The 5 stars are for the happy hour - if it was just the restaurant I would give 3 or 4 stars. I've been to the restaurant itself once for a business lunch and once for a rehearsal dinner - both times were good, not stand-out. I personally am not a huge fan of American food so the prices here are too expensive for me - if I'm going to pay that price I would go to a four-star French place on the beach or something.\r
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But the happy hour - oh, the wonder of McCormick & Schmick's happy hour. they have TWO times - one in the afternoon which is always packed (sometimes can't get a table) and the other from like 9 to 11pm (check their web page for exact times) which has never been busy when I've been there. The wine and beer are reduced price but no mixed drinks on the happy hour list. However the food - they have $2 meals and $6 meals during happy hour. Completely amazing - go for a late, filling dinner at a high-end restaurant out on the patio - romantic and extremely inexpensive. The other best happy hour in Pasadena (for the food and drinks) is the Yard House, but that place is so packed (can't get a table unless you line up before the happy hour starts) and parking is so bad that it makes it impossible to go to there.
Pros: Happy hour, especially the late-night one.
Cons: Go early for afternoon happy hour because it's packed; normal restaurant prices are expensive.
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