Best Dishes: Carrot Cake at Hub 51

Hub 51 is, without a doubt, one of my favorite places in River North. I love everything about Hub 51: the location, the physical space, the atmosphere and most of all, the menu that so adeptly navigates an impressive array of various cuisines: from solid sushi to awesome Mexican to contemporary American and beyond. And perhaps most importantly, it is home to what is quite literally the best carrot cake of all time.

This glorious creation is called Martha's Special Occasion Carrot Cake and is the best way to end a good meal at Hub. Even if you think you don't like carrot cake, order it. One night, some friends and I had attended a charity event at The Underground and were looking for a nearby place to enjoy a late dinner and a few cocktails. Naturally, I recommended Hub 51. When we'd finished our entrees, I suggested we get the carrot cake for dessert. One of my friends said she didn't care for carrot cake and suggested we order their monster slice of chocolate cake as well. Our group is always happy to order more desserts rather than fewer, so that is exactly what we did.

Everyone tried both when the cakes came around and I must say that both options are brilliant. But the carrot cake is so exceptional that it outshines even the decadent multi-layer chocolate cake. This was almost impossible for me to fathom, given my intense love for a great chocolate cake and the myriad mediocre carrot cakes floating around out there. But this is what happens when you put anything up against Martha's masterpiece.

For those who aren't aware, Hub 51 is a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant run by R.J. and Jerrod Melman, who are the two sons of Lettuce Entertain You mastermind Rich Melman. The illustrious Martha behind the restaurant's mind-blowing carrot cake is none other than the boys' mother, Mrs. Melman.

Truly, this woman has a gift. The carrot cake is impossibly moist and beautifully spiced. The cream cheese frosting she's crafted is absolutely the best I have ever had. It's perfect. It's neither overwhelmingly tangy nor overly sweet. The consistency is flawless -- and Martha ups the ante by gracing the plate with an extra heaping scoop of the frosting and a heaping scoop of fresh whipped cream. The homemade whipped cream is impeccable: fluffy, smooth and created with just the perfect amount of vanilla.

However, all of my praise aside, it's perhaps most telling that my friend who "doesn't like carrot cake" was amazed to discover that she was Martha's biggest fan. We've not been back to Hub 51 since then without a slice of the carrot cake. If you're nervous, order the chocolate cake as well. It is good. But do not forget the carrot cake. Once you try it, you can rest assured you never will.