Friendly food and service at Blue Point Grill

This past week I ventured past Fruity Yogurt to take advantage of the $25 prix fixe menu at Blue Point Grill, courtesy of USG's Restaurant Week. Having made reservations for 5 p.m. on a Tuesday evening, my friends and I were the first table seated that night. Despite my awkward peering into the windows before I entered, the maitre d' greeted us with a warm smile and treated us college kids like normal folk. Imagine that!

Although there were only four to six dishes per course to choose from, each option sounded as mouthwatering as the next. I ended up starting with the New England clam chowder, followed by cajun catfish with hush puppies and rice pudding for dessert.

As we waited for our appetizers, some of my friends remarked how surprised they were to find such a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. As college students, dining at Blue Point seems extravagant, but the restaurant and its staff were far from the aloof, elitist image we had beforehand.

Suddenly, our server reappeared and placed our appetizers in front of us, without the slightest hesitation as to who had ordered what. My clam chowder was just a touch lukewarm, but otherwise delicious. The potatoes were cooked perfectly and not overly mushy. The chowder itself wasn't oversalted, allowing the occasional clam to naturally season it. If you're not a fan of chowder, I would recommend the buffalo calamari. I had a bite of a friend's order, and I immediately wanted to swallow the entire plate. With all the delights of regular calamari tossed in a tangy buffalo sauce with the perfect amount of heat, this appetizer was an instant hit.

After a short respite, we were soon tackling our entrees. I don't normally order white fish because the taste sometimes reminds me a bit too much of the sea, but the catfish was amazing. Generously seasoned and grilled with Cajun spices, this dish packed a decent kick. If you're not a fan of spicy food, then you're in luck: The coleslaw and hush puppies will give your palate a break in between bites. My friends who ordered the crawfish etoufee and the fish and chips were also quite satisfied.

All of the entrees were pretty sizeable: not enough to kill you, but definitely more than a light eater could handle. In comparison, the desserts seemed adorably petite - not that I minded, since a larger portion would probably have put me in a permanent food coma. The rice pudding, served in a tiny glass with just the right amount of sweetness, was topped off with whipped cream dusted with a light layer of nutmeg. The brownie a la mode and the chocolate chip bread pudding were plated in a more decadent fashion, complete with fresh berries and chocolate drizzle.

Needless to say, I left content, patting my food baby.

4.5 out of 5 paws