There’s one word that comes to mind when describing the current state of casa de Gus…CHAOS!
It’s moving time! The semi trailer arrived yesterday evening and we will spend the next four days filling it up with all of our stuff. We’re more than ready to finally load all of the boxes we’ve packed. This time around, we’re using ABF to move our belongings. When Mitch and I relocated to Texas seven years ago, we moved using a Budget moving truck and vowed never to do that again. Evidently, driving a 26-ft truck full of all of our possessions was not Mitch’s idea of a good time.
With ABF, they drop off the semi trailer, we fill it and then they pick it up and drive it to our destination. SO much easier! It will definitely be a relief to wave goodbye to the trailer on Tuesday morning. If you don’t hear from us by Monday, send help. We may be stuck under the washing machine. 😉
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Since it’s Friday (yippee!), we thought we’d share a recent dog friendly dining experience we had with Gus. In April, we visited one of our favorite Texas cities…Austin. We couldn’t possibly bid Texas adieu without one last visit.
After a long morning of lake walks, the botanical garden and breakfast at Whole Foods, we made our way to the newish area in the NW part of Austin known as The Domain. A stop at McCormick & Schmick’s was on the agenda for lunch. We had a $30 birthday credit on our account that was set to expire and they are dog friendly. Win-win!
After we were seated, the manager came out to say hello and provided Gus with a treat…a Texas Twister!
Gus is normally really picky when it comes to new treats, so you can imagine how surprised we were when he immediately started chewing on it.
While Gus was occupied with his Texas Twister, Mitch and I moved on to the important task of choosing our entrees. I am notoriously wishy-washy when it comes to selecting menu items. Luckily, Mitch is patient and lets me hem and haw over my choice for as long as it takes.
For those of you who live close to a McCormick & Schmick’s, we highly recommend signing up for their Preferred Guest program. You earn points for every dollar you spend and they load your card with $30 credit for your birthday. Plus, several locations we’ve visited have outdoor dog friendly patios!
During this particular visit to McCormick & Schmick’s, we learned that if you show your card when you order, they provide a complimentary amuse-bouche to kick-off your meal. Free sushi? Yes please. 🙂
Mitch opted for the always-tasty fish and chips…
Luckily for me, he’s not a fan of cole slaw. It was definitely the star of the meal. Light, fresh and bursting with crunchy veggies!
After an intense scouring of the menu, I opted for the Chef’s Special, the wild hebi. The fish was perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. I seriously could have bathed in the fresh lemon-dill butter. TMI?
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The Details:
McCormick & Schmick’s: 11600 Century Oaks Terrace Austin, TX 512.836.0500
- Opens at 11am Mon-Fri & Sun; 11;30am on Sat
- Click here for McCormick and Schmick’s menus
Our Review (+ = positive, – = negative):
+ Dog friendly outdoor seating
+ Gus was given his own special welcome treat
+ Service was quick and very friendly
+ Dined for free using our $30 Preferred Guest birthday credit
+ Located within The Domain shopping area
d
– The patio has a limited number of shaded tables – not a good choice for hot, summer days
Fun Facts:
- McCormick & Schmick’s has a fabulous happy hour ($2.95 burger and fries!)
- Preferred Guest card earns points for each dollar spent
- Locations throughout the U.S.
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We wish you all a very happy Friday and weekend!
According to Gus 
Judy
June 3, 2011
Looks like a great place to go. Both you and Gus looks happy with the dining options. It’s great that you can earn credit toward a birthday meal since not many places that I know of do that.
Anna
June 3, 2011
yet another great looking space to eat. And that they provided with a dog treat really shows they are dog friendly. I should really do some google work and see if I can find a place here that would do that. Not sure how Luna would do sitting still that long. Eventually she would probably just throw herself on the ground and pout. Wyatt would probably be better at it in ways because he is happier being stationary than Luna.
Thanks for sharing and good lucky loading this weekend! Be careful!
Anna
http://www.akginspiration.com
According to Gus
June 3, 2011
I bet they would both do great! Gus is always a bit antsy when we first sit down, but it never takes him long to settle in and relax. 🙂
Pip
June 3, 2011
Best of luck with the move! We have already packed many of our things away (and now we can’t find anything) so the idea of moving sounds pretty good right about now!
Your pal, Pip
Wendy @ iwuvwes.wuvtags.com
June 3, 2011
Awww… I love the fact that Gus took to the Texas Twister right away. What a polite little boy!
Best wishes on your upcoming packing! I did the ABF thing moving cross-country, too. Just remember: That trailer looks big at first, but gets small super fast. Pack it HIGH and TIGHT to avoid stuff breaking. And I’m sure you already know this, but… um… just expect any cheap (Ikea-like) furniture to break. AND put stuff you’ll want immediately (e.g., a set of sheets & towels) in a box that gets shoved in the trailer right before you close the door. 🙂 Okay, that’s enough “advice” outta me! I’ve got a tub of lemon dill-butter to jump in.
According to Gus
June 3, 2011
GREAT tips! You’re absolutely right, it looks huge right now, but I’m sure it will fill up fast!
raisingdaisy
June 3, 2011
I wish we had that place here! The fish with lemon-butter-dill sauce is right up my alley….mmmmmm! And Gus certainly looks like he’s enjoying his cheesy treat too! What a wonderful day you had – I’m green with envy!
Good luck with the packing, that’s the one thing I dread about the thought of moving (in the future…). I’m so excited for you about your upcoming adventure! 🙂
Two Pitties & A Grad Student
June 3, 2011
Have fun and good luck with the move!
We went to McCormick & Schmicks to introduce our parents, looks like you guys went on a gorgeous day!
http://www.twogradstudentsandapittie.blogspot.com
Hudson
June 3, 2011
Love your blog !!! Hope your move goes smoothly and what an exciting time in your life.
2browndawgs
June 3, 2011
Gus certainly looked like he enjoyed the Texas Twister! That first picture of him checking it out is precious. The 2 brown dawgs are great dogs, but somehow I don’t see them being as well behaved as Gus at a restaurant. They are fine at home, but with food all around…well…just don’t know….
Good luck with the load out. Don’t overdo!
one person's view
June 3, 2011
Sometimes I think you missed your calling– you really should be a restaurant critic/food blogger!
DON’T FALL UNDER THE WASHING MACHINE. Not a plan, not at all.
3 pups
June 3, 2011
WOW! simply allowing dogs and providing a community bowl of water is swell, but giving Gus his own special treat!! Now THAT is pet-friendly!!!!
Jen
June 3, 2011
Looks like another great place to eat! I have never seen coleslaw around here that looks that good! I am missing out!
good luck packing the truck! Sherman and Leroy are on their way to help:)
didiwright
June 3, 2011
No, please don’t get stuck under the washing machine …
Ok, so another great place, fabulous food, and a very inviting looking Texas Twister. Plus, as a funny coincidence, Brianna’s year 2 teacher was called…Mr. McCormick 😀
Have a nice weekend …I know it’ll be a very busy one 😉
cate
June 3, 2011
Gus and the Texas twister…oh he’s really enjoying it! How great for them to provide that.
I saw the semi trailer – huge! I remember when we emigrated to Canada, all our stuff was packed away like that into storage, waiting for approval of our immigration, then into customs, across the ocean, across Canada – we didn’t see it for 2 years! A huge surprise when we unpacked it all, like greeting a long lost friend, but then put it back into storage. We didn’t it anymore lol
Hope it all goes well over the weekend, I’ll be thinking of you…sooo exciting.
According to Gus
June 6, 2011
Two years is a long time to go without your belongings!! It’s been a crazy weekend – we hope to wrap up everything today!
Snoopy@snoopysdogblog
June 3, 2011
Wow, those pics of the food look sooooo yummy!! And Gus’s treat looks very tasty, love the pic with his tongue out! 🙂
Good luck with the move, that sure is a big trailer, you guys are gonna be really busy – hope Gus is pulling his weight and putting his stuff in the trailer! 🙂
Wags to Gus,
Your pal Snoopy 🙂
Bella and Daisy
June 3, 2011
Yum!
I would like to just say…I am so glad I am no the only person who says they would like to bathe in certain great food items. LOL
Happy.Bark.Days
June 3, 2011
Ha, my hubby isn’t a big fan of coleslaw either and that’s just swell because it leaves me with more to enjoy! That coleslaw looks mighty delicious…I’ve never seen anything quite like it before. YUM 😀
P.S. Gus looks so comfy cozy laying on his cushion and nibbling on the Texas Twister. A dog’s life can’t get any better than that!
thatjenk
June 3, 2011
I should NOT have read this after skipping breakfast! That looks delicious and I now have a craving for seafood – thanks a lot! lol
I am truly envious of all of the wonderful dog-friendly patios in Texas. Though, I can’t say I’ve made too much of an effort to find some here – I will have to explore and see what I come up with.
According to Gus
June 6, 2011
Please do, and then let us know of all the great places! 🙂
thatjenk
June 6, 2011
Will do! A new goal for the summer: find some great dog-friendly patios and attractions.
Ajbaci
June 3, 2011
Baci is a fan of M&S too. It is great that they are dog friendly. Packing is the hardest part. Once it is done you all will feel better.
Carly
June 3, 2011
Gus looks so happy with his Twister!
Good luck with all of your moving adventures this weekend! Just take deep breaths when things get stressful – works wonders.
Brittany Rodkey
June 3, 2011
Lori,
Tate and Lexi love those smae treats! We picked them up the other day to see if they would enjoy them! Amazing! Best of luck with the travels!
Oscar & Pauline
June 3, 2011
That coleslaw looks divine! Not your traditional coleslaw, but that’s what’s so great about food—experimenting with flavors and textures. Plus, who could pass on free sushi? 😉
FYI: This is the first time I’ve seen someone eating fries with a fork. Apparently it’s polite to eat pizza with a knife and fork, too. Forget that! Hands are the best utensils. 😀
According to Gus
June 6, 2011
Pauline – I thought the same thing when I saw this photo! What a nut!
Vicky
June 3, 2011
Another terrific restaurant pick…I should have waited until after lunch to check out this post 🙂
Good luck with the final stages of moving. My spouse and I frequently joke that we shall never divorce because neither of us wants to move our stuff again.
Kisses to Gus!
Bailey
June 3, 2011
Gus is so lucky to have so many doggie-friendly places to eat! The sushi does not look that good to me, but that bone — AHHHH!
Good luck with your trip — try not to get too stressed!
Woofs & hugs,
~Bailey
Tanner & Beth
June 3, 2011
I don’t think there is anything about your treat that would make me Picky! Looks like a great chew! Glad eveyone had a great meal. Sometimes life just calls for that sort of a break.
Puppy Kisses,
Tanner
Donna and the Dogs
June 3, 2011
Glad Gus loved his treat and it kept him occupied. From what I could read on that menu, I’d have a hard time deciding too!
Errign
June 3, 2011
I love how dog friendly all of the places you go are. In New England, since a large majority of places can only have outdoor seating part of the year, they don’t seem to both with being dog friendly!
TOto's mommy
June 3, 2011
Hmmm we have one here in dallas, i might drop them a email to check whether they are pet friendly. We have not actually brought TOto to any restaurant and ate at the patio. Maybe we should try it sometimes soon! I am so scared the whiny TOto might want to sit on my lap instead! The food looks real good! And Gus is so into his Texas Twister!!
Although we are only staying in a 1bedroom apartment, I cannot imagine when it is time for me to go back home! I cannot imagine the packing I will have to do to send everything back to Singapore!
According to Gus
June 6, 2011
TOto would love McCormick & Schmick’s! I hope you get a chance to check them out. Go during happy hour – the deals are amazing on food!
coffee grounds
June 3, 2011
excellent pictures of dog.
sagechronicles
June 3, 2011
Good luck with your packing. Soon it will be done and you’ll be on your way! Looks like Gus was really getting into that Texas Twister. It must have had some great tastes! As did what you and Mitch were eating. YUMMMMM!!
Carol Bryant
June 4, 2011
Great review and fab pictures. Feels like we are riding shotgun with you!
LBeeeze
June 4, 2011
Quite people friendly too!!
Great Gus pics, as always, of course!
Cherie K. Miller
June 4, 2011
Stopping by on the blog hop. I work as a volunteer with the Etowah Valley Humane Society that got about 5-6 dogs from the Cartersville (GA) tornados. Hoss still needs a home….
Drop into my blog to see my latest video about the tornadoes.
Kari
June 4, 2011
theres no friendly dining when you have three dogs 😉
Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com/
simplyshaka
June 4, 2011
I am all about that lemon dill butter! How could that be bad?? Bad for you, possibly but taste bad? No way.
I never knew they were four legged friendly at McCormick’s! Ours has a patio (love their happy hour special) and now I’m curious if Lincoln can come. I love the Dog Friendly Dining posts 🙂
According to Gus
June 6, 2011
Lincoln would love McCormick & Schmick’s!
Sam
June 4, 2011
Hi Gus, Sam here from the blog hop!
Wow! I wish they had restaurants like that in Canada! That Texas Twister had me drooling!
Happy Moving
Rrruff!
Sam
Michy
June 4, 2011
Found you through the blog hop, and I think I need to follow you. Hee. We moved with 4 cats and a dog, and man, the trailer was CRAMMED FULL, and we left things behind.
I’m going to have to look around for dog friendly dining in my area, I’d love to take my dogs (one at a time!) out for dinner with us to help them get more social and mannerly.
According to Gus
June 6, 2011
Ao glad you found us – I can only imagine the stories you have from moving! I bet you were so relieved when you reached your destination. 🙂
Would love to see some dog friendly dining posts on your blog!
Kas
June 4, 2011
Mmmmm I really wish I had not looked at this before dinner — that food made my mouth water!! And Gus looks like he really enjoyed his “Texas Twister” treat.
AdventureJess
June 5, 2011
A moving company is totally the way to go. Where are you storing your life while you are traveling?
According to Gus
June 6, 2011
We’re splitting all of our stuff between Mitch’s parents and mine (in Iowa). Good thing they have lots of extra room 🙂
jasmine
June 6, 2011
The place and the food look great and so does your bone Gus
Peggy @Peggy's Pet Place
June 6, 2011
I read every comment to see if someone else asked first, so if this question seems dumb it must be because I’m from Vermont, which is very far away from Texas….so what is in a Texas Twister?! Is it just for dogs, or do people eat them too?! (blushing)
Krazy4Pets
June 6, 2011
Lucky you! The one in St. Louis don’t have outdoor seating so dogs 😦
Pup Fan
June 7, 2011
I love McCormick & Schmick’s! And now I’m hungry…
SandySays1
June 7, 2011
I hope some restauranteurs in our area get the message!
Sandy
http://www.sandysays1.wordpress.com
Elizabeth
June 7, 2011
I sure hope you’re not under any major appliances. 😦
Last few days….breathe, breathe, breathe.
We just got a new Mc & S, and you’ve now inspired me to go check it out (sans dogs). (Not sure they are dog friendly here.)
Jenny Storer
July 7, 2011
We love this post! Thanks for the great write-up and photos. We’re going to share it on Twitter, if that’s okay.
Thanks again!
Jenny
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants
golden labrador
December 12, 2013
My partner and I stumbled over here coming from a different web
page and thought I might check things out. I
like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to looking at your web page for a
second time.
According to Gus
December 12, 2013
Thanks for stopping by!