HORRORS! I really wanted to like The Point. I have always envisioned a very cool establishment being in this space- such a great location for the area. So when my father-in-law came down to the city for a day of hanging, we decided to forego our normal sports bars with FANTASTIC bar food (WestEnd, Market) and try The Point. Let's just put it this way- at noon on a Wednesday I expected the place to be bumping with a healthy lunch crowd. Nope. Crickets. We were the only 3 patrons in the joint. Fast-forward to the meal- we ordered bruschetta as an appetizer, a house salad, a wedge salad and a BBQ flatbread. Truly underwhelming and teensy portions. We had to ask the waitress for drink refills and they have 3 salad dressing choices, none of which is ranch. Just...weird, right? No reason to go back and bummed it wasn't better.
(2)
Rafael S.
Meh is an interjection, often used as an expression of indifference or boredom. It can also be used as an adjective (meaning mediocre, boring, or apathetic). So far this place is Meh. The service was nothing to write home about. Don't get me wrong, this is a great first date place. Why? Because this place is practically empty. The bartender was "ok" but she lacked enthusiasm and took forever. I doubt I come back.
(1)
Alexander D.
My partner and I were looking for a fun place to get dinner and drinks after work, considering I work in River North and have been to almost every bar in the area we decided to try something new. I pass The Point on my way to work nearly everyday and notice the cool crowd outside on the interesting shape of the building. We gave it a shot and boy am I glad! I started out with a fantastic cocktail (witches rave) and an appetizer (garlic fries) which I would recommend both! The drink was delicious and the appetizer was fantastic! We were only planning on staying for a bit but everything was so good we figured we'd order. My partner had The Point burger (which I had a bite of and was AWESOME!) and I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich. I know I'm not a foodie but I am a bit snobbish about my food and these were both well-seasoned delightful choices. The owner of the bar, along with his team, introduced themselves to me and had a very sincere conversation. I have to say this place is a gem! I will definitely be returning and recommending The Point to my clients. P.S. The light fixtures are really cool!
(5)
Chelsie L.
I've gone here twice now and the service isn't the greatest but the food is on the cheaper side, and it has a quiet ambience. The Point burger ($9) is freaking delicious, and I highly suggest getting a side of their truffle aioli for your fries because it is AMAZING. I have yet to try their other foods but I will definitely be back!
(4)
nicole m.
Amazing!! I got the polenta cake, and while the consistency was a little softer than I prefer, the flavor was...just...I could cry thinking about it right now. Delicious. My friend ordered some kind of grilled chicken that came with toasted french bread, corn, and lettuce (I think it was for making into a sandwich). It was tender, savory, and really, really good. Something is going on with the feng shui in that place, in a good way. The gigantic wall-windows give the effect that the room is big and spacious, but somehow it also feels cozy. I will be back. Often.
(5)
Jessica C.
I have had two experiences at The Point. The first - myself, my husband and two friends from out of town stopped in for brunch on a Saturday around 12:00 PM. The service was good and we each split a spicy skillet with out respective spouses, which was delicious. The most recent time was this past Saturday where I stopped for dinner and a few drinks with two other people. We ordered the short rib nachos to start (which were pretty great) but then the waiter took ours menus. Um, hello? I don't think one order of nachos split between three people constitutes as a meal - in any country! So I asked for the menus back and we order two more appetizers and drinks. Our waiter then grabbed the menus off the table again! OK starving artist, you have to pay rent this month, right? At this point I was pretty annoyed and fed up with his bullshit. We finished our apps, got the check and headed elsewhere to finish dinner. I think I'll stick with brunch - seems to be better service with the day staff.
(3)
K B.
Poor service, but decent food. Poor service, but decent food.Poor service, but decent food.Poor service, but decent food.Poor service, but decent food.Poor service, but decent food.Poor service, but decent food.
(2)
Caitlin W.
Great place! Cute outdoor courtyard in the back and great cocktails and brunch! Love it!
(5)
Colleen R.
Honestly, it's a bit sad that this place isn't better. I live about a block away from the point, and I was super stoked when they opened. I have now tried this place 4 times. The first time I didn't even order a drink. I walked in with my bf and sat at the bar for over 15 minutes, and the bartender didn't even acknowledge that we were there. The second and third times, the service was just as bad, but we gave it a chance anyway. The food and drinks are wayyyyyyy overpriced, especially considering all of the high end restaurants near by. If the point wants to stay in business, here are a few suggestions: Hire more staff to work during peak hours. On a Friday or Saturday night, there needs to be more than one bartender. Re-vamp your menu and menu prices. Re-think your drink prices, as well. Maybe do a little bit of marketing. It's sad to see such a large patio empty all the time. It might be a good idea to have specials for the buildings in the area (ex: $4 beers and $5 burgers on Tuesday for k station or Trio residents. It would be a great way to get new faces in the door. You could also consider hosting a 2 hour happy hour on a Thursday for building residents. Several other restaurants/bars in the area have done this, even Carnivale (free guac, pork tacos, $4 beers). You could even use this time to debut your new menu/prices. Anyway, I hope that someone reads this because the point could be very successful.
(2)
Agnes F.
Its so difficult to venture out of my neighborhood coz there are so many choices here!! The point is a new addition to our Fulton River District and i am so happy that they are here We sat at the back bar and was well taken care of by our bartender Hillary, good selection of beer and although i didn't try the cocktails, they seemed to have a number of interesting choices there We shared the dry rubbed wings (very smokey), short rib tacos and my fav the ahi tuna BLT atmostphere is relaxed and i can't wait until they open up the outdoor patio
(4)
Mihir P.
Bring your earplugs because this place is LOUD! To the point you have to give or receive a mist of saliva in order to hear or be heard. Yes, it is a bar but even holes like Barleycorn know the limit. We sat at the bar the service can be good or wonderful depending on your bartender. Go for the bartender with the beard. Like most new places, they have a solid selection of beers and wines plus some custom cocktails. The food ranged from average to astronomically delicious: Shrimp and sweetcorn spring rolls - I don't remember these much. Random lake popper - unexpected and nice change from the typical appetizers. Flakey and lightly creamy. Spicy dry rubbed wings - crispy flour coating and perfectly cooked wings. They were just light in the spice. Bagna CÀuda artichokes - There are very few dishes in my life that I would say are perfect. This is one of them. Even the LOUD music didn't bother me while I was eating this lovely dish.
(4)
Milly P.
This is a great place for some drinks and food. Like others have said, the music is kind of loud, but we sat in the back area where it wasn't too bad. We had the truffle fries which were super good; the lake poppers were also very good but a little heavy on the cream cheese; the shrimp and corn spring rolls were really good too. The best however, were the short rib nachos. Holy moly, those were some of the best nachos I've had. To drink I had the comb-see comb-sah with pamplemousse rose which was to die for! I loved it. My fiance had some beer and had no complaints. The service was quick, food piping hot, and the price is not bad. We are fans!
(5)
Patrick F.
Too bad for such potential. Understaffed (every time I've been here) and not real enthusiastic to serve drinks and food. Would not recommend the place unless it's a Wednesday afternoon.
(2)
Alison M.
The Point is a reasonably priced gastropub with a decent beer selection and a large and innovative menu, housed in a cozy space full of natural light. It is the epitome of what a neighbohood pub should be. The Point has a great menu - we tried the short rib nachos, which were delicious once we got some Cholula to give it a bit more of a kick, and the truffle fries which were great as well. They came with a bernaise sauce and Siracha ketchup, and they actually gave us enough sauce that there was some left over when we were done. None of those tiny ketchup cups that are empty after the first 2 fries! Our waitress was friendly and responsive as well. I also really liked the atmosphere - every table or bar seat has some sort of view. No one is stuck in a corner facing a wall. Only issue is it seems tough to go with a group for dinner. Most of the seats are at the bar or at small tables so it might not be easy to show up with a larger party.
(5)
Osmond S.
Random Lake Poppers!!! What a great appetizer. That and the Shrimp/Sweetcorn Spring Rolls are two reasons to eat here. They also have an interesting selection of beers and wines, so if you like trying new stuff, definitely check it out. Oh, and they have Mezcal! Not that I'm a fan, but I think it's interesting to find four different kinds of mezcal in a bar outside of Mexico.
(4)
Paul W.
Had an opening night experience at this inviting new bar/restaurant in the River West area, and will definitely be returning. Wedged into the unique intersection corner of Milwaukee, Kinzie, and Desplaines, The Point is most easily identified by its shape. Though I was only there at night, it's obvious the huge windows running the gamut of the place will illuminate the place brilliantly during daytime and early evening hours. And besides, it was rather exotic drinking beers and viewing the intersection's busybodies from the perch of a bar. The interior smartly accommodates the otherwise challenging building design, crisply occupied by a roomy bar, brick walls, bulbous hanging lights, and urban deco. There is also a generous patio in the back that will likely serve nicely once the weather warms up. Draft selection is good, albeit not as selective as the variety at its familial Clutch. I didn't get a good look at the bottle selection, but I'm sure it more than suffices. Cocktails served are a solid blend of classics (think a well-done Sazerac) and a handful of special concoctions. These guys know how to mix a drink. I had the chance the gouge myself on several food items with a ravenous group with which I attended. The dry-rub wings are most certainly worth your time. The sriracha-ketchup dip for the fries has a welcome fiery kick from the typically mayo-heavy gastropub fare. And strangely enough, I tried the arugula salad, doused in lemon, white mushrooms, truffle oil, and some other stuff I can't recall - but it made a damn good entree. As such, the whole menu is worth investigating, and luckily the prices are more than fair. Lastly, the service -- for an opening night -- was outstanding. Attentive, efficient, and hospitable servers and bartenders alike make the place welcoming for return visits. No pretentious vibes. No bull.
(4)
T S.
Great place with an excellent beer selection, great cocktails (wife's a fan), and a great staff. It's rarely busy (so far) so it's a great place to come after a day of it. Haven't done much with their food but most folks seem to have enjoyed it. Not sure why it gets the jabs it does because this is a hidden gem in West Loop/River North, well worth a visit.
(5)
Laura L.
What a great location! We have often lamented on the fact that someone needs to plop on this corner since there is so much traffic, car and bike, that goes by. In goes the Point! We have enjoyed their bar area on several occasions. Its nice to not be smushed into a corner or be shouting to be heard. The servers are always very prompt and cordial. I love the little booths that you can tuck into to hide away from the world. The highlight for the menu for me is the half portion or the full portion aspect. What that says to me is to order more food! Clever marketing Point. I am totally falling for it! Their wedge salad is one of my favorites that sometimes I grab on the go. The polenta is also a great staple when you need a touch of homey food. One of my favorites is the shrimp and mussel nage. The roasted vegetables are so hearty. Yum. May have to push here for dinner. All together a great addition to the neighborhood that I am more than happy to hike to.
(3)
Alan T.
We got there close to when the kitchen was closing, concerned that we were going to be "those customers". The waitress was pretty chill about it though. We started off with the dry rub wings. They were good, nothing special..The sauce probably made it taste a lot better than it was. A party of four, three ordered the Cassoulet and one had the Ahi Tuna BLT. The Duck Cassoulet was pretty fantastic, the bread that comes on the side really sets the dish off. I had a bite of my friend's Ahi Tuna BLT and that as superb, as well. The fries that came with it were sub-par, however. Drinks were good, but pricey. They make some of the best old fashioneds I've ever had, which happens to be my go-to drink. I was disappointed in the white walker I ordered, as it was a 10 dollar drink but was really really small. The place itself was is on the corner and is very cozy, yet modern and chic on the inside. I really enjoyed the ambiance. Like I said the drinks were pricey but I guess that's what you get for a trendy joint in Chicago. The food is fairly priced and is good quality and the service was good! If you're in the area, It's definitely worth a try.
(4)
Carmen B.
I'm so glad this bar opened! I met a friend on Thursday evening for drinks. It wasn't crowded, but there was a lot of people watching the Hawks. This is a great place to watch a game. It appeared to have a late 20s-early 30s demographic. Not my running crew, but I can hang with the younger crowd. We had a talking and drinking focus, so I didn't even realize that they served food! It's a very convenient location for me, so I will return soon for a bite. The great things about the Point are the location, the service and the prices. Staff was friendly, short walk home, and I had a decent sauvignon blanc for $7. WOW. That's all I need.
(4)
Alison T.
I was really craving a chopped salad for dinner one night and decided to try picking on up from here... yikes, won't make that mistake again. It was $13 and tasted so gross, just drenched in watery ranch. I haven't been in to just sit and have a drink, but I really have no reason to at this point.
(1)
Jill D.
Great place to start your night! Very friendly staff and great drinks!
(5)
Niti B.
Was here on a date and I think it was a great alternative to my regular Jefferson Tap visits when I'm looking for a great bar in the neighborhood. The drinks are good and the food is great. I unfortunately did not get to sit outside or go downstairs but since it's down the street I will definitely be back. The place was packed and the atmosphere is casual but upscale. Hope it sticks around since it is kind of isolated.
(4)
Michael W.
The food at lunch is below average. Salty and small portions. Need to kick it up. Your a bar don't try so hard to be creative. And above all taste the food before you send it out.
(1)
Andrew S.
Bar and Cocktails were good; nice atmosphere and knowledgable bartender. However, last time I checked, the hot dog in my cassoulet was not a 'Merguez Sausage' or whatever they were pretending it to be. It was a red hot. And it made the entire dish taste like hot dog water - ultimately bland and extremely salty. Girlfriend ordered the chicken paillard which was not bad. Maybe best as a place for drinks and some simpler bar food, like a burger. Or brunch, as most have written about positively here.
(3)
cynthia w.
We're happy there is a new restaurant in the neighborhood. The food was pretty good. We really liked that you can do half orders and almost everything. I ordered a half burger, and it came out well done. It then hit me that I never was asked how I wanted it cooked. I always like medium rare. Remember to tell your server what temp you want your burger in case they forget to ask. My manhattan was perfect. I love that they use the rye instead of me having to ask for rye. The one issue was with the noise level. It was Sunday afternoon and a little more than half full. The song selection was great, but it was so loud. At every new place we've tried lately, the music is just blaringly loud. I guess that we are too old to enjoy this trend, but I like to have conversations without having to raise my voice. We'll be back, probably often.
(4)
Rene C.
This place is pretty damn good. The fact that you can get half of most of the things on the menu is pretty great. And their selection is very good. Their beer selection is also good, not great. Their cocktails on the other hand are pretty strong I would say, too strong for my taste. But the food was fantastic. We had the Grilled Calamari for the appetizer and that was very good. The Lobster Po boy was also delicious and big. I would definitely recommend this place for late night drinks or even a date. Oh and I almost forgot, the service was excellent, our server was on it the whole night and the rest of the staff were also very nice.
(4)
Greg M.
Had a late dinner here on a Friday night with my wife and her friend, and overall a good experience. The bar is huge and dominates the space, which kind of takes away from the restaurant feel. Not a big deal that night for the three of us to sit at the bar, but if you're with 4 people the table options are really limited. Some quick positives.. - ribtip nachos were fricken awesome, absolute must have - My wife LOVED that you could get 1/2 orders of everything on the menu - The ice-cubes they use for their drinks are stacked perfectly somehow which looks cool and keeps them from melting too quickly Only negatives are again the lack of tables for a place with full dining menu, and the location is a little out there on its own. But overall a great place to start a night for a good dinner and drinks.
(4)
Angela G.
I visited The Point a few months ago and really loved it. I was super excited for a new neighborhood place to go besides our usual weeknight outings to the Jefferson Tap and New Line. The wines were good, price of food very reasonable and the food was great. I recommended this place to a friend as a good first date spot and he reported back he was very disappointed. Wondering if he simply just had a bad experience I decided to take a few friends there and check it out for myself. Unfortunately, I was forced to eat my words. The service was simply ok, everything else was worse. The servers were friendly, but glasses of water and drinks went unfilled for long periods of time. The portions sizes of all 6 of our plates were very small and the food was definitely not as good as the first time I went. Despite all of the restaurants I frequent, I'm a fairly little lady and always prefer to have better food than more food, but these portions were comparable to tapas without a lower price. We left The Point hungry, poorer and annoyed. With so many other great restaurants in Chicago, especially in the area, don't waste your time or money here.
(1)
Cahryn A.
I would love to give The Point a 5+ star rating if it were the same as when it originally opened. However, our experiences since then have been a bit of a let down. The biggest problem recently is the removal of the half-portion option from most of the menu. One of the best parts about this place was not only how great the food was, but also the fact that you could order half-portions and be able to try several different things on the menu, as well as keep it budget-friendly. Now, this unique feature is largely gone. Staffs' response for this has been that the kitchen just couldn't figure out how to keep it straight between half and whole orders. This seems like a staffing problem that should be addressed as such, rather than reduce services for customers. Another recent issue comes with a chef change in the form of adding a couple great things to the menu (Crab Gratin) but seemingly at the expense of other REALLY great things. Case in point, the grilled calamari with polenta was easily one of the best dishes on the menu and I was powerfully disappointed to see that it was gone on our recent trip there. Otherwise, the food was great as always and service was at least adequate. Other things about this place is that they seem to still be figuring out what constitutes portions, as you can never be sure that what you order will be the same size as what you ordered last time. After talking this place up to some out of town friends, we took them there for brunch and were pretty disappointed with the portion size as compared to what we had just 1 week prior. Last comment would be that - although the food is great - the drink prices make it unlikely that you will want to stay here and hang out for too long. They would benefit from some regular weekly drink specials to bring people in on weeknights when they are mostly empty.
(3)
Kelly B.
I like the Point. The food is really good, the atmosphere is load back, and they make great drinks. It's just a tiny bit pricier than I would like and the seating can be tricky if it's crowded and you're with a larger group. But if I lived in the area I think I'd go there quite a bit.
(4)
Larry V.
I really like this place. I was hoping some additional businesses would open up in this area. Stopped in for dinner and drinks a couple of weeks back, and had a great experience. The food was very good, and the place looked great. They were still in process of building out the back room and patio. As the weather gets warmer, it will be a hotspot, as it's got ample room, an outside patio, good food, and an attentive staff. Definitely will be returning.
(5)
Stephanie N.
This is my favorite place for brunch. The food is just delicous and the staff is great. I would highly recommend this place to watch any sporting event. Just love The Point!!!
(5)
Nick C.
Really wanted to like this place as it is right down the street from our home.Alas, it is very average, at best. We went in on a Tuesday night and the place was pretty empty. The gentleman at the host stand was very friendly and seated us. That was the highlight of the night. The food was mediocre and the service less than friendly.But what bothered me most was the female bartender who short poured all 4 glasses of wine. Really! All I want is an honest pour. I probably will give it another chance because it is so close and maybe I will get a bartender who pours fairly.
(2)
Kimi N.
Perfectly decent place for food, but just don't order soda/pop here. Went for lunch and got the lobster po boy which was ginormous and pretty good. The aioli was not that remarkable though which was unfortunate because a good aioli can really make this kind of sandwich amazing. I ordered a diet coke with the meal, and it was pretty bad soda, but I needed the caffeine for a long trip later on that afternoon. The serve asked if I wanted another, and I said sure thinking it would be a refill. (Generally when someone asks if you want "another" it means you would get charged again, but in other places in Chicago servers have used the word "another" to mean refills, so I have no idea where things stand.) However, it turned out I got charged for 2 sodas, and they were $3 each (which wasn't listed on the menu, and honestly what pub charges $3 for soda??), so I wound up paying $6 for soda. I get that it's a pub, but this was lunch, and if it were night time, I actually would have gotten these for free. So it was irritating to be charged so severely. I may go back for food, but I'll stick with water.
(3)
Bradley S.
As another reviewer pointed out, their hours state they are closed on Monday. Apologies for missing this! So, with that in mind I wanted to give The Point a fair shake and revisit. I went at a pretty high-traffic time, and it took me about 15 minutes to make my drink order. Not great, but I will say that a lot of people were coming into the bar at the time, plus after this initial lag I was well-taken-care-of, so no biggie. The drinks were decent. I had their version of a manhattan which, to me, was a little over-sweet (perhaps the orange bitters?), but competently mixed nonetheless. I probably would have gone with a Powers whiskey after than, but the price seemed out-of-whack to me ($7/oz? You can get an entire bottle for about $20 - almost identical to Jameson's - binnys.com/spirits/Power… vs binnys.com/spirits/James… ). I guess it's a bar, and they look to make a hefty profit on spirits, but it still rubbed me wrong. Moving past that to the food... it was good. Really good. I had truffled fries and a duck cake (I believe that the actual name on the menu). Both were quite tasty and a good value for the price. There were lots of really good-looking entrees that I'd be up to try as well, but my stomach has limits. One of the more ironic dishes that caught my eye was a $22 lobster po' boy. I'm sure it's delicious, but it's not for the poor! The atmosphere was good. Loud, but not too loud. The huge bubble glass light fixtures are kinda cool. The lighting itself was just right. Even when it was crowded it felt like there was room to move around. So, yeah, I'll upgrade my rating. I think the drink costs are subsidizing the food costs a bit and I'd prefer a cheaper pour of liquor, but that's minor in the scheme of things. It's a solid spot, worth checking out for the food or the drink.
(4)
Jason B.
Better than your average bar in Chicago. Nice beers on tap. Food is nice change of pace but can lack execution. Nice atmosphere. Service can be spotty.
(3)
Allie P.
I live right down the street and recently tried The Point for Sunday brunch. We've been back several times since then, and the food is absolutely fabulous. I've tried the short rib omelet, the chilaquiles, and the skirt steak and eggs and have loved them all (also LOVE that the potatoes come with caramelized onions - my fave!). I've stuck with a mimosa every time, and I love that it's served with the full bottle of the champagne split since I feel like most brunch places overload on OJ while skimping on the bubbly. The space itself is very interesting, and it's a great place to sit and watch football (though with all the TVs, I'm surprised that they only show a single game at a time) Everything is very reasonably priced and is always delivered quickly once we place our order. However.... The service is decidedly underwhelming (I have only gone for brunch, so I can't speak to the service at night, though I do see a lot of positive comments). We always sit at the bar, and the last time we went, although we were given menus immediately, she didn't return until about 10 minutes AFTER we had finished looking through them to see if we were ready to order. Plus, when our order did come out, my extra side of potatoes was missing. She rang it in immediately and brought it out but never acknowledged the mistake or apologized. In addition, it always takes a while for our plates to be cleared and our credit card to be run after we're finished (though from looking around, that seems to be the case across the board). If the place was packed, I could easily understand the slow pace, but the bar has never been more than half full when we've gone, so the fact that the service is so minimally attentive just ends up being all the more frustrating. Even though The Point has one of the best brunch selections in my area, always has seating available, and is ridiculously convenient, sometimes we opt not to go there solely because of the pace/general apathy of the service. If they can get that worked out though, it'll be a no-brainer for me every Sunday.
(3)
R B.
Although the food here is good, it is definitely over priced. We were here on Halloween and their service was bad. The bartenders were drinking with some regulars , so we had to really try hard to get their attention. The bartender made a mistake on our check twice and we were kinda bummed to have to tell her again where or what the mistake was. I understand this is a bar and you are trying to be casual , but you are still a business and all customers are important . Not drinking on a job should be a good start . I've been here a few times but only because it's close to where we live. Probably wouldn't go back otherwise.
(2)
Stephany C.
This place is a great neighborhood addition. Been here several times for dinner/ drinks. Great beer and food selection. Wish they had more of the half plates still..
(4)
Lillian L.
Food is great! Truffle fries are delicious! The duck cake is good too. My table got tilapia, which was great, tender, and fluffy. The chicken paillard though was really dry. The chicken sandwich had absolutely amazing bread and wasn't dry at all. The cassoulet was decent but not amazing. Overall, great value for the food, especially with the half orders. Down side was the waitress Stacie had really bad attitude and was just unwilling to help.
(3)
Jennifer C.
The sign said open on Sunday at 6:30 pm looked kinda dead. There was only one table of 3 ladies in the dining area and two people at the bar not packed. Yet the bartender was standing around cutting veggies and the waiter was watching television.When we walked in no one was at the hostess stand and the bartender just stood there looking at us. We asked if there was a table and then the guy from the back came out and said oh you can sit in our dining section. He asked us if we wanted anything to drink but we had no menus so we asked if he could kindly bring over some menus to make our selections. We then asked for some suggestions didn't give much help. I ended up getting the midnight train it was very STRONG! and nothing like rum which I asked if it was similar too. My husband bloody mary was the worst drink ever it tasted like pasta sauce and vodka terrible. He was offered another drink free of charge so he tried the appeloni and it was so strong and nothing of orange accent at all it tasted like gold schluager. YUCK! Prior to our visit I always view menus because of my husband dietary needs we saw they had half orders on their menu this would worked out perfect. Yet when we got there we were informed they no longer served half order portions. So bad service so far and the website is incorrect shouldn't those be your top two things to be on top of daily. Most people view a menu prior to visiting a restaurant. Now onto the food i ordered the swedish meatballs hoagie with truffle fries the portion was normal enough to take the other half home for lunch the next day and very tasty I wasn't so sure of the pickles served on it but it definitely works. The swedish meatball was delicious by itself with the sauce and pickles and the grilled bread it was served on had a nice crunch to it. The fries were truffle fries good but like every other bars signature fries. My husband order the special Mac and Cheese with bacon and tomatoes. Okay I just have to tell you my sandwich was so good but this Mac and Cheese was so creamy and sprinkled with panko crunchy breadcrumbs with salty smoky crumbled bacon and a few sauteed tomatoes was melt in you mouth delcious one of the best we've sampled since moving to the city. We love our mac n cheese and this is definitely worth coming back for. I have to say the food was so good but the service was a easy reason not to return. There is not much room for dining so you may get stuck eating at the large bar and the drink menu is not that extensive if your a vodka or rum drinker just order your usual vodka cranberry or rum and coke but if you do like beer their list is pretty extensive. Both food items we ended up taking half home and reheated nicely still with great flavor the next day. Our bill was $50 for two full entree's and 2 drinks. I think that is reasonable for the quality of the food that was served but the service still rated a zero for us. With this being the equal distance away from our home as Jefferson Tap I would have to say I would do take out from here if offered and visit Jefferson Tap for my drinks and friendly atmosphere and a staff that is attentive to each its patrons.
(3)
Michael M.
Food is just ok. The beer selection is all about IPA, which isn't my thing. However, they do have Point Lager on tap which I always look forward to.
(3)
Melissa S.
meh sums it up, we had 7 different dishes and i do not need to have any of them again (calamari, wedge salad, polenta, short rib nachos, spring rolls, lake popper, truffle fries) nice spot, great patio and decent beer list, so great for a happy hour but the food is not for foodies
(2)
Kimberly B.
This bar is awesome. I have lived in this neighborhood for two years and the only bad thing I have to say about The Point is WHY did it take them two years to open this awesome of a bar in my neighborhood?! A friend and I went in for lunch on a Saturday out of desperation, because we were sick of eating the same old crap in this area. I hadn't been to The Point yet because it always looks dead when I walk past, so I had no idea it was even open yet. I have been missing out! We ordered: the braised short rib nachos (amazing) the wedge salad (I LOVE a good wedge salad and not alot of bars have them) and the cheesy polenta (delicious, DELICOUS!) I have craved the food ever since and I already have plans to go back this Saturday. We were seated at the bar and literally every person that walked by us stopped and asked what we ordered, and then ordered it themselves. I'm not exaggerating, the food is really great for bar food. And the decor and service is pretty awesome too. Given the same old, same old choices in the neighborhood, this place stands out.
(5)
Mike G.
Fresh selection, well prepared in a trendy neighborhood setting. Wide choice of beers and great idea to offer half portions on most menu selections
(4)
elle h.
Want to say that i booked the lounge this past weekend for an event, an art showing, & had the best experience with The Point. Professional, accomodating, & really easy to work with. Mike the manager was really helpful & my guests had a great time. The food was really good, the mood was relaxed & the showing was a success. I would easily recommend booking the lounge for your event. The venue & staff make it a come back to kind of place!
(5)
Neena P.
I live a block away and have become obsessed with their weekend brunch. It's served 11-3 on Saturday and 11-5 on Sunday, so I can usually be seen rolling in around 3 pm on Sunday. They do half orders of all of their brunch items (similar to their dinner menu), which is awesome because if you're like me you want both sweet and savory for brunch! I have gotten the chilaquiles every time. Absolutely delicious, but the half-size seems to get smaller and smaller every time I go! Haven't felt like a drink when I've been in there, but the brunch cocktail menu looks fabulous. I will bump them up to 4 stars once they can show they are capable of cooking an egg to order. (Over-easy egg has had hard yolk the last 2 times!) One more tip - sit at the bar. The service is way better.
(3)
alex m.
I love Point Beer and it's hard to find...they have it here...and had it in bottles for a while...now just on draft and in cans...Point tastes best in bottles. I may or may not be back. I like the place otherwise.
(3)
Ellie W.
Short Rib Nachos are amazing...also like the option to order half size.
(5)
Sean N.
This place has a good selection of alcohol as a gastropub should and the food does not disappoint. The egg rolls and dry rub wings were great to start and their award winning "Me No Laugh" though a little sweet should not be missed. There is a fair selection of pub and foodie offerings which likely change every few months as they should to keep things interesting. I tried the duck entree. A succulent side of duck laid over a bed of semi sweet and savory beans. Surprisingly delicious for an unpretentious place. I'm looking forward to visiting again.
(4)
Jonathan Z.
This is my first review of any business on yelp so please bear with me. I visited Point yesterday on a Thursday and was relatively impressed by the experience. The cuisine was good given the price point. I would absolutely recommend the short rib nachos and the vegetable polenta cakes. Another positive was the option to buy half portions, which was especially convenient for sharing. The service was also good, and although the place was maybe 80% full, I never felt overlooked and was served promptly from start to finish. The challenges for this bar/restaurant are first, the location, and second, maybe its decor. First, the bar is located at the intersection of desplaines, kinzie and milwaukee. On either street, one needs to walk roughly two blocks or so to find residential housing. As a result, there's not a ton of foot traffic and I think it gets overlooked. Second, I was a taken aback by all the TVs. I realize that this is Chicago and people love to watch their on demand sports...but, as far as creating a magnetic atmosphere that draws people back time and again, I think it was missing a little of the magic. All in all, a good experience, and look forward to seeing how this place develops in the future. As for the location comment, the owners may happily find that this is an area with a lot of potential...the hope, however, is that the potential is realized sooner rather than later.
(4)
Eric M.
I'm so glad The Point opened. I live right near this spot and was looking for a good go-to bar. The Point fills that bill. There's a ton of space, a great beer menu, and the food is really good too. The outdoor patio just knocks it outta the park. There are a couple of areas I could see improving and this could become my regular place. There was no A/C the day I went. Not sure if that day it was broken or if it's just not an option. It was way too hot for that not to work. Also, our server was great when she came by, which was too infrequent for my taste. I felt we sat with empty glasses for awhile. Lastly, clean up. It seemed to take awhile to bus tables. Even with those little problems, I still had a great time and look forward to coming back here a lot.
(4)
Ernesto R.
OLD POST The food is great. You can get half orders and try more things and you will want to try more things. The Random Lake Popper is awesome. They are nothing like what you expect a Popper to be. It is a pastry with peppers and some sort of cream cheese filling. You must have one. Breakfast lunch dinner this restaurant hits the mark every time. NEW POST They changed everything. Everything I said that was good about this place is now gone. The cocktails are ok but that is about it.
(2)
Heidi H.
Met a friend there after work tonight (Friday) at 5pm. I was there for about 30 min alone sitting at the bar solo. The bar was not remotely crowded at all. I had to ask for a menu after about 5 min. And when my friend arrived 20 or so min later we had to practically physically grab someone to order, bar was still not crowded. So as others have said, not the best of service. That said, my pesto chicken sandwich was warm and tasty delish, the fries were cold. Overall I liked the atmosphere and the crowd didn't seem to take itself too seriously. I'll go back and expect better service... fingers crossed.
(3)
Samuel M.
Ehhhhhhhhh. I came here last night for drinks and a little bit of food with a decently large group. The beer list is pretty good, although there's nothing Earth-shattering on it. Drinking is on the high end of reasonably priced, with 20 oz beers for $8 (although the $6 12 oz for the same beers feels steep). The bigger issue here is the food. Special flatbread ($12) on this visit came with mushrooms, onions, parmesan (by this they actually mean Kraft fake parmesan from a shaker bottle) and supposedly fennel (which I couldn't taste). It was the size of the inner circle of a dinner plate, which for $12 is highway robbery. Fries ($4) are not the crispiest in the world, and are fairly soggy; I only ate them because I was starving, but they're definitely not worth the calories. Service is pretty bad; it took forever to get served at first, and then once the food and drinks came, we were checked on way too often to "see if everything is okay", which is a pet peeve of mine. Additionally, I asked as soon as I arrived for them to put the Bulls game on in my section of the restaurant, of which I was the only occupant for around 40 minutes. This was never addressed despite my reminding the server multiple times, and I was stuck watching women's tennis. All in all, this is highly overpriced, below average food, based on my admittedly limited sampling. I can't say I'm inclined to take another shot at a meal here. However, it is accessible, and the 20 oz beers aren't a half bad deal sometimes. I'd likely come back to drink at the bar, where service shouldn't be as much of an issue.
(2)
Kay R.
I've been here twice. The first time, in November, I would have given it four stars. We had the sho rib nachos and MY GOD, they were incredible. We also drank some good beer, and also had a too dry, too bland chicken sandwich. Lesson learned: the short rib nachos are the way, the truth and the light. We went back yesterday and were told they had a new chef and a new menu. We were disappointed to see no nachos, but saw pot roast poutine with a poached egg on top ($14) and felt that was a good replacement. We also got the "breakfast bowl" (hash browns, cheese sauce, bacon, chives, and a poached egg on top). Overall the flavor of both dishes was good. However, there were two HUGE problems. The eggs were cooked all the way through... No cutting into the egg and having the yolk mingle with the poutine gravy/cheese sauce. And to me, that's pretty much the point of a poached egg. If you can't cook a poached egg, don't offer it. Major disappointment. The other problem was the fact that the portions were pretty small, especially for the prices. When we had the nachos, two of us easily shared them and didn't need more food. Both of the portions here were equivalent to a small bowl of cereal. They would have been fine if they were marketed as appetizers and cost several dollars less, but this was just shameful. It's a damn shame. The nachos were so good and now we have said our goodbyes to this place, as we will not be going back.
(2)
Julee M.
This is a fantastic neighborhood spot. In fact, I actually think it's worth a drive if you do not live in the neighborhood. The Bloody Mary's (With High Life Pony's) are delicious along with the brunch entrees. We devoured the breakfast burrito, short rig omelet and eggs benedict.
(5)
K. A.
Very cool atmosphere. I like this place mostly for the atmosphere and because it's convenient and easy to go to to grab a quick bite and drink. I love the heirloom tomato salad.
(4)
Greg S.
I have waited to post until I have visited multiple times. I think I have been to The Point 5 times and have ordered food three times. . Atomsphere: They hit it out of the park....especially taking a very tough triangular space. I love how the great TV's are positioned in a way that you can watch if you want but it does not scream "Sports Bar". The windows and exposed brick give it a great feel. Food: The burger was my choice the first time I ordered and it was cooked to my order, med-rare and of obvious good quality beef. Think I had fries which were well prepared also. My next visit we shared the dry rub wings which were perfectly spiced and well cooked. My favorite item so far was not what I thought it was going to be. I believe they call it a a Random Lake Popper...it turned out to be a pastry sort of tart which was stuffed with poplano, red bell and jalapeno peppers, and an excellent melted cheese, it completely blew me away....doubt you would find this anywhere in town let alone a bar. Drinks: Nice beer selection and they do prepare a superb cocktail. Not sure if other folks have noted but the only negative thing I see is their hard alcohol prices. The house vodka which sells for $5 an ounce....that is not even a full shot. I do not mind paying a good buck for a good drink but for $10 I think you should get a heavier than 2 ounce pour. The vodka sells retail for $10 a bottle so the profit margin is out of whack. Staff: The staff is very nice and getting better every day. Once they hit their stride I would hope they will learn the regular and maybe give a heavier handed pour when making drinks. I am really looking forward to the outside patio open as it looks to be one of the nicest spaces in the area. Good job on adding another great place for the hood!
(5)
Rich C.
The neighborhood needed this place so badly, and they are great! It is a great place to watch the game and eat really good food while sitting at the bar. I love it!
(5)
Mark F.
Something has definitely changed. Service was better, food was better (with better selections and half orders) and just the mood was better. I hope they get their act together stat. This was a great place - better than Paramount even (which has had its own issues as of late). I hope the owners are reading. Your service is far from friendly or welcoming. One of your guy bartenders is just not very good at his job. Sorry.
(3)
Kristin S.
Went for an early dinner with my daughter. I had the mussels and the truffle fries. Unfortunately, the fries were barely warm. Really??? There were barely any tables in there.... When I pay $7 for fries, they need to be hot. The mussels over all were pretty good, although I had a few mushy ones. My daughter had the duck salad, which she enjoyed very much. No cocktails, just food. Nice menu and a cozy atmosphere.
(3)
Isaiah K.
Love The Point. Staff is always poised and responsive. Place is always super clean. Food is tasty and service is quick. Win, win win,
(5)
Katie P.
The Point is awesome. I've seen the place go through a lot of changes, but things have definitely started to change for the better and I couldn't be happier. I've been in a few times lately for a late dinner and have had the chance to try some of the new menu items. Guys, they are legit. I can't wait to come back and try more new things. The beers on tap are always changing, so it's like a new adventure every time. The bar is stocked and the bartenders are always willing to give new suggestions, which is perfect for someone like me who usually stares at the menu for 30 minutes and still can't make up her mind. Bottom line, this place is great and just keeps getting better. I'm excited for the new changes to come and definitely recommend that you do the same!
(5)
Abishek M.
The most striking thing is that the restaurant area is really small and is dominated by the large bar in the center. The drinks were delicious and the food was decent. I was a little disappointed that you can no longer get half orders on the full menu. Half orders are only available on the appetizers. Ratings: Spicy dry rub wings: 3/5 Truffled fries: 4/5 Block burger: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Ambience: 3/5
(4)
Dawn S.
I love the point. The staff is great. Always friendly and quick. The food is delicious. They change the menu and drink specials frequently so there is always variety. The bar is comfortable and the TVs are easy to see. They have a GREAT outdoor patio. I really have had only positive experiences here!
(5)
Lena D.
Small location but solid food and great albeit a tad pricey craft cocktails. Nice staff, you can typically grab a booth or barstool without too much time trying.
(4)
Levi B.
The Point is one of our neighboring bars that we tried for the first time about two weeks ago - just for drinks. First impression of the Point is really good. The decor, in my mind and that's all that matters, is urban chic: updated lighting, exposed brick, warm colors and comfy seating. The draught selection is varied, although concerning that it is early September and there's an Oktober on tap. Tonight was the first time we've tried the food. Major points for nothing but friendly, knowledgeable staff. I love the fact that if you ask to sample a beer, they accommodate, the way it should be. Major points for clearly marked vegan options on the menu. The food selections seem to be an odd mix of comfort food and elevated gastropub selections which could muddy the waters, so to speak. You have Mac-N-Cheese next to Mushroom Broth Risotto. Speaking of, this happened to be our order. Upon a worthy suggestion from our friendly bar staff, I had the vegan red potato taco and risotto. My partner ordered the Man-N-Cheese as recommended for the non-vegan speciality. I was dutifully warned ahead of ordering that the taco was spicy; I happen to like spicy so I met this warning with anticipation. The food was delivered timely and hot, at the same time, as a complete order. I appreciate that the taco was served on TWO warm corn tortillas as it never fails, one breaks. Holy Hell it was absurdly spicy. Not to the point where I couldn't continue but to the point where I could not taste any other flavor. To me, this is a major detractor. I want to have the spice, the major spice, but still be able to discern all of the veg flavors. I ditched the tortillas and just went fork deep into the stuffin'. Plucked up a red potato - one of the more identifiable and spice-muting ingredients. Nada, nothing, zilch, zero. I could barely make out the taste of the skin. Next up, the risotto. My only real complaint here is that risotto should be loose and liquidy. I received stiff and formed as if pressed in a form or measuring cup. Let there be no mistake, the flavors were intense and spot on. The grilled zucchini and seasoning, the red peppers, the romesco sauce - all good! Cremini mushrooms were on the side and I wouldn't have minded them incorporated - after all, it IS mushroom broth risotto. All in all, as a deconstructed dish it was great. I would definitely order the risotto again but forego the red potato taco. Above all else, I will definitely be back because of the friendly staff, the decor, the dedicated vegan menu - I won't complain too much if they add more options, and the ambiance. I look forward to upgrading this to a four star experience after a few more visits and a few more tries of the risotto. I give TP three stars because I can and that should be enough of a reason to try it yourself. Let me know what you think!!!
(3)
Michael H.
New neighborhood bar that is perfect in this area. Went to The Point for the first time for brunch. The food was very good... I would recommend the scramble. They also offer half size portions which is very nice. Great set up as well... very unique seating and enough TVs to watch the game of your choice without feeling like you are at a sports bar. Only downfall in our experience was the service, which was average to below average. We will certainly be back.
(4)
Sarah C.
I really like The Point. I'm a little surprised the rating isn't higher. The layout is a little funky...but that's probably because the building is in the shape of a point...get it? It doesn't bother me a bit. You walk in to a triangular bar with seats on all sides. The windows are lined with more seating and bar top. This place could really pack some people in for sure. If you go around the bar there is a small seating area - I'm guessing 5-6 tables. Keep walking back and you'll find an amazing patio. I love coming here in the summer time because you get the sites and sounds of the city but this serene little escape in the back. Their art on the walls was really nice and the overall feel of the bar was just great to me. I really enjoyed just being in this bar. I've always liked the drinks I've had made. Yes, they have a fine selection of beer, but I really encourage you to have something mixed. Everything I've had has delivered. The paloma in the summer is my favorite and just yesterday I had the Salty Puppy (OJ, Grapefruit and vodka...but I asked for gin and it was delicious.) We went in for brunch yesterday and were both really happy. My boyfriend ordered the wings as an app for us to share. He loved them. I think they were tasty but it's a DRY dry rub so they aren't the wings I was expecting. The flavor was good, just not my preference. I got the BBQ pork sandwich and it was good. It's the tiniest bit spicy so it was nice to have something a little different. I would have loved loved loved a little bit of a cold creamy coleslaw on the sandwich but I'm super picky about my BBQ that way. My boyfriend got the chicken sandwich and it was packed with flavor. He was so quiet when we got our food because he couldn't be bothered to talk because it would get in the way of eating. In the summer I really like the mango pork tacos. I only order two but I could happily eat 10. I've always had a great experience with the staff. Our bartender yesterday was wonderfully nice and very helpful when we had questions on the menu. There was another bartender who kept up with us too just to make sure we had what we needed. The waitresses I've had in the past have always been very nice and our food has always come out quickly. Definitely worth stopping in!
(4)
Jo L.
We really enjoy the point! It has been a great addition to the neighborhood with great food and drinks. Like other reviews, the wings are great and we appreciate the half size portions. The service is great. The staff knows their drinks/beers and are able to offer great suggestions based on what you tell them you are looking for. We once had a bad experience where they forgot to enter our food order, but quickly made up for it and ensured that we were happy and left happy. Again, the best part is the food is good and the half portions are a great option for smaller appetites and give the ability to "make your own" small plates.
(4)
KC W.
The sign of a good restaurant is not that they never mess up (though that is nice too), it is how they handle the situation when they do. We came here for lunch yesterday, and they initially made my husband's gluten free burger on a bun. The bartender/server noticed this before bringing it out and told us he had resubmitted the order. It only took about seven more minutes for the new burger to be ready, but the bartender still did not charge us for the burger. On top of the quality service, the bloody marys were tasty, and the menu looks great. They have full and half orders of everything on the menu. I had the grilled calamari appetizer, and it was delicious. We will definitely be back there soon!
(5)
Nicholas G.
So I felt a bit bad about giving this place one star for a visit from this past March, but then I sorted reviews by date and it seems like people are having similar experiences recently, so here goes. . . I came here with three friends on a Friday night after an excellent meal at iNG to have drinks. None of us knew the place but we were nearby and wanted to get a drink close to the blue line, so we took a chance. My first impression when walking in was to think "Is it last call?" The lighting was so bright I couldn't believe I was in a bar/restaurant, not a Wal-Mart. OK, well, moving on. . . My friends ordered draft beers but the Sazerac on their cocktail menu looked good, so I ordered that. The bartender brought my friends their drinks and told me that my drink was hard to prepare so she had to serve some other people first... Let's just stop here for a second for two things. First, I used to be a bartender, and the first thing you learn is first come, first serve. Easy, quick, keep things moving. Maybe if somebody else needed a quick bottle of beer from behind the bar, pop that out and get back to the first drink. But to tell a customer they ordered a hard drink and they would have to wait? No... Second, I would like to reiterate that I ORDERED FROM THE MENU. I didn't come to a beer and a shot bar and ask for a specialty martini, I took them at their word that they were proud of their rotating cocktail list and capable of preparing said cocktails without scolding(?) me. My mistake, I suppose. Well, so anyway, we stood at the bar and watched as she served no fewer than 7 people before returning to my drink, my friends teasing me the whole time for holding them up. She finally brought my drink, I tipped her as though I wasn't just given terrible service (former bartender here, remember), we drank our one drink and immediately left to go to the Paramount Room around the corner (see my 4-star review of that place if you want to have a good experience in that area). Granted, there are sometimes reasons to go to a place with bad service, poor lighting and generic top 40 playing in the background: maybe they have good specials, maybe your friend has a weird attachment to it, maybe it's right next to your house. Well, none of these things apply here, since the drinks certainly aren't cheap, it's in a location that few people live nearby, and certainly none of my friends developed an attachment to it on this evening. I won't be going here in the future and I'd encourage you to do the same.
(1)
Dinna Y.
I had the point omelette which has chicken and avocado, had the side salad and bacon. It felt like I had salt with a side of food. The chicken pieces were as salty as the bacon. The service was ok for how not busy they were. Ambience felt like a homey neighborhood bar where if you knew the bartenders it would be your own "Cheers". I'd come back for drinks but won't be dying to come back for food.
(3)
Kayla G.
Reviewing on account of a) the NACHOS b) the fact that my coworkers and I come here ALL the time and we always have great service. They deserve some recognition for both. The staff is always friendly and handle our groups of 25+ borderline alcoholic mad men on very short notice with style. Very nice patio in the summer, solid burgers, and their pulled pork nachos are the best I've had as far as bar nachos go. They really layer the meat and cheese well so that every chip gets coverage. This is how you make a nacho, people. Good variety of craft beer. Is it the cheapest bar in the area? No. But Richard's doesn't have IPAs, a patio or nachos.
(5)
Katie D.
This bar is close to my office, and we go on occasion to mix things up. Some coworkers and I went last night, and we came in waves, which we told them would happen. They seemed totally fine with it, so groups came 3 at a time, to the patio. Much like they came, they filtered out slowly, as well. People asked for checks, which was nice that they split them up for us. But when our big group filtered down from about 10 to 4, our waitress suddenly demanded us to close our entire check, even though some of us clearly were ready to spend some more time and money. She stated, "I'm not doing this five more times," then stared at us, bug eyed, expectantly waiting for us to apologize for...existing? She then stormed off, brought us our check, and basically kicked us out. It was about 7, and not busy...and we were all very nice, but she suddenly was done with us. Bottom line: Go to New Line Tavern. Much better food, much friendlier staff, just as good beer selection. Sorry, guys, I'd be down if your waitress didn't kick us out.
(2)
Ben B.
Went here for a friend's birthday party. While the upstairs area seemed pretty nice, we were relegated to the basement. I looked at the sad so-called "bar" they had available to us and said, "I have more liquor in my home." A friend walked up and said the same thing. Apparently, we were stuck with minimal options because of some package deal they got for the party. Like, if you bought a $40 wristband, you could drink all you wanted from the very limited menu. Honestly, some members of our group took the long walk upstairs to select from a legit bar. I understand having some liquors set aside for party packages, but if I'm willing to pay more for something else, why should I have to walk up a flight of stairs, then back down to my party? Weird. Richard's Bar is just a stone's throw away from The Point. Go there for a far better experience.
(2)
Natalia K.
This place is a block away from where I live so I can't believe it took a groupon for me to finally venture in. Brought my brother in for brunch on a quiet Saturday and at first we were the only patrons there. The groupon was for two pints, an app, and two entrees so we started with a couple beers. The beer menu offers up a nice selection with some interesting craft beers, as well as bar favorites. I had the Guinness and it was fine- not as tasty as I'm used to, but I was also suffering from a mild hangover so it was probably my own issue. For our app, we tried the dry rub wings, which were exceptional. Messy in a non saucy way with good flavor and a nice crispy char on the meat. For our entrees we tried the omelets, me the point, my bro the Asian, and we cleaned our plates. I appreciated the amount of avocado in mine with a nice drizzle of salsa verde. It's my neighborhood joint and I'll definitely be back- even if just to grab the dry rub wings to go!
(4)
julie q.
I can't believe I'm just updating this!! I love the Point! It has good food, good beers, and good atmosphere. We had my company holiday party here and I could not have been happier. Tons of great tasting food, tasty cocktails and no frills, contracts, or minimums. Everyone said it was the best party yet. Can't wait for the winter of forever to come to an end so I can sit at the outdoor patio!!
(4)
Alex W.
My wife and i have come here a couple times in the past and have enjoyed our meals so thats why I'm leaving a 3 star rather than a one. We ordered from here yesterday and got the fish tacos, mac and cheese, and chili cheese fries...man oh man was it bad. The chili cheese fries had a weird smell and tasted like chewing tobacco (i used to chew so i know the taste). The macaroni tasted just like it does when you boil it right before its done, absolutely no flavor. We had to put a little butter and a lot of cheese in it to try and get some flavor but to no avail. We just ended up throwing both the fries and mac out. The fish tacos were good but not as good as normal. You have to go in and try it, do not order take out not worth the waste of money
(3)
Shayna Y.
This is a great neighborhood bar with a really nice atmosphere. This is a great place to watch a game or grab a couple of drinks with friends. Their lunch/dinner food is really good; however, I didn't have the best experience for brunch. They built an amazing looking patio that I am really excited to take advantage of this spring/summer!
(4)
robert w.
I really enjoy this place and it's neighbor bar the Paramount. This place doesn't get overly crowed and you can enjoy a view of the skyline. Sandwiches with generous portions. Try this great after work spot without the downtown crowd!
(4)
Kori E.
I reserved some space for my birthday party here this year and it was great. We ended up in the back room, which was private, and our waitress took great care of us all evening. I wouldn't necessarily recommend any of the cocktails - I didn't so much care for a few I sampled. Food wise we ordered the nachos, which were great, the fries, delish and the meatballs - I think they were good (I don't remember). I would definitely recommend this place for a private event as the back room is GREAT. Not sure about the actual bar as we were never up there.
(4)
Daniel L.
A cute waitress named Emilie works here.
(4)
Natalie D.
The service here was so horrible. The guy with the European accent is beyond rude and does not have any customer service skills. In my opinion, if he continues to engage with the customers, The Point will not survive. I live in the area and we were looking for another place as a regular stop, for a beer and food, unfortunately I will NEVER return and I will make sure to tell whomever asks about The Point the same.
(1)
Kate W.
I am so bummed. We just left the Point, and we left ANGRY. We had eaten there when the old chef was there, and the food and vibe was great. We live nearby, and were excited to have a dependable, casual place for dinner or drinks. HOWEVER. We went for lunch today and everything was so terrible! Here are the negatives: 1. The menu. The menu is SHORT. If you have any kind of dietary restrictions or want to eat something a little bit healthy, you're shit out of luck. 2. The food. Mediocre. We got the mussels, which were tiny and we are pretty sure they are going to come back to haunt us later. I got the House salad, which was fine. Boyfriend got fish tacos--also fine, but tiny. Also, overpriced. 3. The TVs. They can't get the TVs to work. Pretty bad, considering so many people want to go there to watch sports or whatever. Also, the bartender kept messing with the tv and not serving anyone. 4. The owner's daughter. The owner's daughter decided to stop by the bar and annoy the hell out of everyone while we were there. She was loud and rude. Her friend seemed drunk and they acted like they were the only customers there. I don't care if your dad owns the place (which, by the way, she proclaimed loudly and often)--it's unacceptable for you to wander the restaurant and tap your cellphone loudly and repeatedly against the bar. The Positive: the beer was great, and a good selection. The place seemed clean. That's about it. TL;DR version: AVOID. There is no reason to eat here with Paramount Room next door.
(1)
Sara A.
The only reason for the second star is the nachos. I have given this place MULTIPLE chances, primarily because it is so close to my apartment. Unfortunately, I really am not returning again. The service is just so terrible, and everything is incredibly overpriced. You don't even get a full pint of beer for the $8 you spend. I would kill for a great restaurant in place of what goes on here.
(2)
Joshua M.
This place is freaking awesome. Their kitchen ROCKS. I HAD to order two things when I saw this menu. I went for the pot roast poutine and the fish tacos. Pot roast poutine was out of this world good with a great poached egg on top. The Fish tacos were incredible too. Nice crispy battered fish, not too much cilantro. Perfect. Their beer selection is great too! Try whatever the "lazy hipsters" have in stock from lagunitas. A+
(5)
Steve H.
Ate here last night with a group of friends. I like their outdoor space and the interior bar looks pretty cool. My beef is with their food items and price points. Their food menu is limited, especially when they happen to be out of nearly a quarter of the items. We ordered a bunch of stuff to share and were told that they don't do croquettes anymore and were outta the meatballs. Didn't matter much as whatever they produced from their kitchen was rather sub-par in taste and portion size, yet all of them are $10+ which really didn't make sense. $14 for a small plate of nachos?? You have got to be kidding me.
(2)
Anne C.
Like a lot of people here have mentioned, when we went to the Point a few times after it had just opened we loved it. Great food, a wide variety, and attentive service. We went back more recently though and it wasn't quite the same. It was quiet on a Saturday night and even though there were a few bartenders working, the service was spotty. They also changed the menu-- it's much more limited and they took away the half order options from everything but the appetizers. We split some of the shrimp/corn eggrolls, which were pretty good and I ordered the chicken paillard and it was aggressively salty. The prices here are steep for a bar-- I'll definitely go back, but probably just for drinks. If you want "fancy" bar food, go next door to Paramount Room. If you want consistently good bar food at good prices, head on over to New Line Tavern.
(3)
Jenn K.
The Point- Fantastic casual neighborhood watering hole with great bar food. FOOD Great food. I recommend the Short Rib Nachos, Truffled Handcut Fries, Ratatouille, Lobster Po'Boy, Pappardelle Bolognese and Sauted Broccoli. I don't really recommend the burger- just go next door to Paramount Room another day. SERVICE Never had any issues, especially since it's never busy (see below). Go see Jeremy at the bar- the best bartender ever. He makes great drinks from their well edited drink menu and also made custom requests based on preferences. AMBIENCE Great contemporary space with an awesome bar- think N9ne Ghostbar but triangular. Plenty of TV screens all over for easy sports viewing from any seat in the place. Best thing about this place, don't know how, but they are never packed. Forget a line, you can go there with a group of 6 friends and show up to watch the Bears game, an hour in and always find an open table for your group or seats the bar. I know it's only a matter of time before I'll be reminding about how it used to be so easy to find a seat in this place... take advantage before the secrets out!
(4)
Rachel H.
Sometimes it's necessary to eat nachos for dinner, particularly when it's already taken you about 45 minutes to even decide where to eat. Only nachos will solve that kind of hunger. Particularly short rib nachos which I'd been dying to get here since I read their menu.* When the plate landed on my table, the chips were casseroled over with cheese. They were not skimpy here. The shortrib pieces were pretty evenly distributed as well. These nachos aren't super spicy which was ok with me but if you need a little zing, I'm sure some hot sauce will pump up the jam a little. My friend went for the ahi tuna BLT which she liked but thought could have been a little more on the rare side. The eyecatcher on her plate for me was the fried pickle spear. I'll take more of those please. I avoided the cocktail menu on another friend's advice, though other people seem to be into them, and I thought the drinks were a little on the pricey side (for example I saw one of the beers on the Fountainhead menu for $1 less and Fountainhead isn't really known for its value pricing) but nothing completely outrageous. Small, but uncrowded, I would absolutely come back for those nachos. *I read menus when I need some riveting reading material.
(4)
Kira S.
The Point is a great place to stop in for drinks and apps. The staff is friendly and unassuming, they have a good selection of beers on tap and the short rib nachos might just be my favorite nachos in the city. And I don't mess around with nachos. It's definitely a good place to swing in for your next low key night out.
(4)
Raghav C.
Average bar with an over priced drink and food menu. Located at a fair distance from the heart of River North, one would expect this to be a good choice for a relaxing neighborhood with no frills where one could get a regular drink and food at regular prices. Unfortunately, at ~$8/beer and $14-16/entree (and a small limited menu), I don't see why one would go to The Point when its more expensive than many fancier bars in River North. To me this place has attempted to be an upscale bar but hasn't done it very successfully. Now for the positives. The outdoor area is nice and I've never seen this place over crowded. Getting in or lines shouldn't be an issue here. Good beer selection which includes some seasonals and craft options.
(2)
Kameron N.
I went to the point a few weeks back with some friend after work. It is not in the best location for walker or people who take public transportation but very accessible by car. The ambiance is hip and modern, good lighting with a young and fun energy. I had the burger, of course which turned out to be surprisingly top notch. Cooked to perfection, high quality ingredients and very tasty. My friends were also impressed with their meals, the meatball sandwich, pasta and burger. Overall it was a great experience. Great Ambiance, Good Food, Bad Location.
(4)
Danny W.
I'm a straight sucker for Gastropubs so The Point had me at hello. It's great for both dinner and drinks with buds or a cuddly night with that special someone. Lighting is low, the menu is fantastic, and the drink list is large and idiot proof. (You'll see what I mean) DO: Get the preserved duck cake, roasted peppers and truffle fries. All three were standouts. Also order a half of either of their burgers cause it's basically a normal portion at most other places. DON'T: Sit at one of the tables closest to the back right wall. The seating is awkward and more like you're at a baseball game than a restaurant as the only place to sit is next to the person your dining with. It's just a little uncomfortable, but certainly not a deal breaker by any means. Overall it was an excellent experience. A tad pricier, but it's a Gastropub so you get The Point.
(4)
Amelia B.
Growing tired of the bars in my River North area, we decided to venture west one Friday night not too long ago to check out the Point. And I like what I saw (And ate. And drank). First of all, you can't deny that there is something special about this space with the triangular bar. It welcomes you--invites you to sit there. Granted, the tables behind the bar are hard to see, so you may enter in thinking that your own option is to sit at the bar or the tiny tables along the windows. So bar it is. Not sure I would bring a large group here given the logistics, but for groups of 2-3, it's perfect. Plenty of brews on tap, with a decidedly midwest/Wisconsin theme going on. Unfamiliar with a lot of the beers, the bartender was more than happy to let me sample before deciding. Food is diverse and hearty. Short rib nachos caught our eye, and they did not disappoint. The arugula salad was large and fresh, pleasantly surprising given that this feels like more of a bar than a restaurant. Bartenders were friendly, as were the other patrons. On a Friday night around 9pm, seemed to be a good mix of young and old. Not a chad or trixie to be found, so a welcome reprieve from the River North scene. The Point is a gem--as long as it stays low-key, I'll be back. A bunch.
(4)
Mira S.
It's a nice space (wood and brick) and a decent location, near Randolph Street restaurants, and with a decent amount of parking around, both paid and free. There's an angular circle bar upstairs. There's also a clubby area downstairs where the bathrooms are. Not a ton of seating, at least upstairs, so it's more of a standing kind of place. They had an okay selection of beers, including some good IPA and stout, although they were out of at least one of the draughts on the menu. My well mixed drink was not great (Moscow Mule)--watery and just didn't taste right. The food was so-so, basically generic barfood--thin pizza, quesadillas, that sort of thing. I went for an event, and it was an okay location for that, although there's not a big open space, so people got pretty spread out, which might actually have been a good thing. It wasn't too loud. I'd have an event there or go for a drink if I'm in the area, but it wasn't a particularly memorable place that I'd work to get back to.
(3)
Dana F.
Even I cannot make the undrinkable drinkable, and I've been known to drink cocktails with Malort [1]. This is the story of the undrinkable $11 cocktail. Firstly, the allure of The Point must have dissipated since its grand opening last year. On a Saturday night, there was hardly a soul in the place. This doesn't bode well for business or the future of the bar, which is a pity because the space is beautiful (minus the large blaring flat-screen televisions that are ridiculously out of place at such an establishment). I ordered a Paloma [2], which is a blend of grapefruit soda (Fresca is a popular brand) and tequila, meant to be refreshing and light. (You can get an awesome one at Gilt Bar, a hop, skip and a jump away - for $9.) The description of the drink indicated that it would have a nice citrus taste on the palate and come with a salted rim. Although recipes permit the use grapefruit juice in the place of grapefruit soda, the cocktail I received was an atrocity. It was basically a very bitter grapefruit juice (I can only handle the Ruby Red in this format) with a tiny splash of tequila. Even worse, there was no salt to make the damage inflicted more tolerable. (And I am a tequila purist who believes that if you have a good tequila-based drink, the salt is unnecessary.) This is purely speculation, but I'm under the impression that Chris Marty, who created last year's award-winning Me No Laugh [3], is no longer with The Point, because I cannot think of a reason why the cocktail program would have fallen this far from grace under his keep. As the opener to this review alludes to, I was unable to finish this drink and was not asked by my bartender whether I liked my drink, after I had pushed it away from me and onto my unsuspecting friend. (Another sign of a good bartender: they'll know when something is wrong and graciously fix the situation). Perhaps it was because the bar staff was too busy watching whatever basketball game was on that night. Sigh. [1] cracked.com/funny-3629-m… [2] In Mexico, the Paloma is even more popular than the margarita. [3] chicagoist.com/2012/08/0…
(1)
Luke B.
Unfortunately The Point has devolved from a "hit-or-miss" destination from a service standpoint to a "never going back" destination. One bartender and one bar back for a total of three groups in the entire establishment on Saturday night....and it took 15 minutes to get a drink. Not to mention the bartender laughed in my friend's face when she asked if the kitchen was open. There is a reason this place is always empty. Save yourself the frustration and walk 30 yards down the street to Paramount Room.
(1)
Susan F.
Good beer list, but not the best prices I've seen. Some of the beers throw quite the punch, but I hate it when they don't provide the alcohol content on there for you. Also, Guinness for $8? No thanks, I'll go elsewhere for my irish stouts. Their special cocktail lists look decent and very powerful, but they run over $10. They better have some specials to survive in this hood... However, the food menu is really eclectic. It's a bit upscale for this area but I like how you can get a full or half order for most menu options. The half orders of burgers and sandwiches are a plenty, esp if you plan on boozin it up after a hard day's work. I'd suggest the chicken sandwich or the nachos. You get to pick your own side with sandwiches. You can be bad (chips or fries) or good (spinach, salad, or broccoli). Nice! There is actually quite a lot of seating and there is a back room if you have a party. The furnishings are still new and need to be broken in to be more comfortable, but I can't harp on them too much for that. The staff is a little reluctant to make splitting bills easy, so you may as well pay up at the bar :( Bein' honest. Other than that, not too shabby for west of the mart and it's a little more poshy than Emmitt's (even though I love me some Emmitts!)
(3)
Thomas S.
This joint, definitely places a more sophisticated twist on the local chicago neighborhood bar. The food, is good, consistent, and very fairly priced. Yes, yes, yes, it's no nursing home when it comes to the volume, but it's a bar. Remember...? I tend to be a little snobby when it comes to my beer, spirits and vino, but this place has me pleasantly surprised after every twist and turn. I almost forgot, service! The whole staff, is great! After having imbibed and gorged myself here a few more times then I have fingers, I have yet to have any sort of poor experience. Conclusion: I am super stoked to have this place as an at least once a week watering hole. Maybe, possibly, home away from home.
(5)
Tim C.
Nice bar, good atmosphere, service was ok, and food was ok. The drinks seemed a little pricey, but that may just be how much drinks cost in Chicago. I wouldn't be surprised. As for the food, here's what I tried: -Truffled Handcut Fries - very good, especially with the Sriracha ketchup. This might have been my favorite dish of what I got to try. -Preserved Duck Cake - nice flavor and good texture of the duck. I would also recommend trying this dish if you like duck. -Polenta Cakes - I appreciated the firmer texture of the fried polenta cakes, but if you're not a fan, then this isn't for you. -Swedish Meatball Hoagie - it sounds good on paper, but it was not. The meatballs were overcooked, the flavors were somewhat bland and non-existent, and it was awkward to eat. -Shrimp and Black Mussel Nage - the vegetables were nice, but it didn't taste like much. I wasn't a fan. -Bagna Cauda Artichokes - way to heavy and creamy. It tasted like I was eating creamy spinach artichoke dip without any chips (only one toasted baguette). -For dessert, I ordered the cheesecake, which was only ok. There were some good dishes and some not-so-good dishes. For the price you're paying, you'd expect a bit more quality from the food. If you choose the right dishes, it would make for a good meal.
(3)
Alex L.
As previous reviewers have noted, opening night was packed. I had an idea of what to expect based on what friends have said about the owner's other establishments, and was pleasantly surprised that the service and staff both exceeded my expectations. First off, the service was great despite the place being slammed. Everyone working there seemed genuinely inviting and were always smiling, and not in the clenched-teeth stiff-faced kind of way that might be expected when it was as packed as it was on opening night. The team there was really efficient and smiley- a good combination in my book. The food was great and I went on a semi-full stomach since I had not planned to go on opening night. I went with two other people and the three of us have vastly different food preferences, but all found dishes we loved. I had a veggie dish, the others an ahi tuna B.L.T. and a Swedish Meatball sandwich. If you would like to see pictures of our dishes or more about my experience there, check out my full review: babbleandbezotes.com/201… The beer list was great; once again the three people in my party have vastly difference tastes in beer, but found ones perfectly suited for each of us. The prices of the food were really reasonable considering the quality and portions. I am eager to check it out after opening week.. It was truly packed and very loud, so it was hard to talk to one another. I'm happy that opening night went so well despite selfishly want things to chill out a bit so I can eat there a little more comfortably (and thus more often). If not, I may carry out (if possible). I do hope they'll add their fried pickles to their appetizer or side item offerings (as opposed to only along with certain sandwiches)!
(4)
Sean C.
Overall I didn't enjoy this place. My father and I stopped in for dinner and a drink. The food wasn't good. The entree was cold and wasn't worth the money - small portions for the money. One star added for friendliness of staff. Don't go here for a meal, you won't be satisfied. It may be good for a drink at night, but I'm wary of that... Drinks are high priced given the remoteness of the location. There really isn't a reason to come here. Go to Paramount Room or Aberdeen Tap instead.
(2)
Jack F.
Like this place. Right on the corner and has some cool window seating. Food's pretty good, too. Enjoyed my time here and love the booths in the back.
(4)
Michael A.
Stopped here again about 3 weeks ago. There's a new chef and smaller menu, which I was told was to focus on fresher and local ingredients. My date and I ordered the Buffalo Wings, meatballs, and the mac n cheese. The wings were good, as were the meatballs (although the portion was a bit small). If you read my earlier review, you know that I love mac n cheese and The Point was my local favorite. This is no longer true with the new chef. It came out bland and like soup. I couldn't believe how watery it was. The leftovers weren't any better tasting the next day. The patio is nice however, and it still has a great selection of brews. However, if I want food with my beverages, I'll probably walk the 50 extra feet to the Paramount Room.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Kate L.
HORRORS! I really wanted to like The Point. I have always envisioned a very cool establishment being in this space- such a great location for the area. So when my father-in-law came down to the city for a day of hanging, we decided to forego our normal sports bars with FANTASTIC bar food (WestEnd, Market) and try The Point. Let's just put it this way- at noon on a Wednesday I expected the place to be bumping with a healthy lunch crowd. Nope. Crickets. We were the only 3 patrons in the joint. Fast-forward to the meal- we ordered bruschetta as an appetizer, a house salad, a wedge salad and a BBQ flatbread. Truly underwhelming and teensy portions. We had to ask the waitress for drink refills and they have 3 salad dressing choices, none of which is ranch. Just...weird, right? No reason to go back and bummed it wasn't better.
(2)Rafael S.
Meh is an interjection, often used as an expression of indifference or boredom. It can also be used as an adjective (meaning mediocre, boring, or apathetic). So far this place is Meh. The service was nothing to write home about. Don't get me wrong, this is a great first date place. Why? Because this place is practically empty. The bartender was "ok" but she lacked enthusiasm and took forever. I doubt I come back.
(1)Alexander D.
My partner and I were looking for a fun place to get dinner and drinks after work, considering I work in River North and have been to almost every bar in the area we decided to try something new. I pass The Point on my way to work nearly everyday and notice the cool crowd outside on the interesting shape of the building. We gave it a shot and boy am I glad! I started out with a fantastic cocktail (witches rave) and an appetizer (garlic fries) which I would recommend both! The drink was delicious and the appetizer was fantastic! We were only planning on staying for a bit but everything was so good we figured we'd order. My partner had The Point burger (which I had a bite of and was AWESOME!) and I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich. I know I'm not a foodie but I am a bit snobbish about my food and these were both well-seasoned delightful choices. The owner of the bar, along with his team, introduced themselves to me and had a very sincere conversation. I have to say this place is a gem! I will definitely be returning and recommending The Point to my clients. P.S. The light fixtures are really cool!
(5)Chelsie L.
I've gone here twice now and the service isn't the greatest but the food is on the cheaper side, and it has a quiet ambience. The Point burger ($9) is freaking delicious, and I highly suggest getting a side of their truffle aioli for your fries because it is AMAZING. I have yet to try their other foods but I will definitely be back!
(4)nicole m.
Amazing!! I got the polenta cake, and while the consistency was a little softer than I prefer, the flavor was...just...I could cry thinking about it right now. Delicious. My friend ordered some kind of grilled chicken that came with toasted french bread, corn, and lettuce (I think it was for making into a sandwich). It was tender, savory, and really, really good. Something is going on with the feng shui in that place, in a good way. The gigantic wall-windows give the effect that the room is big and spacious, but somehow it also feels cozy. I will be back. Often.
(5)Jessica C.
I have had two experiences at The Point. The first - myself, my husband and two friends from out of town stopped in for brunch on a Saturday around 12:00 PM. The service was good and we each split a spicy skillet with out respective spouses, which was delicious. The most recent time was this past Saturday where I stopped for dinner and a few drinks with two other people. We ordered the short rib nachos to start (which were pretty great) but then the waiter took ours menus. Um, hello? I don't think one order of nachos split between three people constitutes as a meal - in any country! So I asked for the menus back and we order two more appetizers and drinks. Our waiter then grabbed the menus off the table again! OK starving artist, you have to pay rent this month, right? At this point I was pretty annoyed and fed up with his bullshit. We finished our apps, got the check and headed elsewhere to finish dinner. I think I'll stick with brunch - seems to be better service with the day staff.
(3)K B.
Poor service, but decent food. Poor service, but decent food.Poor service, but decent food.Poor service, but decent food.Poor service, but decent food.Poor service, but decent food.Poor service, but decent food.
(2)Caitlin W.
Great place! Cute outdoor courtyard in the back and great cocktails and brunch! Love it!
(5)Colleen R.
Honestly, it's a bit sad that this place isn't better. I live about a block away from the point, and I was super stoked when they opened. I have now tried this place 4 times. The first time I didn't even order a drink. I walked in with my bf and sat at the bar for over 15 minutes, and the bartender didn't even acknowledge that we were there. The second and third times, the service was just as bad, but we gave it a chance anyway. The food and drinks are wayyyyyyy overpriced, especially considering all of the high end restaurants near by. If the point wants to stay in business, here are a few suggestions: Hire more staff to work during peak hours. On a Friday or Saturday night, there needs to be more than one bartender. Re-vamp your menu and menu prices. Re-think your drink prices, as well. Maybe do a little bit of marketing. It's sad to see such a large patio empty all the time. It might be a good idea to have specials for the buildings in the area (ex: $4 beers and $5 burgers on Tuesday for k station or Trio residents. It would be a great way to get new faces in the door. You could also consider hosting a 2 hour happy hour on a Thursday for building residents. Several other restaurants/bars in the area have done this, even Carnivale (free guac, pork tacos, $4 beers). You could even use this time to debut your new menu/prices. Anyway, I hope that someone reads this because the point could be very successful.
(2)Agnes F.
Its so difficult to venture out of my neighborhood coz there are so many choices here!! The point is a new addition to our Fulton River District and i am so happy that they are here We sat at the back bar and was well taken care of by our bartender Hillary, good selection of beer and although i didn't try the cocktails, they seemed to have a number of interesting choices there We shared the dry rubbed wings (very smokey), short rib tacos and my fav the ahi tuna BLT atmostphere is relaxed and i can't wait until they open up the outdoor patio
(4)Mihir P.
Bring your earplugs because this place is LOUD! To the point you have to give or receive a mist of saliva in order to hear or be heard. Yes, it is a bar but even holes like Barleycorn know the limit. We sat at the bar the service can be good or wonderful depending on your bartender. Go for the bartender with the beard. Like most new places, they have a solid selection of beers and wines plus some custom cocktails. The food ranged from average to astronomically delicious: Shrimp and sweetcorn spring rolls - I don't remember these much. Random lake popper - unexpected and nice change from the typical appetizers. Flakey and lightly creamy. Spicy dry rubbed wings - crispy flour coating and perfectly cooked wings. They were just light in the spice. Bagna CÀuda artichokes - There are very few dishes in my life that I would say are perfect. This is one of them. Even the LOUD music didn't bother me while I was eating this lovely dish.
(4)Milly P.
This is a great place for some drinks and food. Like others have said, the music is kind of loud, but we sat in the back area where it wasn't too bad. We had the truffle fries which were super good; the lake poppers were also very good but a little heavy on the cream cheese; the shrimp and corn spring rolls were really good too. The best however, were the short rib nachos. Holy moly, those were some of the best nachos I've had. To drink I had the comb-see comb-sah with pamplemousse rose which was to die for! I loved it. My fiance had some beer and had no complaints. The service was quick, food piping hot, and the price is not bad. We are fans!
(5)Patrick F.
Too bad for such potential. Understaffed (every time I've been here) and not real enthusiastic to serve drinks and food. Would not recommend the place unless it's a Wednesday afternoon.
(2)Alison M.
The Point is a reasonably priced gastropub with a decent beer selection and a large and innovative menu, housed in a cozy space full of natural light. It is the epitome of what a neighbohood pub should be. The Point has a great menu - we tried the short rib nachos, which were delicious once we got some Cholula to give it a bit more of a kick, and the truffle fries which were great as well. They came with a bernaise sauce and Siracha ketchup, and they actually gave us enough sauce that there was some left over when we were done. None of those tiny ketchup cups that are empty after the first 2 fries! Our waitress was friendly and responsive as well. I also really liked the atmosphere - every table or bar seat has some sort of view. No one is stuck in a corner facing a wall. Only issue is it seems tough to go with a group for dinner. Most of the seats are at the bar or at small tables so it might not be easy to show up with a larger party.
(5)Osmond S.
Random Lake Poppers!!! What a great appetizer. That and the Shrimp/Sweetcorn Spring Rolls are two reasons to eat here. They also have an interesting selection of beers and wines, so if you like trying new stuff, definitely check it out. Oh, and they have Mezcal! Not that I'm a fan, but I think it's interesting to find four different kinds of mezcal in a bar outside of Mexico.
(4)Paul W.
Had an opening night experience at this inviting new bar/restaurant in the River West area, and will definitely be returning. Wedged into the unique intersection corner of Milwaukee, Kinzie, and Desplaines, The Point is most easily identified by its shape. Though I was only there at night, it's obvious the huge windows running the gamut of the place will illuminate the place brilliantly during daytime and early evening hours. And besides, it was rather exotic drinking beers and viewing the intersection's busybodies from the perch of a bar. The interior smartly accommodates the otherwise challenging building design, crisply occupied by a roomy bar, brick walls, bulbous hanging lights, and urban deco. There is also a generous patio in the back that will likely serve nicely once the weather warms up. Draft selection is good, albeit not as selective as the variety at its familial Clutch. I didn't get a good look at the bottle selection, but I'm sure it more than suffices. Cocktails served are a solid blend of classics (think a well-done Sazerac) and a handful of special concoctions. These guys know how to mix a drink. I had the chance the gouge myself on several food items with a ravenous group with which I attended. The dry-rub wings are most certainly worth your time. The sriracha-ketchup dip for the fries has a welcome fiery kick from the typically mayo-heavy gastropub fare. And strangely enough, I tried the arugula salad, doused in lemon, white mushrooms, truffle oil, and some other stuff I can't recall - but it made a damn good entree. As such, the whole menu is worth investigating, and luckily the prices are more than fair. Lastly, the service -- for an opening night -- was outstanding. Attentive, efficient, and hospitable servers and bartenders alike make the place welcoming for return visits. No pretentious vibes. No bull.
(4)T S.
Great place with an excellent beer selection, great cocktails (wife's a fan), and a great staff. It's rarely busy (so far) so it's a great place to come after a day of it. Haven't done much with their food but most folks seem to have enjoyed it. Not sure why it gets the jabs it does because this is a hidden gem in West Loop/River North, well worth a visit.
(5)Laura L.
What a great location! We have often lamented on the fact that someone needs to plop on this corner since there is so much traffic, car and bike, that goes by. In goes the Point! We have enjoyed their bar area on several occasions. Its nice to not be smushed into a corner or be shouting to be heard. The servers are always very prompt and cordial. I love the little booths that you can tuck into to hide away from the world. The highlight for the menu for me is the half portion or the full portion aspect. What that says to me is to order more food! Clever marketing Point. I am totally falling for it! Their wedge salad is one of my favorites that sometimes I grab on the go. The polenta is also a great staple when you need a touch of homey food. One of my favorites is the shrimp and mussel nage. The roasted vegetables are so hearty. Yum. May have to push here for dinner. All together a great addition to the neighborhood that I am more than happy to hike to.
(3)Alan T.
We got there close to when the kitchen was closing, concerned that we were going to be "those customers". The waitress was pretty chill about it though. We started off with the dry rub wings. They were good, nothing special..The sauce probably made it taste a lot better than it was. A party of four, three ordered the Cassoulet and one had the Ahi Tuna BLT. The Duck Cassoulet was pretty fantastic, the bread that comes on the side really sets the dish off. I had a bite of my friend's Ahi Tuna BLT and that as superb, as well. The fries that came with it were sub-par, however. Drinks were good, but pricey. They make some of the best old fashioneds I've ever had, which happens to be my go-to drink. I was disappointed in the white walker I ordered, as it was a 10 dollar drink but was really really small. The place itself was is on the corner and is very cozy, yet modern and chic on the inside. I really enjoyed the ambiance. Like I said the drinks were pricey but I guess that's what you get for a trendy joint in Chicago. The food is fairly priced and is good quality and the service was good! If you're in the area, It's definitely worth a try.
(4)Carmen B.
I'm so glad this bar opened! I met a friend on Thursday evening for drinks. It wasn't crowded, but there was a lot of people watching the Hawks. This is a great place to watch a game. It appeared to have a late 20s-early 30s demographic. Not my running crew, but I can hang with the younger crowd. We had a talking and drinking focus, so I didn't even realize that they served food! It's a very convenient location for me, so I will return soon for a bite. The great things about the Point are the location, the service and the prices. Staff was friendly, short walk home, and I had a decent sauvignon blanc for $7. WOW. That's all I need.
(4)Alison T.
I was really craving a chopped salad for dinner one night and decided to try picking on up from here... yikes, won't make that mistake again. It was $13 and tasted so gross, just drenched in watery ranch. I haven't been in to just sit and have a drink, but I really have no reason to at this point.
(1)Jill D.
Great place to start your night! Very friendly staff and great drinks!
(5)Niti B.
Was here on a date and I think it was a great alternative to my regular Jefferson Tap visits when I'm looking for a great bar in the neighborhood. The drinks are good and the food is great. I unfortunately did not get to sit outside or go downstairs but since it's down the street I will definitely be back. The place was packed and the atmosphere is casual but upscale. Hope it sticks around since it is kind of isolated.
(4)Michael W.
The food at lunch is below average. Salty and small portions. Need to kick it up. Your a bar don't try so hard to be creative. And above all taste the food before you send it out.
(1)Andrew S.
Bar and Cocktails were good; nice atmosphere and knowledgable bartender. However, last time I checked, the hot dog in my cassoulet was not a 'Merguez Sausage' or whatever they were pretending it to be. It was a red hot. And it made the entire dish taste like hot dog water - ultimately bland and extremely salty. Girlfriend ordered the chicken paillard which was not bad. Maybe best as a place for drinks and some simpler bar food, like a burger. Or brunch, as most have written about positively here.
(3)cynthia w.
We're happy there is a new restaurant in the neighborhood. The food was pretty good. We really liked that you can do half orders and almost everything. I ordered a half burger, and it came out well done. It then hit me that I never was asked how I wanted it cooked. I always like medium rare. Remember to tell your server what temp you want your burger in case they forget to ask. My manhattan was perfect. I love that they use the rye instead of me having to ask for rye. The one issue was with the noise level. It was Sunday afternoon and a little more than half full. The song selection was great, but it was so loud. At every new place we've tried lately, the music is just blaringly loud. I guess that we are too old to enjoy this trend, but I like to have conversations without having to raise my voice. We'll be back, probably often.
(4)Rene C.
This place is pretty damn good. The fact that you can get half of most of the things on the menu is pretty great. And their selection is very good. Their beer selection is also good, not great. Their cocktails on the other hand are pretty strong I would say, too strong for my taste. But the food was fantastic. We had the Grilled Calamari for the appetizer and that was very good. The Lobster Po boy was also delicious and big. I would definitely recommend this place for late night drinks or even a date. Oh and I almost forgot, the service was excellent, our server was on it the whole night and the rest of the staff were also very nice.
(4)Greg M.
Had a late dinner here on a Friday night with my wife and her friend, and overall a good experience. The bar is huge and dominates the space, which kind of takes away from the restaurant feel. Not a big deal that night for the three of us to sit at the bar, but if you're with 4 people the table options are really limited. Some quick positives.. - ribtip nachos were fricken awesome, absolute must have - My wife LOVED that you could get 1/2 orders of everything on the menu - The ice-cubes they use for their drinks are stacked perfectly somehow which looks cool and keeps them from melting too quickly Only negatives are again the lack of tables for a place with full dining menu, and the location is a little out there on its own. But overall a great place to start a night for a good dinner and drinks.
(4)Angela G.
I visited The Point a few months ago and really loved it. I was super excited for a new neighborhood place to go besides our usual weeknight outings to the Jefferson Tap and New Line. The wines were good, price of food very reasonable and the food was great. I recommended this place to a friend as a good first date spot and he reported back he was very disappointed. Wondering if he simply just had a bad experience I decided to take a few friends there and check it out for myself. Unfortunately, I was forced to eat my words. The service was simply ok, everything else was worse. The servers were friendly, but glasses of water and drinks went unfilled for long periods of time. The portions sizes of all 6 of our plates were very small and the food was definitely not as good as the first time I went. Despite all of the restaurants I frequent, I'm a fairly little lady and always prefer to have better food than more food, but these portions were comparable to tapas without a lower price. We left The Point hungry, poorer and annoyed. With so many other great restaurants in Chicago, especially in the area, don't waste your time or money here.
(1)Cahryn A.
I would love to give The Point a 5+ star rating if it were the same as when it originally opened. However, our experiences since then have been a bit of a let down. The biggest problem recently is the removal of the half-portion option from most of the menu. One of the best parts about this place was not only how great the food was, but also the fact that you could order half-portions and be able to try several different things on the menu, as well as keep it budget-friendly. Now, this unique feature is largely gone. Staffs' response for this has been that the kitchen just couldn't figure out how to keep it straight between half and whole orders. This seems like a staffing problem that should be addressed as such, rather than reduce services for customers. Another recent issue comes with a chef change in the form of adding a couple great things to the menu (Crab Gratin) but seemingly at the expense of other REALLY great things. Case in point, the grilled calamari with polenta was easily one of the best dishes on the menu and I was powerfully disappointed to see that it was gone on our recent trip there. Otherwise, the food was great as always and service was at least adequate. Other things about this place is that they seem to still be figuring out what constitutes portions, as you can never be sure that what you order will be the same size as what you ordered last time. After talking this place up to some out of town friends, we took them there for brunch and were pretty disappointed with the portion size as compared to what we had just 1 week prior. Last comment would be that - although the food is great - the drink prices make it unlikely that you will want to stay here and hang out for too long. They would benefit from some regular weekly drink specials to bring people in on weeknights when they are mostly empty.
(3)Kelly B.
I like the Point. The food is really good, the atmosphere is load back, and they make great drinks. It's just a tiny bit pricier than I would like and the seating can be tricky if it's crowded and you're with a larger group. But if I lived in the area I think I'd go there quite a bit.
(4)Larry V.
I really like this place. I was hoping some additional businesses would open up in this area. Stopped in for dinner and drinks a couple of weeks back, and had a great experience. The food was very good, and the place looked great. They were still in process of building out the back room and patio. As the weather gets warmer, it will be a hotspot, as it's got ample room, an outside patio, good food, and an attentive staff. Definitely will be returning.
(5)Stephanie N.
This is my favorite place for brunch. The food is just delicous and the staff is great. I would highly recommend this place to watch any sporting event. Just love The Point!!!
(5)Nick C.
Really wanted to like this place as it is right down the street from our home.Alas, it is very average, at best. We went in on a Tuesday night and the place was pretty empty. The gentleman at the host stand was very friendly and seated us. That was the highlight of the night. The food was mediocre and the service less than friendly.But what bothered me most was the female bartender who short poured all 4 glasses of wine. Really! All I want is an honest pour. I probably will give it another chance because it is so close and maybe I will get a bartender who pours fairly.
(2)Kimi N.
Perfectly decent place for food, but just don't order soda/pop here. Went for lunch and got the lobster po boy which was ginormous and pretty good. The aioli was not that remarkable though which was unfortunate because a good aioli can really make this kind of sandwich amazing. I ordered a diet coke with the meal, and it was pretty bad soda, but I needed the caffeine for a long trip later on that afternoon. The serve asked if I wanted another, and I said sure thinking it would be a refill. (Generally when someone asks if you want "another" it means you would get charged again, but in other places in Chicago servers have used the word "another" to mean refills, so I have no idea where things stand.) However, it turned out I got charged for 2 sodas, and they were $3 each (which wasn't listed on the menu, and honestly what pub charges $3 for soda??), so I wound up paying $6 for soda. I get that it's a pub, but this was lunch, and if it were night time, I actually would have gotten these for free. So it was irritating to be charged so severely. I may go back for food, but I'll stick with water.
(3)Bradley S.
As another reviewer pointed out, their hours state they are closed on Monday. Apologies for missing this! So, with that in mind I wanted to give The Point a fair shake and revisit. I went at a pretty high-traffic time, and it took me about 15 minutes to make my drink order. Not great, but I will say that a lot of people were coming into the bar at the time, plus after this initial lag I was well-taken-care-of, so no biggie. The drinks were decent. I had their version of a manhattan which, to me, was a little over-sweet (perhaps the orange bitters?), but competently mixed nonetheless. I probably would have gone with a Powers whiskey after than, but the price seemed out-of-whack to me ($7/oz? You can get an entire bottle for about $20 - almost identical to Jameson's - binnys.com/spirits/Power… vs binnys.com/spirits/James… ). I guess it's a bar, and they look to make a hefty profit on spirits, but it still rubbed me wrong. Moving past that to the food... it was good. Really good. I had truffled fries and a duck cake (I believe that the actual name on the menu). Both were quite tasty and a good value for the price. There were lots of really good-looking entrees that I'd be up to try as well, but my stomach has limits. One of the more ironic dishes that caught my eye was a $22 lobster po' boy. I'm sure it's delicious, but it's not for the poor! The atmosphere was good. Loud, but not too loud. The huge bubble glass light fixtures are kinda cool. The lighting itself was just right. Even when it was crowded it felt like there was room to move around. So, yeah, I'll upgrade my rating. I think the drink costs are subsidizing the food costs a bit and I'd prefer a cheaper pour of liquor, but that's minor in the scheme of things. It's a solid spot, worth checking out for the food or the drink.
(4)Jason B.
Better than your average bar in Chicago. Nice beers on tap. Food is nice change of pace but can lack execution. Nice atmosphere. Service can be spotty.
(3)Allie P.
I live right down the street and recently tried The Point for Sunday brunch. We've been back several times since then, and the food is absolutely fabulous. I've tried the short rib omelet, the chilaquiles, and the skirt steak and eggs and have loved them all (also LOVE that the potatoes come with caramelized onions - my fave!). I've stuck with a mimosa every time, and I love that it's served with the full bottle of the champagne split since I feel like most brunch places overload on OJ while skimping on the bubbly. The space itself is very interesting, and it's a great place to sit and watch football (though with all the TVs, I'm surprised that they only show a single game at a time) Everything is very reasonably priced and is always delivered quickly once we place our order. However.... The service is decidedly underwhelming (I have only gone for brunch, so I can't speak to the service at night, though I do see a lot of positive comments). We always sit at the bar, and the last time we went, although we were given menus immediately, she didn't return until about 10 minutes AFTER we had finished looking through them to see if we were ready to order. Plus, when our order did come out, my extra side of potatoes was missing. She rang it in immediately and brought it out but never acknowledged the mistake or apologized. In addition, it always takes a while for our plates to be cleared and our credit card to be run after we're finished (though from looking around, that seems to be the case across the board). If the place was packed, I could easily understand the slow pace, but the bar has never been more than half full when we've gone, so the fact that the service is so minimally attentive just ends up being all the more frustrating. Even though The Point has one of the best brunch selections in my area, always has seating available, and is ridiculously convenient, sometimes we opt not to go there solely because of the pace/general apathy of the service. If they can get that worked out though, it'll be a no-brainer for me every Sunday.
(3)R B.
Although the food here is good, it is definitely over priced. We were here on Halloween and their service was bad. The bartenders were drinking with some regulars , so we had to really try hard to get their attention. The bartender made a mistake on our check twice and we were kinda bummed to have to tell her again where or what the mistake was. I understand this is a bar and you are trying to be casual , but you are still a business and all customers are important . Not drinking on a job should be a good start . I've been here a few times but only because it's close to where we live. Probably wouldn't go back otherwise.
(2)Stephany C.
This place is a great neighborhood addition. Been here several times for dinner/ drinks. Great beer and food selection. Wish they had more of the half plates still..
(4)Lillian L.
Food is great! Truffle fries are delicious! The duck cake is good too. My table got tilapia, which was great, tender, and fluffy. The chicken paillard though was really dry. The chicken sandwich had absolutely amazing bread and wasn't dry at all. The cassoulet was decent but not amazing. Overall, great value for the food, especially with the half orders. Down side was the waitress Stacie had really bad attitude and was just unwilling to help.
(3)Jennifer C.
The sign said open on Sunday at 6:30 pm looked kinda dead. There was only one table of 3 ladies in the dining area and two people at the bar not packed. Yet the bartender was standing around cutting veggies and the waiter was watching television.When we walked in no one was at the hostess stand and the bartender just stood there looking at us. We asked if there was a table and then the guy from the back came out and said oh you can sit in our dining section. He asked us if we wanted anything to drink but we had no menus so we asked if he could kindly bring over some menus to make our selections. We then asked for some suggestions didn't give much help. I ended up getting the midnight train it was very STRONG! and nothing like rum which I asked if it was similar too. My husband bloody mary was the worst drink ever it tasted like pasta sauce and vodka terrible. He was offered another drink free of charge so he tried the appeloni and it was so strong and nothing of orange accent at all it tasted like gold schluager. YUCK! Prior to our visit I always view menus because of my husband dietary needs we saw they had half orders on their menu this would worked out perfect. Yet when we got there we were informed they no longer served half order portions. So bad service so far and the website is incorrect shouldn't those be your top two things to be on top of daily. Most people view a menu prior to visiting a restaurant. Now onto the food i ordered the swedish meatballs hoagie with truffle fries the portion was normal enough to take the other half home for lunch the next day and very tasty I wasn't so sure of the pickles served on it but it definitely works. The swedish meatball was delicious by itself with the sauce and pickles and the grilled bread it was served on had a nice crunch to it. The fries were truffle fries good but like every other bars signature fries. My husband order the special Mac and Cheese with bacon and tomatoes. Okay I just have to tell you my sandwich was so good but this Mac and Cheese was so creamy and sprinkled with panko crunchy breadcrumbs with salty smoky crumbled bacon and a few sauteed tomatoes was melt in you mouth delcious one of the best we've sampled since moving to the city. We love our mac n cheese and this is definitely worth coming back for. I have to say the food was so good but the service was a easy reason not to return. There is not much room for dining so you may get stuck eating at the large bar and the drink menu is not that extensive if your a vodka or rum drinker just order your usual vodka cranberry or rum and coke but if you do like beer their list is pretty extensive. Both food items we ended up taking half home and reheated nicely still with great flavor the next day. Our bill was $50 for two full entree's and 2 drinks. I think that is reasonable for the quality of the food that was served but the service still rated a zero for us. With this being the equal distance away from our home as Jefferson Tap I would have to say I would do take out from here if offered and visit Jefferson Tap for my drinks and friendly atmosphere and a staff that is attentive to each its patrons.
(3)Michael M.
Food is just ok. The beer selection is all about IPA, which isn't my thing. However, they do have Point Lager on tap which I always look forward to.
(3)Melissa S.
meh sums it up, we had 7 different dishes and i do not need to have any of them again (calamari, wedge salad, polenta, short rib nachos, spring rolls, lake popper, truffle fries) nice spot, great patio and decent beer list, so great for a happy hour but the food is not for foodies
(2)Kimberly B.
This bar is awesome. I have lived in this neighborhood for two years and the only bad thing I have to say about The Point is WHY did it take them two years to open this awesome of a bar in my neighborhood?! A friend and I went in for lunch on a Saturday out of desperation, because we were sick of eating the same old crap in this area. I hadn't been to The Point yet because it always looks dead when I walk past, so I had no idea it was even open yet. I have been missing out! We ordered: the braised short rib nachos (amazing) the wedge salad (I LOVE a good wedge salad and not alot of bars have them) and the cheesy polenta (delicious, DELICOUS!) I have craved the food ever since and I already have plans to go back this Saturday. We were seated at the bar and literally every person that walked by us stopped and asked what we ordered, and then ordered it themselves. I'm not exaggerating, the food is really great for bar food. And the decor and service is pretty awesome too. Given the same old, same old choices in the neighborhood, this place stands out.
(5)Mike G.
Fresh selection, well prepared in a trendy neighborhood setting. Wide choice of beers and great idea to offer half portions on most menu selections
(4)elle h.
Want to say that i booked the lounge this past weekend for an event, an art showing, & had the best experience with The Point. Professional, accomodating, & really easy to work with. Mike the manager was really helpful & my guests had a great time. The food was really good, the mood was relaxed & the showing was a success. I would easily recommend booking the lounge for your event. The venue & staff make it a come back to kind of place!
(5)Neena P.
I live a block away and have become obsessed with their weekend brunch. It's served 11-3 on Saturday and 11-5 on Sunday, so I can usually be seen rolling in around 3 pm on Sunday. They do half orders of all of their brunch items (similar to their dinner menu), which is awesome because if you're like me you want both sweet and savory for brunch! I have gotten the chilaquiles every time. Absolutely delicious, but the half-size seems to get smaller and smaller every time I go! Haven't felt like a drink when I've been in there, but the brunch cocktail menu looks fabulous. I will bump them up to 4 stars once they can show they are capable of cooking an egg to order. (Over-easy egg has had hard yolk the last 2 times!) One more tip - sit at the bar. The service is way better.
(3)alex m.
I love Point Beer and it's hard to find...they have it here...and had it in bottles for a while...now just on draft and in cans...Point tastes best in bottles. I may or may not be back. I like the place otherwise.
(3)Ellie W.
Short Rib Nachos are amazing...also like the option to order half size.
(5)Sean N.
This place has a good selection of alcohol as a gastropub should and the food does not disappoint. The egg rolls and dry rub wings were great to start and their award winning "Me No Laugh" though a little sweet should not be missed. There is a fair selection of pub and foodie offerings which likely change every few months as they should to keep things interesting. I tried the duck entree. A succulent side of duck laid over a bed of semi sweet and savory beans. Surprisingly delicious for an unpretentious place. I'm looking forward to visiting again.
(4)Jonathan Z.
This is my first review of any business on yelp so please bear with me. I visited Point yesterday on a Thursday and was relatively impressed by the experience. The cuisine was good given the price point. I would absolutely recommend the short rib nachos and the vegetable polenta cakes. Another positive was the option to buy half portions, which was especially convenient for sharing. The service was also good, and although the place was maybe 80% full, I never felt overlooked and was served promptly from start to finish. The challenges for this bar/restaurant are first, the location, and second, maybe its decor. First, the bar is located at the intersection of desplaines, kinzie and milwaukee. On either street, one needs to walk roughly two blocks or so to find residential housing. As a result, there's not a ton of foot traffic and I think it gets overlooked. Second, I was a taken aback by all the TVs. I realize that this is Chicago and people love to watch their on demand sports...but, as far as creating a magnetic atmosphere that draws people back time and again, I think it was missing a little of the magic. All in all, a good experience, and look forward to seeing how this place develops in the future. As for the location comment, the owners may happily find that this is an area with a lot of potential...the hope, however, is that the potential is realized sooner rather than later.
(4)Eric M.
I'm so glad The Point opened. I live right near this spot and was looking for a good go-to bar. The Point fills that bill. There's a ton of space, a great beer menu, and the food is really good too. The outdoor patio just knocks it outta the park. There are a couple of areas I could see improving and this could become my regular place. There was no A/C the day I went. Not sure if that day it was broken or if it's just not an option. It was way too hot for that not to work. Also, our server was great when she came by, which was too infrequent for my taste. I felt we sat with empty glasses for awhile. Lastly, clean up. It seemed to take awhile to bus tables. Even with those little problems, I still had a great time and look forward to coming back here a lot.
(4)Ernesto R.
OLD POST The food is great. You can get half orders and try more things and you will want to try more things. The Random Lake Popper is awesome. They are nothing like what you expect a Popper to be. It is a pastry with peppers and some sort of cream cheese filling. You must have one. Breakfast lunch dinner this restaurant hits the mark every time. NEW POST They changed everything. Everything I said that was good about this place is now gone. The cocktails are ok but that is about it.
(2)Heidi H.
Met a friend there after work tonight (Friday) at 5pm. I was there for about 30 min alone sitting at the bar solo. The bar was not remotely crowded at all. I had to ask for a menu after about 5 min. And when my friend arrived 20 or so min later we had to practically physically grab someone to order, bar was still not crowded. So as others have said, not the best of service. That said, my pesto chicken sandwich was warm and tasty delish, the fries were cold. Overall I liked the atmosphere and the crowd didn't seem to take itself too seriously. I'll go back and expect better service... fingers crossed.
(3)Samuel M.
Ehhhhhhhhh. I came here last night for drinks and a little bit of food with a decently large group. The beer list is pretty good, although there's nothing Earth-shattering on it. Drinking is on the high end of reasonably priced, with 20 oz beers for $8 (although the $6 12 oz for the same beers feels steep). The bigger issue here is the food. Special flatbread ($12) on this visit came with mushrooms, onions, parmesan (by this they actually mean Kraft fake parmesan from a shaker bottle) and supposedly fennel (which I couldn't taste). It was the size of the inner circle of a dinner plate, which for $12 is highway robbery. Fries ($4) are not the crispiest in the world, and are fairly soggy; I only ate them because I was starving, but they're definitely not worth the calories. Service is pretty bad; it took forever to get served at first, and then once the food and drinks came, we were checked on way too often to "see if everything is okay", which is a pet peeve of mine. Additionally, I asked as soon as I arrived for them to put the Bulls game on in my section of the restaurant, of which I was the only occupant for around 40 minutes. This was never addressed despite my reminding the server multiple times, and I was stuck watching women's tennis. All in all, this is highly overpriced, below average food, based on my admittedly limited sampling. I can't say I'm inclined to take another shot at a meal here. However, it is accessible, and the 20 oz beers aren't a half bad deal sometimes. I'd likely come back to drink at the bar, where service shouldn't be as much of an issue.
(2)Kay R.
I've been here twice. The first time, in November, I would have given it four stars. We had the sho rib nachos and MY GOD, they were incredible. We also drank some good beer, and also had a too dry, too bland chicken sandwich. Lesson learned: the short rib nachos are the way, the truth and the light. We went back yesterday and were told they had a new chef and a new menu. We were disappointed to see no nachos, but saw pot roast poutine with a poached egg on top ($14) and felt that was a good replacement. We also got the "breakfast bowl" (hash browns, cheese sauce, bacon, chives, and a poached egg on top). Overall the flavor of both dishes was good. However, there were two HUGE problems. The eggs were cooked all the way through... No cutting into the egg and having the yolk mingle with the poutine gravy/cheese sauce. And to me, that's pretty much the point of a poached egg. If you can't cook a poached egg, don't offer it. Major disappointment. The other problem was the fact that the portions were pretty small, especially for the prices. When we had the nachos, two of us easily shared them and didn't need more food. Both of the portions here were equivalent to a small bowl of cereal. They would have been fine if they were marketed as appetizers and cost several dollars less, but this was just shameful. It's a damn shame. The nachos were so good and now we have said our goodbyes to this place, as we will not be going back.
(2)Julee M.
This is a fantastic neighborhood spot. In fact, I actually think it's worth a drive if you do not live in the neighborhood. The Bloody Mary's (With High Life Pony's) are delicious along with the brunch entrees. We devoured the breakfast burrito, short rig omelet and eggs benedict.
(5)K. A.
Very cool atmosphere. I like this place mostly for the atmosphere and because it's convenient and easy to go to to grab a quick bite and drink. I love the heirloom tomato salad.
(4)Greg S.
I have waited to post until I have visited multiple times. I think I have been to The Point 5 times and have ordered food three times. . Atomsphere: They hit it out of the park....especially taking a very tough triangular space. I love how the great TV's are positioned in a way that you can watch if you want but it does not scream "Sports Bar". The windows and exposed brick give it a great feel. Food: The burger was my choice the first time I ordered and it was cooked to my order, med-rare and of obvious good quality beef. Think I had fries which were well prepared also. My next visit we shared the dry rub wings which were perfectly spiced and well cooked. My favorite item so far was not what I thought it was going to be. I believe they call it a a Random Lake Popper...it turned out to be a pastry sort of tart which was stuffed with poplano, red bell and jalapeno peppers, and an excellent melted cheese, it completely blew me away....doubt you would find this anywhere in town let alone a bar. Drinks: Nice beer selection and they do prepare a superb cocktail. Not sure if other folks have noted but the only negative thing I see is their hard alcohol prices. The house vodka which sells for $5 an ounce....that is not even a full shot. I do not mind paying a good buck for a good drink but for $10 I think you should get a heavier than 2 ounce pour. The vodka sells retail for $10 a bottle so the profit margin is out of whack. Staff: The staff is very nice and getting better every day. Once they hit their stride I would hope they will learn the regular and maybe give a heavier handed pour when making drinks. I am really looking forward to the outside patio open as it looks to be one of the nicest spaces in the area. Good job on adding another great place for the hood!
(5)Rich C.
The neighborhood needed this place so badly, and they are great! It is a great place to watch the game and eat really good food while sitting at the bar. I love it!
(5)Mark F.
Something has definitely changed. Service was better, food was better (with better selections and half orders) and just the mood was better. I hope they get their act together stat. This was a great place - better than Paramount even (which has had its own issues as of late). I hope the owners are reading. Your service is far from friendly or welcoming. One of your guy bartenders is just not very good at his job. Sorry.
(3)Kristin S.
Went for an early dinner with my daughter. I had the mussels and the truffle fries. Unfortunately, the fries were barely warm. Really??? There were barely any tables in there.... When I pay $7 for fries, they need to be hot. The mussels over all were pretty good, although I had a few mushy ones. My daughter had the duck salad, which she enjoyed very much. No cocktails, just food. Nice menu and a cozy atmosphere.
(3)Isaiah K.
Love The Point. Staff is always poised and responsive. Place is always super clean. Food is tasty and service is quick. Win, win win,
(5)Katie P.
The Point is awesome. I've seen the place go through a lot of changes, but things have definitely started to change for the better and I couldn't be happier. I've been in a few times lately for a late dinner and have had the chance to try some of the new menu items. Guys, they are legit. I can't wait to come back and try more new things. The beers on tap are always changing, so it's like a new adventure every time. The bar is stocked and the bartenders are always willing to give new suggestions, which is perfect for someone like me who usually stares at the menu for 30 minutes and still can't make up her mind. Bottom line, this place is great and just keeps getting better. I'm excited for the new changes to come and definitely recommend that you do the same!
(5)Abishek M.
The most striking thing is that the restaurant area is really small and is dominated by the large bar in the center. The drinks were delicious and the food was decent. I was a little disappointed that you can no longer get half orders on the full menu. Half orders are only available on the appetizers. Ratings: Spicy dry rub wings: 3/5 Truffled fries: 4/5 Block burger: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Ambience: 3/5
(4)Dawn S.
I love the point. The staff is great. Always friendly and quick. The food is delicious. They change the menu and drink specials frequently so there is always variety. The bar is comfortable and the TVs are easy to see. They have a GREAT outdoor patio. I really have had only positive experiences here!
(5)Lena D.
Small location but solid food and great albeit a tad pricey craft cocktails. Nice staff, you can typically grab a booth or barstool without too much time trying.
(4)Levi B.
The Point is one of our neighboring bars that we tried for the first time about two weeks ago - just for drinks. First impression of the Point is really good. The decor, in my mind and that's all that matters, is urban chic: updated lighting, exposed brick, warm colors and comfy seating. The draught selection is varied, although concerning that it is early September and there's an Oktober on tap. Tonight was the first time we've tried the food. Major points for nothing but friendly, knowledgeable staff. I love the fact that if you ask to sample a beer, they accommodate, the way it should be. Major points for clearly marked vegan options on the menu. The food selections seem to be an odd mix of comfort food and elevated gastropub selections which could muddy the waters, so to speak. You have Mac-N-Cheese next to Mushroom Broth Risotto. Speaking of, this happened to be our order. Upon a worthy suggestion from our friendly bar staff, I had the vegan red potato taco and risotto. My partner ordered the Man-N-Cheese as recommended for the non-vegan speciality. I was dutifully warned ahead of ordering that the taco was spicy; I happen to like spicy so I met this warning with anticipation. The food was delivered timely and hot, at the same time, as a complete order. I appreciate that the taco was served on TWO warm corn tortillas as it never fails, one breaks. Holy Hell it was absurdly spicy. Not to the point where I couldn't continue but to the point where I could not taste any other flavor. To me, this is a major detractor. I want to have the spice, the major spice, but still be able to discern all of the veg flavors. I ditched the tortillas and just went fork deep into the stuffin'. Plucked up a red potato - one of the more identifiable and spice-muting ingredients. Nada, nothing, zilch, zero. I could barely make out the taste of the skin. Next up, the risotto. My only real complaint here is that risotto should be loose and liquidy. I received stiff and formed as if pressed in a form or measuring cup. Let there be no mistake, the flavors were intense and spot on. The grilled zucchini and seasoning, the red peppers, the romesco sauce - all good! Cremini mushrooms were on the side and I wouldn't have minded them incorporated - after all, it IS mushroom broth risotto. All in all, as a deconstructed dish it was great. I would definitely order the risotto again but forego the red potato taco. Above all else, I will definitely be back because of the friendly staff, the decor, the dedicated vegan menu - I won't complain too much if they add more options, and the ambiance. I look forward to upgrading this to a four star experience after a few more visits and a few more tries of the risotto. I give TP three stars because I can and that should be enough of a reason to try it yourself. Let me know what you think!!!
(3)Michael H.
New neighborhood bar that is perfect in this area. Went to The Point for the first time for brunch. The food was very good... I would recommend the scramble. They also offer half size portions which is very nice. Great set up as well... very unique seating and enough TVs to watch the game of your choice without feeling like you are at a sports bar. Only downfall in our experience was the service, which was average to below average. We will certainly be back.
(4)Sarah C.
I really like The Point. I'm a little surprised the rating isn't higher. The layout is a little funky...but that's probably because the building is in the shape of a point...get it? It doesn't bother me a bit. You walk in to a triangular bar with seats on all sides. The windows are lined with more seating and bar top. This place could really pack some people in for sure. If you go around the bar there is a small seating area - I'm guessing 5-6 tables. Keep walking back and you'll find an amazing patio. I love coming here in the summer time because you get the sites and sounds of the city but this serene little escape in the back. Their art on the walls was really nice and the overall feel of the bar was just great to me. I really enjoyed just being in this bar. I've always liked the drinks I've had made. Yes, they have a fine selection of beer, but I really encourage you to have something mixed. Everything I've had has delivered. The paloma in the summer is my favorite and just yesterday I had the Salty Puppy (OJ, Grapefruit and vodka...but I asked for gin and it was delicious.) We went in for brunch yesterday and were both really happy. My boyfriend ordered the wings as an app for us to share. He loved them. I think they were tasty but it's a DRY dry rub so they aren't the wings I was expecting. The flavor was good, just not my preference. I got the BBQ pork sandwich and it was good. It's the tiniest bit spicy so it was nice to have something a little different. I would have loved loved loved a little bit of a cold creamy coleslaw on the sandwich but I'm super picky about my BBQ that way. My boyfriend got the chicken sandwich and it was packed with flavor. He was so quiet when we got our food because he couldn't be bothered to talk because it would get in the way of eating. In the summer I really like the mango pork tacos. I only order two but I could happily eat 10. I've always had a great experience with the staff. Our bartender yesterday was wonderfully nice and very helpful when we had questions on the menu. There was another bartender who kept up with us too just to make sure we had what we needed. The waitresses I've had in the past have always been very nice and our food has always come out quickly. Definitely worth stopping in!
(4)Jo L.
We really enjoy the point! It has been a great addition to the neighborhood with great food and drinks. Like other reviews, the wings are great and we appreciate the half size portions. The service is great. The staff knows their drinks/beers and are able to offer great suggestions based on what you tell them you are looking for. We once had a bad experience where they forgot to enter our food order, but quickly made up for it and ensured that we were happy and left happy. Again, the best part is the food is good and the half portions are a great option for smaller appetites and give the ability to "make your own" small plates.
(4)KC W.
The sign of a good restaurant is not that they never mess up (though that is nice too), it is how they handle the situation when they do. We came here for lunch yesterday, and they initially made my husband's gluten free burger on a bun. The bartender/server noticed this before bringing it out and told us he had resubmitted the order. It only took about seven more minutes for the new burger to be ready, but the bartender still did not charge us for the burger. On top of the quality service, the bloody marys were tasty, and the menu looks great. They have full and half orders of everything on the menu. I had the grilled calamari appetizer, and it was delicious. We will definitely be back there soon!
(5)Nicholas G.
So I felt a bit bad about giving this place one star for a visit from this past March, but then I sorted reviews by date and it seems like people are having similar experiences recently, so here goes. . . I came here with three friends on a Friday night after an excellent meal at iNG to have drinks. None of us knew the place but we were nearby and wanted to get a drink close to the blue line, so we took a chance. My first impression when walking in was to think "Is it last call?" The lighting was so bright I couldn't believe I was in a bar/restaurant, not a Wal-Mart. OK, well, moving on. . . My friends ordered draft beers but the Sazerac on their cocktail menu looked good, so I ordered that. The bartender brought my friends their drinks and told me that my drink was hard to prepare so she had to serve some other people first... Let's just stop here for a second for two things. First, I used to be a bartender, and the first thing you learn is first come, first serve. Easy, quick, keep things moving. Maybe if somebody else needed a quick bottle of beer from behind the bar, pop that out and get back to the first drink. But to tell a customer they ordered a hard drink and they would have to wait? No... Second, I would like to reiterate that I ORDERED FROM THE MENU. I didn't come to a beer and a shot bar and ask for a specialty martini, I took them at their word that they were proud of their rotating cocktail list and capable of preparing said cocktails without scolding(?) me. My mistake, I suppose. Well, so anyway, we stood at the bar and watched as she served no fewer than 7 people before returning to my drink, my friends teasing me the whole time for holding them up. She finally brought my drink, I tipped her as though I wasn't just given terrible service (former bartender here, remember), we drank our one drink and immediately left to go to the Paramount Room around the corner (see my 4-star review of that place if you want to have a good experience in that area). Granted, there are sometimes reasons to go to a place with bad service, poor lighting and generic top 40 playing in the background: maybe they have good specials, maybe your friend has a weird attachment to it, maybe it's right next to your house. Well, none of these things apply here, since the drinks certainly aren't cheap, it's in a location that few people live nearby, and certainly none of my friends developed an attachment to it on this evening. I won't be going here in the future and I'd encourage you to do the same.
(1)Dinna Y.
I had the point omelette which has chicken and avocado, had the side salad and bacon. It felt like I had salt with a side of food. The chicken pieces were as salty as the bacon. The service was ok for how not busy they were. Ambience felt like a homey neighborhood bar where if you knew the bartenders it would be your own "Cheers". I'd come back for drinks but won't be dying to come back for food.
(3)Kayla G.
Reviewing on account of a) the NACHOS b) the fact that my coworkers and I come here ALL the time and we always have great service. They deserve some recognition for both. The staff is always friendly and handle our groups of 25+ borderline alcoholic mad men on very short notice with style. Very nice patio in the summer, solid burgers, and their pulled pork nachos are the best I've had as far as bar nachos go. They really layer the meat and cheese well so that every chip gets coverage. This is how you make a nacho, people. Good variety of craft beer. Is it the cheapest bar in the area? No. But Richard's doesn't have IPAs, a patio or nachos.
(5)Katie D.
This bar is close to my office, and we go on occasion to mix things up. Some coworkers and I went last night, and we came in waves, which we told them would happen. They seemed totally fine with it, so groups came 3 at a time, to the patio. Much like they came, they filtered out slowly, as well. People asked for checks, which was nice that they split them up for us. But when our big group filtered down from about 10 to 4, our waitress suddenly demanded us to close our entire check, even though some of us clearly were ready to spend some more time and money. She stated, "I'm not doing this five more times," then stared at us, bug eyed, expectantly waiting for us to apologize for...existing? She then stormed off, brought us our check, and basically kicked us out. It was about 7, and not busy...and we were all very nice, but she suddenly was done with us. Bottom line: Go to New Line Tavern. Much better food, much friendlier staff, just as good beer selection. Sorry, guys, I'd be down if your waitress didn't kick us out.
(2)Ben B.
Went here for a friend's birthday party. While the upstairs area seemed pretty nice, we were relegated to the basement. I looked at the sad so-called "bar" they had available to us and said, "I have more liquor in my home." A friend walked up and said the same thing. Apparently, we were stuck with minimal options because of some package deal they got for the party. Like, if you bought a $40 wristband, you could drink all you wanted from the very limited menu. Honestly, some members of our group took the long walk upstairs to select from a legit bar. I understand having some liquors set aside for party packages, but if I'm willing to pay more for something else, why should I have to walk up a flight of stairs, then back down to my party? Weird. Richard's Bar is just a stone's throw away from The Point. Go there for a far better experience.
(2)Natalia K.
This place is a block away from where I live so I can't believe it took a groupon for me to finally venture in. Brought my brother in for brunch on a quiet Saturday and at first we were the only patrons there. The groupon was for two pints, an app, and two entrees so we started with a couple beers. The beer menu offers up a nice selection with some interesting craft beers, as well as bar favorites. I had the Guinness and it was fine- not as tasty as I'm used to, but I was also suffering from a mild hangover so it was probably my own issue. For our app, we tried the dry rub wings, which were exceptional. Messy in a non saucy way with good flavor and a nice crispy char on the meat. For our entrees we tried the omelets, me the point, my bro the Asian, and we cleaned our plates. I appreciated the amount of avocado in mine with a nice drizzle of salsa verde. It's my neighborhood joint and I'll definitely be back- even if just to grab the dry rub wings to go!
(4)julie q.
I can't believe I'm just updating this!! I love the Point! It has good food, good beers, and good atmosphere. We had my company holiday party here and I could not have been happier. Tons of great tasting food, tasty cocktails and no frills, contracts, or minimums. Everyone said it was the best party yet. Can't wait for the winter of forever to come to an end so I can sit at the outdoor patio!!
(4)Alex W.
My wife and i have come here a couple times in the past and have enjoyed our meals so thats why I'm leaving a 3 star rather than a one. We ordered from here yesterday and got the fish tacos, mac and cheese, and chili cheese fries...man oh man was it bad. The chili cheese fries had a weird smell and tasted like chewing tobacco (i used to chew so i know the taste). The macaroni tasted just like it does when you boil it right before its done, absolutely no flavor. We had to put a little butter and a lot of cheese in it to try and get some flavor but to no avail. We just ended up throwing both the fries and mac out. The fish tacos were good but not as good as normal. You have to go in and try it, do not order take out not worth the waste of money
(3)Shayna Y.
This is a great neighborhood bar with a really nice atmosphere. This is a great place to watch a game or grab a couple of drinks with friends. Their lunch/dinner food is really good; however, I didn't have the best experience for brunch. They built an amazing looking patio that I am really excited to take advantage of this spring/summer!
(4)robert w.
I really enjoy this place and it's neighbor bar the Paramount. This place doesn't get overly crowed and you can enjoy a view of the skyline. Sandwiches with generous portions. Try this great after work spot without the downtown crowd!
(4)Kori E.
I reserved some space for my birthday party here this year and it was great. We ended up in the back room, which was private, and our waitress took great care of us all evening. I wouldn't necessarily recommend any of the cocktails - I didn't so much care for a few I sampled. Food wise we ordered the nachos, which were great, the fries, delish and the meatballs - I think they were good (I don't remember). I would definitely recommend this place for a private event as the back room is GREAT. Not sure about the actual bar as we were never up there.
(4)Daniel L.
A cute waitress named Emilie works here.
(4)Natalie D.
The service here was so horrible. The guy with the European accent is beyond rude and does not have any customer service skills. In my opinion, if he continues to engage with the customers, The Point will not survive. I live in the area and we were looking for another place as a regular stop, for a beer and food, unfortunately I will NEVER return and I will make sure to tell whomever asks about The Point the same.
(1)Kate W.
I am so bummed. We just left the Point, and we left ANGRY. We had eaten there when the old chef was there, and the food and vibe was great. We live nearby, and were excited to have a dependable, casual place for dinner or drinks. HOWEVER. We went for lunch today and everything was so terrible! Here are the negatives: 1. The menu. The menu is SHORT. If you have any kind of dietary restrictions or want to eat something a little bit healthy, you're shit out of luck. 2. The food. Mediocre. We got the mussels, which were tiny and we are pretty sure they are going to come back to haunt us later. I got the House salad, which was fine. Boyfriend got fish tacos--also fine, but tiny. Also, overpriced. 3. The TVs. They can't get the TVs to work. Pretty bad, considering so many people want to go there to watch sports or whatever. Also, the bartender kept messing with the tv and not serving anyone. 4. The owner's daughter. The owner's daughter decided to stop by the bar and annoy the hell out of everyone while we were there. She was loud and rude. Her friend seemed drunk and they acted like they were the only customers there. I don't care if your dad owns the place (which, by the way, she proclaimed loudly and often)--it's unacceptable for you to wander the restaurant and tap your cellphone loudly and repeatedly against the bar. The Positive: the beer was great, and a good selection. The place seemed clean. That's about it. TL;DR version: AVOID. There is no reason to eat here with Paramount Room next door.
(1)Sara A.
The only reason for the second star is the nachos. I have given this place MULTIPLE chances, primarily because it is so close to my apartment. Unfortunately, I really am not returning again. The service is just so terrible, and everything is incredibly overpriced. You don't even get a full pint of beer for the $8 you spend. I would kill for a great restaurant in place of what goes on here.
(2)Joshua M.
This place is freaking awesome. Their kitchen ROCKS. I HAD to order two things when I saw this menu. I went for the pot roast poutine and the fish tacos. Pot roast poutine was out of this world good with a great poached egg on top. The Fish tacos were incredible too. Nice crispy battered fish, not too much cilantro. Perfect. Their beer selection is great too! Try whatever the "lazy hipsters" have in stock from lagunitas. A+
(5)Steve H.
Ate here last night with a group of friends. I like their outdoor space and the interior bar looks pretty cool. My beef is with their food items and price points. Their food menu is limited, especially when they happen to be out of nearly a quarter of the items. We ordered a bunch of stuff to share and were told that they don't do croquettes anymore and were outta the meatballs. Didn't matter much as whatever they produced from their kitchen was rather sub-par in taste and portion size, yet all of them are $10+ which really didn't make sense. $14 for a small plate of nachos?? You have got to be kidding me.
(2)Anne C.
Like a lot of people here have mentioned, when we went to the Point a few times after it had just opened we loved it. Great food, a wide variety, and attentive service. We went back more recently though and it wasn't quite the same. It was quiet on a Saturday night and even though there were a few bartenders working, the service was spotty. They also changed the menu-- it's much more limited and they took away the half order options from everything but the appetizers. We split some of the shrimp/corn eggrolls, which were pretty good and I ordered the chicken paillard and it was aggressively salty. The prices here are steep for a bar-- I'll definitely go back, but probably just for drinks. If you want "fancy" bar food, go next door to Paramount Room. If you want consistently good bar food at good prices, head on over to New Line Tavern.
(3)Jenn K.
The Point- Fantastic casual neighborhood watering hole with great bar food. FOOD Great food. I recommend the Short Rib Nachos, Truffled Handcut Fries, Ratatouille, Lobster Po'Boy, Pappardelle Bolognese and Sauted Broccoli. I don't really recommend the burger- just go next door to Paramount Room another day. SERVICE Never had any issues, especially since it's never busy (see below). Go see Jeremy at the bar- the best bartender ever. He makes great drinks from their well edited drink menu and also made custom requests based on preferences. AMBIENCE Great contemporary space with an awesome bar- think N9ne Ghostbar but triangular. Plenty of TV screens all over for easy sports viewing from any seat in the place. Best thing about this place, don't know how, but they are never packed. Forget a line, you can go there with a group of 6 friends and show up to watch the Bears game, an hour in and always find an open table for your group or seats the bar. I know it's only a matter of time before I'll be reminding about how it used to be so easy to find a seat in this place... take advantage before the secrets out!
(4)Rachel H.
Sometimes it's necessary to eat nachos for dinner, particularly when it's already taken you about 45 minutes to even decide where to eat. Only nachos will solve that kind of hunger. Particularly short rib nachos which I'd been dying to get here since I read their menu.* When the plate landed on my table, the chips were casseroled over with cheese. They were not skimpy here. The shortrib pieces were pretty evenly distributed as well. These nachos aren't super spicy which was ok with me but if you need a little zing, I'm sure some hot sauce will pump up the jam a little. My friend went for the ahi tuna BLT which she liked but thought could have been a little more on the rare side. The eyecatcher on her plate for me was the fried pickle spear. I'll take more of those please. I avoided the cocktail menu on another friend's advice, though other people seem to be into them, and I thought the drinks were a little on the pricey side (for example I saw one of the beers on the Fountainhead menu for $1 less and Fountainhead isn't really known for its value pricing) but nothing completely outrageous. Small, but uncrowded, I would absolutely come back for those nachos. *I read menus when I need some riveting reading material.
(4)Kira S.
The Point is a great place to stop in for drinks and apps. The staff is friendly and unassuming, they have a good selection of beers on tap and the short rib nachos might just be my favorite nachos in the city. And I don't mess around with nachos. It's definitely a good place to swing in for your next low key night out.
(4)Raghav C.
Average bar with an over priced drink and food menu. Located at a fair distance from the heart of River North, one would expect this to be a good choice for a relaxing neighborhood with no frills where one could get a regular drink and food at regular prices. Unfortunately, at ~$8/beer and $14-16/entree (and a small limited menu), I don't see why one would go to The Point when its more expensive than many fancier bars in River North. To me this place has attempted to be an upscale bar but hasn't done it very successfully. Now for the positives. The outdoor area is nice and I've never seen this place over crowded. Getting in or lines shouldn't be an issue here. Good beer selection which includes some seasonals and craft options.
(2)Kameron N.
I went to the point a few weeks back with some friend after work. It is not in the best location for walker or people who take public transportation but very accessible by car. The ambiance is hip and modern, good lighting with a young and fun energy. I had the burger, of course which turned out to be surprisingly top notch. Cooked to perfection, high quality ingredients and very tasty. My friends were also impressed with their meals, the meatball sandwich, pasta and burger. Overall it was a great experience. Great Ambiance, Good Food, Bad Location.
(4)Danny W.
I'm a straight sucker for Gastropubs so The Point had me at hello. It's great for both dinner and drinks with buds or a cuddly night with that special someone. Lighting is low, the menu is fantastic, and the drink list is large and idiot proof. (You'll see what I mean) DO: Get the preserved duck cake, roasted peppers and truffle fries. All three were standouts. Also order a half of either of their burgers cause it's basically a normal portion at most other places. DON'T: Sit at one of the tables closest to the back right wall. The seating is awkward and more like you're at a baseball game than a restaurant as the only place to sit is next to the person your dining with. It's just a little uncomfortable, but certainly not a deal breaker by any means. Overall it was an excellent experience. A tad pricier, but it's a Gastropub so you get The Point.
(4)Amelia B.
Growing tired of the bars in my River North area, we decided to venture west one Friday night not too long ago to check out the Point. And I like what I saw (And ate. And drank). First of all, you can't deny that there is something special about this space with the triangular bar. It welcomes you--invites you to sit there. Granted, the tables behind the bar are hard to see, so you may enter in thinking that your own option is to sit at the bar or the tiny tables along the windows. So bar it is. Not sure I would bring a large group here given the logistics, but for groups of 2-3, it's perfect. Plenty of brews on tap, with a decidedly midwest/Wisconsin theme going on. Unfamiliar with a lot of the beers, the bartender was more than happy to let me sample before deciding. Food is diverse and hearty. Short rib nachos caught our eye, and they did not disappoint. The arugula salad was large and fresh, pleasantly surprising given that this feels like more of a bar than a restaurant. Bartenders were friendly, as were the other patrons. On a Friday night around 9pm, seemed to be a good mix of young and old. Not a chad or trixie to be found, so a welcome reprieve from the River North scene. The Point is a gem--as long as it stays low-key, I'll be back. A bunch.
(4)Mira S.
It's a nice space (wood and brick) and a decent location, near Randolph Street restaurants, and with a decent amount of parking around, both paid and free. There's an angular circle bar upstairs. There's also a clubby area downstairs where the bathrooms are. Not a ton of seating, at least upstairs, so it's more of a standing kind of place. They had an okay selection of beers, including some good IPA and stout, although they were out of at least one of the draughts on the menu. My well mixed drink was not great (Moscow Mule)--watery and just didn't taste right. The food was so-so, basically generic barfood--thin pizza, quesadillas, that sort of thing. I went for an event, and it was an okay location for that, although there's not a big open space, so people got pretty spread out, which might actually have been a good thing. It wasn't too loud. I'd have an event there or go for a drink if I'm in the area, but it wasn't a particularly memorable place that I'd work to get back to.
(3)Dana F.
Even I cannot make the undrinkable drinkable, and I've been known to drink cocktails with Malort [1]. This is the story of the undrinkable $11 cocktail. Firstly, the allure of The Point must have dissipated since its grand opening last year. On a Saturday night, there was hardly a soul in the place. This doesn't bode well for business or the future of the bar, which is a pity because the space is beautiful (minus the large blaring flat-screen televisions that are ridiculously out of place at such an establishment). I ordered a Paloma [2], which is a blend of grapefruit soda (Fresca is a popular brand) and tequila, meant to be refreshing and light. (You can get an awesome one at Gilt Bar, a hop, skip and a jump away - for $9.) The description of the drink indicated that it would have a nice citrus taste on the palate and come with a salted rim. Although recipes permit the use grapefruit juice in the place of grapefruit soda, the cocktail I received was an atrocity. It was basically a very bitter grapefruit juice (I can only handle the Ruby Red in this format) with a tiny splash of tequila. Even worse, there was no salt to make the damage inflicted more tolerable. (And I am a tequila purist who believes that if you have a good tequila-based drink, the salt is unnecessary.) This is purely speculation, but I'm under the impression that Chris Marty, who created last year's award-winning Me No Laugh [3], is no longer with The Point, because I cannot think of a reason why the cocktail program would have fallen this far from grace under his keep. As the opener to this review alludes to, I was unable to finish this drink and was not asked by my bartender whether I liked my drink, after I had pushed it away from me and onto my unsuspecting friend. (Another sign of a good bartender: they'll know when something is wrong and graciously fix the situation). Perhaps it was because the bar staff was too busy watching whatever basketball game was on that night. Sigh. [1] cracked.com/funny-3629-m… [2] In Mexico, the Paloma is even more popular than the margarita. [3] chicagoist.com/2012/08/0…
(1)Luke B.
Unfortunately The Point has devolved from a "hit-or-miss" destination from a service standpoint to a "never going back" destination. One bartender and one bar back for a total of three groups in the entire establishment on Saturday night....and it took 15 minutes to get a drink. Not to mention the bartender laughed in my friend's face when she asked if the kitchen was open. There is a reason this place is always empty. Save yourself the frustration and walk 30 yards down the street to Paramount Room.
(1)Susan F.
Good beer list, but not the best prices I've seen. Some of the beers throw quite the punch, but I hate it when they don't provide the alcohol content on there for you. Also, Guinness for $8? No thanks, I'll go elsewhere for my irish stouts. Their special cocktail lists look decent and very powerful, but they run over $10. They better have some specials to survive in this hood... However, the food menu is really eclectic. It's a bit upscale for this area but I like how you can get a full or half order for most menu options. The half orders of burgers and sandwiches are a plenty, esp if you plan on boozin it up after a hard day's work. I'd suggest the chicken sandwich or the nachos. You get to pick your own side with sandwiches. You can be bad (chips or fries) or good (spinach, salad, or broccoli). Nice! There is actually quite a lot of seating and there is a back room if you have a party. The furnishings are still new and need to be broken in to be more comfortable, but I can't harp on them too much for that. The staff is a little reluctant to make splitting bills easy, so you may as well pay up at the bar :( Bein' honest. Other than that, not too shabby for west of the mart and it's a little more poshy than Emmitt's (even though I love me some Emmitts!)
(3)Thomas S.
This joint, definitely places a more sophisticated twist on the local chicago neighborhood bar. The food, is good, consistent, and very fairly priced. Yes, yes, yes, it's no nursing home when it comes to the volume, but it's a bar. Remember...? I tend to be a little snobby when it comes to my beer, spirits and vino, but this place has me pleasantly surprised after every twist and turn. I almost forgot, service! The whole staff, is great! After having imbibed and gorged myself here a few more times then I have fingers, I have yet to have any sort of poor experience. Conclusion: I am super stoked to have this place as an at least once a week watering hole. Maybe, possibly, home away from home.
(5)Tim C.
Nice bar, good atmosphere, service was ok, and food was ok. The drinks seemed a little pricey, but that may just be how much drinks cost in Chicago. I wouldn't be surprised. As for the food, here's what I tried: -Truffled Handcut Fries - very good, especially with the Sriracha ketchup. This might have been my favorite dish of what I got to try. -Preserved Duck Cake - nice flavor and good texture of the duck. I would also recommend trying this dish if you like duck. -Polenta Cakes - I appreciated the firmer texture of the fried polenta cakes, but if you're not a fan, then this isn't for you. -Swedish Meatball Hoagie - it sounds good on paper, but it was not. The meatballs were overcooked, the flavors were somewhat bland and non-existent, and it was awkward to eat. -Shrimp and Black Mussel Nage - the vegetables were nice, but it didn't taste like much. I wasn't a fan. -Bagna Cauda Artichokes - way to heavy and creamy. It tasted like I was eating creamy spinach artichoke dip without any chips (only one toasted baguette). -For dessert, I ordered the cheesecake, which was only ok. There were some good dishes and some not-so-good dishes. For the price you're paying, you'd expect a bit more quality from the food. If you choose the right dishes, it would make for a good meal.
(3)Alex L.
As previous reviewers have noted, opening night was packed. I had an idea of what to expect based on what friends have said about the owner's other establishments, and was pleasantly surprised that the service and staff both exceeded my expectations. First off, the service was great despite the place being slammed. Everyone working there seemed genuinely inviting and were always smiling, and not in the clenched-teeth stiff-faced kind of way that might be expected when it was as packed as it was on opening night. The team there was really efficient and smiley- a good combination in my book. The food was great and I went on a semi-full stomach since I had not planned to go on opening night. I went with two other people and the three of us have vastly different food preferences, but all found dishes we loved. I had a veggie dish, the others an ahi tuna B.L.T. and a Swedish Meatball sandwich. If you would like to see pictures of our dishes or more about my experience there, check out my full review: babbleandbezotes.com/201… The beer list was great; once again the three people in my party have vastly difference tastes in beer, but found ones perfectly suited for each of us. The prices of the food were really reasonable considering the quality and portions. I am eager to check it out after opening week.. It was truly packed and very loud, so it was hard to talk to one another. I'm happy that opening night went so well despite selfishly want things to chill out a bit so I can eat there a little more comfortably (and thus more often). If not, I may carry out (if possible). I do hope they'll add their fried pickles to their appetizer or side item offerings (as opposed to only along with certain sandwiches)!
(4)Sean C.
Overall I didn't enjoy this place. My father and I stopped in for dinner and a drink. The food wasn't good. The entree was cold and wasn't worth the money - small portions for the money. One star added for friendliness of staff. Don't go here for a meal, you won't be satisfied. It may be good for a drink at night, but I'm wary of that... Drinks are high priced given the remoteness of the location. There really isn't a reason to come here. Go to Paramount Room or Aberdeen Tap instead.
(2)Jack F.
Like this place. Right on the corner and has some cool window seating. Food's pretty good, too. Enjoyed my time here and love the booths in the back.
(4)Michael A.
Stopped here again about 3 weeks ago. There's a new chef and smaller menu, which I was told was to focus on fresher and local ingredients. My date and I ordered the Buffalo Wings, meatballs, and the mac n cheese. The wings were good, as were the meatballs (although the portion was a bit small). If you read my earlier review, you know that I love mac n cheese and The Point was my local favorite. This is no longer true with the new chef. It came out bland and like soup. I couldn't believe how watery it was. The leftovers weren't any better tasting the next day. The patio is nice however, and it still has a great selection of brews. However, if I want food with my beverages, I'll probably walk the 50 extra feet to the Paramount Room.
(3)