McCormick & Schmick’s

Apparently Alexander’s Steakhouse is opening at this location in Spring 2015.

Yep, closed. No big loss. Notice the bulk of the good reviews were for the happy hour? An expensive seafood house cannot stay profitable on four-​dollar cheeseburgers. Last time we ate there the food and service were marginal at best, but at a premium price. Stayed away after that. And it wasn’t just us, obviously… the place was a ghost town at nite while the next door Cal Pizza Kitchen was always busy.
Good riddance. Maybe now we Pasadenians will get a fine dining establishment — preferably a good seafood place of which we have few — worthy of such a fine location.

Used to come here for happy hour, but no longer. This McCormick is CLOSED.

There was hair and a bug in my cold soup. The service was horrible, when I told the waitress about this disgusting soup she laughed. can you believe that? I called the manager the next day and he yelled at me!!! I filled a complain with the BBB and the Pasadena Health Department because of the unsanitary conditions and they told me they would look into it.
I will never come back here, the service, and the food was horrible. This place was seriously the worst restaurant experience I have ever had.

I unapologetically LOVE McCormick & Schmick’s! Yea, I’m aware that it’s a chain restaurant and patronized primarily by the geriatric community, however, their gastronomy is second to none! I adore the pecan encrusted halibut with lump crab, champagne sangria, and the crab avocado mango appetizer. The service is a little troubling and delayed, but the food is so good that I can forgive.
I’m taking a star off for the meager parking situation. You have to park on the street and walk across a grassy field to get to the establishment, and once I got a parking ticket. But I didn’t let that ruin my meal or feelings towards M & S’s. In summary, this restaurant is so unabashedly uncool that it is actually incredibly cool.

The place is nice and small. It’s good for small groups.
The only reason I gave 4 stars because I did not feel a very good service and the deserts were not as good, but overall everything was good.

I enjoyed a belated birthday gift from the Landrys Club, which celebrates your birthday with $ 25.00. I’ve been coming here for awhile, and have got to know Frenchie, who is the Manager there. He always makes me feel at home, and recognizes me when I come in. He makes coming to the restaurant more inviting. This restaurant serves fresh fish, and can not be beat when it comes to taste and experience. I try to eat healthy and enjoy the daily menu they offer. I had the mahi mahi, which was rich tasting with a nice potato hash and french creamy hawaiian type sauce. Their chocolate birthday cake was nice and soft with a warmth just enough to melt the fresh ice cream on top. If you like sourdough bread, theirs is the most similar to the type you get in San Francisco, but not quite as good as Boudin’s.

This is my second time coming here, and after my last experience, I almost didn’t want to come back. But I’m a Landry’s member, and I had a business meeting nearby, so it’s a bit of a necessity.
I ordered the mussels again. It’s a simple preparation, just mussels steamed in a white wine, basil, chopped garlic, butter, salt, and pepper. The first time I ordered it from here a few month ago they brought out this dish with broken shells. Unacceptable and I complained to the general manager, who passed along the message to the chef.
I came back this time, a month later, and the results have changed. I am glad to write a good review for an establishment (albeit is a chain) who listened to customer feedback to correct not only a mistake, but something that should never be served to guests.
I do wish this location had a better selection of scotches and whiskeys.

I have always relied here for good seafood (yeah, it’s going to be expensive because it’s seafood plus more), and good ambience for special occasion.

I’ve been coming here for happy hour for years now and will comment on this. However, I cannot comment on everything off the regular menu.
I prefer the fish tacos, the cheeseburger, or the shrimp. I thought the fish tacos were pretty well cooked, although they could have been a bit juicier, but the sauce makes up for that, so I am satisfied with the fish tacos. I’ve had the cheeseburger before and it is solid for $ 4 at happy hour. The shrimp was ok. I really liked the calamari, which is plentiful and comes in a big basket. The complementary bread is also very excellent and fresh and the butter goes well with the bread (doesn’t it always?) I ordered a Margarita and it was excellent– the bartender knows how to properly mix the spirits with the mixers. I also ordered some ice cream for desert– nothing too special but it hit the spot.
I enjoy dining both in the dining room with the tvs and out on the patio area. It’s a nice location near the Westin Hotel and also very close to Pasadena City hall, which is beautiful at night when it’s lit up.
Our server was very attentive, very friendly, and took care of us very well.
I haven’t ordered steak here, and might give it a shot sometime.
I’ve also dined here for a wedding party and had a great time. The food was excellent and servers were friendly and well-​mannered.
Extra star for validated parking.

o4.12.14
A friend wanted seafood and steak, so we came here. I see most reviews were graded base on the most important two — food and service. And here’s my story.
We got lucky tonight. The service we received was great. Our waiter, Eric was really attentive and even came to check if the food were being cooked the way we wanted. My filet mignon looked medium rare enough. But then I regretted after I took a few bites because, yes it’s medium rare looking but it wasn’t tender at all. Why? :(The one I had at Beso wasn’t as juice and favorable compared to this, but it was more tasty. The rib eye was definitely medium rare but I didn’t like it much.
Going back to the beginning. The calamari was good and my friend gave the oyster a «woah» as in its really good. So I tried one and I think it was just ok.
I was surprised that we were able to make reservation 30 mins beforehand. Then I know why when we got there — at least half of the restaurant was empty. Maybe it’s because most people are in Vegas or Coachella? I don’t know but it could be the food.
At least the damage wasn’t on me tonight! Haha :)

Massively overpriced tough strip steak at 23 bucks for something you could get for 16 somewhere else. Came with no sauce no Au jus just some broccoli.
You have to buy potatoes for 6 50 as a side dish what a rip so a basic steak cut with two sides comes to 30 bucks — ridiculous.
How do these places get away with this? I can only assume it’s a lot of business people with expense accounts who don’t care much about the food but can count on the ambience.
OK so you stick with seafood I presume it is better.
Oh and a dollar a refill for an Arnold Palmer come on what an insult after the 6.50 sides.
Service was good and attentive so bless the kids out on the floor.
Corporate should be ashamed.

I enjoy their happy hour (M-​F 4 – 7), they have a nice bar, and I love their oysters. They make a good spicy Bloody Mary garnished with okra, pepporchini and an olive. My favorite things on the happy hour menu are Chicken Sliders or Burger & Fries for $ 3.99, Calamari or Black Mussels for $ 4.99, Fish Tacos or Buffalo Wings or Firecracker Shrimp for $ 5.99. We have always had friendly service.
They also have good clam chowder.
And on Wednesday nights they have $ 1 Oysters (5pm-​10pm)! So come on Wednesdays between 5 – 7 and get dollar oysters plus happy hour!

Happy hour requires a drink.
Not really America’s Number 1 Happy Hour.
I recommend getting some ranch dressing or something for the burger (otherwise it’s as dry as Southern California).

I came here for a holiday departmental lunch a few days before Christmas. Our large group of over twenty had reserved the room with the fireplace, it is quite a quaint and cozy room. Lunch was supposed to be around 12:30 PM but we didn’t eat anything until after 1 or later. It seemed like they hadn’t figured out how to serve a large room of multiple tables. We had a set menu and everyone pre-​ordered their meals but they still went around to verify our selections which took time. Second they didn’t bring out any bread for the longest and I was so hungry – I don’t understand how bread can be so late.
Next up they served salad, but they served all the other tables first and we got our salads last. I think there was one person serving the whole room, at least it felt that way. For the rest of the meal our table was the last to be served every single time. The salmon with raspberry sauce was OK. By the time I got it I was so lethargic from being hungry and sitting there so long that I just inhaled my meal without appreciating it.
After our meal they served dessert which was supposed to be crème brûlée. Half our table ended up sending theirs back because it had the consistency of runny egg yolk which isn’t how crème brûlée should be. The second round of crème brûlée was only half as bad. Others had firm crème brûlée, but mine was still watery. I didn’t even care at this point. It was almost 3 PM and since my coworker took off early I took her crème brûlée, which ended up being the right consistency, instead of requesting a third one.
Even though I was grateful for a holiday meal paid by my company and eating with coworkers II was expecting so much more from McCormicks but was disappointed ever so.

NYE Dinner here was fabulous!!! I had a gift card… otherwise…I may not visit because it’s a tad expensive… and Red Lobster is more on the affordable side… anywhoo, Erik from Virginia was our server. This server was pure delight… he was attentive, detailed, quick and very polite. The bathrooms were clean. Oh and I had a 6:30pm reservation but ended up changing it to 4pm… they didn’t give me any problems. The food was delicious… I ordered the rainbow trout, it came with mash potatoes and veggies… veggies were cooked perfectly. The bread was yummy… and I had the apple pie for dessert… and it was soooo good… hmmm…anyways, I’d like to come back and try their other seafood.

Here’s a really old story… Back in college days, which is may moons ago, I went to McCormick & Schmick’s with a group of friends since we were craving seafood. We were all seated and had a glass of water, looked a the menu and decided to walk out. Lol. Broke college kids! I think we were dressed in shorts and went out for tacos instead.
Now, back to the review. McCormick & Schmick’s is of a higher tier chain seafood restaurant around the country. The interiors of most are classic vintage looking full of wood grains. Food here is consistent, good, and service even better.
The Pasadena location is located at Plaza Las Fuentes located near the Civic Center. Architecture is a cross of Spanish and Mediterranean with arches and fountains which creates great ambiance during the evening.
Came here a while ago for lunch on on not so busy Sunday. We ordered Asian salad which was really good. Tossed well in sesame ranch dressing. The crips wontons and peanuts gave good texture. The main dishes were ordered were cashew crusted tilapia with mango salsa in a butter sauce and couscous (just okay), parmesan crusted flounder in a lemon caper butter sauce (good), and Norwiegan salmon with raspberries (okay). We also ordered a side of lobster mash potatoes. Honestly, would rather skip next time.
Dessert was just okay also. The molten cake with ice cream was overcooked. Came out like a brownie. We also ordered a side of cinnamon ice cream which was just okay also.
Service here is great though and utterly attentive.
On other occasions, I’ve been here for happy hour and where you can get a decent meal after work.

6÷12÷13
Unilocal removed the pictures I posted (cardboard mixed with my creamed spinach)
Stay away, people.

*This review is for Happy Hour only.*
Once we stepped into the restaurant we were warmly greeted and directed to the bar. It took a couple of minutes to be acknowledged but the waitress was good and attentive for the rest of our stay.
I got the beef sliders. The meat was a little tough and the sliders were huge. The buns looked like they came straight from the grocery store, I thought they would have been made in house.
I didn’t like how they charged us full price for our happy hour drinks and after we told them, they corrected the price, but it was still $ 0.25 higher than what was advertised on the menu.

Another place, where we walked in and walked right out.
It was high noon, lunch time, peak time… we walked in, the front bar area and were «looked at» by 3 lazy, unenthusiastic employees.
I asked if they were open because it seemed as if we were interrupting them. «Yes, we’re open» one of the three stooges replied.
I then asked if we could see a menu and this gothic looking chick with jet black hair, held one out and did not even attempt to bring it to me or meet me half way. I then walked over to her, grabbed the menu and didn’t even look at it.
I could not believe the lack of professionalism, these three were BAD.
This place killed it for Mc Cormicks, I was so turned off, I will never step foot in one again.

I went her on a Wednesday with my boyfriend for date night and although he hated the service I believe the food made up for it.
A. He was mad because he made reservations and we had to wait. I am a hostess on the weekend so I know they try and hold customers back to give the cooks some time in between order, to decrease the wait time at the table. So I didn’t mind that.
B.He didn’t like the wait time to get our food. Granted it took like 20 – 25 mins to get our food, I didn’t mind so much I was in good company and was enjoying the conversation. But they do provide bread to munch on. I didn’t want to spoil my appetite and the wait was just enough to ripen my appetite. I would say don’t come here STARVING but thats any restaurant that doesn’t serve pre-​made dishes.
C. We both LOVED our food. To be honest I was too busy savoring mine to know what he was eating. I got the Chef recommendation Stuffed Atlantic Salmon with was stuffed with lump crab, bay shrimp, brie cheese and served with mashed potatoes and veggies. All in all I was more than please with my meal. The salmon was cooked perfectly with robust flavors from the cheese and crab. Also the mashed potatoes were perfectly creamy and a weird orange color… I LOVED IT ALL. It was a perfect date night! (And they kept asking if we were celebrating anything special cus of course i was dolled up *smiley faces*)