McCormick and Schmick in Skokie: Fish on the Patio (Chicago Area Restaurant Review No. 66)

We have had mixed success with the McCormick and Schmick restaurant chain. We really like both downtown branches, but we were decidedly less than enthused by the Downers Grove outlet. But we do generally like the seafood at McCormick and Schmick and we felt like seafood on a recent evening, so we decided to try this location. It was a rare beautiful night in June for this miserable Chicago spring, so Steve once again broke his vow about never eating outside in the suburbs (more trees = more bugs) and we sat on the patio.

We each had a glass of Fourteen Hands Merlot. Lisa liked this wine more than Steve, who found it too dry. For an appetizer, we ordered the baked brie, which both of us really liked. Steve's wedge salad had just the right amount of bleu cheese dressing and was excellent. Lisa also liked her romaine salad, as the lettuce was fairly crisp for romaine and very fresh. We also very much liked the sourdough bread that accompanied the salads.

Unfortunately, the main couses were a bit disappointing. Steve had the best salmon he has ever tasted at the downtown McCormick and Schmick about a year ago during what the restaurant advertised as the salmon festival. Steve noticed that the same salmon was advertised here (Wild Sockeye) but it just wasn't anywhere near as good as the downtown location's salmon and was also a little tough. Lisa's scallop and shrimp fettucine alfredo was pretty good, except for the shrimp. The alfredo sauce tasted smooth and the scallops were fresh and flavorful, but the shrimp tasted slightly fishy. For dessert, Lisa had the flourless chocolate cake, which was very dense (as it should be) and dark chocolate. Steve had the trio (creme brulee, cobbler and bread pudding). The portions were large, so it was like three full desserts. Steve only had a taste of each, and he thought the cobbler and bread pudding were good, but the creme brulee was ordinary.

The bathrooms were the one respect where the restaurant was better than downtown, as they were clean, however, they are still nothing special and the Women's Room was a little short on paper supplies (not good).

Initially, we thought the minimal foliage and somewhat windy conditions had totally elminating our buggy friends, however, as the meal progressed, the savory treats did attract some of that species, but it was worth it to sit outside on a beautiful evening.

Dinner for two with wine by the glass was a decent value of $145.

Our ratings for McCormick and Schmick, Old Orchard Center, Skokie, Illinois:

7 of 10 Fish Hooks; 2 of 3 Bathroom Brushes; 1.5 of 5 Bug Zappers (5 meaning 5 Bug Zappers would be needed to control the bug population)