McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant

Hey James. It was just announced on the Fox ten o'clock news. We will see.

Just by looking at their site, they sound a whole lot like a Mitchell's.

Well, if they're like Mitchell's, that's a good thing. They and Bonefish Grill are my 2 go to seafood places in the Ville. That is for upscale casual dining, by the way. For the fried stuff, I like Moby Dick's and Stan's. Kingfish across the river is always nice for lunch now and then.

The one in Chicago on Chestnut (a block from Michigan Avenue and the Hancock) was pretty good. My office would lunch there regularly; I didn't know then that it was a chain. They had a changing daily menu based on what had just come in.

My sister, who lives in Charlotte NC, has been to that one twice and says it's a letdown from the Chicago one - not as fresh, and less perfectionist with side dishes.

I read somewhere (and have noticed while traveling) that many airports are incorporating local restaurants and specialties into their dining options. The appeal is obvious. If you have a layover in, say, Chicago, why not opt for a Gold Coast Dog and feel like you've gotten a taste of the place? Why not extend this opportunity to conventioneers, who are similarly stranded within walking distance of their downtown hotel?

What a great opportunity to market Louisville, instead of trying to mimic the supposed attractions of a larger city?

While they are like Mitchell's in that the menu is printed daily - depending on what is fresh - I think (at least from the DC and Chicago ones I've been to) that the quality is several steps above Mitchell's.

Now, no telling what Mitchell's will be like now that it's bought by Ruth's Criss . . .

While they are like Mitchell's in that the menu is printed daily - depending on what is fresh - I think (at least from the DC and Chicago ones I've been to) that the quality is several steps above Mitchell's.

Now, no telling what Mitchell's will be like now that it's bought by Ruth's Criss . . .

Linkie, please.

I found it..looks good...based on our forum input.

http://www.wineloverspage.com/forum/hot ... =mitchells

BTW, I love Mitchell's Seafood. Here is what they say about their menus.

The menu is ever changing with 80 seafood choices, and it’s printed twice daily. That’s the way it has to be at this unique seafood restaurant that’s absolutely, positively obsessed with freshness. Only the freshest of the fresh is even considered for the delicious variety of chef-driven dishes and tried-and-true seafood favorites you’ll find at Mitchell’s Fish Market.

Twice daily.

I've been to the one in Cincinnati a few times, never been disappointed.
They have a great happy hour before Bengal games.

I've been to the one in Cincinnati a few times, never been disappointed.
They have a great happy hour before Bengal games.

Can someone tell me why a chain, no matter how upscale or trendy, is cause for excitement? Who is it for? Tourists? A notch on the local belt? Gimme our Originals!

Yes to both. It is big for our Convention and Tourism folks to get a name like that. Which is why they are downtown and now in the usual "foodie" locations (though downtown rapidly improving).

Having names like Morton's and M&S is huge for pulling in conventions, meetings etc. Also, downtown companies like them for entertaining associates and customers who are in town.

They aren't really intended for us food lovers.. thought I'm sure they'd be happy to take your money.

Having names like that is definitely a plus for our local economy and status... just like a Nordstrom's would be for retail. IMO, they end up helping local restaurants... a rising tide raises all ships.

Can someone tell me why a chain, no matter how upscale or trendy, is cause for excitement? Who is it for? Tourists? A notch on the local belt? Gimme our Originals!

Yes to both. It is big for our Convention and Tourism folks to get a name like that. Which is why they are downtown and now in the usual "foodie" locations (though downtown rapidly improving).

Having names like Morton's and M&S is huge for pulling in conventions, meetings etc. Also, downtown companies like them for entertaining associates and customers who are in town.

They aren't really intended for us food lovers.. thought I'm sure they'd be happy to take your money.

Having names like that is definitely a plus for our local economy and status... just like a Nordstrom's would be for retail. IMO, they end up helping local restaurants... a rising tide raises all ships.

Agreed. They signal "this is a happening place" to upscale business travelers/convention folks.

[Robin Garr]

Having names like that is definitely a plus for our local economy and status... just like a Nordstrom's would be for retail. IMO, they end up helping local restaurants... a rising tide raises all ships.

Okay, I don't mean to be argumentative, although I'm sure it sounds like that. But what we're saying here is that it's more important to develop our downtown as a bland, homogenized Anywhere USA with name brands than to maintain a unique and distinctive local character?

It might be true, but I don't much like it ...

But what we're saying here is that it's more important to develop our downtown as a bland, homogenized Anywhere USA with name brands than to maintain a unique and distinctive local character?

That's not what Chris wrote nor what I agreed with.

[Robin Garr]

That's not what Chris wrote nor what I agreed with.

Okay, fair enough, but isn't that where it tends to lead? Maybe I'm just cranky, but I feel kind of sad when I see the same store logos in Louisville and Atlanta and Chicago and New York and the Champs-Elysees in Paris and Miraflores in Lima and Makati in the Philippines, ya know?

At the very least it will raise the bar for seafood restaurants in town.

I agree with you Robin that we don't want a generic city but the classy stuff is always welcome, it brings tourists in. I always try out a new M&S in a new city, if I get a chance. I bet other tourists think the same way.

I'm sure there will be quite a few foodies frequenting the place too. I have a feeling with UPS being here and the high level of staff, that they can find in Louisville, this would be a good one.

It also gives local places something to shoot down, either with their local ambience or culinary skills. If you're good, people will come regardless of what chain is in town.

I have to disagree with you on this one, I think it's good for Louisville.

[Robin Garr]

I have to disagree with you on this one, I think it's good for Louisville.

Well, hey now, I'm not so much picking on M&S specifically. I've been to the ones in Anchorage and Seattle, and I think they're very nice.

I do fear that the bigger a chain gets, the more "variable" it becomes. It's really hard to escape the hand of the bean counter.

But in this particular context, I'm whining more about the general trend by city fathers to go ga-ga over national brands and chains while seemingly almost deliberately putting obstacles in the way of local independents in their efforts to compete.

Hey James. It was just announced on the Fox ten o'clock news. We will see.

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