The Hub Promises the Best Pie in Town

People who say they don’t love pizza are lying through their teeth. Seriously, one can rationalize that it is a very healthy and well-balanced meal and by “well-balanced”, I mean a beer in one hand, and a huge slice in the other.

I love pizza, and so does my regular dinner partner, Josh. He and I decided to hit The Hub, a new pizzeria and bar in Johnson. We battled the slippery roads all the way down Clay Hill, found a lovely parking spot smack-dab in the front of the restaurant, and schlepped our way through the slush and ice to satisfy the un-dying pizza craving.

We walked in expecting a crazy, loud, and aromatic roomful of people. We were happily surprised to see that we wouldn’t have to fight for a table, or wait in line for 20 minutes. We just stood there for about 30 seconds, and then a bartender came over and motioned for us just to plop down wherever we chose.

We chose a table close to the back door to get away from the ear-piercing noise of the mike checks. A band was supposed to play, so I guess that a sound check was explainable. A moment later we were brought drinks and placed our order for an appetizer. We ordered the roasted garlic knots. I do believe that there was an “s” on the end of “knots” on the menu, but we received four small, badly burned knots with enough piping- hot marinara sauce for eight people. For $4.49, we were certainly expecting more. I was a little peeved, but the dishes were pretty, so I let it slide.

We ordered a small half-cheese, half-pepperoni 10” pie. The pepperoni was not the typical pepperoni found on most pizzas. Imagine pepperoni the size of your fist – there was about one per slice.

We also ordered a small Essenza d’Aglio. I can’t say it, but it sure as hell tasted pretty good. With slices of thinly sliced prosciutto (Italian ham), thick rounds of Roma tomatoes, basil, and enough gorgonzola, mozzarella and parmesan cheese to put a lactose intolerant person over the edge, it was delicious. It wasn’t too greasy, despite the toppings, and the gorgonzola gave it a creamier texture than most other pizzas. This is the best pizza I’ve had outside of Burlington.

We ordered the triple chocolate cake for dessert. The Hub has the traditional cheesecake, brownie sundaes, and ice cream – but I can have those at Stearns. Of course I’m going to order a dessert that has the words “triple” and “chocolate” in the same sentence. The cake is quite similar to the cake at the Winding Brook Bistro, except that this cake had been coated with sliced almonds stuck to the chocolate ganache frosting.

I wish that restaurants would have a dessert menu, or even a board advertising their dessert for the evening and prices. It’s aggravating to have to listen to the waiter try to remember what they were serving that evening.

I try to evaluate the experience on two things. Number one: How was the food? I’d have to say that the appetizer was terrible, but the pizzas and dessert were fantastic. Number two: Were the people nice? Yes. Not overly so, but it was a bar. You can’t walk into a bar expecting a back rub from someone who looks like your Great Aunt Thelma. It’s more or less, a walk in, sit down, and wait sort of place. Do not expect to be greeted with a huge smile and a tag line you’d hear at T.G.I. Fridays or Friendly’s.

Would I go there again? Absolutely, but only on a night when I wasn’t expecting anything more than good pizza. Our bill came to $34.00 after tax and tips. Save yourself the money and try a different appetizer, or just skip it. There’s enough pizza, anyway.