By: cbordeaux

cbordeaux — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:50:57 +0000

Thanks for pointing out this report. I did a good deal of reading on all of the studies they did, and it seems most of the restaurants failed - at about an 80%+ rate. It seems to be that most restaurants but the blame on the suppliers - none of whom I saw were named. My guess is that it was the suppliers. I could not imagine a national restuarant with the prestige and noteriety of M&S putting their reputation on the line by doing this on their own. I do not think that they “intentionally LIE” as you implied.

There there were smaller restaurants (without a name to protect) that the manager came right out and said that the fish wasn’t what it said.

The General Manager of M&S stated that they have begun to order the fish with the skin on so that they may more readily discern the species of fish. Given the overwhelming failure rate among all of the restaurants involved, it will not change my decision to go to M&S. It is still the best upscale seafood restaurant I have tried in Charlotte (there are a few that are on my list that may compete with them).

It is also worthy to point out that the NC Department of Agriculture views this substitution of one fish for another a violation of state and federal law and has vowed to take action where appropriate. They said that they would investigate the restaurants and suppliers in the WCNC report, but to my knowledge, no charges were ever filed against any of them. I might also point out that this stroy was over a year ago. One would think that would be ample time to do this simple investigation.

Oh yes, the apple pie is great. Although, I will keep eating the Creme Brulee - it is my favorite.

You can see the full reports here:
http://www.wcnc.com/6newsextra/investigators/stories/wcnc-052107-jmn-fish2.934c5a34.html
http://www.wcnc.com/6newsextra/investigators/stories/wcnc-052207-krg-red_snapper_INV.968f25ad.html
http://www.wcnc.com/news/topstories/stories/wcnc-071107-krg-fish_advancer.674d57df.html

By: Fred

Fred — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 02:59:04 +0000

please remember, wcnc (local nbc station) did an interesting package on seafood restaurants in the charlotte area where the fish they ordered was tested (dna) and to my horror M&S FAILED spectacularly. so, unless you are craving the best apple pie in charlotte (no kidding, it’s really great) avoid this place. they charge A LOT and then intentionally LIE about the fish you order. it really p’d me off when i found out about this . . . . wcnc did a great job.

Comments on: Dining Out: McCormick & Schmicks (Southpark)

By: cbordeaux

By: Fred