Earls Kitchen + Bar Opens at the Prudential Center, September 8

Earls Kitchen + Bar soon will open their second Massachusetts location within The Shops at the Prudential Center in Boston’s Back Bay. Opening to the public on September 8, the new flagship location will be Earls’ 10^th and largest concept in the United States joining its sister restaurant at Assembly Row in Somerville. Earls Kitchen + Bar, the iconic staple from Canada, strikes a balance of healthy and indulgent by offering a menu diverse in culinary experiences inside a lively, high-energy bar and dining environment complete with an unmatched rooftop patio where authentic hospitality takes centerstage.

One of the most successful, family-owned independent restaurant groups in North America, Earls was founded in 1982 from humble beginnings as a laid-back beer and burger joint. The brand has grown to a sophisticated yet casual dining experience rich in global culinary influences and made-from scratch cuisine that reflect local flavors and trends. Earls restaurants are noted for their unique personalities that are each curated differently, with local artists selected to contribute to the overall design, and menus that are crafted with an eye toward location and demographics.

DRINKS:

Earls is known for bringing the fun to bars. With its innovative cocktail menu curated by internationally renowned beverage director Cameron Bogue, Earls’ cocktail gurus will shake-and-stir modernized classics in addition to pouring authentic craft cocktails and balanced libations with a twist of novelty. Using freshly-squeezed juices, seasonal fruits, small batch syrups and market-fresh herbs, Earls raises the bar one step further by pouring collaborations between Bogue and his mixologist friends who span the globe.

Highlights from the “New Classics” section of the menu include the Paper Plane with Buffalo Trace bourbon, Montenegro, amaro, Aperol and fresh lemon ($12) and the Spanish Gin & Tonic with Avion craft gin, Fentiman’s tonic water and cucumber bitters ($9.75) while “House Specialties” see playful libations like Absinthe Minded with Bombay dry gin, Tio Pepe Fino Sherry, Martini blanco vermouth, absinthe and fresh lime ($10) and Frozen Pink Lemonade with Skyy vodka, pink citrus, lavender and fresh lemon ($8.75). Each month, Earls will feature a specialty cocktail that is available all day, every day for only $5; in the spotlight in September are four renditions of the Moscow Mule. The cocktail program is rounded out by kids’ cereal-inspired “Shooters” (four for $10) such as Fruit Hoops with Skyy vodka, Raspberry Pucker, lemongrass and fresh lemon as well as Cinnamon Crunch with Bacardi Oakheart spiced rum, Buttershots and Fireball. Earls also offers virgin house-made craft sodas and cans of Red Bull for an extra jolt of energy.

Earls also features local and regional craft beer selections and an unpretentious wine list focused on quality and value that is curated by corporate sommelier David Stansfield, a wine educator and writer who is known for his wit and keen understanding of the wine experience. Comprised of a concise and sophisticated collection of globally-sourced varietals – including up-and-coming modern wineries alongside iconic international producers – the wine list is presented in an easygoing fashion that is tailor-made for its Prudential Center location with a heavy focus on wines of Italy and classic biodynamic producers.

FOOD

Earls’ motto of “Eat a Little, Eat a Lot” is materialized through its globally-inspired menus that achieve the perfect balance between healthy and indulgent. Designed to capture how today’s guest wants to eat, each Earls menu is unique to its local market and surroundings. At its core, Earls offers diverse selections ranging from bibimbap, jeera chicken curry, sushi and south-of-the-border specialties in addition to serving up classics like gourmet burgers, steaks and fresh seafood. Guests in a hurry also can take advantage of Earls’ “Power Lunch Menu” guaranteed to have one in-and-out in less than 45 minutes.

Standouts from its all-day menu include Avocado Super Toast with smashed avocado, olive oil and tomatoes, radish, spicy Sriracha and toasted hemp seeds on a toasted baguette ($9.50); three types of Wings from traditional hot and Korean hot to Jamaican jerk ($12.50-$13 per order); Blackened Swordfish Tacos in flour tortillas with melted white cheddar, roasted jalapeño crema, pico de gallo and fresh cilantro ($14.50); a half-dozen burger options, including the Fenway Burger with battered onion rings, red pepper relish, aged white cheddar and lettuce on a freshly baked brioche bun ($14.75); Jeera Chicken Curry – where guests can dictate their level of spiciness – with cumin-spiced curry and garam masala finished with a touch of cream over rice with baked naan ($16-19); and, Steak & Sushi with tataki-style steak and ponzu sauce with a choice of a dynamite roll or spicy tuna sushi press ($25).

The additional feature menus include a collection of “New & Notable” creations such as the lunch-friendly Quinoa & Avocado Powerbowl with roasted squash, beets, Green Goddess dressing, pumpkin seeds and crispy chickpeas ($14.50). “The Happiest Hour Menu” runs daily from 3:00pm-6:00pm and 9:00pm through close and includes items from its core menu at special pricing ($5-23) while the weekend brunch menu (10:00am-3:00pm) boasts items like Southern Fried Chicken & Waffles with buttermilk-marinated chicken atop a golden waffle with a sweet and spicy drizzle ($14.50) and brunchtime cocktails.

DESIGN

With comforting yet innovative design features, the Prudential Center location will set the stage for a multi-level, 14,500 square foot space complete with a three-season rooftop patio and lounge whose overall design lends itself to different social and dining experiences. Whether dressed up or dressed down, Earls’ happy and hospitable setting makes every guest feel right at home no matter the occasion.

Upon entering from the shopping center’s arcade level, guests will find themselves in the HDTV-lined upbeat bar, dubbed “The Cocktail Lab.” Proceeding upstairs, its 300-seat dining room will be anchored by an expansive open feature kitchen where guests will have the opportunity to sit at a “kitchen counter” to catch all the action. The second level also will offer an energetic lounge and bar area. By popular demand, the eye-catching papier-mâché animals that were featured in Earls’ original Canadian location have made their glorious return to the brand and the walls will feature a large collection of artwork from local Boston artists. Eye-catching artworks include a neighborhood-themed mural by Christopher DeLorenzo (Boston), a Zakim Bridge painting with giraffes in the forefront by Scott Listfield (Somerville), a brightly colored and whimsical piece titled “Shake Ya Tailfeather” by Timmy Sneaks (Boston) and a series of prints on the gallery wall created by a group of varied local artists.

Outdoors, Earls Kitchen + Bar at the Prudential Center will be home to a three-season rooftop bar and lounge that is decked with a sprawling tree and an ivy-lined wall. Earls’ scenic al fresco space will seat 200 and feature a retractable roof for city stargazing in addition to offering a lowered private area with relaxed lounge seating for social group outings, celebratory occasions or a romantic night out on the town.

Earls Kitchen + Bar at the Shops at the Prudential Center will open on September 8 at 800 Boylston Street, Unit 107, in Boston. Earls at the Pru will be Earls’ 10^th location in the United States and 66^th location internationally. For more information, please call (857) 957-0949 or visit: www.earlsrestaurants.com.

ABOUT EARLS KITCHEN + BAR:

Earls Restaurants Ltd. and the Fuller Group of Restaurants is a family-owned operation started by LeroyEarl (Bus) Fuller in 1982 with their first restaurant in Edmonton, Alberta. His son Stan Fuller is CEO and serves as the creative inspiration for the evolution of Earls menus by applying the flavours he discovers among his global travels. President, Mo Jessa has worked alongside the family for twenty-five years since his start as a dishwasher and rise through the kitchen and operations. Together their authentic love for food and people has built Earls into one of North America’s most successful, family-owned and operated restaurant groups with 66 restaurants across Canada (56) and the United States (10). From humble beginnings as a laid-back beer and burger joint, Earls grew into a beloved brand that now offer upscale casual dining and drinking environments.