McCormick & Schmick’s By Jim White Serious seafood, a great location and good prices—sounds like all the ingredients for a successful restaurant to me. And, that’s what you’ll find at the new McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant in NorthPark.  The restaurant has opened pretty quietly, but already has gained a big following.  The Portland based restaurant chain has operated for about 30 years and has locations all over the country.  It may be a chain, but don’t hold that against them.  McCormick and Schmick’s seems to enjoy the best of both worlds:  staff, training and smooth operation of a chain; local flavor and friendly feeling of an independent. In fact, their website declares that “…each restaurant’s chef contributes to the menu’s unique and imaginative appeal by creating dishes tailored to regional tastes and their own talents.” Texas Gulf, Red snapper basted with Chipotle Chili butter fits the bill, as do Texas Blue Crab Cakes, Gulf Shrimp and, I guess, a Cajun spiced pork chop for those Louisiana expatriates, and of course, big ol steaks sure as heck match regional tastes. I also learned a whole lot more about the history of Dallas and Oak Cliff by studying the vintage map hanging in the lobby of McCormick and Schmick’s. OK, they win the prize for trying to assimilate the local flavor.  It’s the other flavors at McCormick and Schmick’s in which I think you’ll be most interested. Fresh seafood flown in from around the world so often they have to change the menu twice daily.  Name a seafood specialty and it’s likely on the list:  oysters, clams, scallops, snapper, crab and more.  I had some delicate Oregon Petrale with a simple lemon, caper butter sauce that was delicious.  I wanted to stay in the neighborhood and order a Pinot Gris from King Estate, but it wasn’t available, so a Trimbach Reserve from Alsace made for a perfect match.  You’ll find a wide variety of wine and wines by the glass to match your meal. The service is quick, friendly and maybe a tad solicitous.  But you’ll never have to hunt for a server. McCormick and Schmick’s is open daily for lunch and dinner.  It’s a great addition to the Near North dining scene and makes a great location for a business meal. On the KRLD Restaurant Show Review Scale of One to Five Forks McCormick and Schmick’s Rates 3 and a Half Forks Food is 3 and a Half Forks Service is 3 Forks Atmosphere is 3 and a Half Forks Price is moderately expensive with entrees at lunch ranging from $8.70 to $12.90 and at night from $10.95 to $23.70. McCormick and Schmick’s is located at 307 NorthPark Center—on the Northwest Highway side, the center’s restaurant row, next to Maggiano’s and PF Chang’s.  The phone number is 214-891-0100. Send me an Email: jwdineline@aol.com