This one is about my recent dining experience at Earls- Square One, where my family and I chose to celebrate my son’s birthday. Unfortunately, the overall experience fell significantly below expectations, especially considering the reputation Earls holds for quality, service, and hospitality.
We had made an advance reservation specifically requesting seating in the lounge area, as we planned to take advantage of the happy hour menu. Upon arrival, we were informed that the lounge was unavailable due to the restaurant being at capacity. Despite having a reservation, we waited approximately 20 minutes before being seated at a regular dining table. While I understand that weekend evenings can be busy, the lack of availability despite pre-booking was disappointing.
The ambience during our visit was also a concern. The noise level within the restaurant was extremely high to the point that normal conversation was not possible without raising our voices. For a family celebration, this significantly detracted from the experience. Additionally, the condition of the men’s washroom reflected poorly on the establishment: toilet paper scattered around the floor and general uncleanliness created an impression inconsistent with the standards expected of a major restaurant chain.
Once seated, we noted that the server presented only the regular menu and made no mention of the happy hour offerings despite our reservation. We had to specifically request the happy hour menu, which made us feel overlooked.
Regarding beverages, several items did not meet expectations. The Rhino Light beer had an unexpected soda-like taste, and the Strawberry Hibiscus Mule seemed comparable to a mixture of ginger ale, strawberry syrup, and lime soda rather than a crafted cocktail. The Coco Mango Cooler lacked the distinct mango and coconut flavors that were anticipated and felt diluted and unbalanced.
The food quality was inconsistent. The server recommended the Korean Beef Bibimbap, stating it was a popular choice, yet the dish contained hardened, crispy rice at the bottom that resulted in an unpleasant texture and overall negative impression. The 4oz Salmon Sushi Press ordered by my son was acceptable to him, but in my opinion, lacked the refined taste and freshness typical of sushi dishes.
The most disappointing aspect of the evening was the delay and quality of the pizzas. After a 30-minute wait, both pizzas arrived cold and hard. Although we considered returning them, hunger and the long delay led us to simply accept the dishes. This is far below the standard we expected.
While the oysters were satisfactory at the happy hour price point, they would not represent good value at regular pricing due to their small portions. The Toffee Cake ordered for the birthday celebration was served with a candle; however, it was still added to the bill. A small courtesy gesture would have been appreciated for a birthday occasion.
The only items we genuinely enjoyed were the Avocado Corn Dip and Truffle Fries, which were well-prepared and flavorful.
Overall, the experience did not align with the quality, service, or hospitality that Earls is known for. We chose this location based on numerous positive reviews and were extremely disappointed by the outcome.
Posted 11/27/2025