A New McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant

Ira Royal, general manager of the new McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant (1201 Fannin, 713-658-8100), has spent more than 20 years in the restaurant business with stints at Fox Sports Grill, Pappadeaux and BJ’s Brewery. “This is a great location in the new Houston Pavilions, downtown,” he says. “We’ve got all the downtown businesses, the Theater District, sporting events…and we’re within walking distance of the convention center.”

Executive Chef Doug Pollard worked for the Mandola family at Damian’s and the now-defunct State Grille before joining McCormick & Schmick’s. “We have the best selection of oysters in Houston,” he points out, and he’s right — we counted ten different varieties one day. “Because we get the business crowd at lunch, we’re doing lots of salads and sandwiches so that people can be back at work in less than 45 minutes.”

When Cafe Bites visited at lunchtime during the second week McCormick & Schmick’s was open, we found a line outside the door. The hostess asked if we had reservations, then handed us a business card for next time so that we could make them. The chef’s special of the day was a delicious piece of grilled mahimahi served on a bed of garlic mashed potatoes. But not everything on the menu comes from the sea — meat eaters and vegetarians will find lots to like here.

And if you do it right, you won’t break the bank. “We’re known for our happy hour, especially the $1.95, $3.95 and $4.95 specials,” says Royal. “Where else are you going to get a half-pound cheeseburger for $1.95?” Sounds like an excellent way to stick around downtown and let the traffic die down before returning to the ‘burbs…