Earls Kitchen + Bar — Restaurant in Tysons

Earls was one of my favorite little gems in particular for girls night dinners and a solid brunch ambiance in the Tyson’s area. Unfortunately this Saturday night was NOT a good experience and it all was because of a server named GISELLE.

Saturday night for 9pm reservation we were seated in her section by the bar area. At first things were fine, she was friendly and attentive to our order. Then the drinks came my friend ordered a margarita and I ordered the ranchwater drink which had cucumber and I asked for NO jalapeño. My friend was asked what kind of rim she wanted but my drink I guess didn’t come with a rim so I thought nothing of it nor was I asked my preferred rim (salt or sugar or nothing). Well to my dismay when Giselle dropped our drinks, she did just that dropped them and left the table. So as I tried my drink it came with a TON of salt on the rim, since she was NO WHERE TO BE FOUND to change my order I proceeded to take a few steps to the bar to adjust to my preference (the bar tender was SUPER SWEET ABOUT IT and changed the drink to less salt, sugar rim and no jalapeño) AMAZINg I taste the drink and returned to our table. As I’m sitting back down Giselle is at the table and ABRUPTLY asks me “ did you pay for your tab”, not “oh was there an issue with your drink, can I help you with anything?” So at this point I’m caught off guard and feel as thou this was a racial MICROAGRESSION I SIMPLY DID NOT DESERVE. once she said that I no longer wanted her as our server and when a manger by the name of Emma (wonderful customer service & super accommodating) we complained, she listened to our concern & tried to rectify the situation. Giselle came BACK to our table to “smartly” ask for my drink order so she can “get it right”. From that point I was frustrated and annoyed she was even still being disrespectful. Instead of coming to our table to apologize or even admit some sort of fault she proceeded with an attitude and being rude which was completely uncalled for and almost made us leave Earls to never return. Tyson’s atmosphere is super diverse and fun but Giselle made things uncomfortable so much so we considered leaving. Within a few moments later the manager Emma returned with our additional food orders and was able to assign us a new server William who was phenomenal, super friendly and came by frequently to check our orders to make any necessary changes for a smoother dining experience. Both Emma and William gave EXEMPLARY service and were the ONLY REASON we stayed and continued wanting to return to Earls.

As a Black Women, I have come to Earls on several occasions and have never experienced a kind of nasty customer service and hope that no one else has to experience THAT FROM GISELLE! Please note again that the manager EMMA and our server WILLIAM are exceptional individuals, took care of several items off our bill and were a joy to work with.

Giselle as “seasoned and experienced” as she may be, needs to have better customer service skills ESPECIALLY when it comes to saying comments and refusing to admit fault to returning….paying….customers.

If anyone from the managerial staff would like to reach out for further comment or discussion of my very uncomfortable experience I’d be happy to...

In a word, disappointed. For background, I do a lot of reviews and am in the top 10% of Google Guides (reviewers) worldwide. My goal is to inform, with a heart. I look for the good, and am a business owner so I typically highlight the positive.

We were out with friends who split their time between here and Italy. We suggested several cuisines for dinner tonight, and they chose Earl's. The place is large and fairly well appointed with some nice touches. The ceiling pops, there are interesting light features, an open kitchen at the rear, and a casual/chic vibe that is both comfortable and upscale, depending on your mood.

I found the menu somewhat interesting, but with limited choices. There were four of us. We ordered drinks and split the street corn avocado appetizer. So far, so good. Then it was time to order our entrees.

Both our friends considered having burgers, as that's not something they do often. The wife ordered the Earls Classic. She asked for it medium (not her usual medium rare) but was informed that the chef would only do well done for "health reasons." But they serve sushi. We noted the obvious conflict and were told that while it would be well done, it would be juicy with maybe a hint of pink inside. She agreed, but her husband opted for the curry bowl instead.

When food arrived, everything looked at least okay, until the burger patty was uncovered. It was pathetic, and frankly looked like an overcooked store bought 1/4# patty. No wonder they only do well done. It's near impossible to do less with that thin of a burger. We'd pictured a fresh formed half pound burger, but got more like fast food. The brioch bun, lettuce and tomato completely obscured it. The waiter apologized profusely and offered to bring something else.

All was ok, until the manager showed up, trying to change the narrative with "it wasn't perfect..." We all let him pontificate for awhile until I couldn't remain silent. This "burger" was completely out of character for the look and upscale feel. There's no reason to demand overcooked beef in a restaurant that serves sushi. The manager was pompous and dismissive, and avoided any responsibility or accommodation for the untouched dish. The shoestring fries were apparently good.

I had the full (not half) salmon Zen bowl. I took the portion sizes to reflect the salmon as they were described as full salmon or half salmon. In reality, I got 2 smallish pieces of salmon. Good tasting, but underwhelming for the $33.75 I spent.

Drinks were pricey as well. We liked our waiter, and he was simultaneously attentive and apologetic for the burger. The manager could have resolved things satisfactorily with a comped dessert or something, but all we got was attitude. We won't be back.

UPDATE: One friend knew it wase Earls from the burger picture. The other had the following comment.

"Cory Laws, Earl’s has never been known for having edible burgers so unfortunately I’m not surprised. Next door at Eddie’s it’s a very different story. Shoot, I’d go to Shake Shack...

I love Earls Kitchen + Bar!

From the moment you step into Earls Kitchen + Bar, you're enveloped in a wave of sophistication and warmth that promises an unforgettable dining experience. It's a rare gem that effortlessly caters to every possible occasion - be it a vibrant birthday bash, a cozy girls' night, an intimate date, or a relaxed after-work happy hour. The ambiance screams class and elegance, but in a manner that makes you feel both pampered and utterly at home. It's very homey despite its sophistication.

The staff at Earls deserve a standing ovation for their professionalism and courtesy, making each visit seamless and enjoyable.

Now, let's talk about the food - a divine exploration of flavors that leaves you craving for more. Every time we leave, I am already planning my next visits. Earls offers a wide selection of dishes that cater to a variety of tastes, but it's their seafood that truly sets them apart, for me. The seafood platter and the tower are masterpieces of culinary art, offering a taste of the ocean that's fresh, succulent, and utterly divine. It's not just a meal; it's an adventure for your taste buds. And I'm absolutely not ashamed to say that sometimes I order the seafood platter just for myself, and not the table. :)

My most recent visit to Earls was in celebration of my birthday, and I was thrilled with how they accommodated our large group. It was a joy to see all my friends thoroughly enjoy their experience, so much so that Earls is now a favorite on everyone's list. This means more future visits, and honestly, I'm looking forward to each one. :) Their exceptional food has made a lasting impression, and I find myself daydreaming about the next culinary delight I'll indulge in at Earls.

Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply in the mood for a fantastic meal, Earls promises an experience that's both gratifying and memorable. It's a place I wholeheartedly recommend, and one I eagerly anticipate returning to.

I've included a few of my orders from different visits, including my most recent...