Empire Kitchen & Cocktails — Restaurant in Detroit

We'd never been to Empire before, but decided to stop in for dinner. Admittedly, we didn't know much about it going in. We'd just noticed it while going to other places around there.

After being seated, we were immediately pretty unimpressed with the menu. It reads like the laziest, most boring greatest hits of New American/gastropub menus from the last 5 to 10 years.

Feeling no inspiration from the entrees, we decided to start with cocktails and apps and then see if we felt like entrees after. When the cocktails came, both were incredibly sweet. Like Kool Aid sweet. To be fair, we ordered more fruity, light drinks, but there was no balance to them at all. Just a cloying sweetness. That was the case for our second batch of two different cocktails as well.

As for the apps, I went with the wings and my wife got the Brussels sprouts. On the positive side, the dry rub for the wings was quite tasty. Unfortunately, the wings were cooked to dust. They were incredibly dry. Moreover, the sauce they came with was really odd. Kind of a fruity, vinegary thing. Not awful, but also not really what you think of for wings. Still, I ate them all and didn't hate my life because of it.

The Brussels sprouts, on the other hand, were just not right. The most damning thing about them was that the kitchen had not bothered to cut the stems off. In addition, they just weren't cooked enough for how big they were, so they were tough and underdone. Of course, the stems still being there made them even tougher.

Given the experience with the drinks and apps, we did not stick around for entrees. It's entirely possible that while very boring and straightforward, the entrees could be good. I obviously have no idea.

The service was good and our server was attentive. The only complaint I could lodge is that he didn't mention that 18% gratuity is included when he dropped off the check. No big deal, because it's printed right on there and that's obviously on me to notice, but I do feel like places should let customers know when gratuity is included because it's still not very common.

Overall, and again, based on just on a couple of apps and four drinks, I would not recommend Empire. The overall impression it gives is workmanlike. There's no hint of any creativity or passion about the food or drinks on offer. It feels like a business from folks that would be just as happy making money selling tires or whatever. You don't get the feeling that there's any real passion for food, cocktails, or service from the team in charge. There are so many excellent places to eat in Detroit and Empire does not measure up in a crowded market, especially given the premium prices...

We came here prior to an event. The hostest was nice and said it could be up to an hour prior to sitting, even at the bar, despite many open seats (understandable due to staffing issues). We were actually seated pretty quickly at one of the high top bar tables. It took well over 5 minutes to be greeted by our server. When she came to our table, she seemed stressed, so we were enpathetic.We immediately placed our drink and food order. She brought out our drinks and said she would also bring us water, which actually never happened. We had ordered an appetizer, two burgers, and a pizza. After several minutes, thr burgers came out, but were told the pizza would be right out. The burger i had ordered for my daughter was not done as requested, with no onions and sauce. In addition, her fries were extremely soggy. For a $15 burger, I shouldn't have to wipe caramelized onions off. I also mentioned about the missing wings. Our waitress kept coming back and telling us that the pizza was almost done. I again reminded about the missing wings. She acted like those would be coming up too. Which we know she forgot about them and had the kitchen rush. They were very good, but extremely small for $18. My pizza didn't arrive until everyone at the table were completely done eating their entire meals and we had to leave for our event. There was food constantly sitting on the counter to be ran and several tables that came in after us got their pizza and wings before us, wo it was clearlya miscommunication and poor organizatin. They took off the pizza, but never once saw anyone but my stressed waitress and the individual that dropped off my food for an apology. I was still charged for the wings they forgot about and everything else. My meal for 2 was $50+, especially since they tipped themselves 20%. There is no incentive to actually care about your customers.

For appearing to be a high end restaurant, it's a huge...

I dine downtown all the time and this has to be one of the worst experiences I’ve ever had. Had a 5pm reservation yesterday for 6 people. Seated on time, but took 30 minutes before anyone even checked on us. At that time, we ordered our drinks, apps, and entrees all at once since things were going so slow and we had a show to catch. 45 minutes in, we FINALLY got water. Didn’t get our cocktails until an hour in. Half the drinks were bad. They brought out a dirty martini made with Kalamata olives (after they told us they had standard green olives)- never seen that in my life. It was gross. Took another 30 minutes to get a replacement drink. Watched our salads sit on the bar counter for 30 minutes before they got to our table, along with all the other food all at once. Once we finally got it, the food was okay, but the 4 steaks all tasted different and 2/4 were not cooked to what was ordered. One of the people in our party also got their meal 10 mins after everyone else. Ran out of patience to even say anything.

Our waitress, Melanie, was very rude whenever we asked for updates and seemed like we inconvienced her the entire visit. Barely stopped by and was only friendly when she dropped the check off for additional tip (an undeserved 20% automatic gratuity was already included on the bill). They were somewhat busy, but still had many open tables and parties seated after us got their items well before us.

I am never one to complain and the other people in the group are always understanding and never say anything bad about food/service while out to eat but this experience was too bad to ignore. I feel compelled to save people from wasting their time/money here. Our bill was over $500 and it was not worth it at all. Will...