I put in a reservation weeks prior to my visit to The Pearl to reserve a booth. When my girlfriend and I arrive, the hostess goes to the male owner and he loudly says "They can either sit at the bar or a table by the door". We should have taken our business elsewhere, but were in a time crunch. The male owner then comes over and starts trying to compliment us in a very awkward and unprofessional exchange to try to make up for us overhearing him. We ordered the shrimp scampi and it was extremely bland and had to request salt and pepper. After this experience, I don't think we'll be dining at The Pearl again.
Amy O.
I came here again for brunch with a friend. I had the brioche French toast, eggs bacon and the breakfast potatoes. The service was good too and great drinks. Hoping they move to a bigger location soon. The restaurant is too small
Pat B.
Loved my dish girlfriend who is well traveled in boston restaurants scene said it was the best shrimp scampi she's ever had My red Sangr so good that my dinner partner ordered one for her second cocktail and I've had sangria in Spain Server was young and sweet with more experience she will be more on point. Quaint atmosphere we commented how nice it would be to eat outside in the summer
Michelle Thornton
Ordered 3 Shrimp scampi's for my mom, sister and myself also crab dip. Got home to enjoy what I've had several times before to this time it was completely sweet. I don't know what they used but 2 were opened 3rd left refrigerated now in the trash. I've called several times since Friday and no call back. Nothin a hundred and ten dollars wasted never again
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
Andrea T.
Today the kitchen was off - food not served hot, some entrees delivered to table after several others had completed meal. Great service but inconsistent food.
Yolanda R.
I wish I could give this place 0 stars , they take forever to bring out your food they bring out pieces at a time like they don't have a decent cook to keep up with the ordering, the food is mediocre and over priced for such small ridiculous portions. The main dishes only come with meat no sides who does that so you gotta pay 30$ for chicken and 20 for a side to eat with it, and the owner a rude one all he do is cater to the white crowd when all we trying to do is support black businesses and eat good never ever again
Joao D.
Not a great experience with these people. They have this attitude and feel because they are black that people should flock there for bad service! If you're white you may get better service.
Tiffani J.
My overall rating for The Pearl is 3.5 stars. Service has really improved. However, there is still not a hostess/host at the stand most of the time Jon entry. I have experienced and witnessed people coming in to the main bar area or self seating simply because no one was there. I think they could set the hostess/host stand up further into the restaurant if they need to because no one wants to start their dining experience with being fussed at or told they are wrong when they are just trying to dine. It can kill the ambiance. You also may have to wait even with a reservation. Once you are seated, that's when you get to the good stuff. You will enjoy their perfectly seasoned food. Please note: they serve salads but not ranch. I was told their were only two options for salad dressings--disappointing. My sodas were completely flat the last time. Each time i sent them back the server said they came from a can. Again, it was disappointing. The seafood is always fresh. I have taken visitors here instead of a chain like Legals. I think this place has a lot of potential. It's small but the vibes are good.
Ansia F.
I absolutely adore this restaurant! The atmosphere is always welcoming and the owner has always been present during my visits. I've watched him approach tables or the bar and welcome the guest. It really creates an inviting space. Also, the music selection is top tier! I've tried many items from the menu and they've all been delicious. This particular visit I ordered the crispy calamari which was seasoned and fried to perfection. The salmon bites had the perfect amount of heat without being overwhelmingly spicy. I ended up taking it home because it was so much food. Lastly I had their speciality cocktail The Pearl Potion which is so good (and very strong) be careful because it can sneak up on you. This is my favorite black owned restaurant in Boston. I will always return to this restaurant again and again.
Vincent J.
Excellent food, drinks and service. I will definitely return! Nice quiet ambiance. Nice place to go after shopping or movies.
As a seafood lover, I have been wanting to try the Pearl since its opening, but after my first experience it's safe to say I will not be going back ever again. The food overall was mediocre and not worth the price. Plenty of better seafood restaurants around the Boston area if you ask me. Not to mention my partners steak was cooked rare (yes I could hear the cow still mooing). The service was terrible as well. Our waiter was fairly new and nice, but did not do much to help the cause. The rest of the staff that helped us did not care much to be there or at least that's what they make it seem. It felt like we were being rushed since the moment we sat down. At the end of it all, we were not even offered dessert just the check. Very disappointing experience overall. Would not recommend this place to anyone.
Tara K.
This was the best place I have been to in a long time, it exceed my expectations tremendously. The ambiance and welcome getting it with the nice and very well dressed owners, the sweetest waitress who gave us great recommendations were just the beginning! We got Malik's oysters that came with grilled lemon slices, small touches Ike that are a part of what makes the is place so great bc when I asked for some more lemon the waitress brought more grilled lemons. The salmon was amazing as were the mussels in white sun, I wish I could have brought that back with me. It was that good. Another owner came by to chat with us, not just to see how we were doing with the food but just also being friendly and asking how our trip was (we were visiting from nyc). I wish I could have tried so much more but we left full and very happy with the experience.
Soraya Maness
This was my second time at The Pearl, I recommend this restaurant for date nights. Our server Jasmine, was sweet, attentive, friendly and welcoming. Thank you Jasmine for your food and drink recommendations, we had a wonderful time. We will definitely be back again. Awesome service and great food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tamara R.
I have been to the location possibly five times. The last time I had their pasta which was fresh, with ample garlic - looked and tasted extraordinary. It was sooooo good .
Marie K.
I was shopping in the area and decided to stop at this place to get something to eat. Oh my gosh I did not regret it at all. It was such a vibe and the food was fantastic. The service was outstanding, and not to mention the drinks were awesome and very accommodating. LOL. If you're in the area highly recommend stopping here and trying this place out he won't regret it
I put in a reservation weeks prior to my visit to The Pearl to reserve a booth. When my girlfriend and I arrive, the hostess goes to the male owner and he loudly says "They can either sit at the bar or a table by the door". We should have taken our business elsewhere, but were in a time crunch. The male owner then comes over and starts trying to compliment us in a very awkward and unprofessional exchange to try to make up for us overhearing him. We ordered the shrimp scampi and it was extremely bland and had to request salt and pepper. After this experience, I don't think we'll be dining at The Pearl again.
I came here again for brunch with a friend. I had the brioche French toast, eggs bacon and the breakfast potatoes. The service was good too and great drinks. Hoping they move to a bigger location soon. The restaurant is too small
Loved my dish girlfriend who is well traveled in boston restaurants scene said it was the best shrimp scampi she's ever had My red Sangr so good that my dinner partner ordered one for her second cocktail and I've had sangria in Spain Server was young and sweet with more experience she will be more on point. Quaint atmosphere we commented how nice it would be to eat outside in the summer
Ordered 3 Shrimp scampi's for my mom, sister and myself also crab dip. Got home to enjoy what I've had several times before to this time it was completely sweet. I don't know what they used but 2 were opened 3rd left refrigerated now in the trash. I've called several times since Friday and no call back. Nothin a hundred and ten dollars wasted never again
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
Today the kitchen was off - food not served hot, some entrees delivered to table after several others had completed meal. Great service but inconsistent food.
I wish I could give this place 0 stars , they take forever to bring out your food they bring out pieces at a time like they don't have a decent cook to keep up with the ordering, the food is mediocre and over priced for such small ridiculous portions. The main dishes only come with meat no sides who does that so you gotta pay 30$ for chicken and 20 for a side to eat with it, and the owner a rude one all he do is cater to the white crowd when all we trying to do is support black businesses and eat good never ever again
Not a great experience with these people. They have this attitude and feel because they are black that people should flock there for bad service! If you're white you may get better service.
My overall rating for The Pearl is 3.5 stars. Service has really improved. However, there is still not a hostess/host at the stand most of the time Jon entry. I have experienced and witnessed people coming in to the main bar area or self seating simply because no one was there. I think they could set the hostess/host stand up further into the restaurant if they need to because no one wants to start their dining experience with being fussed at or told they are wrong when they are just trying to dine. It can kill the ambiance. You also may have to wait even with a reservation. Once you are seated, that's when you get to the good stuff. You will enjoy their perfectly seasoned food. Please note: they serve salads but not ranch. I was told their were only two options for salad dressings--disappointing. My sodas were completely flat the last time. Each time i sent them back the server said they came from a can. Again, it was disappointing. The seafood is always fresh. I have taken visitors here instead of a chain like Legals. I think this place has a lot of potential. It's small but the vibes are good.
I absolutely adore this restaurant! The atmosphere is always welcoming and the owner has always been present during my visits. I've watched him approach tables or the bar and welcome the guest. It really creates an inviting space. Also, the music selection is top tier! I've tried many items from the menu and they've all been delicious. This particular visit I ordered the crispy calamari which was seasoned and fried to perfection. The salmon bites had the perfect amount of heat without being overwhelmingly spicy. I ended up taking it home because it was so much food. Lastly I had their speciality cocktail The Pearl Potion which is so good (and very strong) be careful because it can sneak up on you. This is my favorite black owned restaurant in Boston. I will always return to this restaurant again and again.
Excellent food, drinks and service. I will definitely return! Nice quiet ambiance. Nice place to go after shopping or movies.
Restaurantji Recommends
As a seafood lover, I have been wanting to try the Pearl since its opening, but after my first experience it's safe to say I will not be going back ever again. The food overall was mediocre and not worth the price. Plenty of better seafood restaurants around the Boston area if you ask me. Not to mention my partners steak was cooked rare (yes I could hear the cow still mooing). The service was terrible as well. Our waiter was fairly new and nice, but did not do much to help the cause. The rest of the staff that helped us did not care much to be there or at least that's what they make it seem. It felt like we were being rushed since the moment we sat down. At the end of it all, we were not even offered dessert just the check. Very disappointing experience overall. Would not recommend this place to anyone.
This was the best place I have been to in a long time, it exceed my expectations tremendously. The ambiance and welcome getting it with the nice and very well dressed owners, the sweetest waitress who gave us great recommendations were just the beginning! We got Malik's oysters that came with grilled lemon slices, small touches Ike that are a part of what makes the is place so great bc when I asked for some more lemon the waitress brought more grilled lemons. The salmon was amazing as were the mussels in white sun, I wish I could have brought that back with me. It was that good. Another owner came by to chat with us, not just to see how we were doing with the food but just also being friendly and asking how our trip was (we were visiting from nyc). I wish I could have tried so much more but we left full and very happy with the experience.
This was my second time at The Pearl, I recommend this restaurant for date nights. Our server Jasmine, was sweet, attentive, friendly and welcoming. Thank you Jasmine for your food and drink recommendations, we had a wonderful time. We will definitely be back again. Awesome service and great food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I have been to the location possibly five times. The last time I had their pasta which was fresh, with ample garlic - looked and tasted extraordinary. It was sooooo good .
I was shopping in the area and decided to stop at this place to get something to eat. Oh my gosh I did not regret it at all. It was such a vibe and the food was fantastic. The service was outstanding, and not to mention the drinks were awesome and very accommodating. LOL. If you're in the area highly recommend stopping here and trying this place out he won't regret it