The spectacular setting of The Blue Point in Duck, North Carolina is matched perfectly with the fabulous food and warm ambiance.
Location: The Blue Point, 1240 Duck Road, Duck, North Carolina
Menu: The menu changes seasonably at The Blue Point, reflecting the restaurant’s commitment to the sustainability of North Carolina’s seafood and desire to serve the freshest possible local produce. They bake their own breads and churn their own ice creams. Guests will be happy to see oyster stew in the winter, she crab soup in the summer, and lump crab cakes year-round alongside the surprises of the seasons.
The Blue Point serves seafood but is not confined or necessarily defined by it. Typical entree offerings also include pork, beef and pasta along with catfish and mountain trout. A basket of bread, either cornbread or housemade breads, is offered for an additional charge and is a great way to kick off your meal. The salads each have special touches such as toasted pumpkin seeds, toasted pecans or muscadine dressing making them a cut above normal fare in other restaurants. The desserts are worth the splurge with choices ranging from a Coke float with Jack Daniel’s to a Brown Cow with root beer, creme brulee, warm pecan pie or a beautiful Key lime pie with raspberry coulis.
Thoughts: For me, this was an “ah” before I walked in, an “ah” as I went inside, an “ah” after I was seated, and an “oh my” while I enjoyed my meal. The view of Currituck Sound as you walk toward the restaurant along the boardwalk of the Waterfront Shops in Duck is both peaceful and magnificent. The greeting at the door is welcoming and personal. The interior decor is comfortable and elegant. I particularly loved the soft leather, the pops of red with the bar stools, and the gorgeous blue glassware. Our server was knowledgeable, helpful, and attentive. She helped us navigate to exactly what we wanted for our meal.
We were glad we had taken seriously the advice to secure reservations. The Blue Point is a popular place! We were there on a random Tuesday night during the “shoulder season” at the Outer Banks, and still it was comfortably filled with eager diners. An especially attractive part of its charm is the presence of a large lawn for those who want to soak up the outdoor sights and sounds but also for those who are more comfortable taking extra COVID precautions. There is a separate menu featuring items packed to-go, but you can enjoy your food on the spot if you wish. It is much more limited than the indoor menu but still includes some of the same choices. No reservations are needed for the lawn.
Our food was served in a timely but unhurried manner, and each bite was special. We started with the wonderful bread basket with soft butter and had the fish of the day which was flounder, pan-seared with cabbage, chanterelle mushrooms, and apples topped with bacon-onion jam. The combination of perfectly-cooked fish and produce was delightful. Then we indulged in sharing the Key Lime Pie, a scrumptious work of art. Owners John Power and Chef Sam McGann make a great team. Power smoothly handles all of the front-of-house operations, while Chef McGann oversees the fabulous dishes coming from the kitchen. They have 30 years of success and growth under their belts, and I predict many more ahead.
If you can time your meal for sunset viewing, it is said to be amazing. Before and after lunch or dinner, the Waterfront Shops help you walk off the calories or capture your interest as you wait for your table. It really is a great location.
Price range: Salads range from $8-15. Small plates are $12-15. Entrees are $28-39, and desserts are $3.50-9. Lawn menu items are $9-18.50.
Disclosure: The reviewer received a complimentary meal as part of a press trip sponsored by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.
Connie's book "Telling It On The Mountain: 52 Days in the Life of an Unlikely Missionary" was published in 2016 and is available on Amazon.In addition to her blog, www.theregoesconnie.com, she is a regular contributor to The Yums,Trip101.com, The Alabama Baptist weekly newspaper, Senior Scene Magazine (Athens News-Courier) and other print and online travel publications.
- Helen: Elegant Dining in Downtown Birmingham, Alabama - April 8, 2021
- Wintzell’s Oyster House: Guntersville, Alabama - February 5, 2021
- Kermit’s Soul Kitchen: Great Eats in Tupelo, Mississippi - January 28, 2021