Earls Kitchen + Bar, one of North America’s most successful, family-owned, independent restaurant groups for 30 years is opening at The Mall at Millenia on Wednesday, September 21, 2016
The opening will mark the second Florida location and 68th restaurant overall for the iconic restaurant group, which had its beginnings in Vancouver, Canada and started an expansion into the eastern United States in 2014 in South Florida.
Earls Kitchen + Bar marries modern, made-from-scratch cuisine and a world-class beverage program with beautifully designed dining rooms offering a relaxed culinary experience. Part and parcel with the experience are adjacent lively bars and lounges which give guests a high energy alternative within the same restaurant. Breaking from the conventional chain or mold, Earls restaurants are notable for their unique personalities. Locations are all designed differently, with local artists selected to contribute to the overall design, and menus are crafted with an eye toward location and demographics. According to Earls founder and CEO Stan Fuller, the company is more a collective of individually compelling restaurants that share core values than a traditional chain.
“We’re always looking for new ways to engage our customers,” offers Mark Hladik, Regional Vice-President for Earls US, “Realizing that all markets are different, we approach each project with the local community in mind. Orlando is a great restaurant city with residents who are informed, savvy diners. That in tandem with a year-round international tourist influx creates an ideal environment for a brand like ours — one that is constantly innovating to reflect local and global dining trends and deliver the best possible experience to our guests.”
Overseen by Executive Chef Simon Zanotto the Orlando menu will be tailored to the local market, relying on regional and seasonal products that showcase the restaurant’s commitment to quality and sustainability. In addition to sourcing local ingredients where possible, Black Angus Beef is Certified Humane® (raised without antibiotics or added growth hormones and fed a natural vegetarian diet) and all seafood is sustainable certified.
Diners will enjoy an expansive menu that encourages convivial shared dining. In keeping with the menu’s global focus, appetizer highlights will include Tuna Poke, Sicilian Calamari and classics like crisp Caesar Salads and Cajun Chicken. Made-to-order entrees are paired with dressings and sauces made in-house daily; among them are Earls’ signature Jeera Chicken Curry and BBQ Ribs, fresh Atlantic Salmon, Creekstone Farms Black Angus steaks and burgers, and a variety of main plate salads, sandwiches and irresistible sides perfect for lunch. Brunch, served weekends, offers a spicy Mushroom and Chorizo Hash, or a fruit and berry laden Sourdough French Toast. Not to be outdone, tantalizing desserts are prepared in-house and will include Earls’ classic Chocolate Sticky Toffee Pudding and a Toasted Coconut Cake served with fresh seasonal berries and other sweet treats.
Cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, wine and beer are an important part of the Earls Kitchen + Bar experience. With a commitment to using only 100% fresh squeezed in-house juices, Earls’ craft cocktails are infused with seasonal ingredients. Local beers on tap are complemented by a curated list of national and international quaffs and a comprehensive list of wines on tap by the glass, as well as bottles. House-made craft sodas and alcohol free cocktails – from a refreshingCucumber Mule to a Lemongrass Orange Blossom Soda – are delicious for designated drivers and others who choose not to imbibe. Beverage DirectorCameron Bogue, who prior to joining Earls developed cocktails for Daniel Boulud’s restaurant group, has designed an innovative menu of updated classic cocktails and house specialties with intriguing options including the frozen Harvey Wallbanger, Old Fashioned and the Earls Signature Caesar, the Canadian take on the classic Bloody Mary.
Happy Hour takes it up a notch at Earls with twice daily sessions Monday through Friday – from 3PM to 6PM and again from 9PM to midnight offering specials on wine, beer, cocktails and appetizers. But if that weren’t enough, there are also “Weekly Rituals” – tempting promotions running Monday through Thursday with nightly specials on kitchen offerings, different craft cocktails, craft beers and even “That’s How We Roll Tuesdays” featuring $3 sushi rolls and half-priced bottles of wine.
Earls’ award-winning in-house design team has created a casually elegant, welcoming environment that invites guests to dine, drink and converse. Guests enter into the lounge, central to which is a large, circular walnut-clad bar with black granite tops surrounded by deep berry clubby leather chairs. From there, it’s up a slight level into the vibrant dining room; with every seat offering a view of the action in the open kitchen. Pops of color blend with classic materials like marble and porcelain to create a warm, modern space that is both classic and fresh. A beautiful lush patio also provides al fresco seating with mature trees and foliage and oversized market umbrellas; stylish and comfortable custom furniture that is a perfect complement to the indoor furnishings. A large communal dining table is ideal for after work gatherings; while those who want to celebrate or conduct business can opt for a semi private dining room with seating for up to 30; total capacity for the restaurant is 300. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows bring in Orlando’s beautiful natural light. Art is an important design element in Earls’ beautiful modern spaces. The design team always identifies local artists to create work that complements the restaurant, in this case iconic Florida photographs from Brian Soderlind and a huge mural from Andrew Spear Andrew Spear that pays homage to Orlando’s orange groves and parrots with an abstract landscape entitled “Juice Birds.”
Earls Kitchen + Bar is located at The Mall at Millenia, 4200 Conroy Road in Orlando. The restaurant will offer lunch and dinner daily along with weekend brunch. Ample parking will be available.
Telephone: 407-345-8260; Website: www.earlsrestaurants.com
Earls Kitchen + Bar
Earls Restaurants Ltd. and the Fuller Group of Restaurants is a family owned operation started by Montana native Leroy Earl (Bus) Fuller in 1982 with their first restaurant in Edmonton, Alberta. Earls is one of North America’s most successful, family-owned, independent restaurant groups, currently operating 67 restaurants across North America. From humble beginnings as a laid back beer and burger joint, Earls grew into a beloved brand with multiple locations across North America that now offer upscale casual dining and drinking environments. Earls Orlando will be the 68th restaurant with an opening in Boston also scheduled for summer 2017.
