The Pearl

This place shocked me! The tater tots is a must get! It was fried with beer batter and the inside was like a steamy mashed potato texture. The sauce on the side was also amazing. I tried the hangar steak and it was surprisingly really good. The steak was precut on top of kimchi fried rice. I like how this dish was a good balance of carbs and protein. Lastly, the drink was 10/10. I'm not a big cocktail person but I finished this one.

Our server was super attentive and was really nice when asking for recommendations. The food also came out decently fast so nothing to complain there.

The ambiance was really nice. I saw a few people go on dates here. I went for a company dinner and it was really appropriate for that as well.

Came here for Sunday brunch, a party of five. We didnt have reservations. However, we called and spoke to one of the managers who was able to secure us a wonderful table rather quickly.

The quick review for our time at The Pearl is: it was excellent all around. The food, service, atmosphere and pricing. 5 out of 5. Really had a good time

Longer review:
Service was excellent. The timing of our appetizers and meals were perfect. We never had an empty glass, yet didn't feel he hovered. Serious stealth serving skills at the Pearl! Our table was amazing. It was truly comfortable- a rounded leather booth towards the back of the first dining area.

We ordered a mimosa kit, bloody marys, espresso martini, and the brown bag beer which today was Hamms Beer. To snack on we ordered cornbread for the table, six oysters on the half shell, and dressed crab.

You get en entire bottle of Prosecco for your mimosa and fresh squeezed Oj. Yielded four pours. They enjoyed it.

Espresso martini was excellent. The bloody mary had no complaints, but orderer of that is a bartender and I think his are probably better. Our beer drinker was pleasantly surprised by the Hamm's. I think he ordered two.

Appetizers were excellent. They slurped down all the oysters in no time. The cornbread was a big hit. The dressed crab looks tiny but there is a LOT in there. It is deceiving. Tip: ask for a few extra crackers.

Entrees: pancakes were good but I felt could have benefited from a bit of fruit. Lots of negative space in a large oval plate. Just ugly plating... tasted fine.

Chicken and waffles: chicken was excellent. We asked if they were Belgian waffles. We were told yes. They were not Belgian... just regular waffles. That was a disappointment. However the waffle was still warm and tasted fine. However one of the ordering members of our party would have chose something else had they known it was not a Belgian waffle.

The omelette was good but its orderer reported it to be small. When he got home he still felt hungry and made a "snack".

I think I won the "who ordered the best dish" competition wirh the harbor salad. It comes with scallops, fresh lump crab, and shrimp. I had them take off the scallops due to allergy issues and add extra crab. It was amazing and its now six hours later and I am still full. I highly recommend that (and the beet salad as that is my normal go to there)

The key lime pie was good... not great.
I would not get it again.

The bill comes in a book. Cute.
Our bill with tip came to just shy of 300

The only con I found: Stopped in the bathroom before leaving. The soap and hand towels are weirdly located directly above the toilet paper. Thats kind of disgusting. Dripping wet hands hover the toilet paper making it wet. I noticed they have wrapped spare toilet paper so I unwrapped a fresh one as the one on the roller was soggy. Bad design. That seriously is the only flaw I found at this restaurant. Could be solved by moving or getting a toilet paper cover.

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The bill was brought out in a book which was fitting as the entire space feels like a large library or mansion den in a historic mansion.

The Pearl is fantastic! The ambiance is moody and cozy. The staff is incredibly friendly, shoutout to the manager Rose who was so warm and welcoming to our group :) The food is excellent! Highly recommend starting with the Jalapeño Spoon Bread (comes with butter and local honey), the deviled eggs (very flavorful!), and the tater tots (crunchy on the outside, soft and delicious on the inside). We also tried the Whitefish spread which was tasty. And some of the group had oysters.

For my main, I had the chicken sandwich and it was ssooo goood!! Would definitely order it again.

We also tried all of the pies and honestly they were all incredible. I think the brown sugar, the cherry, and the chocolate cream were the favorites.

Cocktails: highly recommend the gin and thyme :)

The waiter with the kindergarten-inspired haircut tried to seat 11 people at 2 4-tops pushed together. Not too bright and unprofessional especially since there were additional tables right next to us that were empty all evening.
The service was hesitant with drinks coming out 2-3 at a time ..maybe it was the waiters first time?
Also served caffeinated coffee instead of the requested decaf after dessert which, for some, presented a challenge staying awake the next day.
Food was meh with the exception being the clam chowder - it was quite good.

This place is very busy and tables are crammed. It did allow many people to get seats however. It did take a while to get drinks, but after the waiter was acquainted, service was not delayed.
The bacon beautiful bourbon was interesting but not overwhelming bourbon flavor.
The bacon was an interesting touch. (This was per my partner as I didn't try it).
We did have oysters and they have a variety of locations they are from which allow you to choose where you want them sourced from. They were nice. Good flavor and tasted fresh.
I had the walleye special which was lovely, great flavor, well cooked. The tater tots were amazing. A must try, they are not traditional tater tots, and more flavorful and a better texture.
The portion size was generous on a sandwich my partner ordered.
Make reservations as there were many waiting without a reservation.

Went here for brunch with a colleague and was pleasantly surprised with the food. The huevos rancheros was tasty, and we also enjoyed mimosas.

Service: good

Parking: street parking in Short North

Seating: indoor only - booths, tables, and high top tables

Great experience tonight dining at The Pearl. My manager was in town so I decided to let him experience The Pearl. We ordered a couple of drinks and a couple of half price appetizers. The bacon wrapped dates and the jalapeño bread was so good. Highly recommend.

We both got the fish and chips and
we were both pleasantly surprised at the portions, and we both enjoyed this dish.

Our server was spot on! He was just present enough. We really enjoyed the evening.

Solid cocktails, and very tasty fried pickles. Just be wary that they can come pretty hot temperature wise so avail yourself of the dipping sauce which is also pretty tasty

Returned to The Pearl for another visit, opted for indoor dining, and had an absolutely delightful experience.

Reordered the grilled cheese sandwich and curry mussels, both consistently excellent.

Explored new additions like parmesan baked clams, jalapeño cornbread, and crispy chicken sandwich--all of which exceeded expectations. Delighted with my varied choices a rare occurrence for me to enjoy multiple items on a menu.

The ambiance is inviting, creating a pleasant atmosphere to relax, sip on drinks, and savor a truly delightful meal. Service was also attentative.

Highly recommend this spot!

I was "clutching my pearls" after eating those two pie slices. They were super sweet. We tried the chocolate and brown sugar pie. Definitely get the chocolate if you are like me and don't like things too sweet. Hence the word, "sugar."

I got the Harbor salad to counteract the dessert but I didn't really care for it too much. The seafood was salty and the salad was off balance with the dressing.

Service was good. It is best to make reservations because we had to sit at the counter. It was a classy place and definitely a place to impress in downtown. Parking is on the street.

I think there are better food options in downtown.