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Top of the Hub
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
800 Boylston StSte 52
(between Fairfield St & Gloucester St)
Boston, MA 02199
Neighborhood: Back Bay
(617) 536-1775
- Nearest Transit:
-
Boylston St Opp Gloucester St (170, 193, 39, 55)
Ring Rd @ Boylston St (9)
Ring Rd @ Huntington Ave (9)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11:30 am - 1 am
Fri-Sat 11:30 am - 2 am
Sun 11 am - 1 am
- 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
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Jade R. said: "Great Brunch, great Vibe. Came here on a saturday morning and it was packed! We got seated pretty quickly though, which was totally unexpected. Downside: We really didn't like the bloody marys... and I LOVE bloody marys.…" read more »
649 reviews for Top of the Hub
Review Highlights
"Atmosphere was very chill with live jazz."
(in 58 reviews)
"The creme brulee was freaking awesome."
(in 49 reviews)
"The view is amazing - can't beat it in Boston."
(in 28 reviews)
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649 reviews in English
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Review from Samantha M.
Jamaica Plain, MA
2/8/2012
One of the most stunning, romantic places in Boston and I've lived here all my life. My boyfriend and I sat in the lounge last night, it was a full moon and a clear sky, and the city lights were beautiful!
Not sure what all the complaints are about the food, my boyfriend and I ordered the tuna tartar and the baked brie with fruit - both were amazing and fresh. The brie was topped with sticky, sweet, yummy walnuts and there was some sort of crispy crepe underneath that we used to hack apart the brie :) mmm. The tuna was delicious and fresh and topped with avocado.
I ordered a gin cocktail that tasted like lemonade - soo good. Then a gin martini that was basically the most perfect martini ever. The bartender was on his game!
We were here on a Tuesday night which is apparently the perfect time to go because it's not too buzzing so it's relaxing and we didn't feel rushed at all. Our waiter was on top of things.
One of the best nights I've had in a long time... -
Review from Loc H.
1/27/2012
the view is seriously amazing. as soon as the fog rolls through, you get a view of everything and it is very very pretty. apparently, you can see this same view if you pay for the deck view, but why not get this for free if you dine in?!
i had the roasted chicken and it was great but could definitely be more jazzed up. (it was normal but definitely fulfilled my needs)
the chocolate panna cotta tasted like a better version of Jellos fudge. you know, the kind that Cosby eats.
I had a good time here, but the food just needs to be a little better. This is a one time deal, but it was well worth it. -
Review from Ashley C.
Chicago, IL
1/21/2012
We came here for drinks around happy hour time in part of our walk Boston (which involved many stops at local places). I wanted to go here for the view - a bird's eye view of Boston. Why go up and pay for the observation deck when you can have a drink at the restaurant with the same view?
The hostess quickly accommodated our request for a table at a window. The views were absolutely beautiful. We found that the environment was very intimate which was just what we were looking for at the time.
Of course, with the views (and tourists), comes the higher prices, but I didn't think they were that bad for what you got. The drinks were good and packed a nice punch. Our waiter was very helpful and went above and beyond. When we asked him about a particular type of whiskey and a comparison, he brought a generous taste of both. Overall, it was a pleasant experience. -
Review from Farrah F.
1/16/2012
The star is because it's prettyyy effing pricey here. We also should have asked for a table by the window, but it is a-okay.
But it was Thanksgiving and I'd run off to Boston to hang out with my friend because I was too poor to fly across the country to hang out with my family, so this was our celebratory meal of sorts (to celebrate the fact that we actually stopped playing games + watching movies and TV shows to leave the apartment...and Thanksgiving, of course :O ).
Between the two of us, we had...the duck confit, acorn butternut squash bisque, slow smoked rib eye, traditional roasted turkey, alsatian salad, cranberry cheese cake, and spicy roasted pear tart in puff pastry. Plus a whole lot of bread. I ate all of mine and sampled a little of everything my friend ordered (he declined my offer to split some of the things i ordered with him :O ), so by the time we were done eating, I was definitely pretty stuffed. The food was pretty fantastic. :]
Service was attentive and friendly. The view was definitely awesome, and since this is only going to happen once in my lifetime, it was worth it, despite the price. Just don't tell that to my wallet. ._. -
Review from Kenneth R.
Berkeley, CA
1/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
Here's a summary of the yelp reviews that I read before coming: "The view is great, but the food is mediocre and overpriced. Go up for a drink and then head back down for your dinner." That's easy to say and probably good advice, but I was invited for a business dinner and made the best of it. Folks, the food here is actually very good and there are relative bargains on the wine list.
We had the 2009 ABC (Au Bon Climat) chardonnay, which was maybe a little over the hill but still completely enjoyable. It was around $40, maybe $45. Our red was the 2002 Ridgeline cabernet @85. You can read about this wine on the Web, and you'll see that it's good stuff: "Ridgeline Vineyards is a new boutique brand debuted by the ever-reliable Codorniu of Spain; the winemaker is talented Dave Dobson, who makes wine for Artesa Winery, also owned by Codorniu; grapes were sourced from the 80-acre Oak Mountain Ranch Estate Vineyard, at elevations ranging from 800 to 1,500 feet above the Alexander Valley floor in northern Sonoma County." Our sommelier insisted on decanting this wine, which probably wasn't necessary. It was completely yummy.
I ate the crab cake appetizer, which I liked, and the free range chicken main dish -- it was cooked with bacon and a leafy green (kale, maybe). Both were better than just "fine." I was very happy. The main chef was off somewhere, but the sous-chefs were at their stations and doing a good job.
Obviously there are better restaurants in Boston, but this one is not an embarrassment. If fate takes you here, just relax and have a good time. The view is fantastic, by the way. -
Review from Jiyea C.
Cambridge, MA
12/24/2011
Not bad food, but was expecting more. Felt too much like a tourist trap and the tables are really close together so you don't get very much privacy and it was hard to have a conversation because of the noise. (Perhaps it is better on weeknights; I was there on a Saturday evening.) Also, as far as I could see, there are no tables for two near the windows, which I was disappointed about because the view really is AMAZING and I wish I could have seen more of it while having my meal.
I got the 4 course meal and the only really memorable dish was the lobster bisque. Creamy but with a kick to it. Delicious.
They do have a lounge area that featured live jazz which seemed pretty nice. They do have a small bar but I didn't get anything there so I don't know anything about it. -
Review from Sandy B.
Boston, MA
1/2/2012
As a restaurant, this place is just so-so. It gets bumped up for being a cute, albeit tourist-y, experience with a great view. The restaurant is aware that they offer an awesome experience that everyone wants to see, so the food is a little lacking and the prices are a little too high. The service isn't all that great either.
I've heard all sorts of things about how this place has a dress code. I walked in and was greeted by a hostess in jeans, with her hair in a messy ponytail. Apparently patrons need to look nice, but the employees can look like college kids going to an 8am class.
Am I being kind of a bitch? Yes. Yes I am. I just think this place is a little silly. They set a standard for themselves and then fall short all on their own doing. It could be so much better. Instead, it merely offers a window frame around a beautiful view. -
Review from Megan S.
12/13/2011
So you can wait in line with the tourists and pay $13 to see a view of Boston from the top of the Pru . . . or you can go one flight higher for FREE and have a tasty (albeit pricey) cocktail and look out the window without the crowds.
Best time to go is when the sun is setting. Second best is later at night when there's free jazz.
Hot tip: Beware, do not go wandering around the restaurant to look out the windows. You will get in trouble. (ask my mom) -
Review from Dawn P.
12/29/2011
My sister and I while visiting Boston decided to take a quick stop here. We thought it might be too expensive to have a whole meal here so decided to have a quick lunch at the food court downstairs in the Prudential food court and only get drinks from here.
Food ordered: Warm chocolate cake and pomegranate mojito
Price: $12 & $12 respec
Parking: No idea
Service: Pretty good
Ambiance: Classy. We got a seat by the window. AMAZING view on a clear day. We went on a perfect day - no clouds and around 11:45am. Perfect timing. The place grew really busy right after we got seated.
Overall: I would def recommend esp for dates. -
Review from Hannah D.
Boston, MA
11/30/2011 1 photo
Instead of paying the $15 to see the sights from the top of Prudential on the Skywalk, my roommate and I decided to make reservations at the restaurant 2 stories up for when our parents came to town for parents weekend. Couldn't have made a better decision! With reservations for 5:30, we got there just before the sunset and took many, many beautiful pictures of the view and ourselves with it. So. Stunning.
As far as food goes, I was a little disappointed at the lack of vegetarian, let alone vegan-izable options, and I'll admit, when our food finally came I was a bit envious of my sister's embarassing-but-delicious buttered noodles order. Instead, I got some kind of vegetable lasagna that was okay, and watched the fish and meat eaters devour their elegantly prepared dishes. The bread though was delicious!
And it was all worth it when it was time for desserts! For my birthday, they brought me this beautiful (and unbelievably delicious) crème brulee with a candle in it and "Happy Birthday" written in chocolate cursive around the plate, and we ordered a couple other things to share like a chocolate cake and cookies. Those cookies were so, so good! And fresh and warm...
However, the service was really, really slow (even before it got busier) and for whatever reason it seemed like our waiter would completely disappear for 20 minutes at a time. Not cool, sir, not cool.
I'm still a fan though, and I'd absolutely go back again just to have more crème brulee and cookies while looking out over this amazing city! And someday maybe even just go there to get drinks with my friends. Seems like a fun 21+ thing to do, right? Someday.Listed in: The Northeastern Life.
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Review from Patty T.
New York, NY
12/16/2011
If you are just in Boston visiting this is a must... It is one of my favorite places in the city to go because you can see all of Boston. You get a full view of Boston.
Hint: Unless you are in a big group.. just hit the bar and you can walk around. -
Review from Shannon R.
Boston, MA
1/24/2012 Seated via OpenTable
First time---I took my partner for her birthday- It was a Thursday evening, we had a seat by the window- nice ambiance-simply gorgeous views. Scallops for an appetizer (two for $16)- Although they were insanely delicious they were on the smaller/medium size. My entree was the swordfish (over a barley type pasta), it was perfectly cooked and literally melted in my mouth. The server was delightful, she wasn't pushy or intrusive and had good "table readability" - she did offer us a taste of the most expensive wine by the glass ($23 a glass) and it was truly amazing (however when I looked it up it was a $38 bottle-but the fact that I actually looked it up afterward speaks volumes). My girlfriend ordered the salmon - she devoured every bite :) Overall it was a wonderful experience, I'd recommend it.
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Review from Ellyn C.
Portland, ME
1/23/2012
I went to Top of the Hub with my boyfriend to see the amazing views of Boston. I also wanted to try the tuna tartar that a friend recommended. However, we arrived before 2pm and they were only serving brunch. We decided to try it and I was very pleased with everything. Great food, great service, a very nice atmosphere... etc., Im a fan!! great photos too!
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Review from Samantha G.
Washington, DC
11/16/2011
Let me preface this by saying that I went for lunch and got a great corner window table. (w/ Cassy H. See below)
Had I not gotten that table, I'd give this a solid 3 stars.
I was able to make a quick reservation online for 12:30 on a Saturday. Barely anyone was there, so we got that spectacular view. It was a clear day and absolutely gorgeous.
Got the 3 course lunch for $22 deal.
Normally I would expect that places with great views have mediocre (or at the very least, not-worth-what-you're-paying) food. I found that I was quite happy with my appetizer (salad) and entree (butternut squash pasta). My friend and I were a bit disappointed with our desserts. The creme brulee hadn't had enough time to set, so it was more like a custard than creamy and thick. The chef also put too much sugar on top, so instead of a light crunch, it was thick and burnt, getting stuck in your teeth. The ginger cheesecake was thick and gritty, not creamy. It crumbled when you put your fork through it, and the "ginger" part of it was barely noticeable.
Good chef. Pastry chef needs work.
By the time we left, the restaurant was packed to the brim.
I recommend going at least once, going for lunch if you're on a budget, and getting there on the earlier side to ensure a better view. -
Review from cristin d.
Boston, MA
11/6/2011
Food is good, but nothing special. Great place to get together
for drinks!!
You're paying for the incredible view! Enough said. -
Review from Cassy H.
Top of the Hub is THE place is go for a gorgeous view of Boston (see photo for picture taken via my android phone) and the Charles River. Located on the 52nd floor of the Prudential Center, this is probably the highest restaurant in Boston. I imagine this is probably a rather romantic place to take that someone special, especially at night (when they have jazz music-- which I haven't been to before, but hope to check out one night).
I'd say 3 stars for the food, but definitely 5 stars for the view... so I averaged it and decided it was around a 4 star, but I'm definitely being generous here..
Tip #1: Request to seat by the window... or even better, a window corner table, b/c that's the best view in my humble opinion. :o)
Tip#2: Come here for lunch. It's a lot cheaper.. plus you aren't really here for the food, but for the gorgeous VIEW! Although I must say, I ordered the 3 course pre-fixe lunch menu and it was quite, surprisingly delicious. And it was only $22.. for starter, entree, and dessert. For me, I got the arugual salad, pan seared scallops with sweet potato hash (I must say the scallops were perfectly cooked and seasoned), and creme brulee.
Tip#3: Bring your camera, take pictures, be a tourist and be proud of it!Listed in: Bawston Favorites
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Review from Timothy H.
Phoenix, AZ
12/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great Service. Great Drinks. Great Views. Great Atmosphere.
AWFUL Food. Opportunity lost. -
Review from Jeff S.
Kingston, NY
1/10/2012
Let's put this in perspective...the Skywalk, which is one floor down (or up?) is $13. If you subtract from the cost of your food, then this goes from "overpriced" to "high end."
My main complaint is...variety? For a supposedly high end restaurant, you don't get many choices (and one of them is a burger). I ended up with the prix fixe meal ($38, I believe), which was "hanger" steak, fries, Cobb salad, and creme brulee for dessert). It was all right, but hardly anything to salivate over. . -
Review from Tanya S.
Cambridge, MA
1/13/2012
Beautiful views of Boston included in your meal. We've come for dessert and wine or full meals and it was always a romantic/enjoyable atmosphere. Even though service can be a bit snooty, it's generally attentive and the food has never disappointed. Although you are paying extra for the view.
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Review from Andi Z.
Brookline, MA
11/4/2011
If you're planning on dropping serious cash for drinks with special company, there's no place like Top of the Hub to do it. Hey, all drinks at fine dining restaurants, even some gastro pubs run around 13 bucks.
There are definitely more creative drink menus out there. Top of the hub hasn't got the creativity and the liquid nitro drinks of blue inc and it isn't part of the hip tiki revival (I'm not old enough to have experienced the original fad), but with the beautiful views and the live music, there isn't a better place to plop that booze $$.
I haven't ordered off the regular menu in over half a decade so I can't comment on that, but the bar menu is safe and tasty. Tuna tartar with avacado is solid. The mussels are tasty and a great value since it's big enough to share with several people. I also had a melted brie with fig compote dish that was great as well.
Tried an old fashioned, a lemon drink in a martini glass the name of which I cannot recall and also a cucumber vodka drink. The standout here was definitely the cucumber vodka drink. It's really clean.
If you sit in the lounge area you'll probably get a view of the harbor or dorchester. I have yet to see across the river or into the financial district so I'm guessing the best views are reserved for the main dining area.
Top of the hub is great for out-of-towners as well as local company. There's a reasonable $25 minimum per person if you are going to sit at a table. If the days are long enough, come before sunset and relax for a few hours, the change from day to night atop the prudential is wonderful. -
Review from Jamie G.
1/17/2012 3 Check-ins Here
This is the BEST place to take a visitor/tourist who is new to Boston. Instead of paying like $15 to go to the viewing deck at the Pru, go to the bar at The Top of the Hub and get a drink ($8-$11).- it's cheaper, and you get a drink, and you can relax at the bar! Saturday afternoon is a great time to go, right when they open at 11:30am- easily get a seat at the bar, or a table if you prefer. You can walk around and see the GORGEOUS views, or enjoy them from where you are seated. I have always had friendly bar tenders and servers. I've tried several of their cocktails, which are all good, but they do make a mean mudslide! Had their prosecco on Saturday, which was great. For food, their clam chowder is very good, their cobb salad is HUGE, and their flatbreads are delish. Of course everything is WAY overpriced, but c'mon, for the view, it's worth it! But my recommendation is, go up for a drink, enjoy yourself, get a snack if you are starving, but go elsewhere for your lunch/dinner.
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Review from Jennifer D.
Danville, NH
12/22/2011
After having a great experience there 4 years ago, I was expecting the same this past year (November) when I went for my birthday. Yeah...not the same. I mean the ambience/view is truly great and special. But the food? Nothing very exciting here, esp. for the price. We started off with the lobster soup, meh...good flavor/heavy, a couple scant pieces of lobster meat. Asked for a basic salad and asked specifically for NO feta and dressing on the side. I got a lot of feta and dressing tossed with my salad, awesome. But I still picked at it, the dressing was pretty tasty. My fiance got the same as me pretty much except for the entrees. I got the braised lamb shank which was truly the highlight, it was delish, and huge! Meat fell off the bone, excellent flavor....but the sides, rustic it is! But not modern rustic, like here's some blah mashed potatoes and one single carrot....crap presentation. My hunnie got the veal, which was also delish, cooked amazingly well. His sides, crap. And our server was a bit condescending while still being polite. I guess he assumed we didn't have the money to eat there so he didn't try as hard (my fiance did look very presentable but not pretentiously so, but I always think he looks amazing). Appearances are deceiving aren't they, which is why you should never assume and should treat everyone with the same amount of respect, please and thank you. And for dessert, great pumpkin ice cream with your typical warm choco cake (lava cake) whatever. Money well spent on 3 single items yay! Will not return anytime soon. PS you're lucky my fiance is very generous, I wouldn't have been so nice with the tip.
p.s. cute b-day presentation on the desert. -
Review from Holly S.
Updated - 10/14/2011
We received some really rude service from the hostess last night after deciding to do a fun/treat yourself/girls night. We slipped into the restaurant hoping to get some cocktails and a bite to eat around 10 and as soon as exiting the elevators, the hostess approached us without a greeting and announced we would need to each spend $24 if we wanted to stay, in a tone that implied $24 each was well out of our range.
Was it because I wasn't wearing a ball gown and a diamond necklace? Sorry about that. I had been raving about my experience last time and wanted to treat my friends to some specialty cocktails. Strong chances we were going to spend well over $24 each. After the snooty hostess made her financial demands we decided to turn our backs and take our business elsewhere. Who needs that.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/20/2011
Came for drinks and light food in the lounge. Beautiful location where you can watch the city turn… Read more »
Comment from Top of the Hub R. of Top of the Hub 10/28/2011
Hello, Our staff intentions are not to drive business away,… More » -
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Review from Alicia G.
Anaheim Hills, CA
11/1/2011
Try Barry's Scallops - so good with the bacon jam!
Everything was delicious, server was nice, wouldn't have gone if we hadn't been given a giftcard because, yes, it is a bit pricey. Glad we had the chance to dine here. -
Review from Cris L.
Allston, MA
10/5/2011
The food here is surprisingly good, and despite the prices, this is a place tourists should visit. Lunch is a great option if you don't want to drop a ton of money on dinner--the food is just as good. Also, the view is one-of-a-kind, which makes even the saltiest Bostonians happy.
Top-of-the-hub isn't just some tourist trap--it's a place everyone should visit at least once. Try the steak! -
Review from Rachel K.
12/11/2011
This place clearly doesn't care about good service or their reputation. My group was rudely approached/ treated by the "hosts." Not allowed in, even to wait. No we were not drunk, we were appropriately dressed...not sure what the treatment was for. Tried to take a peak over the hosts shoulder to get a sneak of the view, and the host yelled at me not to bother the "paying diners" who were nowhere in sight. I understand they were busy and it was pretty full on a Saturday night, but there was no reason to be rude and lose future clientele. Not impressed.
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Review from Jenny S.
9/9/2011 2 photos
AMAZING SKY HIGH VIEWS OF BOSTON from the 52nd floor of the prudential tower.. too bad it was so cloudy the day i went that all i saw was GRAY =(
sit at the bar if you plan to get just a couple of drinks OR sit in the lounge IF you're down for the minimum $24 charge per person
LOVED EVERYTHING WE ORDERED (we came for dessert)
----delicious bottle of moscato
----strawberry basil lemonade cocktail was YUMMY
----plate of 12 COOKIES (chocolate chip, toffee, white chocolate, & peanut butter) w/ divine CINNAMON CHANTILLY CREAM.. soOOooo good! BEST PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES ever.. i usually hate peanut butter cookies
the cookies tasted homemade! HOWEVER you must have a preference for SOFT baked cookies b/c some of these were perfect & others were underbaked (although i love raw cookie dough so i didnt mind too much)
waiter was SUPER nice plus they've got live jazz & a dance floorListed in: DESSERTS are such a DELIGHT
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Review from David R.
Newton, MA
10/3/2011
I've now been to Top of the Hub five times or so, with the same results each time. The food is near top of the line, the prices, while a little high, are to be expected at a high-quality place like that, and the atmosphere is fantastic. Real candles, lighting that isn't too bright, and full-length windows make it really a fun place to be.
The drinks are great, although I've only tried a couple, but I continue to try new items on their menu and haven't been disappointed yet.
The real attraction here is the view. Being able to walk to the ends of a couple hallways and look out over the city, especially on a clear evening, is spectacular. I've gotten some amazing pictures from up there, of Fenway, the Charles, and a bunch of other cool sights.
I recommend this location to most people as a once-in-a-while special dinner, but for me it's a little expensive to visit every week. Definitely a view you don't get from any other restaurants in Boston, though! -
Review from Julie B.
9/8/2011
I can't believe I've lived in Boston for 5 years, 5 minutes away from the Pru, and had never been to Top of the Hub.
I quickly took advantage of restaurant week and booked a table for me and 5 friends. This restaurant, and the view it provides, is absolutely gorgeous. Not even the harshest of critics could deny that. The service was spot on and our table was ready the second I walked in. 5+ stars for atmosphere, view and service.
Now onto the food. First, I'm not sure how I felt about the guy walking around with bread. The bread itself was fine, but it felt a little "family resort-ish" to me. I ordered off the RW menu and chose the chilled potato soup, salmon with pea risotto, and chocolate pound cake. The flavor of the soup was delicious, but it was freezing cold. I know it was meant to be "chilled", but the temperature made it almost slightly difficult to eat. The salmon was great-- flaky but juicy, and the pea risotto was really tasty and filled with little baby shrimp! The pound cake was the real downfall of the meal. It was pretty dry and no one at the table seemed to enjoy it too much.
I think it's pretty obvious that you go to Top of the Hub for the view, and maybe a little romance ;) If you happen to get a partially great meal that's just a plus. Still worth it.Listed in: Tour de Boston
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Review from Alexander D.
Monument Beach, MA
1/1/2012
I wanted to take my girl to what I thought was one of the best places to eat in boston. I went on a weeknight and it was somewhat busy. There was more noise and smaller table space than an upscale eatery like this should have. Although my 16 dollar appetizer of two scallops was tiny, they were the best I've ever had. My girlfriends swordfish entree was big and delicious and my entree was also very good. The View is the best in Boston and the food is right up there. I wanted a place to dress up for but I saw people in jeans and even a few children. Don't know if I would go back but it is something you'd have to do once.
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Review from Boston F.
Boston, MA
9/18/2011
This is spectacular.
Top of the Hub is now a foodie's paradise. While it has always been a place where the views of Boston are second to none the chef clearly is one of the best in Boston. We had some of the lightest, freshest seafood we have ever enjoyed in Boston. Perfectly cooked and very creative sauces. The general manager, Rafael, came by and checked on us, adding to the near perfect service. A wonderful wine list, spectacular food and killer desert and coffee made this foodie very happy to be dining on top of the world (or at least Boston). Do go. Whether you are a local like me or a visitor put this on your must visit list. I promise you will be very happy you did.
Boston Foodie -
Review from remie m.
Newport Beach, CA
8/31/2011 3 photos
3 stars for the view!!!
My "boston" decided 2 be romantic and plan a "date night"
he made reservations for us.
after a loooooong day of being a tourist. . .this was a perfect way 2 end the night. . .
luckily we stayed in the Boston Sheraton so it was connected to the hotel and was a 5-8min walk from our hotel room.
Its always fun to dress up and get all pretty once in awhile :)
We took the elevator to the 54th floor and walked into the restaraunt
It was beautiful and fancy. . . We ckd in and was seated rt away.
The restauraunt was full but not as busy as i expected.
We were seated right next to a window, which was awesome b/c it over looks the whole city and the charles river. The ambiance was perfect!
We ordered for starters: lobster bisque, crab cakes, and scallops.
The lobster bisque was amazing! as for the crab cakes and scallops was a bit 2 salty for my taste.
our entrees: 2lb lobster and beef tip (?) . . . both r HUGE portions!!!
We should've just shared one. . .
Drinks: watermelon mojito and watermelon martini. . .which were both strong liquor wise. . . i got buzzed off one!
Our waiter was friendly and assisted us with whatever we needed.
I had an amazing time there. . .perfect date spot if u have balls enough 2 spend a couple of benjamins! :) -
Review from Amanda B.
Chicago, IL
10/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
For some reason, the city of Boston doesn't seem to believe in clear and well-placed signage. Regardless, we were able to find the Top of the Hub and get seated for an evening cocktail. I had the Blackberry Goose - light and sweet, but the aftertaste was pure vodka. The hubby had a burgundy wine. We were both pretty happy with our drink choices, but the view is really what made it - very fun to look out over Boston and talk about where we had been that day and where we would go later. The waiter was very pleasant, but seemed to have a whole lot going on. Service didn't seem to suffer too much, but it was noticeable.
Overall, a great start to the night. -
Review from A N.
Boston, MA
8/27/2011
So I'm not sure if this restaurant is always this underwhelming or if it's just one of those places that puts no effort into (see = secretly hates) restaurant week, but nonetheless my husband and I weren't impressed.
I don't want to get too into it, because there's no reason to list all the shortcomings of this restaurant. The only thing I have to tell you is that this is the kind of place with $90 per glass luxury cocktails, chef's tasting menu and a pre fixe menu with wine pairings -- yet they serve cold, slightly stale bread with rock hard butter. That's the worst.
All they really have going for them is the view, but I recommend going one floor down, paying $13 and touring the Skywalk instead. That way you make a financially sound decision that doesn't leave a bad taste in your mouth. -
Review from lily l.
Mansfield, MA
9/8/2011 9 photos
Exceptional service and food. We came here on my birthday and had the chef's 7 course tasting, rarely am I impressed by fine dining food because I do expect alot, but every single dish that came to the table was fabulous!
All courses came out very well timed and our waitor had extensive knowledge on the menu and was also spot on about when we would feel full (5th course).
The waitor informed us that they change the tasting menu 3-4 times a year. Will definitely come back. -
Review from Leslie L.
Boston, MA
9/17/2011
A disappointing return to one of my favorite places in town.
Went here last night to enjoy the life Jazz music at 9 in the lounge seating area. This has always been one of my favorite places in Boston, but last night it was just sub par.
The service was good. I got the arugula salad with no cheese and a Diet Coke. My buddy got the risotto appetizer. He enjoyed them.
There were a few things that ticked me off.
-10:30 PM: Screaming bloody murder, a 4-year old was making a scene, and parents literally just sat there doing nothing. I would expect a finer establishment to have one of the managers who was near the host stand go over and intervene. The family's 2nd kid was zonked out, sitting on the chair perpendicularly, head cocked to the side laying on the back rest, asleep, mouth agape. The 3rd kid was not making a fuss. Ugh, this isn't McDonalds people.
- The place was ABSOLUTELY FREEZING COLD. My buddy and I sat there crossing our bodies to keep warm.
- More time by the jazz band was spent not playing than playing. I'd say they played 40% of the time, max. -
Review from Michael D.
Boston, MA
8/13/2011 2 photos
I can't say much about the view CAUSE WE WENT ON A CLOUDY DAY. AND i thought the minimum charge for a table was 24 bones total.. turns out its 24 bones PER PERSON, so unless you're planning to drink a lot or order a meal, SIT at the BAR.. its FREE!
The drinks were strong enough, the service is great, and the FRESHLY BAKED COOKIES ARE TO DIE FOR (http://www.yelp.com/us...). They might have been a little undercooked, but they were SATURATED with SUGAR and BUTTER, so they literally MELTED in your mouth.. SO FREAKIN GOOD!
SO to conclude, here's what I recommend:
1. Sit at the bar (there's no minimum charge)... I HAD TO LEARN THIS THE HARD WAY.
2. Get the plate of assorted cookies.. best cookies of my life.
3. GO ON A CLEAR NIGHT. -
Review from Devin H.
Hudson, NH
2/2/2012
awesome service, awesome view, awesome wine menu, awesome food, awesome time.
-
Review from Jon G.
Quincy, MA
8/11/2011
This is a great go-to place if you have people visiting from out of town or a special occasion to celebrate. It's expensive, but not a rip off, if that makes sense. You'd pay just as much for dinner at some crappy chain restaurant, without the benefit of a mesmerizing view of our fair city.
If you're thinking of shelling out 10+ bucks or whatever it is to go to the observatory, just ask for a table in the drinks area (facing south) and get a little something for your money. The drinks are like average New York prices -- 8 or 9 bucks for a gin and tonic, for example -- but wonderfully stiff, strong enough to nurse for a while. And like the previous reviewer said, sharing the fresh baked cookie platter is the way to go if you want a snack.
I've only eaten real food there at lunch, but the food was fantastic. Again, not at all unreasonable for the quality of service and food. Throw in that view, and you've got a winner.
My one gripe is that you have to look fairly presentable to dine here; I feel like, in my younger days, I was actually turned away once, but at the time I was probably looking pretty shabby even by Allston standards. -
Review from Ryan L.
Bellingham, MA
12/20/2011
My review is based off of two lunch trips.
Food: good, a little overpriced, but that's what you expect and get when you're in that part of Boston in a nice restaurant. Burger was maybe 10 dollars?? I can't recall but it wasn't that outrageous.
Service: awful. I have never received worse service than when I went here (both times). There are fundamentally two sides of the restaurant that are preferable: one facing the ocean, the other facing Fenway. If you're not dressed in a suit then you will not be seated in either of these areas, even if there are plenty of spaces. In both instances I wore khakis and a polo and my company dressed similarly semi-casual. The staff briskly set us "aside" from the other patrons in both instances. In the more recent experience our waiter was snotty and visited our table three times: to take our order, bring our drinks, and to bring the check (the food was brought by someone else). No refills, no asking how things were, no attention whatsoever. Frankly it was the first and only time I refused to tip a server and I don't regret it for a second.
I sent an e-mail to the management expounding on our poor service and received a "oh well" for a response.
I personally will not patronize this restaurant again, but I can understand the interest in the view. There are many, many restaurants in Boston with better food and service if a view of Boston is not critical to your meal.
