M and S Grill is McCormick and Schmick’s new “casual” dining option. As best I could tell, that means that you can see over the backs of the booths and you can see out the windows. At least that’s the translation between the Minneapolis offerings.

We were there through amazing luck of me having a PO box in M and S Grill’s neighborhood. I got a “Dear Resident” coupon for them announcing they’d just moved into my neighborhood—apparently, their neighborhood is all of downtown Minneapolis. But, I shouldn’t nitpick–the coupon was worth $20 off a meal.

The decor is steakhouse woody, with big velvet drapes. The bar was only about half full, the dining room less so. They’re on steak house row but off the beaten path of the younger afterwork happy hour crowd.

We went with a bottle of wine–it was cheaper that way, we decided ($28). Wine isn’t cheap but it never is in that sort of place.

For appetizers, we had the tempura asparagus. It was good for about 3 spears worth–the breading was too heavy to eat much more than that. The asparagus was amazingly tender, considering that it’s not even remotely asparagus season in MN.

Dinner was, of course, a filet mignon and mashed ($29). I got the big filet, though I would have been full after the little one.

The steak had a nice char–something I probably appreciate more than most. The steak was cooked perfectly medium, a nice change for a thick filet.

The mashed were pretty normal. I made them amazing by stealing bacon bits Kim’s baked potato condiment tray. What doesn’t taste better with bacon on it?

The service was amazing. I’m guessing the wait staff was just trying to stay busy but it was true “plates whisked away as soon as they’re empty” service. I normally hate overly attentive wait staff but these guys were so low key–they just seemed to appear exactly at the right moment and vanish with the blink of an eye.

Kim gave M and S a 7.5. Not sure if she’s eaten less bad steak than me or if being from Iowa gives her a different standard but I’d give them at least an 8.5, maybe a 9 since it was nice without being stuff. We didn’t have beer so I can’t give it perfect marks.