Blu Point Seafood Co. — Restaurant in Staunton

I have never written a review before, but I am mostly writing this since this is a new spot and if it doesn't quickly fix some issues they will not be open by spring. My sister and I were really looking forward to trying this new place and unfortunately, we walked away very disappointed. Usually it can be forgiven easily if just one thing goes wrong with the food or the service, but several things with the management and the food and its delivery was disappointing. First, we waited a long while before anyone approached our table and we saw them scrambling trying to figure out what server was suppose to be ours. Even if you aren't sure which server will be taking a table, many restaurants will at least have the hostess or the manager will approach with some waters and apologize for the wait or the confusion, but neither occurred. Secondly, our crab dip did have good flavor, but it was lacking in crab. It almost seemed like a hummus to us instead of a good crab dip. I wouldn't have been very surprised from a restaurant that isn't a seafood restaurant, but "seafood" is in the title of the restaurant so the crab should at least be noticeable in the dip! When they brought the entrees they did not offer to clear our appetizer or give us a box for it and they left before we could ask for one so we were both left with our plates hanging off the edge and no room to place the appetizer plate. Thirdly, My sister ordered the lobster mac and cheese, which is expected to be a rich and indulgent dish. She was very excited to try it, but when she took her first bite of lobster she was horrified. I also tried it and almost had to spit it out. It was like chewing a rubber tire and it was VERY overcooked. The sauce was also watery and not the creamy consistency you expect from mac and cheese. Both of us never send food back, but it was inedible and so we did. There was a lot of confusion with sending it back and my sister wanted to order something different since the mac and cheese was not at all good and she said the manager was dismissive of her when she asked to change the order. No one had told our server what had happened and she was very confused when she returned to the table, but she got us a menu to order something else. A manager should be immediately communicating this to the tables server! When I was a server it was always a big deal if someone sent food back and it was brought to the servers attention right away. Fourthly, our cocktails didn't come out until after our entrees did. Two cocktails should not take longer than two entrees to make. Fifthly, my sisters salmon was nothing to rave about, it is a good option if you are wanting a healthier dinner, but even the salmon was still a little overcooked and we both felt like we have prepared better salmon at home. If you are going to market yourself as a seafood restaurant, the fish CANNOT be overcooked! I got the fish and chips and they were fine, but nothing to write home about. My french fries were undercooked and I could only eat the ones that had been cooked the longest and the tartar sauce was basically just mayonnaise. Also, the acoustics are terrible and we had a very hard time hearing each other. We finally got a box for our crab dip and the check did arrive right when we asked for it. If one of these things had occurred it would have easily been forgiven and forgotten, but the list just kept growing and ended up being all we could talk about at dinner. It would have been appreciated if the manager had apologized or offered to take off a drink instead of just very bluntly asking, "is that better?" in referring to the salmon. This was a huge waste of $86 and I really wish we had just eaten somewhere in Staunton that is consistent and that we always enjoy. However, we did really end up enjoying our time at The Green Room across the road...

My husband and I SO wanted to love this restaurant! We’ve anxiously waited for a date night to come and try it out! Sadly, last night was a huge disappointment! We ordered “the special” appetizer that consisted of 5 jumbo shrimp...the shrimp were so overcooked that we had to cut them with our knives. My husband ordered one of the featured dishe for the evening that was rockfish, mashed potatoes, cauliflower, roasted red peppers and a lemon cream sauce and I ordered the shrimp and grits. Our entree’s came and looked AMAZING! BUT, my husband immediately noticed a strong off putting “fishy” odor. His rockfish was very overcooked, oily and what was supposed to be crispy skin was soggy. The other flavors surrounding the dish were wonderful but, the fish itself was not good! The flavor profile for my shrimp and grits was delicious but, again my shrimp were SO severely overcooked I couldn’t get through them with a knife. We are usually pretty forgiving when it comes to seafood in this area, understanding we’re away from the coast and we NEVER complain but, if you’re going to advertise as a seafood restaurant the seafood should NOT be overcooked! I did complain about my shrimp and the manager was nice enough and they brought me more shrimp. I can say they were slightly better but, still very overcooked. The grits and the sauce were perfection and this dish would be hands down “my favorite” shrimp and grits if it weren’t for the cook on shrimp! Again, flavor profiles were on point but, execution on the cook of the seafood itself needs MAJOR work! EVERY piece of seafood was overcooked! They did also bring us a free order of donut holes and again flavor was there but, they were pretty grease logged! We aren’t shy about shelling out for excellent food but, the quality just isn't there at their price point! Over all I gave them two stars because the wait staff was wonderful and the atmosphere, decor, and ambiance was exactly what we like. Unfortunately, based on our first experience we won’t be back. So much potential though! I hope I hear that...

First Experience. Saturday Evening @ 6:00PM and the place was full but not over crowded with a posted 30 minute wait for three of us. A few seats were available at the bar and we got a drink. The Bartender was very friendly with a good presence. We got a couple of the specialty drinks and a beer. The cost was about $25 and each were enjoyed. The table wait was actually about 20 minutes so their timing predictions on table wait is good.

At the table, the waitress introduced herself and was friendly. She offered menus and took drink orders, we also got the hush puppy appetizer. She did not recommend anything or go over the specials.

The Hush puppies came to the table and were enjoyed by each of us, there were at least 7 well sized pups in the basket.

I ordered the Seared Mahi dish which was one of the daily specials. I was expecting something a little different as when I think seared Mahi, I think of Sushi grade and seared on the outside and pink in the middle. That might be a miss on my part, the dish was still worth it and I enjoyed every bite.

Second order was the Chicken and dirty rice. My wife enjoyed it, but had to add some salt to bring out the flavor, this is not too bad a thing as it is better to add it than to have it made with too much.

Third dish was the Fish and Chips which was ordered by a colleague who was visiting from England (yes we had a chuckle that he ordered something that is a staple there). The good NEWS is that he was rather impressed at the quality and really enjoyed his meal.

Summary: All of the dishes were well prepared and delicious. The staff are very friendly and made sure our water was filled and the plates were cleared from the table in good time. The atmosphere is great and it is not too loud that you cannot enjoy a conversation. Only big recommendation would be if the table hosts would go over the menu and the specials when they...