McCormick & Schmick’s – Center City

Well, another year, another birthday celebration. As my brother and I have gotten older, we have been relegated to a combined birthday celebration dinner out. This year, it was at McCormick & Schmick’s. Overall, it was not a bad meal, just not a great meal and certainly not worthy of the price. The highlight of the visit was the semi-private space you are given for celebrations or parties. They are upstairs and you are free to be load and bring gifts, with no concern of disturbing any other guests.

My dinner started out with a cup of crab soup, that was pretty good. Nothing earth shattering, but spicy and plenty of crab, so I cannot complain. The table also partook in a raw oyster sampler that was very good. The oysters were fresh, cold and tasty – they were the highlight of the meal.

I ordered the monk fish, which was in a brandy sauce. The fish was plain and boring, the sauce did nothing for it. Kim had some tilapia that was coated in a pistachio coating. It was light and tasty, much better then my monk fish.

Both my brother and my mother enjoyed the lobster (hey, we were celebrating here!) and it was done to perfection and tasted good.

Desert was ordered and two brownie/ice cream sundaes were ordered and I enjoyed it.

As for service, the manager came up to us in between appetizers and the meal due to the long delay between the courses. We did not complain, as we were enjoying the conversation and having a good time. But, obviously someone noticed and mentioned it to the manager and he stuck his head in and gave us an update. In addition, I ordered an after-dinner drink that never showed up, but made its way onto the final bill. I mentioned something and the waiter said it was at the bar. Well, I want a drink with my desert, not with my bill. He easily removed the drink from the bill and gave me the drink anyway.

The food was just ok and I think we could have done much better at a smaller, less well known sea food restaurant. The price simply did not match the service nor the meal. The overall decor and the perfect semi-private rooms allowed our clan to fully enjoy ourselves.

Next time, I think we’ll go to Sansom Street Oyster House.