Mietta's Review

The dining room had a make over a couple of years ago and now looks splendid with its great views over Albert Park Lake. Ian Curley returned to oversee the menu a couple of years ago. So the menu reflects Ian's classical British training - complicated in that London fine dining style, with robust flavours and the classically French cooking technique. The Point is an ideal location for a business meal, and particularly in the evening perfect for romantic dinners. The wine list is extensive, presenting a fine selection from Australia and abroad, but it is expensive, and the service sometimes lacks personality.

Downstairs, in the cafe the atmosphere is relaxed and the vista is at one with the joggers, ducks and geese. It is a good spot for a long breakfast, a casual lunch or an informal business meeting and in the evenings perfect for a drink before or after dinner upstairs.

Other published opinions

Age Good Food Guide 2010 Score: 15/20, One Hat "Waterside locations are thin on the ground in Melbourne and The Point makes a point of theirs, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing Albert Park Lake, complete with kayakers, dog walkers and, at night, twinkling city lights"

Herald Sun Bob Hart, 18-08-09 "This place opens for lunch daily, but head chef Scott Pickett has introduced a spectacular, and keenly priced. Sunday roast on the last Sunday of every month. It's a ripper. The three-course meal, with a bottle of De Bortoli house wine between four, costs $45 a head ($20 for kids) and ticks all the boxes."

Age Good Food Guide 2009 Score: 14.5/20 "There's no question this is an old-school restaurant. If you're tired of being branded 'guys' by breezy waitstaff, or straining to hear conversation over music, then don your gladrags and join a sedate crowd in this understated, rather special lake-view dining room"

Herald Sun Extra Food, Stephen Downes, 22-07-08 Score: * "A stalwart of the Melbourne eating excellence, the Point is as good as ever"

Age Good Food Guide 2008 Score: 14.5/20 "The Point's commanding position on Albert Park Lake is an undeniable selling point, luring celebrating families and Asian business types as well as glammed-up couples"

Herald Sun Dining Out, Stephen Downes, 17-07-07 Score: 18/20 "A stalwart of Melbourne eating excellence, the Point is as good as ever. Its wine list is enormous - comprehensive - and some bottle prices are affordable. Eleven whites, a rose and eight reds by the glass are listed between $7.50 and $18 with several around $9.50."

The Age John Lethlean, 5-3-2007 Score: 14.5/20 "It was a Saturday afternoon in October 1996; the restaurant was at an interesting phase of its launch year. It had opened, been poorly reviewed (and received), and not long into its first 12 months the kitchen brigade was dumped to bring in a new chef, Ian Curley, and team. The Point was on the cusp of being rediscovered, but it hadn't been. Yet. We ate a long, delicious, impressive meal in the front window, with no other customers. It was a little surreal. And a little special."

The Age Good Food Guide 2006 score 15/20. 1 Hat "From the outside the Point remains unchanged. But walk upstairs, past the glass-fronted meat safe revealing huge sides of ageing beef, and you quickly get the feeling that you're not in Kansas anymore. Although still largely French in intent, and though it is still possible to enjoy an entire meal without touching beef, chef Ian Curley is clearly hoping to establish this lakeside restaurant as one of the city's premier steakhouses."

Gourmet Traveller 2006 Australian Restaurant Guide "Now in its 11th year, the Point has matured. Many subtle changes have enhanced the bold, lake-side building recently, but the most significant development has been in the kitchen: the Point now boasts a major emphasis on quality beef. Chef Ian Curley continues with his light, contemporary dishes"

Gourmet Traveller 2006 Australian Restaurant Guide Best views "Albert Park's The Point, meanwhile, perches on a lake, and Sunday afternoons see entertaining flotillas of junior skippers and their craft sailing its waters just past the glass."

The Age Epicure score 15/20 Hohn Lethlean 16/8/05 "White meat for the ladies, red meat for the gents: The Point covers the bases very nicely."

The Age Good Food Guide 2005 score 15/20 One Hat "once inside the comfortable scalloped dining room, softly lit by twiggy light fittings and the rising moon. The food is serious, often intricate, with French underpinnings."

Gourmet Traveller 2005 Restaurant Guide "A reliable venue for a fun evening of fine dining, The Point serves up elegant, pleasing food with more than a little theatre."

Age Four views of the water 26/12/04 "The unpretentious lakeside deck here is a good spot for a cooling breeze, many beers and familiar mod pub grub"

The Age, Agenda, 30/5/04,Dani Valent,'If the menu has a glossary,as it does here,then it's definately a big night out.You might arrive at The Point not knowing your roulade from brandade,but there's no reason to leave ignorant.'

The Age Cheap Eats 2004,'The Point's upstairs restaurant has superb lake views to match its menu.Sample both at lunchtime,when two courses of modern European fare will cost only $29.50.'

The Age, A2, 8/5/04, John Weldon,'The tucker at The Point is top notch,the welcome always friendly and interested,without being cloying,and the view superb.'

The Age Good Food Guide Awards 2004 1 hat, score 15/20, excellent wine list, wide selection of vegetarian dishes,excellent bar

Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide Australia 2004, 1 Black Star, Excellent wine list, Good vegetarian options,'Big on taste maybe, but there's a deftness that makes this slightly '90s approach more palatable.It's not all merchant banker food, though...There are great park views through the glass walls, but service can be clunky and the wine list stings.'

Herald Sun, Weekend, Eat, Bob Hart, 2/8/03