PORTLAND Ore. McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants are tapping the flavors of New Zealand in a promotional menu available until Feb. 27.
Starting Wednesday, new menu items include greenshell mussel fritters with cilantro-roasted garlic pesto; shellfish stew featuring greenshell mussels, scallops, shrimp and clams in a Riesling-cream broth and served in a sourdough bowl; king salmon from Marlborough Sounds that is grilled and topped with a caramelized apple-Sauvignon Blanc reduction; and New Zealand grass-fed filet mignon served Wellington style with a kiwi, blue cheese and onion tart.
Akiwi puree adds a New Zealand twist to a pavlova with Meyer lemon curd. The restaurants are also featuring two wines from New Zealand: Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc and The Crossing Pinot Noir.
The country’s iconic kiwi fruit also appears in cocktails, including the Kiwi Meringue Pie that features the fruit muddled with vanilla vodka, kiwi-flavored syrup, simple syrup and lemon juice and topped with whipped cream. The Kiwi Quencher pairs kiwi and strawberries with rum, kiwi syrup and lemon juice and is topped with lemon-lime soda and served over ice.
“We always strive to provide our guests with opportunities to explore and enjoy flavors from around the world, and our offerings from New Zealand are spectacular,” said Bill Freeman, McCormick & Schmick’s chief executive. “Following a year in which many of our guests may have cut back or canceled travel, we are excited to bring a taste of New Zealand to them.”
As part of the promotion, the chain is also offering guests a chance to win a trip for two to Auckland, New Zealand, provided by Air New Zealand and New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, from anywhere in the United States. The trip includes a six-night hotel stay.
Also, guests at any of the 87-unit chain restaurants will have the chance to win a $50 gift card for Icebreaker, a luxury apparel brand featuring New Zealand merino wool clothing and accessories.
Based in Portland, Ore., McCormick & Schmick’s operates 87 namesake restaurants in the U.S., as well as six restaurants in Canada under The Boathouse brand.
Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected].