a mixed bag, and one was straight-up inedible: French Onion Soup: Terrible. It’s so salty it burns your throat, and the broth is watery (no depth at all). There’s tons of cheese, but it tastes slightly sour—like it was left out too long. I took one sip and pushed it away; total waste of money. Fried Mozzarella Balls: Just “okay.” The breading is way too thick (you barely taste the mozzarella inside), but it comes with classic marinara sauce—basic, but edible. Nothing special, just a filler app. 🍝 Mains: One Hit, One Big Miss The mains didn’t get better—only one dish was worth finishing: Langoustine Pesto Pasta: The only winner. The portion is huge, and the pesto is delicious—olive oil, dried tomatoes, and Parmesan mix together to make a sauce that’s creamy but fresh (no heavy greasiness). The langoustine adds a nice seafood touch, and it’s the only reason I didn’t leave hungry. Veal Rice (Forgot the Exact Name): Yuck. The sauce is cloyingly sweet—after a few bites, I felt sick to my stomach. The veal was dry, and even the mushrooms/veggies (which were fine on their own) got ruined by the sugary sauce. I barely touched it. 🍰 Dessert: Forgettable & Either Too Sweet or Too Weird We got two desserts, but I can barely remember them—they were that unremarkable. One was so sweet it made my teeth hurt; the other had a “unique” flavor that just tasted off (like someone threw random spices together). Skip dessert entirely here. 🤦‍♀️ Service & Value: Slow When Busy, Not Worth the Price When it’s crowded, the waitstaff is MIA—we waited 20 minutes just to get a refill. And for the quality? It’s overpriced. You’re paying more for the wine cellar vibe than the food, which isn’t a good deal. 💬 Final Thought: Only for Drinks (or Desperate Date Nights) I won’t be going back anytime soon—unless I’ve eaten every other spot in Ann Arbor and have no options left. A quick note: It’s fine for a “(longtime couple)” date night (low pressure, good for drinks), but skip it if you’re a new couple—it’s loud, and the bad food will kill the mood. #UniversityOfMichiganAnnArbor #AnnArborFood #AnnArbor #CasualDining #WineBarVibes #AnnArborEats #MichiganFood