By Tucker Golladay

My first reaction was that I was underdressed. The environment of the restaurant was classy, yet relaxed. There was modern art that covered sections of the walls and trendy seating that felt cozy. Over spring break I went to Boston, Massachusetts, and one mid-afternoon on my trip I visited Earls Kitchen + Bar‘s Assembly Row location. I was excited to eat lunch there, as the night before my brother had recommended the place, but the wait pushed us to a Mexican restaurant across the street. From my experience, Earls is a common ground for an evening meal, and I would advise calling for a reservation if you want to be guaranteed to get a table with no wait. You’ll be impressed, as I was, by the range of global choices on their menu. 

Photo courtesy of Earls Assembly Row.

Too often the food in a restaurant outweighs the quality of the service, or vise versa, but I was happily surprised that they were in equilibrium at Earls. Not only were the waiters friendly, but they surpassed my expectations as they made jokes and helped pass the time between ordering and receiving the food.

My brother made sure to order the lobster mac and the truffle fries, as he claimed “they were the closest thing I have ever had to heaven on a plate.” It is important to note that the menus change depending on which Earls location you visit.

Appetizer One: Lobster Mac and Cheese $15

I would pay double or even triple the cost to have another chance to scarf down another platter of that mac and cheese. Not only was it warm and inviting, but I never would have known that white cheddar cheese and parmesan mixed together could be so creamy and delicious. It was so savory that I would be willing to baptize my firstborn in a vat of that lobster mac. You may wonder why I am giving the mac and cheese such high praise, but I had to when I caught myself subconsciously scooping every last bit of sauce into my mouth.

Lobster Mac and Cheese. Photo courtesy of TripAdvisor.

Appetizer Two: Truffle Fries $7.50

Although I am open to eating a wide range of foods, I have never found myself really enjoying fries at restaurants. I often find fries too filling and end up struggling to finish my entrée. These fries were different. The mix of salt, pepper, and truffle aioli gives a burst of flavor, yet remained light on the stomach. If I return to Earls, I would strongly consider buying another dish of the truffle fries. The balance of crisp bites and soft bites that the truffle fries delivered made me reconsider my initial negative approach to fries.

Entrée: Golden Waffles + Cream $12 ($10 during happy hour)

The only entrée I had, the golden waffles, were one of many brunch options served only on weekends. I would have gone for a more traditional late lunch option, like tacos, but because of the exclusivity of the waffles, I had to give them a chance. In my short life I have had tasty waffles and waffles that I have regretted ordering, but waffles that leave your mouth agape after finishing a meal are few and far between. If you like waffles, then Earls is the place for you. The accompanying seasonal compote was fresh sliced strawberries that rested with elegance on the light buttery cream. The longer it took me to finish my waffles, the further the strawberries sunk in as the cream started to melt due to the warmth of the waffles underneath. These were the most flavorful waffles I have ever had in my life. The two waffles with cream and strawberries popped with so much flavor, I looked forward to every next bite.

My experience at Earls was filled with great service and food, and I highly recommend trying some of their dishes in Boston, or in other locations around the world. The environment was friendly and bustling. People were happy. Stomachs were fulfilled. I cannot wait to return for some lobster mac, a few truffle fries, and a golden waffle.

Featured image courtesy of Earls Assembly Row.