P.F. Chang’s just introduced their Triple Happiness Happy Hour which includes cocktails, Dim Sum and Street Fare. The menu is available daily from 3pm to 6pm and nothing is over $6, including food and cocktails**. I was invited by P.F. Chang’s to sample some of their new offerings that are available during Happy Hour.

While you can certainly find items like Egg Rolls, Spring Rolls and P.F. Chang’s famous Lettuce Wraps, I was pleased they treated us to some more of the unique items offered on this menu. We started with the Tuna Tataki Crisp – Ahi Tuna served on a crispy Wonton in a citrus-sesame soy sauce. I’m always a sucker for Ahi Tuna and at under five bucks this is a deal.

Next we sampled two different types of dumplings: the Shanghai Street Dumplings filled with chicken and the Pork and Rice steamed dumplings (pictured above right). I wouldn’t be able to choose one over the other, both were tasty and nicely flavored, although next time I’ll ask for a side of the sriracha sauce to add more of a kick. The Coconut Lemon Sour paired with the dumplings was my favorite of all the cocktails we sampled, made with coconut water, coconut vodka an pure cane sugar it was light and totally refreshing.

If you are really craving heat, then you’ll definitely love the Flaming Red Wontons ($5). These pork-filled wontons are one of the most substantial items on the menu with six per order. And yes, that is pretty star anise inside the gin cocktail above.

Lastly, we were treated to a sampling of their Asian Street Tacos. We sampled Korean beef, spicy shrimp and braised pork. Overall, my favorite was the pork. They do have a Mahi-Mahi one as well, which I’m looking forward to trying on a return visit. As they are supposed to be like “street food” these tacos are small, but they were chock full of ingredients and they didn’t skimp on the proteins either. And the Dark & Spicy cocktail that they were paired with? Fresh and delicious!

As a foodie, normally I wouldn’t gravitate toward a chain restaurant or be particularly inspired to write about one, but this is a little different. The cocktails have quality ingredients like house made ginger beer, coconut water and Yuzu Puree. Much of the food is a sampling of tasty fare you won’t find at an “Americanized” Chinese restaurant.

And best of all, the pricing is easy on the wallet. A couple could enjoy a cocktail a piece and numerous menu items for just over $30. It is nice that the menu is available EVERYDAY, so you could totally have a lazy weekend afternoon. Enjoy a leisurely meal at P.F. Chang’s and mozy over to a nearby movie theatre and catch a matinee. I know that game plan is in my near future. Here’s the link if you’d like to find out more about the P.F. Chang’s Triple Happiness Happy Hour: http://pfchangshappyhour.com.

**Note: If you visit the Cobb location, the drinks will be regular price (around $9). This is because Cobb County law doesn’t allow restaurants to discount liquor we were told when we visited that P.F. Chang’s location. Stupid Cobb County.

During “Ruth’s Hour,” guests can savor seven half-priced Prime Bites selections including:

• New Orleans style barbecued shrimp in reduced white wine, butter and garlic for $7
• Broiled French Quarter steak skewers with a spicy red bell pepper-Cajun cream sauce for $6
• House calamari, lightly fried and tossed with a sweet and spicy Thai chili sauce, for $6.75

The half-priced sandwich selection is:
8 oz New York strip sandwich, served on French bread with shredded lettuce, tomato and shoestring fries for $12.

Small plates range from:

• Blackened sizzlin’ jumbo scallops served with parsley-pesto and lemon-butter, $8
• Three succulent Kobe beef sliders topped with horseradish cream sauce, $7
• Veal osso buco ravioli, a delectable blend of saffron-infused pasta filled with veal osso buco, $6

I’ll be honest, it has been several years since I had visited McCormick & Schmick’s. Not that I didn’t like it, I’ve always been a fan of McCormick & Schmick’s and thought the food was quality and the service excellent. It had just slipped off of my radar for no reason in particular. That is until last Thursday when I was invited to celebrate their 10th anniversary in Georgia.

What they are doing is so cool. McCormick & Schmick’s is supporting Georgia’s Agriculture by using locally sourced products in some of its dishes. So at this shindig, we were treated to the Georgia Shrimp Low Country Boil which really shows off just how good locally sourced products can be. The meal consists of Vidalia onions, Andouille sausage, Corn on the Cobb, Red potatoes, and Shrimp all sourced from places in Georgia. See the recipe below.

Chef Lincoln Sveda serving up some Shrimp

The flavors in this dish were all well represented. The onions and corn are sweet but balanced by the salty, spicy sausage. And the shrimp was cooked perfectly. The red potatoes added a starchy finish to the dish. The only thing that was missing was some bread to absorb some of that tasty broth.

McCormick & Schmick's Low Country Shrimp Boil

If shrimp and sausage isn’t your thing, but you still want to support locally sourced food, not to worry. McCormick & Schmick’s also offers Rainbow Trout from North Georgia.

M&S is also featuring some local Georgia wines. And, surprisingly they are quite delicious. I say “surprisingly” because the only other Georgia wine I’ve sampled is that from Chateau Elan (yuck, this is some disgusting stuff). But the FrogTown winery produces some damn good wine. What surprised me more than anything, is although I have never been a fan of white wine, I loved their Vineaux Blanc. It didn’t have that overly oaky taste I find a turn off. If you are having seafood, this pairs well with it. To find out more about the winery here’s the link.

The dessert of the evening was peach cobbler. This was insanely good! It was so heavenly I couldn’t help but have 2 servings. Not sure if this a regular on the dessert menu, but if you dine at M&S, please don’t leave without having this.

Some of the other entrees that caught my eye are:

• Mussels chipotle ($16.95)
• Mahi Mahi with sweet potato hash collard Greens ($22.95)
• Black Grouper with mussels and gnocchi ($24.95)

Looking to save some dough? Visit M&S during happy hour, M-F 3:30 to 7. They have lots to choose from. Price range is $1.95 – $4.95. Some highlights are the Half Pound Cheeseburger with fries for only $2.95, Fish Taco ($1.95) or the PEI Mussels ($4.95).

I have a couple $10 off coupons for McCormick & Schmick’s that are good for the next 3 months. If you would like one email me and I’ll snail mail one to you (so be sure to include your mailing address).

McCormick & Schmick’s
600 Ashwood Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30338
770-399-9900

Here is sample of the offerings:

Hummus & Olive Tapanade

Chicken Satay with cold peanut noodles

Ceviche Martini (shrimp & scallop)

Max Crustinis

Grilled Sirloin with Kimchi

Smoked Salmon

Wood-Grilled Shrimp Basil Roll

Lamb Slider

Smoked Duck Salad w/cucumber & chili lime

320 Peachtree St NE
Atlanta, GA 30308
404-525-4400
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