Artu

Location: Boston (North End), MA

Ambience: Upscale, energetic, and cozy. Luckily, this isn't the Olive Garden and the clientele doesn't need a lot of real estate.

Variety: What the restaurant lacked with a vegetarian section on the menu, it made up for with unbelievable service. The staff was incredibly attentive to our needs and knowledgeable about the variety of options available.

Bruschetta broccoli rabe, cannellini beans, gralic, evoo, grana padano ($7)

Melanzane Parmigiana eggplant, mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce ($17)

Fusilli e con Broccoli Rabe cork screw pasta, broccoli rabe, garlic, evoo, chili flakes ($16)

Quality: The bruschetta was unbelievable as was the eggplant parm. I wasn't the biggest fan of the fusilli, but that's because I like my pastas like my women, saucy. Overall, the food was ingredients driven and the freshness made each bite a joy.

Bottom line: Avoid taking a large party (in both senses)--but go!

http://www.artuboston.com/

Top of the Hub

Location: Boston, MA

Ambience: Amazing view of Boston, but the beer selection left me parched. The restaurant is located on the top floor of the Prudential Tower (second tallest building in Boston, behind the John Hancock Tower).

Variety: There were a few vegetarian options: a tomato mozzarella flatbread, a black bean burger with homemade chips (pictured), a gnocchi salad, and a mac & cheese.

Quality: The food was decent, and reasonably priced. It was a shame that the margherita flatbread ($13) and the blackbean burger ($11) were so enveloped in cheese that I couldn't taste the other ingredients. The blackbean burger on its own was pretty tasty. They also have a separate vegetarian/vegan menu if you ask, featuring five salads and a pasta.

Bottom line: Go for the view of Boston. It's well worth it if you are only in town for a short time or have guests that want to see the city, but don't feel like walking it.

http://www.topofthehub.net/