Decided to give this another try. It had been a long time. I really want to love this place since the ambience is nice. We've definitely had better service especially in Ann Arbor. The servers are not very friendly, helpful or welcoming. Service is very slow even on slow nights. No one seems to care either. Given the exceptional service at other restaurants it is a deterrent for returning. Drinks are reasonably priced and a good selection. For being scratch made they are not able to accommodate allergies well. Most things are marinated or prepped ahead. Besides Sushi or ordering plain noodles there isn't much I could order. My husband did enjoy the Burger and would order it again. I just wish there was more I could eat. For the Sushi its not anything outstanding. The flavor of the Crab Salad isn't our favorite. The Black Pearl Roll unfortunately, is not worth the pricing. $25 for a roll with mostly cucumber. It's also not very consistent in sizing. Once it was so large I could barely fit it in my mouth and the other times very small. If you plan to charge $25 for a Sushi Roll it should contain a good amount of Sushi. I can go across the street and get amazing Tuna Tartare for under $15 with plenty of Tuna. read more

Black Pearl Ann Arbor - Seafood Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

We walk by Black Pearl quite a bit but have never stopped in. Since they are always popping and have further expanded to take over the old Starbucks' space, we decided this was the time! The weather has been lovely for late September, so we sat on the patio which I thought was the better move since honestly the interior smelled like fried food. We ordered: *Coconut Shrimp (GF) Black tiger prawns, coconut, tempura batter, honey-lime chipotle sauce - big tasty pieces of prawn that were really nicely fried! I didn't care for the honey-lime chipotle sauce...I honestly wanted the chipotle mayo from the fish tacos instead but solid starter! *Spicy Tuna Roll (Spicy tuna salad, jalapeno, sriracha) - I was pleasantly surprised by this. First of all, there were large pieces of tuna which tells me it's better quality rather than scraps just mushed and minced up. Also, the sushi rice was legit - the right texture, the right amount of sushi vinegar. If I were more hungry, I'd probably have ordered the California roll or shrimp tempura (since the coconut shrimp was so well fried!) *Salmon Tikka Masala (Pan-seared Atlantic salmon topped with yogurt compressed cucumber and Fresno, couscous, roasted broccolini, sweet potatoes, garlic sauce. Served with grilled lime and toasted pita) - I enjoyed the flavors and texture on this one! I would've preferred more of a medium salmon as this was a little more well done than flaky BUT still good. The compressed cucumber, the cous cous - all awesome. I had left overs and ate it the next day. *Fish Tacos GF (Tortilla encrusted tilapia, cumin salt, chipotle mayo, spicy cabbage slaw, pico de gallo, lime) - this is apparently THE dish to get here. It's an OG menu item. I will admit that I kind of pupu'ed it since it is tilapia but my husband ordered it and I was really surprised by it! They cut their tilapia a bit differently and it's really well fried (just like the coconut shrimp). The bar was pretty backed up at some points (pretty expansive bar seating) so cocktails took a while. Make your reservation via RESY! It was super busy on a Friday night. read more

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The food was very good. The scallop dish in particular was a hit. The Jackfruit entree which was the only true vegan option was weird. The coconut shrimp appetizer was also very good. The service was friendly and efficient. This place is NOISY! We were here early on a Saturday evening and the place was hopping. Don't come here expecting to hold a meaningful or intimate conversation. While the food dishes were generally quite good, the portion sizes and pricing made the value proposition poor. read more

The Black Pearl - Ann Arbor, MI (about 40 mins from Detroit) 302 S Main St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars Kicked things off with a Washington Apple (because why not?), followed by a Washington Apple Martini - smooth and crisp. Took a classic detour with an Old Fashioned, then found ourselves at "The Last Straw...berry" Martini (fun name, even better flavor). For the non-drinkers in the group, the Clementine Crush mocktail was a refreshing highlight! For dinner: Salmon Tikka Masala - tender, flavorful, and a nice fusion twist. Seafood Tortellini - creamy and rich, packed with shrimp and scallops. Took a few rolls to-go: the Shrimp Tempura Roll and the A2 Roll (with crab meat) - both fresh and satisfying. Service was friendly and attentive - shoutout to our waitress, Rylee- good job! She made the whole experience even better. Not a bad spot at all - upscale but relaxed, with a solid food and drink lineup. Would recommend for date night, dinner with friends, or a cocktail-forward evening. -- TheFoodie99 read more

Table felt a bit cramped Did not receive an item I requested on my burger Took 10 min for my drink to come out (I got a ginger beer, nothing special) Food was good Portions on apps and entrees were decent Server was nice enough read more

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If you haven't been to the Black Pearl lately, it's undergone an amazing transformation. The dining room used to be long, narrow and dark. They bought the old Starbucks location next door and knocked down some walls, opening up the bar area and letting in plenty of natural light on summer evenings. They also have al fresco dining during the summer. Large, buttery scallops paired perfectly with risotto, although this dish might not satisfy large appetites. For dessert, the flourless chocolate torte with graham cracker crumbs and dollops of toasted marshmallow evoked Smores around the campfire. Kudos to our efficient server for comping one of our desserts when the chef served the wrong side dish. Ann Arbor Main Street pricey, but nice for a splurge. read more

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The black pearl was a nice spot for date night. I'd say the ambiance is a mix of casual and upscale. I was able to get a reservation on a Friday night the day before and parked in a garage nearby for a few bucks. The service was good & the waiter gave good recommendations. We got the coconut shrimp appetizer and the brussel sprouts. They were good but not necessarily unique. The half seasonal salad was really tasty with lots of contrasting flavors (sweet and salty). I love salads with lots of toppings and this one was loaded. I got the halibut for a main course and really enjoyed it; there was a unique mix of flavors that I haven't had before and the fish wasn't too "fishy" for someone who isn't all in on seafood. The risotto was loaded with squash, kale, tomatoes, wine reduction and cheese. It was the perfect savory flavor with a touch of sweetness. I liked the texture of the breading too. There were several other interesting dishes on the menu and some steak if you aren't a seas food fan. read more

Black Pearl Ann Arbor - Halibut - Seafood Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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Sadly I am long overdue on this review as it was a visit prior to Easter!! We had an amazing experience. Service, timing of food, our server went out of her way without us asking for things. Food was amazing. Can't wait to head back to see what the next menu holds for us! read more

Black Pearl Ann Arbor - Seafood Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

It hasn't been quite 15 years since I've been to The Black Pearl but feels like 50. Beautiful evening and they have one of the best patios on Main Street. I opted to sit inside at the bar, as a single. I didn't want to take up a table. I quickly found some familiar faces and now see why they have flocked to The Black Pearl. Let's start with the drinks. No happy hour on Fridays. No problem. The Brush Fire stood out as a refreshing and spicy cocktail garnished with a fresh jalapeño slice. Turns out, the pal I found there and Brush Fire is her go-to. It's perfect with the ceviche and beet salad. The ceviche is a good size portion with wonton chips. I made a meal of it and didn't really need the beet salad but it was so highly recommended I had to fit it in. If you remotely like beets and goat cheese you have to get this salad. It's incredible. My pal said that the swordfish is amazing but I couldn't eat another bite. The vibe is casual but contemporary, upbeat and fun. Ian and Jeff are slinging excellent craft drinks but still provide great personalized service. The owner told me of their expansion plans and I cannot wait to see what they do with the new space. Good size portions and decent prices. Excellent service and incredible drinks. This would be a great place to meet friends, take a date to impress, or just get a good meal. I'm going to make this a new regular spot. read more

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Super impressed with the food and the service. Took our kiddos here over the holidays and were very pleasantly surprised. We will be back!!

It's been years since I'd been to Black Pearl last, but I really enjoyed dinner here last night! My husband and I shared and split the Burger and the namesake sushi roll, which honestly were reasonably priced for Ann Arbor Main St at a nicer option. We also tried the oysters of the day (from East coast). Oysters were small, but tasty! Served with the classic accoutrements - lemon, red wine vinaigrette, cocktail sauce, horseradish, choose your own adventure. I had stopped ordering oysters in Ann Arbor because I felt like it typically ended up being disappointing (ie not fresh), but these were good. The burger was delish! Loved the pimiento cheese, which really shone through, the bacon jam, and the bun. The meat itself was great as well. And the fries, the fries! Called "side winders" with spicy ketchup, these were THICK, super crisp on the outside, super warm and soft and potato-y on the inside. Loved this dish. The sushi roll was SO unique, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it or not, but I ended up loving. It had the coconut shrimp inside, hamachi on top, some of the standard stuff, and strawberry, which was the "weirdest" part. It worked so well though, in a semi tropical and really delicious way. I also learned that there's a whole back room that I'd never seen before, which you can rent out for private events. Up to 50ish for formal seated and up to 80/90ish for strolling/high tops. read more

Second time here and might be my new favorite spot. The food is phenomenal really gets your taste buds going. Then the service is even better amazing staff , then to top it all off the atmosphere is out of this world, amazingly designed and I design house. read more

This was my first time at this restaurant and I was there for a work dinner. It was lively in the restaurant and a little louder and people around us seemed to be deeply engaged in conversation. Our server was very attentive. We ordered cocktails, and a few appetizers that included spinach artichoke dip, the shrimp, brussels sprouts and a couple of folks got the gumbo. I ordered the scallops and grits as my meal. The grits were delicious and the scallops were well prepared. Not overcooked at all the dish had a bit of a kick that was perfect other folks order the salmon, and they seem to like it. I ordered the English garden with vodka, and it was smooth. I enjoyed it very much. We will be back again! read more

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Maybe I'm being too harsh. I have had positive experiences here but the food last night was an atrocity, and it's never really blown me away. Ordered the halibut which was served atop risotto. Sounds amazing. What I received was severely over cooked halibut with severely undercooked risotto, both of which were bland and tasteless. My counterpart ordered sushi and she was also unimpressed. I don't care for sushi but have never tasted a bite that was rock hard in the bottom. Neither of us came close to finishing half of our meals. Maybe they were too focused on the special menu for their red carpet NYE party starting as we left. Service and atmosphere were fine but I go to restaurants for quality food. It will be awhile before I give this place another chance. read more

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We went for Mother's Day and had a lovely start--our drinks and appetizers were delicious. Unfortunately, the main course lacked flavor and didn't quite meet expectations. That said, the service made up for it--our waiter was friendly, attentive, and made us feel welcome throughout the meal. Restaurant itself is good enough not special. The price are very much reasonable . Restaurant design is good. read more

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We loved our meal at the Black Pearl! Located on a lively street during an art fair, we were glad to have booked a reservation. They had the windows open for fresh air and the atmosphere is great. Our table all agreed my cocktail was the best.. called "I Pine Over You" with house-infused pineapple reposado, pamplemousse liqueur, lime, and basil. So light and delicious and perfectly balanced. For my meal I got the seafood alfredo which was rich and delicious, I would definitely order it again! My husband ordered the salmon and it was fantastic as well! Can't wait to come back to the Black Pearl next time I'm in town! read more

Black Pearl Ann Arbor - Seafood Alfredo! So good! - Seafood Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

The food is just alright, the vibes are nice (there's outdoor seating during summer), and the service is good. I got the swordfish and it comes with 'Korean dirty rice'...which is kind of like fried rice but not really fried. While the fish was fresh and cooked well, the rice was really mediocre. I've gotten better tasting (fried) rice at Asian takeout places. I'm not sure if it complemented the fish well. Perhaps not. read more

Black Pearl Ann Arbor - Grilled Swordfish - Seafood Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Went in for their fast casual lunch offering. Delicious! Definitely try the Gumbo.

Never ever go to this restaurant when there's a football game day. I waited almost 1.5 hour for my meal and when I complained they said it's ok as everybody else had been waiting for their meal that long. It's supposed to be a "fancy" restaurant and that's the kind of service you get. Seriously? I was expecting to at least get a discount after the very bad experience but nothing. read more

Limited menu but good food. Ordered crab dip which was very tasty, burger was okay nothing special than other burgers we've tasted. Barramundi fish was also good not too fishy. read more

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Wouldn't go back for the food, service was okay, new renovation? Bigger bar, but should have added more tables. The manager came over after we cashed out and were finishing our drinks (while literally pulling up a table to ours) without a word except saying there's a party needing sat. Never experienced that before, extremely rude and could have been handled better. The server/manager obviously wanted us to leave. It was 6:30pm with only 4 tables sat in the entire restaurant besides ours. The new renovation doesn't help poor/rude management. read more

My experience did not meet the excellent rating the hotel gave this average restaurant at best. For starters the staff was not very friendly. I felt more like an inconvenience than a guest with a reservation. That is how I was greeted at the door. Thank goodness my server was adorable, but not really outstanding. The food: average and overpriced. Three scallops for $38and they were covered in some goopy raspberry sauce with shaved asparagus. Not a good value. The scallops were fresh but I was not impressed. Overall the experience was mediocre. I won't be back read more

Came for late graduation dinner. The Brussels Sprouts and Chesapeake Bay Half oysters were excellent. Sadly the steak and trout was a bit disappointing as was the burger. The fish tacos were solid. Ended up a very average experience given the price and event. The good, last time I will be dining hear,bittersweet not about this restaurant though read more

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Terrible Food, Bad Service. I went to Black Pearl 2 years ago and loved it. The salmon was delicious. Not sure what has happened since. I went last night for restaurant week with a friend and everything from the service to the food was absolutely terrible. The salad I was served was tiny and embarrassingly sparse. The scallops dish was inedible. So bad tasting I couldn't even force myself to eat it. The carrot tres lèches was fine, but anything is good if it's sugary enough. In terms of the service, the servers are extremely attentive to filling up your water glass but little else. We were ushered through our meal as the waiter brought our next course before we'd even finished the prior course. So the main course was sitting on the table as we ate our appetizers, and same with dessert. Overall an awful experience, I'm so disappointed because I used to love this place but won't ever be going back. I have another friend who went two nights ago and had a very similar experience, so I don't think this one can be chalked up to an "off night." So disappointed! read more

Black Pearl Ann Arbor - Scallops SO BAD - Seafood Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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I ordered the tortellini and it was delicious! We had a large group and all the appetizers arrived together and we had plenty of time before the entrees were brought to the table. read more

Black Pearl Ann Arbor - Tuscan Tortellini - Seafood Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

We love going to Black Pearl for the amazing fish tacos. We really enjoy the greenhouse seating because we have 2 kids, and it is cozy and separate (although indoor dining has been fine also as long as the kids behave appropriately). The Brussels sprouts are delicious. The last time we went we had 2 orders of barramundi that were also fantastic read more

Black Pearl Ann Arbor - Barramundi special - Seafood Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

We came here ahead of a concert at The Ark. We arrived ahead of the dinner rush, too. Our server was very attentive and friendly. The drinks, crap dip, scallops, fish tacos, and carrot cake were all tasty. read more

Black Pearl Ann Arbor - Boomerang (spicy cocktail) and Carrot Cake - Seafood Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

We had a great experience here! My cocktail was so yummy, and the salmon dish was amazing. The service was very friendly and attentive, even on a busy Friday night. I would definitely recommend! read more

Food was delicious! From the melt in your mouth scallops to the swordfish, everything was spot on! Service was excellent as well! Will definitely return! read more

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Visiting Ann Arbor for the night and decided to eat at Black Pearl at first site we could really see why it's a high ranked spot to eat. Great ambience all in classy black fashion. Huge long bar inside we opted outside seating which was great weather. Had an awesome main server and several others were very attentive. The employees eyes were always moving seeing what or who needed help. The food well simply amazing even one of my granddaughters ate her plate and loved the spicy ketchup. Lol. Highly suggest this gem of a pearl!! read more

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Excellent happy hour with delicious lychee martinis, fish tacos, grilled Brussels sprouts and coconut shrimp. Super nice and knowledgeable bartender with a cozy speakeasy vibe in the back. read more

Came here during the 2024 Ann Arbor Restaurant Week. Got to try the seafood gumbo and fried brussels (GF) for appetizers. The gumbo was flavorful and spicy. The brussels were crispy and sweet. Hummus was a nice addition to the brussels sprouts. For our main entree we got the Atlantic Misoyaki Salmon and the Scallop and Grits. Salmon was soft and delightful, while the scallop and grits was my favorite dish of the night. Lastly, we tried Tres Leche Carrot Cake which was so yummy and super filling. We also ordered a drink that wasn't part of the restaurant week menu. 'I Pine Over You' was the name. I tend to enjoy sweeter alcoholic drinks but this one wasn't as sweet as I had hoped. Ambiance was nice, would recommend this place for a date night. read more

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Had a late lunch here during the art fair and were able to be seated outside quickly. We were ignored by wait staff for a good 15 minutes and I watched another waiter bring waters to a table who already had water so I had to flag him down and ask if we could have them instead as no one had come to greet us. Once our waitress finally showed we were able to order our food. We ordered the chips and guacamole which was delicious! The Caesar salad was unfortunately drenched in dressing so instead of it being fresh and crisp, the lettuce was quite soggy and overwhelmed with a basic-tasting caesar dressing. My brother enjoyed his tacos though and said they were flavorful but messy. Getting our bill took another 30 minutes and we were given someone else's receipt so it took even longer to sort out. Hoping to try again on a regular night and see if things improve! read more

Black Pearl Ann Arbor - Caesar salad with blackened chicken - Seafood Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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Quick stop in Ann Arbor on the way back from Mackinac Island. Outdoor seating was perfect with two kids, but the inside would be an awesome spot for a date night, or even just casual drinks and sides. The service was great, never had to ask for a thing. I ended up with the fish tacos on their menu, and they were legit the BEST fish tacos I've ever had. Waiter said they've kept the same ingredients for 17 years now, and it shows why. I tried my wife's Scallop dinner and they were also fresh and cooked perfectly. I'll be back if we're ever up this way again! read more

Black Pearl Ann Arbor - Seafood Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

I've sampled most of the restaurants on Main Street in Ann Arbor, but haven't had a chance to experience this one yet, so a family birthday celebration was the perfect reason to give it a try. They have a great patio seating area so we took advantage of that on a pretty spring day. Our server, Jesse, was friendly and fun, which always enhances the dining experience. We started with a couple of their signature cocktails, the ménage a trio and the last straw...berry (Jesse appreciated that we placed the order with the appropriate pause). These were great summer cocktails! We sampled the crab cake appetizer and the lobster bisque. Both were very good, but the presence of a hint of sherry in the bisque was unique and tasty. For the entree, a couple of us tried the scallops. The scallops themselves were good, but the cauliflower was a bit disappointing. One member of our party got a salad, but the top entree was the pasta emiliana, which we were all jealous of. They provided a free dessert for the birthday celebration, which was a nice touch! read more

Black Pearl Ann Arbor - ménage a trois cocktail - Seafood Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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Fantastic food with prompt service. Low key vibes, with very high caliber food and well balanced, creative cocktails.

Casual spot with the finest of food. The menu is perfect, not huge, but still hard to choose from. This is a seafood place, and they nail it. They do have at least one steak dish but even if you're not a fish or seafood person you would want to try the seafood. You won't be disappointed. The staff work well as a team and are quick to wait on you. The mood is dark and chill. If you have difficulty seeing in dim light you may need some assistance with the menu. There is outside seating also. Try the key lime bar for dessert. Very good and has a little spice to it. read more

food took 2 hours to come out and my burger was raw. unacceptable!!! I was definitely unpleasant with my experience, and i recommend no one to come to this place.. read more

The service has been less than desirable. We are currently sitting and waiting for our server to notice that we are waiting for our bill. She has not been very observant or timely toward our table all evening. We've watched her serve a few other tables who were seated after we were much faster - both of whom have left already. The food was good! The hot crab Rangoon dip was our favorite! If we could guarantee better service, we would definitely come back. read more

This place is very clean and worth going for a nice occasion or reunion! I would say Black Pearl is best to go with 4 people or less since it is more intimate space. I got the shallot and even though it seemed like the portions are small it did fill me up. They are known for the seafood and they are pretty good quality. I really liked the vibe and would come again! This place is definetely bring your parents for college students because the price can go up. The service was good and they made sure we enjoyed our meal. There is a time limit of like 1.5 hours so make sure you know what you want ahead of time lol read more