Peachy Picks Point Break Our Coverage Sponsored by Cosmopolitan Dental, Official Dentist of Whom You Know
Owner Billy Bishop and Executive Chef Dennis Hatzinger
The Best Dentist in Manhattan
&
Official Dentist of Whom You Know:
30 E. 40th Suite 1001
212 683 1960
See Dr. Nazarian's latest interview:
& see how fantastic an experience it is to visit Cosmopolitan Dental:
Don't let your eyes deceive you: Point Break is much more than an outstanding neighborhood bar in Midtown Manhattan that has been at it for 15 years so far in a city where many bars are unremarkable with little lasting power. It has some of the best food in town that is also farm to table we might add: fresh, local cuisine in a winning casual atmosphere is embraced by all walks of life in one of the most fun moods we've ever enjoyed. Let us be clear: this is not just a bar, it is a full-fledged restaurant that you'll go to again and again.
Peachy Deegan began with a Blue Moon, which was the perfect source of refreshment for a night of American fare that was a significant step above the rest of the bars we've ventured to in review.
Point Break was first featured in Tasty Tidbits:
Its fantastic food, its dedicated chef, its beachy atmosphere and its owner who exemplifies the maxim Ever to Excel make Point Break a must for all that travel to midtown Manhattan who eat and want fun in their life.
Originally named Nations Bar when it began in 1998, Point Break had a reincarnation two and a half years ago when it was coined Point Break after the movie. Patrick Swayze is there in spirit with all patrons we believe, and the surfing summery theme is just the thing to put Manhattanites in the right mood for better weather that is hopefully just around the corner. We kick off spring with Point Break!
Original owner Billy Bishop, a total professional, promptly greeted us at the door upon our arrival, and once we were seated Executive Chef Dennis Hatzinger fully educated us on the premium cuisine that he has been creating at Point Break for the past three years. Note that Dennis is not only Executive Chef but also is a butcher-as evidenced by the succulent swine shown to us on his phone, ready to become dinner. Watch out piggy, Peachy's going to eat you! Dennis also has fun fashion sense as he sports trousers with flying pigs. What other bar in New York serves Beef Carpaccio - thinly sliced filet mignon, mirco green salad, imported olive oil and meyer lemon reduction?
The first edible entry was not only beautiful, but also delicious and highly gourmet for a bar. It was fresh and marked a superlative start for a marathon assignment that our stomachs happily accepted. A current star of the specials menu!
Though quite often Peachy is one that is after the cleanliness next to Godliness outlook complete with a column titled Clean Peachy, she is now pleased to say she is all about the Dirty South Fries. Served with killer ranch dressing, bacon and melted cheese, these fries you will declare among the best you've had the minute you meet them. Don't fill up on fries too much because more excellence is coming.
The protagonist of Peachy's diet next considered the comprehensive list of salads available. Point Break has fresher salads than any bar we've ever seen.
Though the above is a House Salad, it is not ordinary or boring like lesser house salads may be. Mixed greens, tomatoes, shaved onion in attainable bit-sized pieces too we might add will amp up the vitamins in your dinner. The Balsamic Vinaigrette arrived on the side like it was asked for, and it was the best dressing we've had in weeks. Usually Peachy does not eat salad dressing, but she eats THIS salad dressing.
The atmosphere while you're dining will entertain you tremendously. If you've had a bad day and need to turn it into a good one, you go to Point Break. If you have had a terrific day and want to make it better, you also venture to 12 West 45th Street.
Billy knows how to hang ten:
Next came quite a good surprise:
Here is our first scorpion bowl on a dinner review!
The dining reviews are largely entertaining overall (some surely more than others), but have you EVER seen us having this much fun on a review? For the amateurs reading, note that a Scorpion Bowl is light and dark rum, red wine, triple sec, peach schnapps, orange, pineapple, cranberry and topped with a shot of Bacardi 151. Not since the Hong Kong in Cambridge has Peachy Deegan been scorpion bowling...a favorite of everyone that went to that school in Chestnut Hill. Current Eagles-are you still flying there? We want to know.
When it arrives it is on fire! We advise you to drink it with friends-this is not for solitary jaunts to Point Break, however we did notice there was not an empty seat in the house so if you do go solo you are sure to make friends. Point Break changes their specials weekly on a Wednesday to Wednesday schedule, and the Penne Amatricanna is one you should jump on:
A party of prosciutto, shrimp, shallot, garlic, white wine and tomato make a marvelous dinner, or lunch as well. Point Break does have a solid crowd then too, especially given their prime location on 45th Street just off Fifth Avenue on your way to Sixth.
Burgers reign king over the menu, and you cannot pass go and collect $200 without trying the amazing blend of brisket, chuck and hangar steak. The Cajun Burger tempted Peachy Deegan the most, as seen above. This bastion of juiciness silenced her and she was tempted to eat the whole thing at once. Blackened and enhanced by mozzarella, bacon and sauteed onion, this burger should be coveted by the masses, if you can get a seat at Point Break. The Monster version-which adds 2 cheeses, mushroom and jalapenos, also sounded totally killer.
The paninis are also not-to-be-missed, and if you are catching our drift, what we are saying is that you could go to Point Break all the time and find something new you haven't had that is just as delicious as your last dish. The Venice Beach-chicken cutlet, mozzarella, tomato and basil and The North Shore-sliced steak, mozzarella and roasted pepper-are just two of the winners available for your pure edible pleasure. There is absolutely something for everyone on the menu, even the pickiest of eaters.
Peachy did behave herself (her parents read this) but in case you want to deviate from such stuff, one wall offers a terrific photo opportunity. It's even Irish-sounding.
Our esteemed panelist adds:
If you're looking for a fun and friendly midtown bar that also serves FANTASTIC food, look no further than Point Break! Located at 12 W. 45th St., just off of 5th Ave., Point Break is an ideal spot to unwind and relax after work, or to grab a tasty and satisfying lunch during the business day. Named for the Patrick Swayze movie, the 3-story bar features a relaxed, surfer vibe, an extensive cocktail menu, and a great selection of beers (and yes, they even have das Boot, for the serious beer drinkers!). But don't let any of that lull you into thinking that it's just another typical bar with typical pub grub - Point Break takes its food very seriously, and the results are terrific! Much of that has to do with executive chef Dennis Hatzinger, who loves what he does and brings a great passion to his work. We enjoyed chatting with Chef Hatzinger, who told us that the food at Point Break is farm to table, and that everything is done in-house (even the butchering)! "The only thing out of a jar is ketchup," he said with a smile.
As we perused the menu, I sipped on a Captain Lawrence ale, which was just the right thing after a long, stressful day! After we placed our orders, owner Billy Bishop surprised us with a "scorpion bowl," which is a large bowl filled with a tasty rum concotion and served with a flame on top! It's meant to be shared and enjoyed among a group, and believe me, it was! For appetizers, we sampled the Beef Carpaccio (a special of the day), and the Dirty South Fries (a recommendation from the chef). The carpaccio was superb - expertly prepared, and bursting with flavor. As soon as we tasted that, we knew we were in for a meal that was a cut above standard bar food. The Dirty South Fries were also delicious - perhaps a little too delicious, as they're topped with ranch dressing, bacon, and melted cheese! Not an indulgence meant for every day, for sure, but definitely an extremely tasty treat!
For my salad, I tried the Goat Cheese Salad, which was not only beautiful to look at, but featured a wonderful combination of flavors and textures - mixed greens, grilled chicken, olives, and roasted peppers all worked together to make this one of the best salads I've had in recent memory. For my entree, I opted for the Buffalo Chicken Pizza, and again, I was very impressed!
The pizza itself was well-done - thin crust, perfectly crispy, and topped with fresh mozzarella - and the buffalo chicken was outstanding. Chef Hatzinger also wanted us to try some of his panini, as well as the Penne Amatricana (another special), and we happily obliged.
For the panini, we selected the Venice Beach (chicken cutlet, mozzarella, tomato, basil) and the North Shore (sliced steak, mozzarella, roasted pepper). Both were served with fries - not Dirty South Fries, just regular ones, but they were still delicious. And the panini, themselves, were excellent. The bread was crispy on the outside and soft and warm on the inside, and the flavor combinations were phenomenal.
The Penne Amatricana, not surprisingly, was also delightful. The penne was perfectly al dente, and the sauce was perfection - and the jumbo shrimp topping it off? The icing on the cake!
Truly, we were blown away by the quality of the food - definitely not your average bar food! That, combined with the excellent service, the comfortable, laid-back atmosphere, and the care put in by Mr. Bishop and Mr. Hatzinger, make Point Break a must-do in midtown!
Peachy Picks Point Break!
Point Break is Highly Recommended by Whom You Know.
