Erica Russo is no stranger to the restaurant business.
Her parents have worked in the industry and currently own Edie's Deli & Grill in downtown Baltimore. Russo herself has managed several restaurants, including the Greene Turtle and Carrabba's Italian Grill. She also spent two years working in the finance department of a marketing firm.
But now Russo finally thinks it's time to strike out on her own -- just not from an office. She and her parents, Eva and Jimmy Chin, opened
the Point in Fells May 28 (where Miss Irene's was once located) at 1738 Thames Street with a staff of 30. "It's more rewarding when it's your place," Russo says.
Serving both small and large plates, the Point is a gastro pub and bistro that has a bar with TV screens downstairs for sports fans and a white tablecloth restaurant upstairs. The eclectic menu includes tuna ceviche, a mushroom salad with udon noodles, duck breast and arctic char. Large plates cost between $18 and $24 while small plates cost between $10 and $14.
Russo relies on local purveyors including Martin Seafood Co., Fells Point Wholesale Meat and Fig Leaf Farm to supply the 200-seat restaurant. Russo says she is not concerned that the previous restaurant closed in less than a year.
"That was a different restaurant with different ownership. You just have to have the right concepts and the right people to do it," Russo says.
She is getting help in the areas of customer service and payroll from her mom and dad. The restaurateur hopes she can attract a mix of tourists and businessmen and women to the waterfront locale. "I just fell in love with the spot. It overlooks the water and gets lot of foot traffic," Russo says.
Source: Erica Russo, the Point in Fells Point
Writer: Julekha Dash