Haute Spots Boston: Top of the Hub

One of the best tables in Boston is often the most forgotten. Known for its breathtaking views from high atop the Prudential Center, the Top of the Hub does not have street frontage on Boylston Street so some people may overlook the most unforgettable restaurant in town. For those who do know its hidden location, they would probably rather keep it their best found secret.

Photo Credit: Top of the Hub

For the past 50 years, the restaurant has welcomed locals and tourists to the 52^nd story of the Prudential Center. Imagine being eye level with helicopters, soaring hawks and fluffy clouds while noshing on jumbo lump crabmeat cakes or baked brie with dried fruit compote.

Photo Credit: Top of the Hub

We recently visited the Top of the Hub after admittedly not having been in some time. After telling some friends of our visit, they remarked, “Thanks for the reminder to go there!” We enjoyed lunch here and got started with a sampling of hot dog sliders, three mini Wagyu beef sliders were served atop griddled brioche buns with a side of ketchup and tasty mustard and onion piccalilli. The tartar of yellowfin tuna should not be missed. A delicious combination of avocado and cilantro arrived with a spicy aioli and pickled ginger.

Photo Credit: Top of the Hub

The Executive Chef has created a lunch menu that includes creative flatbreads (think grilled tenderloin of beef with gorgonzola mascarpone spread, balsamic onions and horseradish cream), hearty sandwiches like the turkey club with pecan wood bacon, and a three-course prix-fixe lunch with starter, entrée and dessert.
Photo Credit: Top of the Hub

We loved the shrimp scampi spaghettini, a generous bowl of pasta kicked up with spicy chili flakes and made even better with lemon butter, garlic and tomatoes. Keep an eye out for the daily specials, which, if you are lucky, will include jumbo sea scallops. For dessert, the Boston cream pie should not be missed, a deliciously addicting interpretation of the traditional pie — a light and creamy cake is encased in chocolate (large enough to share but so good you may not want to).

Photo Credit: Top of the Hub

For dinner, the restaurant offers a three-course prix fixe and five-course tasting menu in addition to their standard menu, which includes a 12-ounce New York sirloin and two-pound lobster with crabmeat stuffing. The Top of the Hub is located at 800 Boylston Street in Boston. The Lounge offers live jazz entertainment seven nights a week.

Photo Credit: Top of the Hub