Famished from the stress of midterms, a couple of friends and I ventured to the heart of Fell’s Point for a low-key, relaxed lunch. I had passed by an intriguing pub-esque restaurant many times when walking around the neighborhood. Every Sunday, it seemed, swarms of 20-somethings would sit outside the pub on high seats under umbrellas, enjoying mouth-watering comfort food. The hot sandwiches and soups proved too alluring. My friends and I decided it was time to try The Point in Fell’s.
It was still too chilly to sit outside, although in the spring there would be no better place to perch and watch whatever game was on. Indeed, The Point is an interesting amalgam of quintessential sports bar and original cuisine. Boasting four menus — brunch, dinner, lunch and pub — there is truly something for everyone. And if you ask for something to be prepared more personally, the staff could not be more accommodating.
The bar is centrally situated. In the front portion of the restaurant, high tables and chairs for groups of two to four surround the front half of the bar. Tables for larger parties take up the back half of the restaurant. Televisions line the walls, broadcasting a veritable smorgasbord of sports games. Even at 2 p.m. on a Friday afternoon, the bar was in full swing.
My fellow diners and I had the option of the lunch and brunch menus. I chose brunch, and they chose lunch.
I ordered a three egg white omelette with ham, provolone and tomatoes ($9). In an attempt to wean myself off of a scarily unhealthy midterm diet, I decided against a side. Nevertheless, homemade hand-cut fries showed up at the table. The omelette was far too big for me, but it was delicious nevertheless. The ham was tasty and added a necessarily hearty element to the rather plain egg whites. The ham had been diced into small pieces, which allowed for a perfect portion of protein. Not too much, not too little. The provolone was melted and engulfed the piping hot omelette as it was set on the table. The tomatoes were fresh as could be. If I ordered an omelette at The Point in the near future I would add mushrooms and spinach to fully round out the dish. The vegetables were so fresh throughout the meal that it was a shame I did not take full advantage of them.
A friend who opted for the lunch menu ordered a grilled cheese. The Point’s take on this all-American dish is unique, to say the very least. The “Grilled Cheese and Heirloom Tomato” ($8) has fresh basil, spinach pesto and a balsamic reduction. The sandwich is served on a faux rye bread which only enhances the melted white, tart cheese and intriguing vegetable combination. The balsamic adds a mild acidic flavor that finishes off the dish in a carefully seasoned manner. It is as if one is eating a salad with balsamic vinegar and melted cheese on toast, rather than the quintessentially greasy grilled cheese.
The side salad that accompanied the grilled cheese was by no means what you would expect. This dish could have undoubtedly been an item on the appetizer menu. Fresh spinach greens tossed with a little shredded cheese and a few other veggies arrived in a generous portion. Restaurants typically hold back on something as small as a side salad. Here however, my fellow diners and I fully appreciated just how professionally conceived each dish was.
Other appealing brunch items include, but are not limited to, the Rice Pudding with “apricot and fig compote and organic granola,” the “Fried Green Tomato BLT” ($7) and the “Jumbo Lump Crab Cake Sandwich” over a House or Caesar Salad ($17). There are also your typical brunch items such as eggs, waffles, toast and more. $10 will get you bottomless Bloody Maries, Mimosas, Manmosas or Sangria.
The lunch menu is a bit more diverse in its options. Salads, soups, sandwiches — you can truly find anything to fit your fancy. In terms of larger plates, one can choose from everything from “Pappardelle Bolognese” (14) to a “Hand Sliced Steak and Cheese Sub” ($12). There is also an “Open Faced Seared Tuna” sandwich with “chopped egg, red onion, red wine vinaigrette and chile aioli” ($10) that looks particularly attractive. The “Blue Crab and Yellow Corn Chowder” with “Yukon potato and smoked cheddar croutons” ($8) is undoubtedly a Point specialty (although I would recommend its heaviness for a cold winter’s day). If you are in the mood for salad, you can choose from everything from a “Spinach and Arugula Salad” with “pickled cucumber, warm brie, fresh raspberries and balsamic vinaigrette” ($7) to a Caesar ($6).
As I said earlier, this is the perfect spot for a Saturday or Sunday with friends. In the spring, enjoy a beautiful view of the harbor from the tables out front — the water is legitimately a few feet away. On the cooler days, perch by the bar to cheer on your favorite sports teams. The Point is nothing but fun with caring service and exceptionally sophisticated bar food.
