Dining Out: Brunch Happy Hour At Earls Kitchen + Bar

When the Assembly Row movie theater opened in 2014, I became a regular. With its brand new leather recliners and the most decadent concession stand I'd ever seen, it immediately became my preferred place to see a flick. Just as I was falling in love with the movie theater, I also got to know Earls Kitchen + Bar, the tastiest restaurant in the plaza. My ideal weekend combination is a movie, followed by a meal at Earls. 

Last summer, Earls opened a second location, this time inside the Prudential Center. It's directly across from Eataly and right next to makeup Mecca (a.k.a. Sephora). 

I am obsessed with the design of this location. The huge windows flood the space with natural light, especially in the morning and early afternoon. 

The caramel colored leather booths are cozy and inviting. 

I'm super into this Boston mural too. I love the triangle wine glass meant to mimic the shape of the CITGO sign (bottom left). 

I have been to Earls for every meal of the day and the menu is fantastic. 

Last weekend I went to check out their new special which combines two of my very most favorite things: brunch and happy hour. 

The Earls Brunch Happy Hour is every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am - 12:00pm. During those hours any entree is $8 dollars and mimosas are $5 dollars. Yes, people. A boozy brunch for just $13 dollars. 

I was invited to celebrate the launch of Brunch Happy Hour, which included tasting our way through the special menu. We started with the golden waffles, which are topped with strawberry compote, whipped cheesecake mousse and a dollop of whipped cream. 

Normally I think about having a sweet dish at the end of brunch, but it was actually kind of fun to start with it. This dish was super delicious. Everyone at my table was worried it would be too sweet, but the tart strawberries helped to cut through the decadence of the cheesecake mousse. The best part was that the waffles never got soggy. They totally stood up to their toppings. 

Each of us at the table ordered a different dish so we could sample as many as possible. To my right, a friend had chosen the steak and eggs. The plate arrived with two pieces of grilled baguette, bacon jam, avocado, steak and two fried eggs, along with a side of home fries. 

He described the dish as, "All about the bacon jam. It's so good! Also, these eggs are cooked perfectly."

To my left, a friend had chosen the eggs benedict, a brunch classic. The toasted baguette was topped with Virginia ham, poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce. 

She was kind enough to let me snag a few home fries, which were seasoned with rosemary (yum), but not terribly crispy (fail). 

Straight across, another friend had ordered the chorizo and mushroom hash, also topped with poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce. 

After a few bites she said, "I am very picky about my Hollandaise and unfortunately this one is very bland. I also wanted the chorizo to be spicier. Sadly, I wouldn't order this dish again." 

I went with the avocado toast (I know, I know) which at Earls is a toasted baguette topped with mashed avocado, tomatoes, radishes, olive oil, sriracha, toasted hemp seeds and poached eggs. 

This dish has the perfect ratio of components. The slight kick from the sriracha makes it addicting. I didn't offer to share even one tiny bite with my tablemates. #SorryNotSorry 

Throughout the brunch, the service was friendly and attentive. Before we even finished our meal I was already thinking about when I could come back.

It's incredibly rare to go out to eat in downtown Boston and not spend at least $30 - $40 dollars per person. The fact that you can get a mimosa and a generous, delicious plate of food for just $13 dollars is truly mind blowing. 

Who wants to go get their brunch on with me?

*I was provided a complimentary meal in exchange for this review. As always, all opinions are 100 percent my own.