McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks

My wife and I had lunch.
The place started filling up quick.
Looked like lots of professionals eat lunch there.
We ordered and the food started coming quickly.
We started with the shrimp kisses. Fantastic
I had the ultimate mixed grill. Very good
Wife had the 8 oz filet mignon. Good but took back 2 times, needed to be cooked more.
My wife likes her meat well done… the first time it was brought out it was rare, the second time it was med rare and the last time it was perfect.
The waitress was great, her name is Heather, such a great person. She felt bad but it wasn’t her fault.
The filet was so thick… not an easy steak to get well done.
Heather talked to her manager on her own, we didn’t ask her to and she brought us out a fantastic free desert and the manager came out and apologized, plus paid for my wife’s complete meal. The manager wanted to make sure we were completely satisfied.
This place would have gotten a 5 star instead of the 4 and maybe still should.
While writing this I realized because of the managers actions to make us happy, the great waitress, Heather, and the good food, I am giving it a 5.
We will go back as the food was good and the service was second to none.

Hello, I just had two mojitos at McCormick & Schmick’s. Any spelling errors are attributable to that.
I enjoyed a Tuesday happy hour with my boyfriend. He purchased gift cards for MS at Costco for cheaper than face value. If you want to save a few bucks, it’s a good idea to buy gift cards from Costco in advance. Being cheap is sexy. Of course, tip your servers well though! Bad tipping is not sexy.
We had drinks and several appetizers. I’ve seen a few Unilocal reviews liken MS to an upscale Applebee’s, and I must say, I agree. My favorite appetizer was the fish tacos– huge chunk of fried fish with some jicama slaw, which I adore. The jicama slaw is fresh and really makes the tacos.
The Ahi2 was decent. The ahi tuna was cut into cubes, seared, and served with a sauce, jalapeño, and cilantro on top. I personally like my tuna thinly sliced. I would recommend the Coast to Coast over the Ahi2. The Coast to Coast has the Ahi2 and a yummy tuna tartare that is topped with avocado and sesame seeds. The Coast to Coast is only $ 2 more, but it’s worth the upgrade.
The edamame was nice and firm. Tasty and cheap, at only $ 3.
The location is easily accessible by public transportation. There is meter parking and ramps within a few blocks.
I’ve been to this location in the summertime, and it’s usually packed then. Not so much in the winter.
If you’re looking for an affordable happy hour, MS fits the bill.

Bad food. Terrible service. Ended Christmas on a sour note. My salmon was overcooked and flavorless, and the «roasted vegetables» that were supposed to come with it were just a huge pile of burnt potato pieces. Our server forgot about us over and over, basically he ignored us all night. Will never go there again. Next time I want seafood, I’ll go to Stella’s…

This place is a glorified Perkin’s. Service and drinks are okay but food is a notch below Red Lobster (Red Lobster is basically fast food quality) at over twice the price. Minneapolis is a great food city and when I am here for Christmas I normally get reservations for the family at Monte Carlo but my mom wanted somewhere with a bigger menu so she switched it to here. Everyone was severely disappointed. I honestly do not understand how this place stays in business with all the good options around.

First let me say that our waiter was pleasant. He wasn’t great, but wasn’t bad. The food was a vast disappointment. I came here on Xmas eve with three others. Two people ordered the crab meal. The crab was mushy. Like they soak it in something prior to steaming or boiling. I had the seafood trio, the scallops were great. The stuffed shrimp were gross and the salmon was ok. Another person in our party ordered the lobster and steak. The lobster was way undercooked and not flavorful. We ordered the oyster Rockefeller and all you could taste was the massive amount of hollandaise sauce it was drenched in. After spending $ 500 on the meal I can honestly say I will never eat at a M S again. If in Minneapolis go to Monte Carlo or JD Hoyts or numerous orher places, avoid M S. Unless you only are going for drinks, which still overpriced but were the best thing we tried.

The epitomy of elitist douchebaggery. Poor service, lazy managers, and a mediocre place that trades on its name, and certainly not on the product it delivers.
We came for Happy Hour one evening, right before the holidays. The place was clearly short staffed as guests were walking up to the bar, ordering drinks. Initially, we did not feel the need to be so rude, but might have been a good idea. After 7 minutes waiting, our server strolled up with the ever prompt and polite «hey — what are you drinking?» I appreciate a high-​end steakhouse with such confidence, they can walk around talking to guests like its’ Chilis.
From there, it was another 6 minutes and still no drink. Finally, I went to the manager and complained. The manager, who appeared to be texting or something, seemed bothered with my menial complaints. He was curt, demanding to know where I sat, and insisting this could not be possible. He said something to the server, who then came up and served our drinks with a snide, crappy «My pleasure.» Look, you work on getting a glass of wine to a table in under 20 minutes, and leave the sarcasm to the pros.
I then confronted the manager again, and told him that I was not sure what he said, but now the server was being rude. The manager didn’t seem to care, so we left. I am also not sure about the employees’ dress code. Some people wore ties — our server had a shirt unbuttoned down about three buttons.
Look, folks, Minneapolis has a lot of local places that can do better than these clowns.

Consistently rude service here. Took our sleeping newborn out for a quick happy hour before the wolves game. Tried sitting in the bar area after being seated there by a host only to have the waiter state that people under 21 are not allowed in the bar area. Thanks for making a few new parents feel welcome in your establishment. Maybe this is why people never leave home once they have kids. This is the 3^rd time we’ve had waiters here that were rude, unenthusiastic about serving our party and just not cool. Done trying to give you guys money even though I really really like cheap oysters.

So I’m going to admit right off the bat, that this isn’t the first time I’m claiming to have found the best salad of my life. But guys I think this is the one!
I don’t do seafood, and it’s not super appropriate to order a $ 50 steak on a business lunch, so I was admittedly a little nervous to come here. So I found basically the only item on the menu that fit my criteria. The Chimichurri Steak Salad.
It would barely be an exaggeration if I were to say I could eat this salad every day for the rest of my life and be thrilled. It was seriously that good.
Moving on. I didn’t set the reservation, so I can’t say whether it was requested or not, but we got this weird little curtained off VIP room. Seemed a little too intimate for a client meeting, but would be super cool for a double date or something!
P. S. Online Reservations. Woo hoo!
Will definitely DEFINITELY return.

Outstanding service from Wil and enjoyed everything recommended! Even dessert was a hit!

I ordered the Cedar Plank Salmon, which was awesome. Andy was my host and he did a great job. I would definitely come back again. Quiet location. Great atmosphere. Try it!

Great meal (Plank Salmon & Beef Medallions), atmosphere, and service. Thanks for supporting Veterans.

After our disappointing visit in May the manager contacted us and asked us to tell him more and to come back and see that our visit in May was not the norm.
We did last night and it was great. The service (Paxton was the server) was superb. Calamari was wonderful. Drinks were done properly as well. For entrees we had the Ultimate Mixed Grill and Signature Walleye. Both were perfect. Dessert we had Upside down apple pie which is superb.
We freqently dine out and this was the kind of experience we really enjoy.
Highly recommended!

Expensive: Yes
Worth it: Yes
We had dinner here last night for my husband’s and mine combined birthdays and it was my husband’s retirement birthday. The staff really went out of their way to make it special. When he was seated, they handed him a keepsake menu printed with his special occasions and at the end of the meal brought elegant desserts for our birthdays! We sat in one of the private booths near the kitchen.
Our server was excellent. She was friendly (without being our best friend, which drives me nuts) attentive and made good suggestions when I was torn between main courses.
We all had appetizers, flat bread, shrimp cocktails, stuffed mushrooms. All were wonderful! The mushrooms were incredible. Main courses were Lobster Cobb Salads, Swordfish, chicken something (did not pay attention), side of lobster mash potatoes. The Lobster mash was decadent and rich in flavor! All raved over their meals. We also had desserts. Chocolate bag, crime brûlée, lava cake and apple pie. Espresso, coffee and cappuccino.
My husband and I have travelled for many years and have eaten in a lot of fine restaurants. We agreed that this was one of the best, most enjoyable dinners we’ve had.

Tried this place on a whim during my last business trip, it turned out to be very good so I went back two more times that week. Sat inside every time in a small booth with a view of the street, which became my dinner entertainment as people watching on Nicollet Mall never disappoints, LOL.
I had the Salmon special one night, a New York Strip one night, and a Ribeye the last night. I started with an appetizer special each night as well. Each meal was delicious, and I had a different server each night, all were great. The prices are on the higher end, but certainly not over priced for the portion size, quality or level of service. One server that truly stood out was Melissa who made excellent recommendations as well as offered some advice about the local area for some sight seeing.
I ordered a drink with dinner as well, so for one Grey Goose, an appetizer, and an entrée my meal came to about $ 80 or so each time. Cant speak to the service at the bar, but it was always full of people so it must be good for the locals.

This review is for Happy Hour and Wednesday Buck a Shuck. Be aware that you can’t do the buck a shuck outside, only inside. Also, even though happy hour starts at 4, buck a shuck doesn’t start until 5. And for happy hour, unlike most downtown bars, only select drafts are offered on special, specialty martinis, so if you don’t want one of the beers or martinis they are offering, be prepared to pay full price.
I think buck a shuck is worth it, but we’ll probably wait to go back until winter when we want to sit inside, and go at 5.

Twice have dined at this place, about 2 years apart. Will primarily review based on last time, July 4^th, 2014.
My husband and I started out at the bar, not very busy that night as 4^th of July tends to be a tumbleweed experience in restaurants. Bartender was attentive, friendly and professional. Beers are expensive — don’t plan on dining at this place on the cheap.
Dinner was good but not perfect, here’s my review!
Waitress: Very friendly, attentive, kept the bread coming which was great. Unfortunately she forgot to put the order in for my side which meant it didn’t arrive until my meal was nearly complete.
Food: I am a scallop lover. NO one loves scallops more than this girl. Scallops on the menu of a seafood restaurant? I order them. Period. Scallops are best seared, and must be fresh. They are NOT filling and are about 20 calories of pure protein each. I received a total of 4 scallops seated upon a wonderful potato pancake like thing and tomato purée. Scallops were seared to perfection but the $ 30 price tag for FOUR does not meet my value for dollar spent expectation. Delicious but too expensive. My late arriving side of sauteed mushrooms was, by contrast, WAY to much — enough for perhaps 3 or 4 people as as side, but very tasty and well done. My husband had the cashew crusted tilapia and said it was wonderful. Made my portion look like something from a children’s menu.
Atmosphere: upscale, classy. Love all the old English looking woodwork. Only problem is the view from the window that evening upon the Nicollet Mall was troubling. I am not a frequenter of this area but the side walk was very dirty, didn’t smell too good and was frequented by many vagrants and/​or vagrant looking folks.
Overall food is good, not worth the high price. This area of the city has become scary. Scary enough that I don’t think we will return.

Entirely a place for the after work crowd to go and schmooze, drink & eat mediocre food. Don’t go here unless its a company mandated place to meet for drinks/​food. You know… the restaurant where nobody really wants to go but because your employer is paying for it, you go, put on a fake smile, pretend you’re happy to be there, sit around a big table with your work associates and do mind travel and think about all the pleasurable things you could be doing…
Too bad.
Like another Unilocaler mentioned. It’s the Applebees of steakhouses.
WHY did I go there today? Well… I was walking around Nicollet Mall checking out the area and what it has to offer or NOT offer and I was wearing a brand new pair of shoes and my feet hurt like hell so I stopped there to get a bite.
I knew better than to go there, but I liked the immediacy of a comfortable chair at the bar and supposedly great service because I’m sitting right in front of the bartender staff.
Nope!
Doesn’t matter if you are sitting at a bar or at a table you are destined to be overlooked, ignored, no eye contact, no attentiveness, nothing.
Matthew, the bartender, who took care of me seemed to be a genuinely nice fellow who was completely overcome by the fact that there were ONLY 12 people that he had to wait on between the hours of 7pm & 9pm. Yikes! Too much responsibility for one person. They must have been short staffed… OR… maybe not.
As hungry & thirsty as I was I had to interrupt Matthew more times than I can count on two hands, as he busied himself with all kinds of trivial things. Interrupt I did in order to get a menu, let alone a cocktail, water and whatever else I needed. How obnoxious (assertive) do I have to be in order to get attention??? It’s not like I go unnoticed. As soon as I walk in the door anywhere I go, people can’t help but LOOK, and SEE that I have entered the room. This is not an ego thing, its just a fact of life. I’ve become used to it. It doesn’t go to my head, but rather, most of the time I ignore it and go on with «life as usual». Guess, my extremely large personality and positive «energy» is felt as soon as I enter. Well good. So what. I don’t care.
What I DO care about is good food and especially good service.
What M&S did do for me is make a custom salad for me which was not on the menu & a custom cocktail which was also not on the menu. GREAT! I like.
The manager walked by several times through the «thick» crowd of 12 people and managed to never ask anyone, «how is your meal», «is there anything I can do for you», or even make eye contact. I managed to catch his eye once… and he quickly moved his well attired body into another direction to make sure that he didn’t have to come over and say hello. Ridiculous! It made me laugh.
Ambiance: Dark, comfy, cozy
Food: Mediocre, needs overhaul
Service: Terrible
I will never go there again unless I’m forced to do so.

It has been a long time since we were here, so when we wanted quailty good food, we found a way to come back. Hubby had the tuna and I had a delicious cashew crusted tilapia. When it arrived I noticed the pineapple in the fruit sauce. I’m allergic to pineapple. Our waiter Jeffrey said no problem, whisked it away and soon I had a new version without the pineapple/​fruit sauce. It came with yummy sweet potato couscous and fresh green beans. It was all great & I can’t say enough about how great the staff was, especially since I was the one who didn’t notice the fruit sauce topping on the menu. They actually apologized to me, and it wasn’t their fault at all. Never was I made to feel «dumb» for making the wrong choice of sauce!
We learned that the bartender got the first tilapia dish & thanked us for his dinner! :-)

Funny… I’ve never been to this joint and there’s one in Charlotte. This night a chick my coworker and I met at the conference wanted to go as she’s never been. Not wanting her to go alone I figured I’d at least go and try something small.
My coworker got the calamari… I picked a piece off her plate and I’d like to say I tried it but some of the breading fell off and I saw the actual octopus. Yeaaaa… I was done.
On to what I had… Chowder… Yep… Just chowder. So obviously this review is not going to be about steak, fish or accompaniments but my chowder was really good.
Service: pretty decent. We were seated right away. Our server was aight. I’m sure I’ll try this in charlotte one day then I can really give my take on the food.

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION !!!
Yup, smack dab in the middle of downtown, right on Nicollet Mall. Talk about people watching, and we had a window table on a Friday night. Unfortunately, we were too late for their awesome happy hour.
So here is the report card:
Hostess & greeting B+
Shrimp KISSES (bacon wrapped shrimp) A
Sauvignon Blanc B
Forbidden Rice B–
Cobia (white fish served RARE) F
Chef who made us a new plate cooked more B+
Same Chef who gave us a backpedaling
explanation of why it was served RAW D
Server who forgot to give us bread, asked me
if I wanted more coffee then didn’t bring it, was
all around slow on a quiet nite D
Same server’s appearance A–
Same server’s personability D+
MOD who sent me home with a whole loaf A
Price of bill /​Value C
Busgirl who actually filled my coffee cup
without being asked A
This experience certainly wasn’t the same as when I was in here for lunch a few years ago. It certainly has gone downhill, especially for an upscale chain.
Daughter’s final comment:
DON’T E V E R MAKE ME COME BACK HERE E V E R AGAIN !!!

Visite à l’occasion d’un déjeuner professionnel. Autant dire tout de suite que pour une discussion sereine et calme ce restaurant n’est pas nécessairement l’endroit idéal. Le bruit de fond est finalement assez proches de celui des brasseries Parisiennes… sans toutefois l’égaler… Faut pas déconner quand même!
Le service est rapide et efficace. Les linguinis aux crevettes et fruits de mer étaient riches en saveurs. Un peu trop crémeuses à mon goût …et ma chemise en garde malheureusement quelques stigmates.