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McCormick & Schmick's
If you can believe it, McCormick & Schmick's have been around for over 40 years. It all started in Portland, OR, when the company's namesakes purchased an old crawfish restaurant, and revitalized a 100 year old landmark. Today, with more than 80 locations, they've become one of the premier names in seafood. Quality, hospitality, and freshness are just a few of the things they strive to provide every day. With a reputation like this, we knew that we were in for a treat. Were they worth the trip? Read on and find out!
Crab cakes may not be available at every McCormick & Schmick's restaurant, so check the menu at your location before heading out! During our visit, crab cakes were available as an appetizer, sandwich, and an entree. The appetizer comes with fire roasted corn salsa. While predominately a lunch option, the sandwich is topped with roasted poblano tartar sauce, and served alongside Chesapeake fries. The entree comes with lemon butter, fire roasted corn salsa, seasonal orzo, and vegetables.
Each crab cake is about 4 oz. in size, and tightly packed with lump crab meat. Not too many large lumps, but what is there is expected for lump crab meat. All of that crab is bound together with a base mixture of mayonnaise and breadcrumbs, with little spice added. As part of the entree, the corn salsa was served on top of the crab cakes, which were in turn on top of the lemon butter.
The crab meat is nice and flavorful, with a nice amount of sweetness. Flavor of the binder is fairly neutral, and doesn't get in the way of the crab flavor. This would be expected, as there isn't much binder within the mix; just enough to hold it all together. On that note, there really wasn't any distinguishable spice added to the binder.
Despite the spice amounts being on the low side, we really did like this crab cake. What we mostly tasted was crab, followed by the binder. But everything worked together, and every bite - from the first to the last - was enjoyable. We do still think a bit more spice would be nice, it's a small niggle that would only make a tasty crab cake that much better. As for the other accompaniments, the corn salsa really didn't add anything more than texture to the cakes, and would be better off served on the side, rather than on top, of the cakes. We were ok with the lemon butter, with the exception that we could have used a bit more of it, and that it could have used a pinch of salt.
Additional Info
- Restaurant Name: McCormick & Schmick's
- Address: 1652 K St, NW Washington, DC 20006
- Neighborhood: Golden Triangle
- Restaurant Type: National Chain
- Website: http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/
- Review Date: 12/08/2014 12:27pm
- Atmosphere: Not Busy to Moderate
- Item(s) Ordered: Lump Crab Cakes
- Cooking Style: Sauteed
- Other Styles Available: No
- Available by mail order?: No
- Price: 27.99
- Order Type: Double Platter
- Crab Content: Lump
- Filler: Minimal
- Spice: Minimal
- Overall Impression: Very Good
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Rating (out of 5 crabs):
