12/09 revisit: As Preferred Guest members we received an amuse bouche of tomato smoked salmon and capers. We also shared a delicious spinach salad with dried cranberries, fennel, carrots and basil dressing. My wife ordered lobster ravioli in a red curry sauce that I am going to have to try to duplicate at home. My entrée was macadamia crusted blue grenadier topped with bay scallops and served with a tropical salsa, green beans and roasted red pepper. We also shared a crème brulee. Both the dessert and first $30 of our bill were complimentary in recognition of my wife's birthday

09/09 revisit: Our waiter handed us menus as we were seated in a booth as requested at the time I made our Open Table reservation. As we were reviewing the menus, I was surprised to read “Happy 35th Anniversary” Neither of us mentioned that our actual 35th wedding anniversary was in August, a mistake (wink, wink) I made when signing up for their Preferred Membership club. Our shared roasted beet salad with warm goat cheese and a balsamic reduction sauce was pleasing to both the eye and palate. Ann chose the English sole that was crusted with artichoke and served with a sun dried tomato sauce, white rice and a vegetable hash. I went with Chef Talbott’s Recommendation: ono (wahoo) crusted with coconut, topped with a tropical salsa and spicy brown butter, and accompanied by bok choy and jasmine rice. Both dishes were excellent. I had a free dessert coupon so we decided to share a crème brulee, but first the waiter delivered a pair of chocolate cups filled with a chocolate and whipped cream mixture to our table in recognition of our anniversary. Our crème brulee, as usual, was both delicious and on-the-house so I saved the coupon for a future visit. I used a coupon for a free entry that was received for my birthday.

09/09 revisits: We found business much slower than on previous trips, a sure sign of the dismal economy. We passed on the basket of bread, but gratefully accepted an amuse bouche of shrimp cocktails served with pico de gallo sauce. We shared a delicious spinach salad with fennel, dried cranberries and carrots in a balsamic dressing. Ann chose ahi tuna served very rare and thinly sliced along with mashed potatoes (a substitution), pickled ginger and a very potent wasabi sauce. I opted for the English sole. Yes, tonight Westie was a “Sole Man”. My entrée was crusted with artichoke and served with a sundried tomato sauce over a vegetable hash and wild rice (substitution).

We dined 3 times at McCormick & Schmicks during our two week vacation in September 2007.

We were staying at the Tuscany Suites and could have walked to the restaurant on Hughes Center Drive, but it was way too hot outside so we made the 2 minute drive. This was our first visit and we were favorably impressed by both the décor and hostesses’ greeting. We were escorted to a booth and shortly thereafter presented with menus. According to the M&S website, at least 30 varieties of fresh fish are offered on the changing daily menu. I counted them at there were 33 which is pretty impressive for Las Vegas. We started off with the seafood and roasted corn chowder which was not overly thick, but very good. Ms. Westie ordered the black sesame crusted Pacific snapper served with a Thai chili sauce and coconut jasmine rice. The fish was cooked to perfection – succulent and delicious. I chose the artichoke crusted English sole which was accompanied by vegetable hash, jasmine rice and a mild spinach pesto sauce. Again, the fish was perfectly prepared and delicious. I used a $25 gift certificate printed off the M&S website and made reservations using Open Table. Net price of meal was $30.

On our second visit the hostess greeted us and escorted us to a booth. I ordered the spicy (PEI) mussels in a chunky tomato sauce served over linguini. Ms. Westie’s entrée was the coconut crusted mahi mahi accompanied by assorted vegetables and plain white rice. We also shared an order of wilted baby spinach with mushrooms and shallots. Price of meal net of a $25 coupon was $24.02.

Third visit: I have been remiss in not previously mentioning the very good warm bread that is served at M&S. Ms. Westie chose the fresh crab and shrimp cakes entrée served with red pepper aioli. My entrée was pecan crusted catfish with Cajun remoulade sauce. We also shared another order of baby spinach sautéed with shallots and mushrooms. Both entrees were delicious and each was accompanied by creamy mashed potatoes and crisp green beans. Price of meal net of a $25 coupon was $25.05.

12/07 (revisit) We arrived approximately an hour after our 7:15PM reservation, but were greeted with Happy Birthday wishes and seated in a booth as requested. A bountiful mixed green salad with bleu cheese and candied walnuts in a light vinaigrette dressing was shared. Ms. Westie’s entrée was cashew crusted tilapia with Jamaican rum butter and tropical salsa which came with crisp green beans and white rice. I ordered the pecan crusted catfish with Cajun remoulade sauce that was served with mashed potatoes plus a mix of crisp green and yellow beans. Service was attentive and the food delicious. I used a $25 gift certificate received after joining this chain’s Preferred Guest program. ($26.18, 4 Forks)

12/07 (revist) We shared a spinach salad with fennel and cranberries tossed with a basil dressing that sounded much better than it tasted. We each ordered the seafood fettucine – rock shrimp and bay scallops in a garlic cream sauce. This dish was very tasty, but the bay scallops were the smallest I have ever seen. ($27.90, R.com, 2.5 Forks

12/07 (revisit) We started off with the fried calamari appetizer with three sauces which were light and flavorful. Ms. Westie ordered the swordfish “au povre” which was finished in a pomegranate demi glace, chanterlles, asparagus and a truffle potato cake. I ordered corvine devon port, similar to seabass, which was roasted in pecan honey butter and accompanied by Brussel sprouts and fingerling potatoes. Both dishes were excellent though on returning home, I googled corvine devon port unsuccessfully. We finished the meal by sharing a gingerbread crème brulee. The total bill pre tax and gratuity after deducting the $75 gift certificate came to 75 cents. After this meal you could have trussed me up because I was already stuffed. ($17.61, 4 Forks)
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