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Review for happy hour!
Plan for a great night: Come after 4pm to get 3 hour parking validated in the US Bank tower building. Happy hour starts at 3pm and goes all night. Sit down, order from the happy hour menu and get the $2.95 cheeseburger (I actually didn't get that), or the $1.95 bruschetta (yummy!), the $1.95 garlic cheese fries (your breath will stink but its worth it), and other menu items less than $5. Get an iced tea ($3.50 and fulfills the drink minimum). Eat to your heart's content for like $10/person. Food's really not THAT great, but for the price it's a really good deal if you want a quick dinner.
Then, walk down the escalators to 5th street, walk 2 blocks east to Pershing Square on 5th and Olive. Ice skate for an hour to digest all of the greasy food you just ate! Walk back to the US Bank Tower's parking structure to go home or somewhere else, and voila, dinner and ice skating under 3 hours and $20 and you got free parking. Yay!
I came here last Friday to meet up with a friend for happy hour. I'm not great on maneuvering around Downtown, I know where things are...at least in there general direction. But I had never been to this location, I actually needed up in the wrong parking lot. After a few minutes, i was able to get back on the right track into the US Bank parking structure (3 hour free parking after 4PM). We were suppose to meet up at 4:30, but with traffic and both of us getting a bit lost finding the parking lot we got there just after 5.
Before we met, I was already excited about the happy hour because of the great priced menu of food...though limited, still appetizing. I ordered the Cheeseburger with fries for $2.95. While my friend was craving Calamari, she thought it would be on the happy hour menu but wasn't at this location. She ordered anyway for $6.95 and an order of the Garlic Cheese Fries for $1.95.
My cheeseburger and fries were just okay. I wasn't expecting anything great..but it wasn't bad. It's under three bucks, I can't complain. The Calamari was barely a serving, the bowl was mostly shredded cabbage with a few pieces. My friend orders the it from the El Segundo location and says the portions are good there. The Garlic Cheese Fries on the other hand had huge portions, greasy and cheesy.
Also, since it's Happy Hour...they do have a $3.50 minimum beverage requirement. We didn't get anything alcoholic because it was so expensive, I thought Happy Hour would have specials on food and drinks? Their drinks are at least $7! So we ordered two lemonades. For $3.50, the lemonade could at least have one free refill. But NO!
The waitress we had was not nice at all. We arrived when there was barely anyone in the restaurant and she acted like we were requesting a lot from her when we wanted to order. I could see that she was giving others a better service around us. I wish I got her name because she was not friendly at all.
I would of given them only one star, but I thought they deserved two because they validate for 3 hours. That doesn't happen too much in Downtown.
A lot of people have told me that this place has changed. I've only been there once and I enjoyed it. I went with some co workers for happy hour. The drinks were reasonable and the food was ok. They validate parking in the structure so that was pretty cool.
We sat outside which was really nice. I haven't had a chance to try their entrees but I will. Overall, I find this place pretty cool.
By far an excellent place to eat, Tony is over the top and best in town!!
They have a cheap happy hour but that does not make it good. We went quite late so mayne my experience was not as good as it might have been. The fries were stale and burger buns were old
Love the happy hour menu, a must if you want to kill time in downtown LA.
Had dinner here once but mostly just met up with friends for Happy Hour after work. I haven't been here in a while since I no longer work in the downtown area, but I remember their $2 menu of Happy Hour items are hard to beat.
I mostly ordered the burger/fries combo (for $2!!!) and sometimes ordered the fried fish sandwich; both are good! The burger/fish is huge (by happy hour standards). If I'm still hungry, I'd order the tomato bruschetta, fried calamari, or grilled portabella mushroom. Happy Hour menu items vary each time, from what I remember.
My drink of choice would be one of their martinis...my fave being the mango martini (not always available).
Although the food is cheap, drinks are at regular prices. I hear tell that their Happy Hour prices have gone up...about at least $1 per item. Still, $3-$4 for good appetizers can't be beat.
Clientele for Happy Hour consists of the usual downtown business crowd. I love men in shirts, suits, and/or ties, so I loved to people watch.
The one time I ate dinner there, I had a pleasant experience. I had the cashew crusted Tilapia with butter and mashed potatoes and it was delicious. Fish was fresh and cooked perfectly. My partner had the 14 oz New York strip steak, cooked medium-rare and he liked it. Our waiter was very attentive and we tipped accordingly.
Parking can be found in the structure across from the restaurant, but at exorbitant rates (it's downtown, so no surprise here). Good luck finding street parking.
This seafood restaurant, I visited at 2:00 PM. While the busboy noisily threw dirty dishes into his tray, the waitress was more concerned about chatting with co-workers. I ordered my P.E.I. (Prince Edward Island) mussels and got only 6, though they were good, smothered in butter. I had to order more bread to make my meal last longer since I could have finished off these little things in a couple of minutes. The price was too high ($30.00) and since I'm so cool, I left a tip, but it would have been a heftier one if not for these problems (I like to tip generously). Would I ever return to this particular eatery?.... naaaw. What for? Mediocre service, high prices, and a smidgeon of food? Sorry, M n S, but there are plenty of other restaurants around - take a lesson and become a better restaurant.
McCormick + Schmick's is a GREAT happy hour spot. Yes, it's a classy spot but the happy hour attracts even me, the young professional in the purple v-neck, rolled-up jeans, grey beanie + red hi-top Chucks, who is sitting amongst the bazillion dudes dressed in suits with loosened ties [+ flies, in some cases].
The place can be a bit difficult to get to from the parking [down an elevator + up another]. But if you're walking, it's just up some gorgeous stairs. I love the posh interior. It strikes me as the inside of a cruiseship for some reason, but not in a hokey, family-friendly kind of way, more in a dark, after-work unwind kind of way. The bar is through a small doorway and is fairly narrow. For seating, they have wood square tables, the bar + stools set up against the shuttered windows. Beyond that is the main dining room with several large TV screens to watch the game on. I also like their outdoor patio, even though the wicker tables + chairs aren't the best.
The Asian bartender is a great conversationalist + makes nice, strong drinks to help you meet the silly drink minimum. But the real gem here is the food. A 1/2 pound cheeseburger with all the fixin's [when I asked: "Do you have any Grey Poupon?" They obliged], fries + a PICKLE is only TWO DOLLARS. Made me holla! Several times. They have a rotating menu of other Happy Hour items that range from $2 to $6 and nearly all of them are delicious [for bar food]. Easily one of my favorite Downtown happy hour spots in LA. Oh, and Happy Hour Part II? Yes, please.
The seafood restaurant is pricey + not necessarily worth the overpriced menu. Happy Hour is the most bang for your ten bucks.
Dru's Happy Hour Watch
Moscow Mule: One of their signature cocktails. Strong on the vodka + fresh shaved ginger. One of the best I've ever had!
French fries: Thicker steak fries with no seasoning. Passable.
The Happy Hour menu is AMAZING! when my friends and I go to M&S, we order 3 plates each and we are always amazed at the amount on the bill. This place is so cheap! It's kind of hard to find and it's weird how they check your trunk when you enter parking but it's not that big of a deal. Compared to some other places where they give you really cheap quality food on their happy hour menu, the burgers and stuff were pretty good.
F.Y.I. For those who don't want to drink alcohol, you should order the Ice Tea cause it comes with free refills.
6 words... happy hour, happy hour, happy hour! The best happy hour for food I've ran into yet. The 2 dollar burger in itself bumps this up to 5 stars. I love this place, I went to this place in college numerous times, and have no reluctance going there now. Usually there are other items on the 2 dollars menu, some are pretty bleh, but every now and then there'll be a decent alternate to the burger. And now that I'm past college I can afford their 5 dollar menu! Some things that come to mind is a GIANT plate of mussels, and some other goodies. However, the burger and fries combo is always there, its always 2 dollars, and it can keep up with most burgers you'd be shelling out 8 or 10 bucks for, and definitely a different league from fast food.
PS... I love fast food but I don't like comparing it to restaurants, its like comparing a snickers bar to creme brulee. Creme brulee is good, but doesn't mean you can't enjoy a nice simple snack like a snickers bar. (Sorry, just trying to find some cheap spot to spread by food philosophy =D)
We headed out here during our E3 trip because it was the closest (kind of) seafood/steak restaurant to the wine bar we were visiting.
It was alright.
It wasn't too crowded so it was easy to get in and get seated. The steak was a bit dry (I ordered medium well, which shouldn't be dry at all). The shrimp and veggies were OK, but this was nothing memorable.
HAPPY HOUR: Awh, the burgers "used" to be delicious . . . now they're like rolling 'em out like hot cakes. They won't "special order" your burger . . . like hey, I like my buns toasted . . . for a no-brainer; but it's a no do . . . Whatever!
LUNCH HOUR: Service takes a thousand years to come to you . . . not the place to go if you want to order and eat within an hour. I must say, their food is "okay." Nothing to hollar about . . .
Honestly I am not a HUGE fan of McCormick's.. maybe it's not fair to judge them solely on their Happy Hour, but eh I'm doing it anyway.
Although it is a very pretty restaurant, I kinda hate the physical bar in this joint for one simple reason, you really can't see anyone unless you keep turning around. The straight bar just faces the bartenders, so unless you want to talk to them ( they are very nice) it's kinda...eh boring?
Draws in a professional Downtown crowd..can get pretty busy and loud. Honestly this would be a two star Happy Hour place for me except for one. simple. thing., the Happy Hour menu.
Where else can you get these prices ?:
$1.95 for :
hummus, cucumbers and grilled pita, shrimp ceviche
in citrus marinade, a blackened chicken sandwich w/ cheddar cheese and fries, or tomato bruschetta w/ balsamic glaze and basil
$2.95 for: full size cheeseburger and fries
$3.95 for: a fried cod Sandwich
with cheddar, cole slaw and fries
$4.95 for : jambalaya, cajun red hot sausage and rice, fish tacos with
salsa fresca and sour cream, kobe beef sliders
with cheddar and caramelized onions ( had them, very good), fried shrimp w/ cocktail sauce and french fries, chicken & sausage etouffe
simmered in nut brown sauce with rice, peel 'n eat shrimp,
ahi tuna roll, salmon cakes with lemon butter, apples and leeks, calamari with a trio of dipping sauces, or potato skins
cheddar, sour cream and bacon .
Pretty extensive and tasty for the price. Ya I copied the menu from the website because this review was depressing even me lol
If youre in the area, I recommend Nik and Stef's over Mc Cormick's....
How many reviews are of Happy Hour and not of the restaurant itself???
Well, include mine in that count. I think I might have eaten in the restaurant here once in my life, and it wasn't anything worth mentioning. But it was here during college, in their bar, that I was introduced to the $1.95 happy hour menu. From then on, this was a standard place to gather for food a few times a month, and even once in a while now.
Back then, happy hour ran 3:30-6:30pm and 9:30pm-close, with Fridays being 3:30pm-close. Also, calamari was on the $1.95 menu. But times change I suppose... happy hour hours have been cut, and the calamari is now on the $4.95 menu, if even offered.
But that $2 burger has always been there (though someone else said it's now $3? Still not bad). A thick, 1/2lb cheeseburger with fixins AND fries? Gimme more! Sure, there's a drink minimum, but that's easily met. No, it's not a mind-blowing burger, but it's the best value out there... cheaper than a Big Mac or Whopper!
Most everything is pretty good there... and it's only $2 or $5, you might as well try it.
During college McCormick & Schmick's was a frequent spot. Of course we only came exclusively for their happy hour. I cannot speak for their normal menu (expensive), but you can't go wrong with a Blue Moon and happy hour cheeseburger, which is actually really filling esp with fries.
I usually stick to the burger but if you can spare a couple more bucks the fish sandwich is superb. While those are my preferred items, there's definitely something for everyone: wings, potato skins, calamari...
What I find hilarious is that they sometimes change the names of the food on their happy hour menu to theme current events. For example during the olympics, instead of "Fish Sandwich" it would be "Michael Phelps Gold Medal Fish Sandwich" or something equally ridiculous and laughable.
Service is great, crowd tends towards downtown after work folks but can get fairly mixed, and there are a lot of TVs.
If you want to catch a game and throw a couple beers back, or treat yourself to a great dinner on a college budget. This is the place. Oh, and free parking with validation.
And the parking attendants are fancy and wear suits. I like to wave at them as I leave.
Read more reviews at http://www.sixtaste.com
I used to work in this building and we used to call M&S's our "4th floor conference room" (as in "Going to a meeting at 5:30 in the 4th floor conference room - see you there").
I don't think I would ever come here for anything besides their happy hour, but their happy hour is f-ing awesome! $2 for tasty appetizers (quesadillas, bruschetta, etc.) and $3 for a real burger and fries. Man, I wish I still worked in that building.
*Happy Hour Stop #1*
Last Thursday, some teachers and I went downtown for a rally. We knew it was going to be a long day so that little lightbulb goes on in my head. Let's do happy hour first. We already planned on going to happy hour after but why not go before, too? I mean, we are off at 2:30! So we jump off the Metro subway and head to McCormick's. We went there since there Happy Hour starts at 3pm (We arrived at 3:15) AND they have a $1.95 happy hour. NICE!
Off the $1.95 menu, we ordered:
-hummus and chips (I didn't care for it)
-fried zucchini (it was good, but there were only 4 pieces.)
-Quesidilla (Nice and big. Thumbs up!)
-Bruscetta (Very tasty, but only had three pieces of small bread)
The best part of the menu was probably the Cheeseburger and fries. ***ONLY $1.95*** Wowza! AND it was really big. Unfortunately, we just had lunch 3 hours before so it was a bit too much for $3 so I'll try that next time.
The only complaint was that the drinks weren't on special. :( My wine was $10. And make sure you order the wine by name. When I asked for a chardonnay, the waitress said "The Sonoma?" I reached for the wine menu and looked. I replied, "$17?? Yeah, no. I'll take the St. Michelle."
So, when the bill came I put in $17. I had one glass of wine and a little bit of food. This happy hour didn't make me extremely happy. I wanted another glass but that would have made my tab almost $30. Since we were going out after the rally, I passed.
So three stars would be fair, but I'll give 'em an extra star for the 2 buck burger! But I will arrive a bit later next time. We went to early... no cute suits to look at. ;(
Although McCormick's has one of the best happy hour deals, this one gets 2 stars...
I guess what everyone expects from chains is uniformity and consistency..if I go to McDonald's here in LA and order a Big Mac, and then hit up a McDonald's somewhere else, I expect the burgers to be pretty similar in taste and appearance..
After going to McCormick's in El Segundo, this place really bites...lighting is horrible, the AC is on Blast when its freezing outside...the burgers look big, but the taste is whatevers...the zucchini sticks are soggy...the wings are okay...the fish tacos, not so great, you get better fish tacos at Rubios...the tostadas are worse than the ones I make at home, the hummus, well can't remember...
you might say, "Well, what do you expect for $1.95?"...you get a whole lot more if you go to the one in El Segundo, much better lighting, huge outside patio, better tasting food for the same prize..
its ironic that its located at the BOTTOM of the tallest building west of the Mississippi river..
It gets as high as a 2 because of the price, other than that...i really dont know what else to say
For years, I have missed the infamous happy hour specials of $1.95 burgers and other appetizers.
I definitely get a different vibe at this location than the ones I've been to in Boston and Maryland.
Very casual and laid back and brightly lit. I felt like I was sitting in someone's family room. It's comfortable, the kind of place where the bartender (Fred) will know your name and you know his.
From the $1.95 menu, we tried the
Cheeseburger and fries
Chicken tostada
Buffalo Wings
And from the $5.95 menu
Seafood terikyaki
I was excited because I expected McCormick & Schmicks quality food for dirt cheap, but instead it was Applebees quality food. Still, there's no other place in town where you will find a better happy hour deal.
Pro:
1.Happy Hours on Friday last until 10pm,
2. Parking is free for a couple of hours (but they do search your car upon entrance).
Cons:
1. On Fridays, they close shortly after the happy hour.
2. They run out of their happy hour specials as the night progresses. So, if you want something just order it early on.
3. Good luck in trying to find this place. You go over the river and under the woods to get to this place (aka 2 sets of elevators)
$1.95 cheeseburger (with fries) during Laker game night (or any night) during happy hour is the best deal out there. The blackened chicken sandwich is not bad but the cheeseburger is more satisfying (screw healthy). i split it with my coworker - she's a huge laker fan.
The happy hour chili fries looked gross - all beans, barely any ground beef. i declined having a taste of it.
the $2.95 drink minimum is enforced and refills don't seem to be free.
i'm happy that the restaurant got rid of the bulky tv and got flatscreens. welcome to 2009, McC&S!
happy hour here is great for its value (one drink minimum - soda is like $3.50), but i came here for… Read more »
I had dinner here with Tom Tom for Valentine's Day last night.
We had a 6:30 reservation and were seated promptly. Though our waitress was pretty busy, she was still fairly attentive.
I had the Mahi Mahi (blackened) and Tom had the Wahoo Ono. We both really enjoyed our food.
Dessert was the best --upside down apple pie with cinnamon ice cream. Sounds strange, but it worked.
The only thing that really sucked was my awful awful drink.
It was an enjoyable meal, overall.
I first went to the Downtown LA McCormicks and Schmicks in 2000, after my college friends and I attended a case competition celebration party held by the now defunct Arthur Andersen. Being cheap college students we were attracted by the $2 food happy hour specials and decided that we should frequent this establishment for cheap nourishment.
Eventually, it became a tradition for us to meet every Thursday at 9PM to enjoy the 2nd happy hour. The first happy hour is from 3PM to 6PM. Since we were underage at the time, we never ordered any of the drink specials, but the best deals were always on the food. We'd always get the $1.95 cheeseburger deal, which was accompanied by some damn good fries.
Just a word of warning, you'll have to order a minimum $2.95 drink order to get the happy hour food specials. Therefore, we'd always order the iced tea because they would provide free refills, but anything else like a soda or lemonade would incur a refill charge per drink.
During happy hour you'll typically run into cheerful Trojan crowd mixed in with some Downtown professionals. Sometimes the bar area can be so packed that the servers will hardly get to you for refills or orders. However, you may be lucky enough to find nights that are really slow. As for the menu, you won't find anything too great on it except for cheeseburgers, potato skins, quesadillas, etc. If you have extra money to spend, you can always try the $5.95 menu. I recall that it used to be a $4.95 menu, but I assume cost of goods has increased for restaurants in the past few years.
Parking is free for 3 hours if you park underground and get validation. For new patrons, it may be difficult to navigate from the underground parking lot to the restaurant as you have to take two different elevators, but it's easy once you've been there a few times.
Go Trojans! Fight On!
I'm a Regular about once a week Lunch spot and sometime's Happy Hour. They know me so they seat me right away, get my order right away and are super, dooper friendly. Though they have always been friendly and they have always been very attentive.
One Time: My food is usually good. I say usually because the last time I had the $1.99 happy hour burger...well, it tasted like a $1.99 burger!!!
So Why the Five Stars?: Because Fred is Friendly and they corrected the issue.
What to eat: I've tried just about everything and I have liked it all...well with the exception of the last $1.99 burger.
For Lunch Only, an ok place. (2.5)
Atmosphere: (ok)
-Feels kinda like any other steak/sea food old timey place.
Food: (ok)
-Mixed Green salad with chicken - 2.5, probably could get better from trader joes or whole foods, but was ok.
-Creme Bruele (sp) - 2, top was a lil too burnt, and was very heavy and not as tasty as others I've had. They do give a lot though.
Service: (pretty good)
-over all the waiter was good, only gives bread if you ask, really hustled us to get more drinks and food. It did take a couple of askings to get a refill on my water though.
Parking: (oye)
-$6 if you validate (2 hours) under the building (US BANK), the entrance is on Hope Place off of Hope Street (from 4th street). They also valet park, which I didn't do so I'm not sure how that works.
-Otherwise there is horrible street parking around.
Maybe I expected too much from McCormick's happy hour. Food wasn't very good. =\
I also did not like the one-drink minimum policy. I took the time to go to McCormick's and I brought my friends and we ordered a bunch of food...do I really have to order an alcoholic or carbonated drink that I don't want? =\
Went to McCormick for happy hour yesterday. My first time!
Food for $1.95. I wasn't hungry, but wanted to see how the food tasted. We ordered the fried zucchini and cheese quesadilla. Do not order the fried zucchini, because it comes with 4 small sticks. Four. On a rather large plate. For 2 bucks. Ohkay people.
Beers are still 6 bucks, so I don't know what kind of insane happy hour price they think that is. I only had one. I guess it's all about the food here. I saw in another review that happy hour ends at 6, but it's actually from 3-7pm.
I would come back for HH because it's across the street from work, and the $1.95 menu isn't half bad. Some food and a beer or two would still be under $20, so it's not too pricey. I would definitely not go here just to get my drink on tho. Not that I drink.
Weiland's Brewery in the Arco Plaza across the street has some good happy hour food (about 3 bucks), and cheaper beer, so you can try that place out. It's located in a food court tho, so that might turn you off from going there.
How do I put this?
I'm pretty sure the owners of McCormick & Schmick's could ace the MENSA test. Drunk. And could go for *at least* a three-day run on Jeopardy. Program the VCR? They wrote the book on programming the VCR, in all 12 of the languages in the fold-out. Hey Yalie, think you're so smart because you're NASA's quantum mechanics guru? Shoulda stayed in school, son; that's not nearly as Einstein as pricing happy hour food at $1.95.
"What's the big deal, John M?" you're asking. "I can get a cheeseburger at McD's for a buck less." No no no, this isn't a dollar burger. McCormick's offering is a half pound restaurant cheeseburger avec steak frites, and a satisfying one at that. Plus last time I checked, old man Ronald didn't give you the option of rum&coke as the beverage in your #3 did he? McCormick's has a bar full enough to satisfy anyone's alcohol tooth and stocks everything from the aforementioned to rap-song-shoutout cognac to fine wines. (Aside: though if you get a Barolo with your $2 burger then you're just a D-bag).
For those who want to splurge, a $3.95 happy hour menu is available where McC's gets all classy with fish & scallop ceviche, sweet & sour chicken, and the like. Hey college guys, want a cheap date idea? Brag to your girl friends (notice the space) that on your last dinner date you dropped some major coin to order her the steamed mussels she so wanted. Because, hey, "major coin" is all relative, right?
Speaking of college guys, McCormick's has an interesting vibe. It's bigger-pie-slice downtown professionals (McC's is in the downtown building that gets blown up in Independence Day) / smaller-pie-slice dressed-down USC students who are like "Two dollar food?! I'm down like the syndrome!" ...And you thought they were all stuck up 949ers. Which is kind of nice because even on nights when the dining room is dominated by the well-heeled Latham litigators of the same building, you can still get by if you got dressed before putting the contacts in.
All this has lead me to formulate John M's Good Time Postulate: Delicious food + booze - $$$ = Aw hell yeah, sucka.
Though it doesn't take Ken Jennings to proof this.
This location of McCormick's is kind of intriguing at first blush, because it's located in the U.S. Bank building, a symbol of the Los Angeles skyline and the tallest building downtown. I was there for the first-time, pre-election for happy hour (so really, happy hour is all this review covers) and had something to drink that was very blue and very complicated called a Barack-tini. Yummy. But a bit too sweet, like mildly alcoholic fruit punch.
The appetizers are a really cheap and satisfying buy. Lots of items like chicken wings, french fries, etc. that you can get for under $3. They have some burgers and things for no more $6-7. I had their veggie burger. Good, but not phenomenal. It was altogether a nice time because the company and conversation were great, but I don't know if I'd ever search out McCormick's for happy hour. It's unremarkable. I'm more likely to head over for something cozier in Silverlake even if it's just avoid the hassle of that incredibly confusing U.S. Bank building parking lot.
$1.95 Cheeseburger and Fries? $1.95 Chicken Wings? $1.95 Fried Zucchini? M&S by far is the best value in Dtown for stuffing your pie hole and filling your belly.
We stopped by M&S last night for the late night happy hour. This was the final stop on our bar hop tour after getting boozed up at the Broadway Bar and Golden Gopher earlier. I was amazed at how dead it was. The bar area is absolutely humongous but there weren't but a few scattered parties spread out across the room. There is of course a $2.95 drink minimum to cash in on the happy hour grub, but being we were there to not only clog our arteries with fried foods but also continue down the path of inebriation, this was no problem. They don't offer drink specials here, I guess they figure the price of the food is draw enough.
As we sat down at the empty bar, we were warmly welcomed by Fred the friendly bartender. He suggested the burger and wings so I followed his professional opinion. The food was really good, I guess at $1.95 who can complain. After horsing down our food and talking Chinese politics with Fred, we saddled up and peddled on home. 2 Grey Goose Cocktails, Fried Zucchini, Chicken Wings, and Cheeseburger and Fries..$25.14. Can't beat that. I will definitely be back.
All in all a great experience that I highly recommend.
Okay, so it may not be the most eager crowd to watch playoff's with -- but I still love this place! Why -- you ask?
Well, you cannot beat their Happy Hour Menu! Honestly, it's the best appetizer and meal deals around for happy hour. The bartenders are fiery -- and full of personality and you have TV screens everywhere to watch the game. It'll be packed and their happy hour ends @ 7 but on game nights -- they go on through the night. :-)
Go McCormicks!
I have no idea how the restaurant is, but this review is for the bar:
Let me keep this short and simple...
1. Great happy hour menu - the simpler dishes start at $1.95 (we ordered fried zucchini and seafood chili - yum!)
2. Friendly bartenders
3. Lots of space at the bar + lots of tables around it, so chances are you'll find seating.
4. There's more than one TV so everyone can watch the sports games and whatnot.
5. Good mix of people. My friend and I are definitely on the young side, especially when it comes to the Downtown LA crowd during happy hour, but at McCormick & Schmick's, we were able to chill and not feel out of place.
The only bad thing is that drinks are not discounted during happy hour.
Happy Hour Review:
-Reasonably priced drinks but aren't discounted during HH.
-$1.95 & $5.95 HH food menu (not very vegan friendly - the fried zucchini was okay and my friend M.L. really enjoyed the seafood chili.)
-Great service - our bartender saw me perusing the wine list, asked if I had anything in mind, when I expressed my ambivalence, he poured me a tasting of some really good pinot noir that I ended up taking.
-Diverse crowd- you won't feel out of place if you show up in casual, business casual, or full on business attire
Overall, a good place to pop in for a drink or two and a small bite after work - I especially liked the fact that it's literally right across the street from where I work so I didn't have to repark my car or walk too far in my cute but not-so-functional heels.
I've been here to have lunch with clients a couple of times in the last few months. The location is great, and the service is prompt.
However, when I asked for the catch date of both the farmed atlantic salmon, and the wild caught salmon from B.C., the waiter just pointed to the "Catch of the Day" portion of the menu and said "That's the catch of the day." Yes, but that is an often used expression that rarely means that the fish was actually caught that morning.
I asked again and he then told me one was live caught and one was farmed. #1 - If you don't know the answer go ask the chef. #2 - This isn't Denny's, at a restaurant of this caliber I expect them to know when the fish they are serving died. I didn't even bother with the next question - how was it transported. I gave up at that point because I didn't want to look like the fish snob I am in front of 3 clients and an Account Executive.
The rest of the food was average. Not what I would have expected. My expectations match the hype and level of the establishment and this did not measure up.
Happy Hour!!!
Dink prices reasonable. Appetizer prices really good.
Nothing really great, but nothing bad.
This with my first experience with the chain. I wasn't very impressed. I found the food mediocre and boring. The complimentary sourdough bread was good, however. There are restaurants I find much better all around this one -- Nick & Stefs, Pinot, Water Grill, and Chaya to name a few.
*Dinner Review*
For those who aren't too familiar with driving around downtown you might find yourself circling around the US Bank building a few times. Once you've found the place you can either park in the structure ($5 validated first 3 hours) or valet $7.
The restaurant is designed and decorated in a old style that reminds you of vintage LA. When business moguls smoked cigars and where mobsters decided on their next hit. We celebrated our Christmas party in one of their private rooms. The room was nicely decorated and it had its own bar.
I had the Grill plate which consisted of Alaskan King Salmon, Chilean Sea Bass, crab cake, fresh steamed vegetables, and a scoop of this gooey rice. My Salmon was overgrilled and was a pathetic little filet. My seabass was perfectly grilled and was much more generous in size. What sucked about the fish? It was plain....they put nothing on it. No salt, no pepper, no nothing! I could of bought a couple of filets and done this myself. Come on, add some basil or or some oregano. The crab cake was perfectly fried but almost cold. Well, at least my vegetables were nicely steamed. Oh yeah, the gooey rice thinga-ma-wicka lacked any flavor. I dont even know why it was there. For desert, my dish came with a creme brulee. The first thing I always do is lightly tap on the top of the sugar coat to make sure it's hard. My spoon went right through the top into the creme.Oh my Fucken god....how do you mess up the sugar top?! Since we were there with alot of company people, I didnt want to seem like a prick so I just ate it. To my dismay, the creme lacked any flavor, simply plain.
I also had a taste of the steak and shrimp scampi. The top sirloin was cooked well, but I've never liked it because its too chewy. Go with the filet mignon. The shrimp scampi was aaiiight, but it just lacked flavor like the rest of the fish.
I'll probably have to check out the happy hour. When I was walking by the kitchen, all I saw were big hamburgers. I hear that's a popular item there.
Our waiters gave us excellent service and did not forget any of our requests. All in all, I wasn't too impressed. If I ever go back, it'll just be for the happy hour.
Without competition downtown's best happy hour - read the reviews below for that. But it's also legitimately a fancy seafood restaurant. it's definitely something you should keep in mind if you're looking for a place with white tablecloths and expensive wine but can't stand to do another Patina restaurant.
But yeah - the $1.95 happy hour cheeseburger is a difficult thing to pass up if you're in downtown between 3:30pm-7pm on a weekday. Which is to say: if you're stuck in downtown.
3.5 is more accurate. Their Happy Hour would get 4 stars but solely for the value factor on the Cheeseburger. Its cheaper than a happy meal and tastes much better too. The dinners are not bad at all, its just...I'd rather spend that much on better places. So I just didnt think it was worth the prices.
Go ONLY for the Happy Hour !! Food and service not up to the hype. The food, everything BLAND. I had the salmon stuffed w/ crab and shrimp, $25. I could see some crab and shrimp!? How come there's no flavor?? Is this stuff frozen? If you want know what this dish tastes like, buy some farm raised salmon, don't put ANY seasoning on it, nothing - and bake it. Put it on a dinner plate, arrange on the side a couple of steamed broccoli, a small stalk of carrot, and some chopped, boiled plain red cabbage. Add basic mashed potato with perhaps some garlic powder, no gravy and there you go. Nothing to write home about!
I ordered curry mussels as appetizer, but the waiter got it mixed up and brought over red sauce. He specifically asked if I wanted curry or red sauce and then claims they were out of curry so he just told them to make tomato. That isn't what I ordered, so when he asked you want me to take it back? I told him, yep take it back. So, for appetizers - I had the spinach dip, fried calamari and crab cakes. The fried calamari was pretty good, light, crispy batter, and tender. The spinach dip, bland and unexciting. It also had bits of twiney pieces in it that I had to remove. The crab cakes, again bland and unexciting - more bread than anything. Leftover spinach dip and two pieces of crab cake left sitting there uneaten, unheard of !!
The bread - dense, just sour, served with unsalted, whipped butter. Not much happening here either. Asked for olive oil instead, still didn't enjoy the bread. So disappointing, I was hungry too! The dessert, chocolate souffle was sort of dry - buy a box of Betty Crocker brownie mix, baked some of it in a round baking dish, let it sit for a week, top with some ok vanilla ice cream, and drizzle in a nice pattern some fudge and caramel. Me thinks it's not too complicated to slap the meal together YOURSELF!
Generally, service blah. Since I was seated at the end of a long table, the waiter had the nerve to hand me a glass and ask me to pass it down. Then dude mixed up what I ordered, and also acted really rushed. I checked out the other wait staff and they seem to be cool and collected. No bus boys, so the waiters have to do double duty, resulting in the lame service we got or maybe not. The guy didn't use a bus tray as the others were doing and he would shuffle the dirty plates back to the kitchen a couple a time. Somehow, it didn't affect the professionalism of the other waiters, I think ours was just lame!
Happy hour has the best scene on the hill, good deal on ok food for $2 and $5. Good crowd, USC grads, spacious bar area. Everything is MEDIOCRE, they are way 'laxing on the corporate expense accounts at this great location. Bottom line, WAY overpriced for the food quality. Very few options as far as salads or vegetables. 2.5 stars, rounded down cause all the good ratings here are FOR the HAPPY HOUR. I wouldn't come back to dine, no way. The salmon and food is better @ SIZZLER's !! And I've had way better meals at Norm's. The food, at these prices - SUCK big time! Ok, for realz - I'm getting out the "You Got YELPED!" cards.
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Los Angeles, CA
Game Night/ Happy Hour/…
Neighborhood: Silver Lake
Neighborhood: Beverly Hills
Category: Seafood
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Bars
Neighborhood: Pasadena
Category: Seafood
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Tapas Bars
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: American (New)
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