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Top of the Hub

3.5 star rating
based on 353 reviews

Categories: American (New), American (Traditional)

Neighborhood: Back Bay
800 Boylston St
# 52

(between Fairfield St & Gloucester St)
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 536-1775
Nearest Transit:

Prudential (Green)

Back Bay (Orange)

Attire:
Dressy
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Garage
Price Range:
$$$
Good for Groups:
Yes
Good for Kids:
No
Takes Reservations:
Yes
Delivery:
No
Take-out:
No
Waiter Service:
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Good for:
Dinner
Alcohol:
Full Bar

353 reviews for Top of the Hub

Review Highlights   

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"The view is incredible, the food is great and it is really romantic." (in 266 reviews)
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"The decor is lowly lit and classy, with live jazz music." (in 28 reviews)
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"The freshly baked cookies didn't disappoint either for dessert." (in 12 reviews)
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Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Elites'
Photo of Dario B.

Elite '09

98

313

Dario B.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
11/26/2009

I don't think you can beat a $20 prix fixe for lunch with that view.
And the food is not bad at all. I mean, nothing to die for but absolutely respectable dishes, well presented and creative.
It was the perfect place for a special moment.

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Photo of Jamie F.

Elite '09

20

98

Jamie F.

Boston, MA

4 star rating
11/22/2009 5 photos

I'm a sucker for nice views and at Top of the Hub, THE VIEW OF BOSTON WAS PHENOMENAL.  I enjoyed every moment of it and I've been living in Boston all my life!

A thunderstorm was developing when I was here for my birthday lunch last summer :(   but somehow, it was beautiful, scary, and cool at the same time.  I've never seen lightning so close up before, seeing that I'm 52 floors up.  Since the windows were cleaner than a brand new car and clearer than 20/20 vision, it felt like I was *this* close to being electrocuted.

Decor was very traditional, classy, upscale.  Most tables seated 2-4 people.  Ambiance during lunch time was quiet and not busy at all.  Service was fine, not outstanding.

Was the food memorable?  For its presentation, yes but not so much for the taste.  My friends did not rave about their dishes, nor complained (drastically).  My grilled salmon was a bit overcooked, but edible.  The tempura shrimp appetizer was divine though, sans the wheat noodles.  Bf ordered the chilled blueberry mango soup, and it turned out to be a smoothie served in a bowl.  Go figure.

I would DEFINITELY come back for the nighttime view and the dessert cookies that I missed out on.  Boo.

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Photo of Chantel S.

 

0

2

Chantel S.

Suffolk, MA

4 star rating
11/10/2009

This was definately a GREAT place to take someone you really care about on a date. The view from the 52nd floor is to die for. It makes all the crazyiness of the city look so beautiful. There's nothing I wouldn't do for a view like that again.

This place just has this amazing ambiance to it. Romantic, most definately. The lights are dimmed to perfection, the candles shimmer in their glass cases on every table, a live band plays in the background. It's just a beautiful place to be. It's just that simple.

The reason I gave it 4 stars and not 5 is...... because of the food. Yeah I said it. You would think with all the glamor of the restaurant the food would be fantastic. But honestly it was the exact opposite. It was just OK. Maybe it's because we went on a friday.

When we arrived (this wasn't our original dinner plans but we decided to go here because we didn't like how this other place looked) a man told us it was first-come-first-serve on this day. So maybe Fridays are just different, the menu as well. I was told from 2 previous couples to expect to spend at least $100 in which I was prepared. But after ordering my grilled chicken and his steak the meal came up to be $47 ($60 after tips). Our waitress was lovely and gave my date a free drink even though we didn't ask for one.

We thought about hanging around for a while after eating to watch the band play but we decided to get up and head to our hotel reservations instead ;-)

Honestly, I would definately be returning to this restaurant but maybe not on a Friday.......

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Photo of Becky M.

Elite '09

11

108

Becky M.

Oakland, CA

5 star rating
10/30/2009

Gorgeous view!

You cannot go to Boston and not go here to have a drink!

This place is super busy, and in order to find it you have to practically be an investigative super star.

But once you find it, be patient, enjoy the view while you wait for your drinks, have some great conversation with friends.

Our waiter was very personable and gave us an AMAZING dinner recommendation.

Go and have a drink and enjoy the beautiful city-scape!

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Photo of Courtney P.

Elite '09

11

144

Courtney P.

Boston, MA

3 star rating
10/26/2009

Most confusing hostess and waiter ever.

These are the interactions I had with them when we took our out of town friends there:

Us: 6 for the bar for drinks
Hostess: The bar is full; you'll have to wait
Us: Ok that's fine.
Hostess: Wait do you want a table?  It's a $24 minimum. For 5 people?
Us: Sure, no problem but we have 6.
Hostess: Ummm nevermind.  (Shakes her head repeatedly.)

After being let in:
Waiter:  It's a $24 minimum.  You are just here for drinks?
Us: Yes just drinks, the minimum is fine.  We would like a round of lemondrops.  
Waiter: The shot or martini
Us: Umm the shot
Waiter: We don't serve shots
Us: Ok then the martini

Brings us out shot versions anyway and we down them. Then we want more:
Us: We'll take one more lemondrop and a few other drinks
Waiter: The shot one again?
Us: Ok whatever you have. And I would like some fries.
Waiter: You can't order food here.  
Us: Ok. . .(while we glance at the food menu on the table that he brought us earlier.)

Most confusing service ever.  Drinks good but overpriced as expected and great view if it's not cloudy.  Guess you have to be straight forward with these folks though.

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Photo of Ashley F.

 

1

13

Ashley F.

Boston, MA

5 star rating
11/9/2009

This is definitely the nicest place I have ever been to.  My boyfriend took me last Christmas and it was so spectacular.  It was a cold snowy night and the view from the 52nd floor of the Prudential building during a snowy night couldn't have been more perfect.

It is pricey so it's a big treat.  I got Spice Crusted Salmon which was VERY good.  My boyfriend got lamb.

I highly recommend Top of the Hub if you really want to treat someone to a special evening!

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Photo of Sara W.

Elite '09

37

109

Sara W.

Houston, TX

4 star rating
10/15/2009

Wowzers!  What could I possibly say that hasn't been said in 338 reviews of this place?!  I'll make this brief.

Stopped in for pre-dinner drinks and a sunset.  FANTASTIC views of the city.  Pricey drinks (minus one star), but they are so worth it for the view.  Try the Purple Rain martini - fantastic!  Great service too.  

I'd had three different people recommend this place to me - some Bostonians, some not - and I'm so glad we went.  I'll never forget my evening at the Top of the Hub.

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Photo of John P.

 

0

6

John P.

Salem, NH

5 star rating
11/4/2009

My housemate and I met several Belarusian girls over the summer while they were here on a work visa program, and got pretty close to two of them. The night before they were heading back to their country, we took them out to Top of the Hub to wrap up a memorable summer.

Ambience: Fantastic! The view of Boston through the highest floor of the Prudential is breathtaking, especially at night. If you have never seen Boston illuminated by the city lights, you need to go. Inside, it was tastefully decorated with nice furnishings. When we went, there was a live jazz band playing and couples would occasionally go to the dance floor to dance while they waited between their courses. Overall, the setting had a very nice romantic feeling to it.

Food: All of us had the three course dinner. Everyone loved their food, which was complimented with the two bottles of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc we ordered. The timing between the courses was good - just enough time to allow us to catch up on the view and the stories being told before our next meal arrived.

Service: Good service. We went there at 10:00pm or so and stayed past their closing time - it must have been around 1:00am when we left. The waiter was patient and realized it was a special night for all of us, and he made sure everything went smoothly. No complaints.

Price: The bill was about $318 including tip. It is one of the more expensive restaurants in Boston, but well worth it for a celebration.

Overall, it provided a nice memory and a good closer to a special summer.

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Photo of Sara G.

 

20

20

Sara G.

Somerville, MA

5 star rating
10/30/2009

Who knew that this city was beautiful from up above?! It was amazing to see the area in autumn, going from day to sunset to night. You can see everything from the different neighborhoods to the Harbor Islands to the mountains in the far off distance.

I had the chicken flatbread (with marscapone cheese and yellow and red tomatoes). Yum!! I also had a Level 151 Martini which was mixed nice and strong.

It's not the best value up front for the food. But when you add in the fact that you're paying for an amazing view, it's totally worth it. (Probably a bad idea to go here when the weather's foggy or gross).

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Photo of Princess M.

 

19

252

Princess M.

New York, NY

4 star rating
10/20/2009

We had Sunday brunch here and it was surprisingly good!

I always thought this place was too touristy.  But we surprisingly enjoyed our food and the atmosphere.  It was quiet the Sunday we were there.  There was a live jazz pianist and saxophonist also, which was really awesome.

Brunch is a $35 prix-fix.  It included a tiny yogurt parfait w berries, a choice of appetizer, entree and dessert.  We were stuffed at the end of it.  The smoked salmon appetizer was great.  The short rib entree was very flavorful.  I also really enjoyed the key lime tart and the creme brulee they offered for dessert.

View of course can't get better than this.

Definitely a good pick for out-of-towners or if you are looking for some place special for a leisurely brunch!

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Photo of Flora H.

Elite '09

69

374

Flora H.

Cambridge, MA

4 star rating
10/12/2009

Top of the Hub: check!

Awesome views... got a table at the window... it was a bit chilly (right next to a wrap around vent) but worth it to be able to see the city bustling down below. Our waitress was friendly and attentive, but come on, Top of the Hub -- diet coke refills should come for free :( I enjoyed my dinner -- salad, steak, fries, and FRESHLY BAKED CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES!!!

Also I liked the live jazz trio in the lounge. Nice touch!

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Photo of Hana C.

Elite '09

27

66

Hana C.

Boston, MA

3 star rating
9/22/2009

Came in at around 9pm without reservation with Boyfriend on a Friday night after having dinner nearby. Here are the pros and cons.

Pro: View, view, view (only if seated by window), Live Jazz music, Ambiance

Cons: Somewhat Loud, waitstaff doesn't know anything, terrible cocktails.

We had about 4 cocktails here, two of which we could not drink- they were terrible. The only one drink I liked was the mango mohito. But we still had a great time- we were seated right by the window and the view was spectacular.

Would not eat here. I have eaten here in the past and was dissapointed with the quality of foodies. I honestly don't think people would come here if it wasn't for the view.

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Photo of Mindy L.

Elite '09

10

126

Mindy L.

Somerville, MA

4 star rating
9/30/2009

One star is just for the view of the city. Floor to ceiling windows on the 51st (or 52nd?) floor of the Prudential tower offer gorgeous views of Fenway Park, Charles River, Cambridge, etc. It's definitely a can't miss in terms of taking a trip up just for a cocktail in the lounge. On Friday nights you can sit in the lounge and listen to a jazz band...there is even a dance floor for those brazen enough.

The noise level can get above the low din setting - mostly because it's a large space and the sound can really bounce around. The formal dining room has much better service - many of the waiters have been in the business for years and years. The cocktail lounge is more informal and the waitresses don't have as much knowledge. Depending on your bartender you could have a great drink or a mediocre one. They serve a nice hot toddy on cold winter nights. The best thing to order off the lounge menu is the fresh baked cookie platter or the cheese and fruit plate.

It's a fun place to bring a date and admire the views/impress her a little. Definitely pricey and dress nicely - definitely no hats.

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Photo of Cecilia G.

 

1

10

Cecilia G.

Suffolk, MA

4 star rating
11/11/2009

The Top of the Hub is an experience. If you're a tourist or a new resident of Boston, this place can make you feel like you've been formally acquainted to the modern side of Boston. The service my husband and I received, when we went, was excellent and made our evening a pleasure! The food was delicious but nothing spectacular. The view was stunning and it sealed the whole affair for me. If you're wondering about the price... well it can be expensive but just remember that you're not just paying for food and service but for a memorable adventure.

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Photo of Mike W.

 

0

1

Mike W.

Boston, MA

4 star rating
11/21/2009

I took my girlfriend here last night for her birthday. The view is definately what sets the restauraunt apart. The drinks are ver good. The Appetizers are great but tiny. Scallops and bacon on the menu was literally 2 scallops, We also orderd the crabe cake appetizer, 1 crab cake. I had a 12oz steak that was just so-so, her lobster linguini dish was good. Again, you are definately paying for the view. All in all everyone should go at least once to see the city from the top of the hub

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Photo of R G.

 

1

24

R G.

Boston, MA

4 star rating
9/16/2009

This is a great place to take friends from out of town.  Every drink I and my friends have had as been good and the bartenders are always polite and nice even though we're younger than most of the clientele.  I've only ordered the calamari once (usually we stick to booze), but it was surprisingly delicious and all the other food that passed us looked great.  Most restaurants with touristy locations like this slack off, but they surprised me.  Yes, you are paying for the location, but it's very reasonable to get a drink and an appetizer or for a special occasion.  (Besides, they charge about the same to just walk around the 'observation deck' a floor lower as it costs to get a cocktail here.)

My one complaint that came up the last time we went: after 7pm (I think that was the time) there is a $20 per person minimum to sit at a table.  We really just wanted one drink each and weren't going to reach the minimum that way, so we sat at the bar.  Now, I get the reason why they do this, and on a crowded weekend night it would definitely seem justified, but we were there late on a Sunday evening and the place was empty.  Seriously, maybe 10 table were occupied.  The bar is fine, but the view wasn't as nice and towards the end of our stay another group started hovering for our seats making us feel rushed.

But really, the best time to be there is right at sunset, so I don't plan on returning when this policy is an issue,

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Photo of Roger B.

 

0

2

Roger B.

Boston, MA

1 star rating
11/20/2009

Is anyone really reading these reviews?  The majority of people comment that the VIEW is amazing... and that's true.  But the food is WAY OVERPRICED (don't forget about the minimum $24 per person), the wait staff have NO idea what's on the menu (the turnover must be very high) and the bartenders are lame jerks who don't really care about the clients.  The is place is clearly riding on their monopoly of the sky since the management is out to lunch.  If you want a view, walk around then leave... and don't get caught in this TOURIST TRAP... definitely not worth anything else since there are so many better places in town (South End restaurants anyone?!).  Notice that most people from Boston don't actually go here...

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Photo of Theresa M.

 

1

24

Theresa M.

Malden, MA

4 star rating
9/14/2009

My boyfriend took me to dinner at Top of the Hub for our 6 month anniversary, and I was very impressed! We sat in the longue section at a table next to the window which was nice for the view...which is spectacular by the way

For dinner we decided to have the three course meal which was reasonable priced at $38 each. I have to admit that I figured we would be leaving there hungry, but that was not the case. For starters I got the hub chopped salad and my boyfriend got the clam chowder. We were both impressed with how much meat was in the chowder and how full the salad was of kalamata olives and feta cheese. Second I had the rigatoni with Italian sausage and again I was very impressed with how much sausage was in the pasta! Delicious! The freshly baked cookies didn't disappoint either for dessert.

The martini I ordered was good, but the one my boyfriend got was not. However, telling the waiter was not an issue and my boyfriend quickly got another drink. Next time I would probably stick with the cordials as they have a lot of offerings that are uncommon such as Sambuca (black).

The Jazz music was lovely in the longue although I prefer my Jazz music to be a little zippier and danceable, but it was still very nice.

After the experience the other night we will definitely be back...actually we are already planning our next trip to celebrate my best friend's 26th birthday!

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Photo of Haley T.

Elite '09

61

89

Haley T.

Allston, MA

4 star rating
9/19/2009 1 photo

The view is not to be missed. Incredible! Such a pleasant atmosphere as well.

I tend to go here with friends from out of town, but I have definitely gone here for drinks on a random girl's night out. You know, the kind of girl's night out where you're all too dressed up to go to your neighborhood dive bar.

Excellent food, drink and atmosphere-but they slack a bit on the vegetarian/vegan options. The live jazz almost makes up for it.

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Photo of Sara M.

 

1

27

Sara M.

Boston, MA

3 star rating
10/1/2009

If you want to enjoy this place, once piece of advice:  Come for lunch during restaurant week.  I did that once and it is amazing.  You can enjoy the beautiful view, upscale ambiance, and delicious food for such a steal.  It is much more calm than it normally is, which means the service is much more personal.  For example, the afternoon I went I happened to order two bottles of wine (one after the other) that the restaurant was out of.  The third time the waiter came back to the table, he brought the sommelier with a free bottle of wine.  Classy, huh?

If you go to Top of the Hub for dinner any other time of the year, you will probably be underwhelmed.  It is crowded, you have to luck out to get a seat-with-a-view, and the food is not *that* great.  It will probably not be worth whatever it costs you.  Also, beware that jeans are NOT allowed... and the hostess will check to make sure you are not wearing them before she seats you.

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Photo of Arturo Z.

 

0

12

Arturo Z.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
9/19/2009

I have very mixed feelings about the Top of the Hub:

Let's have the good first:
-The view
-Live music (fine...not great)
-Semi-fancy
honestly, that's about it.

Now the bad:
-You can only sit at a table if you are ordering a minimum of $25/person, and they are crazy strict about this point
-The only other option is to sit at the bar, which offers no view out of the windows.  Also, there are only about ten seats which are always occupied.
-Almost everything is overpriced, though not as bad as it could be considering it is Boston.
-Mediocre wine list (to be fair, there are a few nice choices, but they are spread out between easy-outs)

Overall, if a friend is visiting from out of town or you are celebrating your 20th anniversary, go for it.  Otherwise, not worth it.  I would much rather be somewhere fun and fancy in the North End (Enoteca Monica, for instance) and get my money's worth/have good service.

The Hancock observatory bar (in Chicago), though more casual, is a better deal in my opinion.

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Photo of Melinda H.

 

15

14

Melinda H.

San Francisco, CA

1 star rating
9/25/2009

I came here to celebrate my birthday with about 15 friends and the service was sooo unbelievably appalling that it has inspired me to write my first Yelp review in over a year and a half. Yes, it was THAT BAD. I can understand that they have a $24 minimum/person if you want to sit, but I'm a little less understanding when I have 15 friends who are buying drinks and dessert at the bar and half of the dining room/lounge area is empty, and they still insist that we spend $24 on top of what we paid for at the bar just to sit. What is even more completely and utterly unacceptable is how rude they are about this.

There was literally a man following us around, first telling us we can't sit down on a sofa even though nobody is there b/c of the $24/limit. When we were standing, he then comes up to us and says "I dont mean to be a prick but you need to move. You're crowding the live music area."  I would expect a lot more from a place like this and using that language is absolutely unacceptable.   I then say I'd like to talk to the manager and he says, "fine, I'll get him." The manager never shows up so I ask him where he is and he points to the manager across the room - making me then go and hound down the manager myself. Later on that night, the manager finally lets 3 of us sit down on a sofa in the lounge that happens to open up and the waitress immediately comes and says "you can't sit there, you have to spend $24 each." When I tell her the mgr said we could, she then says without skipping a beat, "fine, then give me the cookies. you can't have food on the sofas." At that point, I couldn't take it anymore - the tone was so competely unacceptable, especially given the significant amount of money we had spent on drinks and dessert, that I went and talked to a second manager. The manager finally said we could have a table, but at that point all of my friends were tired from standing around for an hour that they all wanted to go home.

Top of the Hub - if you had let us sit at one of your many empty tables to begin with, I guarantee we would have stayed longer, which means more money spent on food and drinks, and 20 happy customers who would leave with a great impression and come back. Instead, we all only ordered 1 drink, and I guarantee NONE of us will be going back, On top of that, I am so appalled that  I feel compelled to write this long negative review to warn other consumers to think twice about going.  It is time you trained your staff to learn to speak to customers in an appropriate tone and manner, and to learn what most nice establishments have mastered long ago - to place the customer first.

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Photo of erika c.

 

19

50

erika c.

Sparks, NV

3 star rating
8/1/2009

Now, because I am a foodie I am rating this place low, but in all honesty, I used to go there every week.  Why?  You cannot beat the view of Boston!  My background is in tourism and I would regularly send visitors to the restaurant.  Tip:  The observation deck of the tower is about $15, whereas a cup of tea to sit and enjoy for 30 minutes costs $2.50.  I suggest you skip the deck and hit the restaurant.  Try to go in the afternoon when it is slow...then you can walk around and take in all of the views.  Or go on a live jazz night for dessert.  

I do not suggest getting more than dessert or drinks here - they have a lovely facade, but the service is mediocre and the food is a let-down from what you would expect.  Incredible tea and view though!

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Photo of Tiff D.

Elite '09

75

135

Tiff D.

Boston, MA

3 star rating
7/30/2009

Food was decent.  View was amazing.

I think its way overpriced.  You are really paying for the view because the food wasnt amazing.

I would go back.  Nice date spot.  I even saw people just hanging out at the bar.

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Photo of Lauren H.

Elite '09

2

60

Lauren H.

Chelsea, MA

3 star rating
8/19/2009

I've wanted to try Top of the Hub since I first moved to Mass five years ago, because, well, it's the Top of the Hub. So I went for restaurant week last week.

I'd recommend not going during the summer between five and seven PM, because if you're a Bostonian, you know that the fog is pretty crazy most summer days during that time. It was as thick as pea soup when I went, which is unfortunate because the view is really what you're paying for. Once the fog cleared (around 8pm), the view is spectacular. And I've been to the Skywalk on clear days, and the daytime view is the best around.

Now, for the food... I should really stop going to restaurants with the $$$$ next to them, because I always expect to be blown away when theh restaurants expect me to pay that much. The food at Top of the Hub is probably really, really good. Like I said, though, I was expecting to be knocked out of my chair. In reality, I felt like I didn't get enough food, and I was constantly stressed about having my napkin folded nicely because everytime it was even remotely messy, someone would come by the table and fold it for me.

Maybe this is to be expected at a fancy restaurant 62 floors up. It just didn't sit well with me. A bit too pretentious for my taste.

The bar is pretty awesome. I'd definitely recommend going up for a drink on a sunny afternoon.

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Photo of Paul S.

 

24

150

Paul S.

San Diego, CA

4 star rating
7/20/2009

I have to admit I don't remember what I ate but I ate it all up. All 3 of us did. Lunch. The day before the 4th of July.

I would have eaten up the waiter too, given half a chance. Smooth and friendly service.

The view out the window is savory as well. Walk around this room and save the extortion charged for the upper viewing deck.

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Photo of Ashley B.

 

39

32

Ashley B.

Boston, MA

5 star rating
7/30/2009

Hands down one of the best brunch locales in Boston.  I enjoyed, yet again, the Sunday pre-fixe brunch with my best friend and her three small children for her birthday this weekend.  The variety of selections, all a unique twist on more classic brunch fare (beef short ribs benedict - divine) never ceases to amaze me.  The "chef's gift" as they call their amus bush was a delightful fruit/yogurt/granola parfait.  I followed my morning treat with the angel hair and asparagus frittata, salmon atop a bed of citrus polenta with a corn cream, and the most delightfully rich yet refreshing (and enormous) key lime tart.  Even the kids devoured their meals (children eat from the adult pre-fixe menu at a reduced cost of $24 rather than the $39 for adults).  

Wait staff - equally as spectacular as the food.  Ask nicely and they will gladly show children the kitchen.  

Oh, and there is this view...

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Photo of Ellie W.

Elite '09

9

80

Ellie W.

Boston, MA

4 star rating
8/20/2009

I've been to the Top of the Hub a few times--spectacular views, but the food is pricey and pretty average. I feel like this is a big tourist magnet, because it DOES provide you with an excellent, beautiful view of the city. But for locals, it's one of those places you go to maybe once a year, if that.

This is a great location to celebrate a special occasion--the view is just fantastic. But for sure, nobody really comes here with the food in mind.

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Photo of Andrew C.

 

0

15

Andrew C.

Suffolk, MA

4 star rating
10/22/2009

I was at top of the Hub last week and the experience in general was pretty good. The waiter was polite, made some good suggestions, and all the food arrived on time. The Hearts of Romaine were good but I just wish they had more dressing. I would definitely go back.

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Photo of Jillian Y.

Elite '09

47

171

Jillian Y.

Brighton, MA

4 star rating
8/18/2009

Food rating: 5 stars
View rating: 3 stars
Decor rating: 2 stars
Service rating: 5 stars

I'll start with the negative - despite it being lunch at 1:30 and relatively empty, the hostess seated us away from the window.  Annoying.  Oh well, at least the lounge was emptyish and we could peek out the windows there.

The decor is hideous - though the bar is pretty, I'd expect so much more from a place with such fantastic food - the white tablecloth didn't really match the faux-retro lighting and tacky walls.  Oh well.

Perhaps we got lucky, but our server was perfect - no hovering, very kind, excellent suggestions.  He even suggested the perfect wine pairing for my main course (seriously perfect).

Saving the best for last, the food was EXQUISITE!  It was Restaurant Week, so I did the prix-fixe lunch (though the server noted that their prix-fixe lunch is ALWAYS $20) - delectable chilled strawberry-rhubarb soup (which yes, is basically thick juice), scallops with corn polenta (so flavorful!  I'm still dreaming of the herbs they used), and for dessert, a tasty - and quite large - creme brulee.  

I think the view probably is better at night and I plan to come back for apps, drinks, and some lounge music soon.

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Elite '09

19

68

Joolsey C.

Somerville, MA

3 star rating
8/17/2009

As a frequenter and lover of Chinatown eateries, I'm not too nitpicky about cleanliness, but here, I wasn't particularly impressed at the visibly smudged silverware, nor at the plate settings that somehow managed to catch an awful lot of dust.

Service was timely, efficient, and unobtrusive.

I came here for the restaurant week prix-fixe menu, but I did have a small peek at their regular menu. They serve simple American fare, mostly sandwiches and burgers, in the $15-20 range. I had the lemon pepper scallops, strawberry rhubarb soup and the creme brulee, which were all delicious, but wasn't particularly awe-inspiring. Same with the pork medallions that the boy ordered -- "tasty but nothing to write home about."

Also, serving portions are impressively tiny, at least for the restaurant week menu. And by tiny, I mean they served me two scallops on a bed of mushed yellow corn that tasted like it came out of a can, which the restaurant proudly dubs as "polenta." Restaurant-enforced portion control is good, though.

Overall, I left with the impression that this is a place for tourists to enjoy the view. If you are one, or are a Boston resident who hasn't done the Skywalk, then I'd definitely recommend going here for the excellent view, as the entrance fee for the Skywalk is $12 anyways. But I probably won't consider the Hub someplace that I'd frequent routinely as a local resident.

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16

56

stephanie c.

San Diego, CA

5 star rating
8/26/2009

Gorgeous view...morning and evening.

Live Jazz.

Good wine. What else is there to say?

The chocolate warm cake dessert is delicious. I still have yet to try a meal here...I hear the food is just soso. but I'd come just for jazz, wine, and view. It's definitely relaxing after a stressful week.

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4

23

Annette M.

New Durham, NH

4 star rating
10/17/2009

This is a great place to go and have a GREAT view of the city. The food is amazing and the menu changes pretty frequently. They have a good bar menu and the dining room menu is fantastic. The bar tenders are great and they make good drinks (their lemon drop martini is my favorite). And the wait staff is very attentive to your every need. However, a few of the hostesses can be a bit abrupt and judge you the minute you walk in the door. That is the reason I didn't give them 5 stars. I love everything else about this place but have been a bit put off by the hostesses on more than one occasion. But, otherwise I recommend giving them a try. The dining room opens at 5:30PM but the bar is open earlier and serves food as well.

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Elite '09

3

62

Aditi R.

Boston, MA

4 star rating
8/10/2009

I'm such a sucker for views. The worst of food/company can be tolerable if I have a view to distract me. And when the food and company is good WITH great views like Top of the Hub has, then it's just a great time all in all.

I love this place. I have a lot of friends come to town and this is a staple for me to take them to. The drinks are great (give the green tea mojito a go!), the bartenders are always nice and cordial, the jazz band is a great touch, and the appetizers at the bar are phenomenal.

Basically, great all in all. If you've never given it a try, then definitely do so. And if you have, then go there again :)

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2

14

cosette h.

Boston, MA

5 star rating
8/3/2009

Oh my! Fantastic experience. The waiter was so attentive that my water glass was never half empty/half full. I went for a friend's birthday and the night could not have been more memorable. The strawberry basil lemonade is my new favorite cocktail. Muddled like a Mojito, this drink is savory and sweet, with a tangy zing. ($12) I would have never ordered this drink if it were not for the waiter's recommendation.

I recommend the 3-Course Prix Fixe dinner for $38. High quality food served hot and in a timely manor. With my steak, I paired a wine, suggested again by the excellent waiter.

When dessert came, the waiter had put a candle in the cookie tray (dessert for the prix fixe) and the jazz band began to play "Happy Birthday"

I have been waiting since to moment we left to return to the Top of the Hub.

*note, the view is great, but the best part is atmosphere inside this gem

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0

6

Greg G.

Buford, GA

5 star rating
10/19/2009

Very classy place and breathtaking views of the city.  This would be a perfect place to take a date.  The staff was very friendly and did not mind that we walked around a bit to take in the views.  To eat I had a few appetizers and they were superb.

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11

109

Anna D.

Union City, CA

3 star rating
8/13/2009

Tried it out as part of our first visit to Boston as well as to take advantage of Restaurant Week. Beautiful views of the city and great service. The food was delicious. I had the Buccatini Pasta in a cream sauce and the Mango Mousse. Friends had the Scallops with Polenta and the Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin. We all loved each of our meals.

Restaurant Week was a nice opportunity to try it out and see Boston from a different vantage point. Otherwise, I don't think I'd frequent the Top of the Hub unless it were a special occasion or out for a romantic evening out.

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Elite '09

3

48

Terry W.

Cambridge, MA

4 star rating
7/26/2009

I went here with my wife and daughter for dessert and drinks....don't worry the 5 year old only had milk...

But we went there because of FRESH MADE COOKIES!  WOW.  Awesome...Drinks weren't too bad either.

Didn't eat the real food...as a BLT was $14 and didn't think it was worth it, but desserts were good.

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Elite '09

12

63

Dana M.

Douglas, CO

5 star rating
9/22/2009

I've been here twice, both with my boyfriend and its been impressive and lived up to the hype both times. I will never forget the dinner I had there this past Sunday night. My date and I decided to go big and order the Chef's Tasting Menu ($95 ea) but really memorable.

We started with an amuse busche (not sure how you spell that) of a creamy beet shooter. This was followed by a glass of champagne and duck confit. Then came the best scallop dish I've ever had in my life. Two seared scallops served with fresh yellow tomatoes, capers, and a delightful citrus cream sauce. I can't wait to try something like this myself. Thank goodness the food was a tasting portion (though generous) because I really had reached a satisfying fullness by the fourth dish! and there was more! By the time they brought out the filet of beef accompanied with a puff pastry crusted gratin potato and spear of grilled asparagus, I had reached capacity! The wine kept coming, the flavors grew in complexity, and the experience was gluttonously amazing. The wine pairings were incredibly tasteful. The only surprise came in getting a cold beet salad as the last course. Unexpected but also delicious.

My recommendation is to go on a very empty stomach and get ready for the meal of a lifetime. Its needless to speak of the amazing atmosphere and views because that's expected. The more remarkable thing for me was how very well cooked each dish was and how timely doted on we were. I heart TOP OF THE HUB.

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Photo of Anna L.

Elite '09

24

53

Anna L.

Cambridge, MA

5 star rating
7/22/2009

The ambiance, service, and view at Top of the Hub are all spectacular. The food and drinks? Pretty darn good too!

Recently, my Father came to visit me from Washington state and I took him to Top of the Hub for an early dinner so he could take some pictures of the city. The prixe fixe menu choices were great. I would definitely recommend all of the dishes I got:

App: Lobster soup w/coconut milk
Entree: Seared scallops
Dessert: Creme Brulee

The manager on shift was even nice enough to walk us to the Skywalk Observatory after dinner so we could get in for free. Overall, I had a great experience and I know my Dad definitely did too!

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