Earls Kitchen + Bar — Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale

I recently had dinner at Earls Kitchen and Bar, and while a few things did land well, most of the experience left me underwhelmed. I hold very high standards when it comes to food and hospitality and this place missed the mark on both.

We started with two dirty martinis and requested a side of olive brine. What we got instead were martinis so aggressively salty they tasted like they’d been aged in a clay jar buried under the sands of Egypt. Completely undrinkable. I switched to a mezcal Negroni, which took over 15 minutes to arrive. At that point, I half-joked about making it myself. When it did show up, it was made with inconsistent ice, some crushed, some small irregular cubes, which watered it down almost instantly. The Campari to vermouth ratio was also off, leaving it unbalanced and overly bitter.

Food-wise, we ordered the ribs appetizer, the seafood tower, and the peppercorn steak. Oddly, the seafood tower came out before the appetizer, which set an already shaky tone.

The seafood tower was by far the biggest disappointment of the night. At $150, I expected a thoughtful, high-quality spread with good variety and attention to detail. Instead, the ratios were completely off. There were about 20 prawns, and they completely overwhelmed everything else. The prawns themselves were bland and tasted like they came from a bulk frozen bag, certainly not what you’d expect at this price point. There were only three lobster tails, all so small they could’ve passed for garnishes. About 15 oysters rounded it out, which would’ve been fine if they weren’t so underwhelming. They were tiny, lacked flavor, and felt like bottom-tier picks. No variety, no brine, no depth, just generic, forgettable oysters.

At the bottom of the tower were a few California rolls and some sashimi. They were okay, but nothing elevated. And again, the basics were missing. No soy sauce, no wasabi, no chopsticks, no cocktail forks. There weren’t even lemon wedges on the tower. Just one small ramekin of cocktail sauce for all those prawns, and we had to ask separately for hot sauce. It was clear this was more about visual impact than actual quality or balance. For $150, this should have been a highlight. Instead, it felt lazy, rushed, and totally disconnected from what a proper seafood experience should be.

At that point, I ordered another Negroni, mostly to get through the meal. This one came with a single large ice cube surrounded by crushed ice, and no garnish at all. Just more inconsistency.

Then came the surprise turnaround. The ribs appetizer, though a bit cold, was excellent. Tender, flavorful, and clearly well-prepared. The peppercorn steak was another highlight. For a restaurant that doesn’t specialize in steak, it was genuinely impressive, perfectly cooked medium rare, with quality beef and great seasoning. The kitchen clearly has talent, but it’s being overshadowed by poor pacing, sloppy bar service, and overpriced dishes that just don’t deliver. Our server also comped the appetizer due to the delay, which was appreciated.

In the end, I’ve eaten everywhere from hidden ramen shops in Tokyo to hawker stalls in Singapore, and from casual trattorias in Rome to multi-course tasting menus at Eleven Madison Park. I’ve had street food that blew me away and Michelin-starred meals that changed the way I think about flavor. Earls is not in that league. If you go, order a steak and a beer and you’ll probably walk away happy. But if you’re expecting a refined dining experience or top-tier seafood, this isn’t the place. They’re aiming high with their pricing, but the execution just...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Earls Kitchen + Bar, and from the moment I walked in until the moment I left, I was genuinely impressed with nearly every aspect of my experience. I’ve visited many restaurants in this category, but Earls really does stand out in a way that blends high-quality food, attentive service, and a lively yet comfortable atmosphere. I want to take some time to share the details of my visit because it was excellent from start to finish.

Ambiance & First Impressions As soon as you step into Earls, you notice that the space has been thoughtfully designed. It’s modern, warm, and stylish without feeling stuffy. The lighting creates a welcoming mood, and the balance between bar energy and dining comfort is just right. I was seated quickly, and the host greeted me with a friendly smile, which already set the tone for a positive experience. The place was busy, but it didn’t feel chaotic—just the right amount of energy that makes you feel like you’re in a spot that people genuinely love.

Service Experience Our server was outstanding. She was knowledgeable about the menu and gave us honest recommendations, not just pushing the most expensive items. Throughout the meal, she checked in at the perfect times—not too often, not too little—and always seemed to anticipate what we might need next. Drinks were refilled without us having to ask, and plates were cleared promptly, which is a small detail but shows attention to detail. What I really appreciated was how personable she was. You could tell she genuinely cared about making sure we enjoyed our evening.

Food Quality Now, the star of the night: the food. Everything we ordered was presented beautifully and tasted even better. We started with appetizers, including the dynamite roll and the truffle fries. Both were delicious—the sushi was fresh and flavorful, and the fries were indulgent with just the right balance of seasoning. For mains, I went with the steak frites while my friend ordered the miso black cod. My steak was cooked perfectly to medium rare, tender, and well-seasoned. The fries were crisp and paired well with the house-made aioli. The miso black cod was phenomenal—silky, rich, and full of depth. It was the kind of dish that makes you want to come back just to have it again.

Drinks & Cocktails Earls is also known for its bar program, and we could see why. The cocktails were fresh, balanced, and creative without being over-the-top. I ordered the Earls Old Fashioned, which was smooth and strong but had just the right touch of sweetness. My friend had the mojito, which was refreshing and bright, with perfectly muddled mint. It’s clear the bartenders take their craft seriously, and that elevated the entire dining experience.

Value for Money While Earls isn’t the cheapest spot, I believe you get real value for what you pay. The quality of the food, the size of the portions, and the level of service make the prices more than fair. You leave feeling satisfied, not only in terms of taste but also in terms of the overall experience.

Final Thoughts Earls Kitchen + Bar exceeded my expectations in almost every way. It’s the type of place you can go for a casual dinner, a night out with friends, or even a more special occasion, and it feels like it fits perfectly every time. The consistency in service, the high quality of the dishes, and the vibrant but comfortable environment make this a restaurant I know I’ll be returning to again and again.

If you’re looking for a spot that combines style, substance, and excellent service, I highly recommend giving Earls Kitchen...

Terribly disappointed by the service. I had a solo dinner reservation for 8pm i arrived a few minutes beforehand and was seated at my table. My server (insert name because he didn’t provide one) took about 10 minutes to get a drink to my table, that’s ok I get it. I place my appetizer Barría Tacos along with my entrees the Wagyu Oshi Press and Aburi Salmon Press in one shot. I get my app in less than 10 minutes great. Finish eating and I get a refill as I’m waiting for my entrees. I don’t end up getting my entrees til 9pm, as I got my entrees my glass was empty after waiting so long, so I request a refill, wait a few minutes and begin eating. I eat a whole roll still waiting for my drink I ask the server hey can I get drink? “Yea I put it in the system” ok great, I’m eating my entree I want my drink? He comes back and says they ran out of Diet Coke, so I ask for regular coke instead. I wait a few minutes before I even begin eating again because I wanted my Coke… after a few more minutes I flag down another server and ask if she was a manager and explained the situation to her a bit she was not… but I did ask her if she can get my Coke so I can finish my last roll, she says ok. Thinking I’m going to get a Coke I start eating, she finally brings my Coke out as I’m biting the last sushi and we laugh at how comical it was for me to go my entire two entree rolls without a drink. Anyways, the manager her name was Tiffany, shows up 15 minutes later. It must be her first time as a manager because she just showed up and looked at me embarrassed-low toned, and unenthusiastic. I explain to her the entire situation, she tells me “we’re short staffed, apologies, I’ll see what I can do.” Another 15 minutes goes by, the server having not spoken to him since the request for my Diet Coke just before starting my second roll ask me if I want dessert. I decline and request the bill. The manager had someone bring out some dessert which I did not eat because I just wanted to leave. I wait for the server another 10 minutes to bring the bill, the manager was so nice enough to take off my Diet Coke from the bill. I left the Server $5 on a. $62 tab, he was unprofessional, unenthusiastic and seemed to care less about the whole situation very unapplogetic. What started out at 8pm ended at 9:45… there were multiple empty tables in my section and I watched a party of two get cashed out and taken care of before me. Most definitely not like the Earls I’m use to in Orlando they are amazing at millennia mall. The food was good but ruined entirely by poor service. I will be not be going back.

Edit: I realized the Sushi roll I waited for was missing garnish … made me wait almost long time for a roll that couldn’t be properly finished either huh? Photo...