Top of the Hub
Boston, MA 02199
Phone: (617) 536-1775
- Price:
- $$$$
- Cross Street:
- Fairfield Street
Editorial Review for Top of the Hub – by Eric Grossman
The Scene
The laid-back elegance of ample tables, crisp white linens and hefty silver and glassware produces a lush, romantic feel. So does the 52nd-story vantage. Patrons--conventioneers, locals celebrating birthdays and anniversaries--dress to match the prices. Service is knowledgeable and unobtrusive.
The Food
The food is inventive without being esoteric, and the artful compositions delight both eye and palate. A wide, shallow bowl holds swirled roasted squash soup surrounding a short tower of seared scallop, foie gras and cranberry jam. Slow-roasted pork tenderloin (enough meat for two) perches on a bounteous array of roasted baby vegetables, including yellow carrots. Seared yellowfin tuna steaks stack up on crunchy coconut-jasmine rice in pools of cucumber-cool green and hot yellow-curry sauces. Even desserts display panache, as wacky shapes give a stylish quirk to warm chocolate cake, raspberry shortbread and caramel ice cream.
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Insider Tips
Save MoneyTake in the Prudential Tower's impressive views for less by foregoing the observatory's $7 admission in favor of a beer at the bar.
Know Before You GoReservations aren't accepted for window seats. Arrive early and cool your heels at the bar while waiting for one to open up.
Where to SitDuring the day, opt for a table overlooking the Christian Science complex; at night, overlooking the river.
ParkingValidated parking in the Pru's garage isn't free; it simply gets you a $14-$21 spot for $7.
User Reviews for Top of the Hub
09/03/2008 Posted by travellerfromNY
my husband and i went there before, thought food was ok not great, but decided to go back for the view. we were refused at the door, because there is a "dress code." this was a very warm summer day (easily above 80F) and it was lunch time. my husband had a T-shirt and shorts. pretty much every man in Boston was wearing shorts that day! this was completely stupid and frankly absurd! sure, one dresses up for certain occasions. but for this kind of restaurant, on a summer day! they are way over their head. well, they won't have my business again. and too bad, because we spend a LOT of money eating out.
07/21/2008 Posted by simply_commenting
My girlfriend took my out on a Friday night to Top of the Hub. We did online reservations for 10pm and when we got there we found the view amazing. That's where the fun ended. The host mentioned that they were running 5 min late and I asked about how long it would take to get a window seat. He says "an hour". I mentioned that 11pm the food stops (we were there for dinner). Smart guy that he is, quickly pipes up, "but we're open till one." I sighed...way to answer my question with something useless. Regardless, I ignored his comment and asked to be seated at the first available. Well, we sit down, and eventually a bar waitress takes our order. We ask for mojitos and ask if they use fresh squeezed lime. She adamantly says yes. She serves us and my girlfriend takes a sip and says..no way, not fresh (she knows her drinks). We tell her they are not fresh, so she says she'll get MORE MOJITOS. We say "NO!" and get margaritas. The drinks come and these aren't good either. At this point, it's 10:35, the host is nowhere to be seen. The one time we we going to talk to the host to see what's going on, the waitress quickly cuts me off and tells me she's going to see. (we were 2 ft away, mind you). Strange, so strange. After all that wait ,we decide it's time to check out. SUMMARY: (from my experience + friends) Food: mediocre (although i did not have any) Service: probably better on a slow night, i suspect they do not have many repeat customers. Drinks: well, the mojitos are not squeezed lime, the margaritas are ok-ish. View: the one reason people come
Pros: The view and nothing more.
Cons: Bad service. Mediocre food, bad value.
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