McGrath's Fish House

 

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7

Kay G.

Gladstone, OR

This is a Fish House. For 5 years now, I've walked in the door and been greeted with a fresh fish on ice. The chalkboard in the foyer shows the fish specials, where the fish came from, and where the fish are biting locally.  The building is wonderful, nice and airy. The colors are relaxed. The location is good, on a pond, so you can watch ducks and nutria from the windows or the patio. What? Oh, the food. Yes, yes.

For appetizers, I strongly recommend the crab and artichoke dip, as well as the crab and shrimp wontons. If you want cold appetizers, everything on the oyster bar menu is good. The Ahi, the cocktails, the prawns. All of it.

Their chowder is great, especially with some of that fresh, hot sourdough bread.  I'm not much of a tomato eater so I've never tried the fisherman's stew.

They have also created some excellent seafood and salad pairings. When I am in a salad mood I get either the Herb crusted salmon salad or the Seared ahi salad, both of which are HUGE.  If I'm not concerned about getting as much protein in my meal, I find the Oregon pear, bleu cheese, and walnut salad a delight.

Fish dinners:  HALIBUT PARMESAN, HAZELNUT SOLE, MACADAMIA MAHI MAHI are all great. You cannot go wrong.

Their burgers say 'gourmet' on the menu and they really are very good...its hard to find a better burger in the Portland area.  I usually ask them to cook the pattie medium rare, though.

And the desserts.  Well, if you have an entree it is unlikely that you will make it to dessert.  And the desserts are quite good, and enough to feed 4, so no matter how big your tummy is, it is likely those big eyes of yours will have your hands carrying most of the dessert home in a bag.

I have guests visiting me from all over the country and the world.  All have found the food and the ambiance pleasing. My European friends are always surprised by the reasonable prices.

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Elite '08

100

251

Robyn L.

Belmont, MA

This is the second year in a row that McGrath's has played some role in my Christmas feasting. Last year, it was a few days before the holiday and the place was fairly empty, this year it was Christmas Eve and the place was packed -- for good reason. We didn't plan well in returning home from Bend, and any restaurants we'd thought of having dinner were closed. The grocery stores were also closed. McGrath's graciously stayed open until 8 pm, and locals took advantage of it. People wanted their Seven Fishes.

They have a great menu of fresh seafood, with everything from crab legs and calamari to hazelnut encrusted trout with marionberry sauce (one of the various specials). The wine list is solid, and the salads are filled with crisp, fresh veggies and croutons, but I think it was the fresh-baked sourdough bread with warm butter that made the dinner perfect. The staff is also very accomodating and friendly. If you find the wait too long and you're sans children, sit at the bar and enjoy a good meal.

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