Plan changes, pancakes satisfy

As God planned, option “B” revealed a prize: best pancakes, so far, in Boston and surrounding areas. Of three places I’ve tried pancakes since moving to Massachusetts in May, The Arlington Restaurant & Diner takes first place. I joined my friend Carl for breakfast Saturday. I had apple cinnamon pancakes, two darker brown disks about 12 inches in diameter with tender, slightly firm diced apples dispersed among the batter, which includes buttermilk, and a healthy cinnamon trail. The pancakes were soft, yet held their shape even with syrup. 

A tangy trace hit my mouth, just how I like it. The apples also retained their texture and were a refreshing contrast to the overly-sweet syrupy slices sometimes served atop or alongisde pancakes. Each element – apples, cinnamon, and the batter, shone naturally. Previous pancake experiences yielded descriptors, “thick and pasty” and “chewy.”

Pancakes at Arlington Diner avoid these adjectives. And to think, it wasn’t our original choice.  Carl and I planned to meet at another place (whose name will not be revealed) at 7 Saturday morning. I arrived first and the only light that shone into the restaurant came from a streetlight. Not a soul stirred inside. Someone (I assume a worker) arrived 15 minutes later, but we decided to get in the car and try someplace else.

Goes to show that pleasant surprises can await a change of plans.

The Arlington Restaurant & Diner

134 Massachusetts Ave.

Arlington, MA 02474

Monday through Saturday – 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Sunday – 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Phone: (781) 646-9266

Fax: (781) 646-6285

www.arlington-diner.com