Fresh Seafood Restaurant…McCormick and Schmick Comes to Raleigh

Last night we were at Raleigh’s McCormick and Schmick’s. You’ve probably seen the new addition of the outdoor restaurants at Crabtree Valley Mall. It’s a bit confusing to drive around the parking lot and know where to park, but I gave my husband some womanly mall direction advice. Basically it went something like this…if confused at the mall, don’t follow a man in or out of the mall, he’s probably equally as confused.

McCormick and Scmick’s isn’t a new restaurant but is new to Raleigh. Actually one of the first dates my husband and I went on was at McCormick and Schmick’s. (We also had one of our first dates at P.F. Changs — he had a full plate of peanuts left over that he couldn’t pick up with his chopsticks on his Kung Pao Chicken dish. He didn’t take offense when I laughed at his plate, which was a good early sign we might be compatible).

But anyway, they serve both options. I think one of the great things about McCormick and Schmick’s is that the seafood is fresh and they serve what’s in season. The menu changes daily as you can see ours was dated the same day we were there.

They offer both grilled and fried seafood options.  It’s not a new concept as Red Lobster and beach seafood serving restaurants had been doing this for years, but I really think these places sell more deep fried dishes than grilled options. Oh, btw, …up north they call it pan fried. Deep fried is really a southern thing…our Raleigh waiter referred to some deep fried dishes. I guess we’re close enough to the deep south.

I ordered the grilled wild Alaskan halibut which is one of my favorite fishes. It’s light, moist and flaky.  My entree came with pieces of crab and gnocchi (potato dumplings).  I’m not sure I’m a fan of those although I like most every other Italian food. Gnocchis just look too much like roly poly bugs (you know those grey bugs with all the legs that roll up into a ball…yuck!) . And ontop of that I don’t really like the mushy taste. But it was alright this time. The fish was really good and that’s what really mattered.  The mixed green salad that I ordered was very good also. They have a very light sweet dressing (perhaps raspberry vinaigrette). I couldn’t really make out what it was but I liked it.

Alaskan Halibut in Raleigh

Eric had the wild Northwest Salmon with corn risotto. His was really good too. Portions aren’t that big but big enough for a meal.

Fresh Northwest Salmon

For dessert, we had a Bag of Chocolate…what? It was literally chocolate shaped into a bag filled with white mousse and strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Here, see for yourself.

Bag 'O Chocolate Dessert...what a treat!

It was really good but wish there were more fruit and less fatty mousse. On the dessert tray, they also had a chocolate cake with vanilla frosting in between the layers, key lime cheesecake, mango crème brule, apple cobbler, and berry cobbler. Listen, I pay attention when they go over the sweets!

All in all, we thought it was a decent value for high quality food. I’d go there any day over any other seafood restaurant in Raleigh. They’ve got outdoor seating and a nice bar inside the restaurant with Happy Hour Specials in case you want to meet a friend after work or something.

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Category: Brandy's Top Picks / Raleigh Restaurants