L'Espalier

One of my good friends is moving to Portland, Oregon at the end of the week so when she suggested L'Espalier as a spot to meet up for a farewell lunch I couldn't say no.  I've walked past this restaurant often and always dreamed of going in.

Eating at L'Espalier is about so much more than just the food, although the food is incredible.  L'Espalier is all about the experience.  Upon entering, you are directed upstairs, via the elevator.  When you get off the elevator the host is waiting for you and directs you to your table.  We were lucky to get a big, round table with couch like seating.  We got this table because we had some bags with us and they didn't want them to be in our way.  The host even asked us if we needed extra pillows.

The lunch menu is actually pretty reasonable, for a restaurant of this caliber.  I went with the lobster risotto and my friend got the chicken.  We were served a "chef's tasting" to start which included baked gouda and an arugula emulsion mound.  I'm not sure how to describe it.  It was kind of like arugula foam and was actually sweet, and not at all bitter.

My lobster risotto was served with a brown butter emulsion, green beans, and micro-greens.  The lobster was cooked perfectly and the risotto was perfectly creamy.  My friend got the chicken which was served with a "creamed" corn powder and burnt eggplant cream.  This is the kind of place where you are just in awe of what is being served to you.  After lunch we enjoyed the chocolate soufflé dessert and reminisced about the last eight years in city.  Boston certainly won't be the same without this friend but I have so many great memories in the city because of her.