Step inside BluPoint Seafood & Steak in Barling, Arkansas, and you might forget you’re in the River Valley. The soft glow from the bar, the aroma of seared sea bass, and the hum of conversation lends an atmosphere reminiscent of Dallas or New Orleans. From the first pour to the final bite, BluPoint feels like a getaway, an escape that’s surprisingly close to home.
Owners Trey Goodman, Daniel Comstock, Dr. Cole Goodman, and Spencer Wiley created BluPoint to fill a gap they saw in local dining, a place where freshness, creativity, and refinement come together with genuine Southern hospitality.
“We realized there was a niche in Fort Smith that wasn’t being met,” Trey says. “There’s great seafood here, but not at a high level with a focus on freshness. That’s what we wanted to bring to the table.”
Trey first dreamed of opening a seafood restaurant during his college years at the University of Arkansas. “A buddy and I thought it’d be fun and easy to open one,” he says with a laugh. “I’d had maybe two months of pizza delivery experience in high school, and here we were talking about branding fresh seafood.” Reality, and a bit of advice from his father, led him instead to open Fort Smith’s Doe’s Eat Place, where he’s built a loyal following for exceptional steaks. But the dream of a high-end seafood concept never left. “I’ve always loved the beach and being near the ocean,” Trey says. “It was one of those things I always wanted to do, and the opportunity finally came about twenty years later.”
Daniel joined the venture after years on the distribution side, supplying Trey’s other restaurant. “They were about six months in when they asked me to partner,” he says. “It’s something I always wanted to do but never would’ve done on my own. I feel very blessed to be part of a really well-made partnership.”
That partnership extends into every detail of BluPoint, from the curated cocktail list to the balanced, ever-evolving menu. “We like to push boundaries,” Daniel says. “We want to offer dishes that are truly unique, yet still familiar. We want guests to be surprised, but comfortable.”
The result is an atmosphere that feels at once inviting and sophisticated, a place where the staff greet guests by name, and regulars proudly introduce newcomers. Even before the first course arrives, there’s a sense that BluPoint isn’t simply serving a meal; it’s crafting an experience.
Among the restaurant’s most popular offerings is the sea bass with lemon pesto risotto, now a signature item that started as a happy accident. “We were hosting a retirement party and the guest of honor wanted fresh sea bass flown in,” Trey says. “We decided to try it on our menu, see how it went. It took off immediately.”
“Our sea bass is incredible,” Daniel adds. “That pairing of sea bass and lemon pesto, with the wine our beverage director recommends, is just a wonderful experience.”
Behind that balance of creativity and comfort is Executive Chef Tommy Lawyer, whose culinary philosophy blends artistry and authenticity. His approach to cooking is both nuanced and fearless, every dish built to challenge expectations while honoring the soul of the ingredients. He calls it food that speaks to people, that invites conversation. “We want guests to feel enticed to trying something new,” he says. “If they leave with a higher standard for food in Fort Smith, then we’ve done our job.”
Under Chef Lawyer’s direction, BluPoint’s kitchen hums with energy and precision. He’s meticulous about sourcing, working closely with local purveyors to secure everything from fresh Iberico pork to meaty swordfish. The result is a menu that balances elegance and excitement, one that proves fine dining doesn’t have to feel distant or exclusive.
“The artistry of food matters,” Chef Lawyer says. “It’s what connects people. We want our guests to leave with the sense that they’ve experienced something memorable.”
While seafood is the star, BluPoint’s steak selections command equal attention.
“It’s funny, we’re a seafood restaurant, but we sell a lot of steaks,” Daniel says. “Our filet is one of our top-selling items, which surprises first-time guests.” Trey nods. “Our menu may not be huge, but it’s thoughtful. Everything we serve is designed to appeal to a wide range of guests while maintaining the quality and creativity we’re known for.”
The same care extends beyond the kitchen. BluPoint’s cocktail program rivals its menu, with a rotating list of handcrafted drinks designed to complement the season and the seafood. Favorites like the Smoked Old Fashioned and BluPoint Martini showcase both the creativity of the bartenders and the restaurant’s commitment to detail.
That attention to every element—flavor, presentation, atmosphere—has redefined what fine dining can be. With Chef Lawyer at the helm and an ownership team dedicated to excellence, BluPoint continues to raise the bar, proving that fine dining in Fort Smith isn’t just possible, it’s thriving.
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BluPoint Seafood & Steak is located at 7225 Chad Colley Blvd, Barling, AR 72923
479.597.4081
blupointrestaurant.com
