Victory Point at Marina Bay

We haven’t been over to Marina Bay in Quincy in a while, and it’s always fun place to visit.  So what do you say we get a bite to eat at Victory Point Bar and Grill?

We’re always looking for waterfront restaurants that offer great views AND really tasty food, and Victory Point definitely qualifies.

I mean, there aren’t a lot of settings that are better than this. You have sweeping views of Boston Harbor. It’s a busy marina so there are boats everywhere. You can see all the planes flying in and out of Logan.  And in the nice weather, you really can’t beat their outdoor patio and deck, there’s even a big outdoor bar.  Inside is just as nice, and the room is completely surrounded with windows, so pretty much every table has a view.

So what’s the food like at Victory Point?

The menu is mostly Italian, with a lot of classic dishes, plus some international twists and plenty of New England favorites.

No big surprise here, but seafood is definitely one of the specialties. I mean how could it not be when you’re looking out over the ocean?  So, we’d advise starting out with the clam chowder and the crab cakes.

The chowder is exactly what you’re looking for - a rich and flavorful New England style clam chowder. It’s nice and creamy, it’s not too thick, it’s packed with fresh clams and potatoes. And I always think chowder is better with some oyster crackers on top. So if you want to get a taste of the sea, while you’re looking at over the sea, this is good way to start. 

As for the crab cakes, they’re definitely a crowd-pleaser. You get two big, plump crab cakes per order. They’re thick and golden and crispy around the edges. And they’re made with a ton of lump crab meat inside with just some seasoning and bread crumbs to hold it all together. And it’s served with some tomato and arugula, and a drizzle of spicy aioli.

Now let’s get some pasta, because honestly, I think that might be the strength of the Victory Point menu.  Case in point: the Spicy Rigatoni alla Vodka!  I mean, who doesn’t love a good, creamy tomato and vodka sauce? This dish is simple, fresh, straight-forward and super tasty. Al dente pasta, plenty of sauce, a little cheese and basil, so good. You can’t really taste the vodka, but you can always get a martini on the side. 

Another popular choice is the Linguini and Clams. And once again, this is what Italian food is all about. Good ingredients, simple preparation, and great flavors… with Cape Cod countneck clams, tomatoes, linguini pasta, and a light white wine sauce. 

One thing that might surprise you, is how good the pizza is here!  It’s thin crust, really crispy, they make their own dough every day.  And the one to get is the “North End Pizza”, that’s topped with a classic combination of sausage, peppers, and onions.

OK, now let’s move onto the entrees. If I’m sitting by the water here in New England, I want some fried seafood. But since this is Italian, we’re gonna get the “Fritto Misto”.  But it’s basically a Fisherman’s Platter.  So, we’re talking a big board overflowing with fried shrimp, calamari, scallops, and cod. All served over French fries, along with some cole slaw and of course, some tangy housemade tartar sauce for dipping.

And now I’m gonna try some Italian pronunciation here. This is the Agnello allo Scottadito. I think I got the right? But I’m sure you’ll tell me if I’m wrong. But essentially, these are skewers of lamb, grilled over high heat. And I’m loving the presentation, as they’re stacked up over some broccoli rabe. You can also find some polenta cakes on the bottom, with sauteed white kidney beans on there as well.

Personally, I’m a Chicken Marsala fan… it’s one of my go-to Italian dishes. And I’m happy to report that Victory Point makes a good one. The chicken is thin, but still juicy. The mushrooms and nice and tender, the marsala wine brings a little sweetness, and the penne pasta brings the whole thing together. 

For dessert, we think you should stick with the Italian theme, and there are a few good options.  Including of course, Tiramisu.  It looks good, and it tastes great… with layers of espresso-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone, chocolate, and whipped cream.

But if you ask me, I’d recommend the Panna Cotta. This is the Italian version of flan, but it’s lighter and almost refreshing even.  But it’s very smooth, like silky smooth, and it’s not too sweet. And it’s a perfect little bite after having a big Italian dinner. 

So, I know a lot of people come here for the view. But the good news is that you’ll definitely want to stay for the food… and I mean all the food: Appetizers, pizza, pasta, dessert. And you’ll definitely be victories, at Victory Point in Marina Bay Quincy.