Preheat the waffle maker. In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Add the vanilla, eggs, oil, and buttermilk to the bowl. Whisk well. Add lemon juice and lemon zest. Stir.
Pour the batter into the waffle maker. Use enough batter to fill the griddle sections, without overflowing. Cook 3-4 minutes, or according to the baking instructions of your waffle baker. Then check the waffle for a golden brown color.
PEAR COMPOTE: In the meantime, combine pears, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, lemon juice and zest in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat until juicy and thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
As the waffles come out of the waffle maker, place them directly on a warm plate and serve with Pear Compote and one small scoop of mascarpone cheese. Drizzle with maple syrup; serve!