Hub 51

Here we go again. Another trendy, see-and-be-seen scene on Hubbard Street. Oh, the perils of hopping in a smelly cab after changing outfits five times, waiting in a long ass line, only to get carded by a macho man and then finding myself in a bar so crowded that there’s actually no space to proudly display my outfit , not to mention score a table and a drink. Such were my thoughts when I heard about the latest Lettuce Entertain You opening, Hub 51 at 51 W. Hubbard Street. “Oh great – here we go again.”

But dammit – I really like this place. Like, I really do. Yes, the bar’s always packed (and I mean packed) and there’s always a wait and some guy cat calling you while you do so, but you can’t deny that a Lettuce spot offers immediate credibility and sophistication. Throw in RJ and Jerrod, the two young Melman bros behind this new operation, and you’ve got cred, class and cool. The ambience is lively but relaxed, the décor is industrial chic but without pretension, the staff is hot but actually really nice, and the crowd – well, it’s what you’d expect to find on Hubbard Street. Depending on your tastes, that could be a bad thing or a great thing. But for this Cheeky chick, the focus here really isn’t on the crowd. It’s on the food.

Erica calls it the most A.D.D. menu she’s ever seen. We agree on that fact and find it to be a very good, hunger-satisfying fact. Where do I begin? They have sushi (the miso glazed salmon roll and the crunchy tuna are the best), appetizers (like the dee-lish hummus with fresh bread, guacamole and corn salsa and fully loaded nachos) salads (like Cobb, Sonoma and seafood), tacos (pulled pork, filet mignon and fresh fish), sammies and burgers (turkey meatloaf sandwich and an Ahi tuna burger) and wonderful entrée selections (seabass, swordfish and rib-eye). Save room for the best carrot cake I’ve ever had (apparently it’s Mamma Melman’s personal recipe). Chocolate lovers will go gaga for Hub’s homemade fudge brownie, served warm and topped with homemade vanilla ice cream and whipped cream.

The drink list kinda rocks. A zillion beers on tap from all over the world, an advanced yet totally affordable wine list and martinis the size of your face keep the bar packed (and I really do mean packed) seven nights a week. And don’t forget the Hub Punch. Duh. After a couple of these, made with Grey Goose Citron, Cazadores tequila, pomegranate juice and Liquor 43, the crowd starts to look even more attractive than ever – if that’s humanly possible. Dammit.