A neighborhood favorite in Central Point is set to expand to Medford

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2018-10-04

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My husband and I don't have lunch in Central Point often, but when we do, it's usually at The Point Pub and Grill. High ceilings, rich colors and lots of exposed brick give the historic building at 311 E. Pine St. classic charm, and a friendly staff and a steady stream of patrons make it feel like a neighborhood favorite, even if we don't live in the immediate neighborhood. Now, The Point plans to expand into a new neighborhood in Medford. The Point's lunch menu includes sandwiches, burgers, salads, pasta and fish and chips. A sheet of weekly specials offers additional creations from the chef, giving diners a mix of old favorites and creative new items. We started with a chef's special appetizer described as ceviche wonton tacos. This $11 wonder of fusion food promised a blend of salmon, cod and shrimp layered on a crisp, fried wonton wrapper with shredded cabbage, pico de gallo and tequila lime creme fraiche. It came with all that plus beautiful slices of fresh avocado. I was surprised to find the seafood cooked, but if a restaurant doesn't have sushi-grade fish to serve raw, I would rather the kitchen err of the side of safety. Wedges of lime served on the side added the traditional tang expected of ceviche. I ordered another special that sounded intriguing: a ham sandwich dubbed "Sweet Georgia Brown" that featured spiced peaches. The meltingly soft peaches added a pleasant fruitiness to the savory thin-sliced ham and mellow, slightly nutty Swiss cheese that was piled on grilled sourdough. I popped open the toasty sandwich so I could drizzle in the creole mustard cheese sauce served on the side, ensuring extra zest in every bite. The sandwich was priced at $12, but I paid a dollar more to upgrade to sweet potato fries, which provided a perfect, slightly Southern complement to the sandwich. My husband selected a Philly cheesesteak off the regular menu. For $12, tender, full-flavored slices of beef, sauteed peppers and onions and melted provolone cheese filled a hoagie roll baked in house. The roll was just right: not too chewy, too hard, too soft or too dry. While probably healthier and certainly more natural than a perfectly authentic cheesesteak made with Cheez Whiz, this steak sandwich deserved a bit more gooey melted cheese to attain the ideal "drip factor" cheesesteak fans look for. Crispy and seasoned with garlic and herbs, the regular fries that accompanied the sandwich were so good they didn't even need ketchup. The Point has a well curated tap list, digitally displayed in the bar and online. A pint costs $5. I highly recommend Hop Valley's Neon Prince, a fresh-tasting session IPA with a little less alcohol but plenty of bright floral and citrus hop flavors and a nice malt balance. The dining room is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and the bar stays open with a late-night menu until midnight. Medford fans of The Point can look forward to the opening of a second location at 1345 Center Drive this month. Construction to transform the strip mall location with deep maroon and forest green paint, exposed brick, TVs and patio seating is mostly complete, said Tyler Hoevet, one of The Point's owners. The team is installing the last bits of equipment and training staff in anticipation of opening within two weeks. The Medford location will feature the same menu initially, but will serve pizza instead of the dinner menu offered in Central Point.