Seafood and Steak Restaurant
21 East 5th Street
Cincinnati,
Ohio 45202
Imagine…great food, friendly service, gentle breezes and a beautiful, outdoor view of downtown Cincinnati; and what you have is nothing short of a blessing. Let's just say, I was having a bad day and really needed something to remind me that there was still good in this city….and on that day I got an epitome…we have great 5 star restaurants and occasional good people you meet along the way. So, strolling down 5th Street in search of the perfect place to soothe my pain-if you’re a fellow foodie, then you understand the comfort of a great meal on your soul, when I looked over and spotted McCormick and Schmick’s. I knew at first sight that it was the place I wanted to be. The elegant, outdoor dining area along with the beautiful view of Fountain Square was calling me.
We were greeted by a friendly hostess situated behind a podium, which felt refined, like the “reservation only” restaurants you see in the movies. As we walked through the lobby, on our way to the outside dining area, I almost felt guilty about dining outside because the inside was just as inviting. Once outside, we were seated (my son and I) and the ordering frenzy began. The menu was large and filled with a wide array of fresh seafood and fine steak items. As I glanced through it, my eyes immediately stopped at “The Oyster Bar,” a section filled with various types of raw oysters-something I had wrote about in a vacation article once, and thought I would love to try. So imagine my delight when I saw that they, too, offered a raw oyster bar, and that I didn’t have to travel to foreign lands to try it! I relaxed in my seat, knowing I had chosen the right place to enjoy my city. It wasn’t long before Amber, our very pleasant and knowledgeable server, arrived and took our order. I settled on the Chesapeake Bay Oyster from the raw oyster bar, lobster tail, sweet potato couscous and Prosecco Sangria, and my son settled on the cheeseburger and fries-I know, not quite a risk-taker like me.
The meal began with fresh, warm bread with a side of butter, followed by the Prosecco Sangria, which didn’t disappoint. It was the right combination of sweet, cool and sparkling, and a great way to enjoy the great outdoors. Next was the Chesapeake Bay Oyster, followed by the sweet potato couscous, and the bright, beautiful red lobster tail with butter. I started with the Chesapeake Bay Oyster. It was amazing; nothing like I’d imagined raw oysters to taste. It was clean and fresh, except for the dab of cocktail sauce and horseradish I added to the top, not to mention, they were fun to swallow. I liked it so much, I tried another, and another before finally moving onto the lobster tail and couscous.
The couscous was nutty, light and airy with hints of buttery-sweet, sweet potatoes to surprise the pallet every now and then. It was the perfect complement to my exotic meal, because it didn’t overpower the delicate flavors of the oysters or the lobster, so I was able to savor the taste long after it was gone. I could hardly wait to devour the lobster tail, which waited so patiently for me to get around to it. It was perfect. The meat was tender and juicy, and dipped in butter… it was heaven. I ended the meal with the crème brulee-I had, had custard before, from a box that, well shall I say, had convinced me that I was not a fan of custard...until now. The carmely, sweet custard was the perfect ending to my meal. It had a slight crunch from the caramelized sugar topping, and the creamy, warm center melted in my mouth, then oozed through my body and made my eyes roll in the back of my head. I even went so far as to learn to make it at home, so I could enjoy it whenever I’d like. As of now, let's just say, it’s still in the works for perfection, but something tells me it will never match the art of my first love.
If you are looking for an amazing fresh seafood experience with great outdoor views or a mini vacation in your own backyard, then McCormick & Schmick’s is the place. It features fresh, seafood from around the world, and is conveniently located right next to the Westin Hotel and within walking distance of many of Cincinnati’s shopping, theater and sports venues.
