Raphael Oliver, Top of the Hub - Skywalk General Manager, Promoted to Vice President, Business Development For Select Restaurants, Inc.

John Quagliata, President, C.E.O. of Select Restaurants, Inc., owner and operator of Boston’s famed Top of the Hub Restaurant, cocktail lounge, and banquet facilities as well as the Skywalk Observatory, today announced the promotion of long-time General Manager Raphael Oliver to Vice President, Business Development for the parent company.

Soaring 52 floors above Boston’s Back Bay, Top of the Hub is perched atop the Prudential Tower with the Skywalk Observatory located directly below on the 50th floor.

“As general manager of our Boston operations for the past 25 years, Raphael Oliver has done an outstanding job of building both solid business and a trusted reputation for Select,” said Quagliata. “I’m thrilled that he has accepted the challenge to apply his considerable knowledge and talents to further build our business and expand our visibility in some of our other markets.” Select operates a collection of specialty restaurant concepts with properties located in Long Beach, California; Chicago, Illinois; Cleveland and Cincinnati, Ohio; Baltimore, Maryland; Pennsylvania; and New Jersey.

Mr. Quagliata also credited Mr. Oliver with the successful growth of corporate function business, a commitment to nightly live jazz entertainment in the highly popular lounge, and the expansion and creative development of the restaurant’s wine sales accented by the addition of two temperature controlled wine cellars holding more than 3000 bottles at any one time.

Mr. Oliver commented, “I am honored to have been part of the Select team for the past 25 years and look forward to the new responsibilities with which I’ve been entrusted. John Quagliata has a unique vision in the restaurant industry which encourages those around him to achieve far more than they could on their own. I look forward to the many creative challenges ahead around the country, from staffing and sales to marketing and fiscal management.”

Prior to joining Top of the Hub, Oliver held several high-visibility positions at a number of prestigious, award-wining, five-star resorts from the Mt. Washington Hotel in New Hampshire, to the Crown Room atop San Francisco’s Fairmont Hotel and The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. Educated at the Newman Preparatory School in Boston and the Hotel and Restaurant School at Statler Hall, Cornell University, he is a member of the Board of Directors of theGreater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau and has served as Chairman of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association.

Owner John Quagliata fully understands the essential role a well-trained staff plays in delivering an outstanding dining experience. Years ago, he developed a Restaurant Leadership Formula to ensure sound restaurant management, high quality cuisine and exceptional customer service. Forty years later, backed by a foundation of high standards and dedicated employees, Select continues to grow and win frequent, positive reviews for its restaurants.

A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE

Top of the Hub is celebrating its 50th anniversary of discerning service this year. While the highly competitive Boston restaurant scene has changed dramatically over the decades, Top of the Hub has always maintained its position as a “top” choice for residents and visitors alike.

“We work very hard to insure that our menu offerings are always fresh and current,” said long timeExecutive Chef Mark Porcaro. “Whether guests are joining us for an intimate dinner for two or a special celebration for several hundred, our goal is for the cuisine to be as spectacular and as memorable as the view.”

Top of the Hub is open seven days a week, serving lunch, dinner and Sunday Brunch in addition to offering a late night dining menu and live entertainment seven nights a week. Having been named one of the world’s most romantic dining destinations by The Travel Channel, the restaurant is also proud to have received continued industry recognition from Distinguished Restaurants of North America as well as multiple Awards of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine.

Visit http://www.topofthehub.net.

Photo: Joel Benjamin

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