We had an early dinner here and everything was very good. The place is attractive and clean, and we were seated promptly in a comfortable booth. Our server knew the menu well, and the martini I ordered was ice cold and well made. We both ordered from the Lobster Celebration menu, and the amount of food was just right. My caesar salad was excellent, my partner's "famous" market salad was just OK: kind of a chopped salad with poppy seed dressing. The bread was hot and fresh. I ordered the lobster and shrimp cakes while my dining companion had the lobster and shrimp stuffed cod. We traded bites, and I decided that I liked mine better since I thought the cod was a bit bland. My seafood cakes were heavy on the seafood and light on the non-fish filler. Yay! The only "meh" was dessert. We both ordered creme brulee and while it was good, it was nothing special. All in all, we had a good time and would definitely come back. Good service, good prices, good food in a pleasant atmosphere.
(4)
Jenny D.
They were on time with my reservation and the food was great.
(5)
Angela F.
Our group of 5 had a 6:15 reservation for a Saturday night. We were seated immediately, only to wait...and wait...and wait to be acknowledged by our server approximately 25 minutes after we'd taken our booth. Disappointing start. Having little desire for a 3 hour dinner on this visit, we skipped apps and ordered entrees. My husband ordered the Yellowfin tuna, Shanghai-style, to which the server countered "What temperature would you like your fish?" Um...what? Does the average restaurant patron really know the answer to this question? No one at our table did, which led to several moments of awkward conversation with the waitress, her attempting to explain how the fish cooked (never actually mentioning a numeric temperature, I might add). Hubby left it to the chef's discretion, and was thoroughly pleased with the outcome. My mother-in-law commented that her cedar plank salmon was the best she'd had. I ordered the pecan-crusted Whitefish which was moist and delicious, and the Key Lime pie for dessert - fantastically tangy with a divine texture; definitely ranks in the top 3 best of my dining career. For a chain restaurant, the food was a treat at a decent price; the service a bit lacking. If we find ourselves back in the area, we'd give Mitchell's another go.
(4)
Greg R.
Great food and excellent wait staff. Was able to reserve a table using yelp which to 2 minutes.
(4)
Debbie H.
The staple of our dine out options. Mitchell's is outstanding in both the service we receive and the quality of food. My "usual" is the cedar plank salmon ... I'd try to describe the flavors and variety in this dish, but I couldn't possibly do it justice. Suffice to say that it's something you'll order more than once. Deb usually goes for the shrimp and scallop skewers ... even if it isn't on the menu (our server has always made it seem like it's no problem to have the chef prepare this on request). Highly recommended!
(5)
Richard F.
It is a chain, but it is a good chain and this particular location is well managed. The food quality is good, the value is there, albeit not cheap. But good seafood can't be cheap. Service is very good, the drinks are good too. I like it and I go back.
(4)
Andrew S.
Went there for the first time with friends and was very unimpressed. The setting in downtown Birmingham, the valet parking, etc. set the stage for a very exquisite dining experience. However, inside it wasn't very elegant at all -- very plain. We were seated in a booth that was slightly nicer than one at Big Boy. The menu looked very nice, with pricing you would expect at a fine restaurant. It is printed "freshly" every day with the current specials highlighted. I ordered the blackened scallops for about $30. Having spent much time in New Orleans, they need to look up what "blackened" means. It was bland with some boring tomato-based sauce. My wife ordered the Sea Bass, which the server highly recommended (probably because it was the most expensive thing outside of lobster). Again, it was quite bland, and not what you would expect for the price. Overall, if I wanted to go someplace that has the outward appearance (and pricing) of a high-end restaurant, I would rather go to Capital Grille, or even Mccormick and Schmick's. You won't see me at this place again.
(2)
Otis M.
I like Mitchell's. Been to this one several times as well as the one in Rochester. Something funky going on with the ownership of these places...but that hasn't impacted it's food or service. It's a fun place for drinks and dinner. They can easily accommodate a large party at a 8 top, even a much larger group in a separate room. The fresh fish can be prepared in a number of signature ways. A nice wine list. My service experience has been very good. Both locations are normally busy so make a reservation.
(4)
Dan H.
Initially was going to be seated in front of the fish counter at the kitchen window. Was moved without a problem. Once we were reseated, we really enjoyed our dinner experience. Food was excellent along with the service. I had the Surf and turf and my wife had the blackened scallops. We also had the lobster bisque. I highly recommend it as an appetizer. Don't forget to bring some change for the meters (every day except Sunday) or pay the $6 for valet.
(4)
kelly w.
As mentioned in previous yelps- I am not a fish eater. So why go to a Fish Market? Not everyone eats Filets here so I generally find myself tending to the fish-frenzied crowd of my buddies. I love sitting in the bar area here. They have a half-moon bar you can sit around, or choose to sit in one of the comfortable booths. I'm really into booths, so I chose the latter. A friend of mine had once told me that because Mitchell's and Cameron's were owned by the same people you can order from either menu. I immediately asked Jeff, our waiter if this was possible. Sure is, he replied. Hmmm.. so what did I do? I ordered an appetizer from the steakhouse (Cameron's) and then ordered my filet from the fish market. Believe me folks, there is NO rationale to this way of thinking. The app I ordered was the wild mushroom saute- a perfect fungus trifecta if you ask me. Portabello, shiitake, and button mushrooms in a delicately creamy base... (not soupy by any means though). Of course I ordered the Filet from Mitchell's-- what can I say, it was $2 cheaper on the Mitchell's menu (oh ps- I have heard they share a kitchen.. so it's the same damn meat-- why am I paying $2 more to order it from the steakhouse when I am sitting in the fish market? Good place to go even just to get drinks-- just not a place to patron if you are a little light in the wallet.
(4)
Dane K.
Having just gone to the adjacent restaurant owned by them (Cameron's Steakhouse) two nights prior, I was pretty let down by this place... The server was VERY nice, but not very good at his job. He didn't really seem to have any restaurant experience, but that was OK. At least he could hold a good conversation. We found out his whole life story and shared ours... ha :) The food was mediocre at best. I ordered jambalaya, but the server couldn't remember what I ordered (why, I don't know, we were his only table) so he brought both jambalaya and the lobster bisque. I had contemplated the lobster bisque, so I tried it... It was pretty bad. It tasted like they poured a bucket of half and half in it then added some lobster flavorings. Jambalaya was good. I had a cajun blackened swordfish. It wasn't really blackened or cajun... It was more cooked then sprinkled with some sort of seasoning. It just didn't taste right and the seasoning was clumping off. It was kind of gross even. The sides were mediocre as well. Not being impressed by anything thus far, we declined having dessert (and believe me, the company was paying so we would have if we wanted...). He brought us dessert anyway, to be nice. And though it was nice, it wasn't really that great either... (luckily it was comped). It was overcooked and eggy... We went for an early dinner. Looking around, the atmosphere felt very much like a Denny's. Even the people made me feel that way. Very much not what I expected. I wouldn't go back here. There are tons of better places in Birmingham. (Next door, at Cameron's, for instance!)... And other seafood restaurants that are better in Birmingham too.
(2)
Ryan J.
My Chilean Sea Bass was as good as I have had it. There's only one other place where I have had a better piece of fish and it isn't close to here. I'll give them five for just that and the Shrimp cocktail which was also very good.
(5)
Adam H.
I eat out every meal and came full circle back to Mitchells. I'm really not a fish eater but was in the mood tonight. I had the signature "shang hai" sea bass. Mmmmm mmmm good. I ordered chicken wings as an ppetizer and actually enjoyed them as well. The service was pretty average. The manager came by for a visit and i thought that was cool. Overall a very good experience.
(4)
Nivedita P.
started my dinner with the absolute peartini..it was yummy..the elderflower liqueur has a unique taste..luved it..ordered mussels and the asian shrimp for apps..the shrimp was good.this was my 1st tym eating mussels..i enjoyed it alot..the broth was soo flavourful(i actually wanted 2 lift the bowl n slurp down the broth :P)..i had the sea bass,shanghai style for main course..the fish portion was was pretty small,but it was tasty..yum,yum,yummmy..i also had their basil & grapefruit cocktail..it was sooo refreshing...if u like red wine,do try the malbec pascal toco..it is sooo smooth..i luved it..overall had a wonderful dinner..they also have a prefix dinner for $20 ..if u'r in a budget,go for dat..i'm sure it'll b worth every penny.
(4)
Julie T.
Came here on my six-year anniversary with my boyfriend. I had to wait a little despite our reservations, which was sort of upsetting. However, our great waiter and food made up for that. We ordered steak and salmon; both of which were mouthwatering. Calamari appetizer was delicious! It's a little pricey (for my college student budget) but not exorbitant. Great place for an anniversary or birthday but the crowd is a bit older. Definitely would come again.
(4)
Tim M.
The perfect place for a delicious healthy dinner.
(5)
Ming D.
It is my third time to this restaurant. Good taste. Good environment. I like it very much.
(4)
Deirdre M.
A dinner on Father's day was such a disappointment. When our food took forever to come out, we were told "the kitchen is in a shambles." The specials, when they did arrive, were dry and lacked flavor. We will not go back
(1)
C B.
Great experience all around for my husbands birthday. Everything was delicious and the staff was wonderful. To note-I ordered the scallops grilled and when they came they were waaaaaayyyy overcooked. I let the waiter know who apologized, took the plate and assured me I would have proper scallops in 5-10 minutes. And I did! the chef came out to apologize, as did the manager. So overcooked scallops did not ruin or overshadow our experience because it was rectified in a very pleasant manner. That's rare these days and deserves some recognition. And when I received the new scallops-they were perfectly cooked.
(4)
nameera f.
Something different for everyone! The crab dip was awesome. Our server was great too. Be prepared to wait if you are going there on any event.
(4)
Rkt T.
favorite food for me and my husband
(5)
Patrick N.
My girlfriend and I had a reservation for 7pm, we entered the door right on the dot. We watched too different people get seated before us who came in after us without reservations. Come on, guys. The food was good but the service was half assed. I had to wait half the meal to get my water refilled. We had the shrimp fondu with brie and bacon jam, alaskan king crab legs and the fruitti de mare pasta. The food was cooked perfectly and we left full and satisfied. I'd love to give them a higher rating but because of the customer service it remains at a three.
(3)
Magnus L.
We came here for Valentine's Day dinner. As expected they were busy but we came early enough that not every table was occupied yet. We started out with appetizers, I had the seared ahi tuna which was really awesome. The flavors were great and the presentation was really nice. For the main meal I ended up going with the yellowfin tuna cooked Shanghai style. The tuna had good flavor but was a bit dry. I haven't had their tuna before so I'm not sure if it gets a little dry when cooked this particular way. I finished the dinner with a cappuccino and vanilla bean cream brulee. The cappuccino was ok but not as good as in their Livonia location and the creme brulee was disappointing. The service was below what I expect for this type of restaurant. It was OK but I'm not impressed with Mitchell's at this location.
(3)
Jordan S.
Sadly this one is not really worth your time or money. Staff is really nice but food quality leaves much to be desired...
(1)
Deborah E.
I just got home from Mitchell's in Birmingham. The decor and ambiance was great, very comfy. My wine was served in a broken glass which they graciously replaced and then charged me for two glasses of wine when the bill came! I was a bit taken aback, they did remove charges for both. My friend ordered an inexpensive glass of wine, and was charged for a pricier glass. Just make sure you check your bill at this location. My shrimp were the quality I would expect at Red Lobster, not Mitchell's. The salad was excellent as were my vegetables. I thought the concept of tag team servers doesn't work here, one server has no idea what the other server has provided. All in all, I may return but wouldn't order the shrimp, the other fish looked good. Loved the valet parking!
(2)
Youssef A.
One of my favorite seafood restaurants. Great service and food! Planked salmon is the best
Have been coming here since a week after they opened in 2003. Have always enjoyed, but lately the food quality seems to have dipped a bit. Have never received an especially strong pour from the bar. Still, the salads are excellent, the fish is always fresh, and the atmosphere is great. Wish the servings were a bit bigger.
(3)
Meghan H.
Time after time we hope that our service will be better but today solidified we won't be back. They do not have their staffing and service figured out.
(1)
Laura K.
Holy-the-worst-seriice-EVER Batman. Popped in with my dad after a movie at the B'ham 8 around 2:30. The place was empty and I mean it, only one other 2 top. We ordered some tea and put in our food order at the same time. As the time ticked by we kept glancing up at the open in kitchen. Where's the food? Our server was pretty much MIA, no bread, no water refills. She came over once to apologize for the lack of any food whatsoever. After about a half hour I went to the bathroom and the food magically appeared. The manager brought the food over personally (my dad said) and comped the bill. My scallops were fine but definitely not worth a 30 plus minute wait. I'm not saying this snafu is a total deal breaker but I'll think long and hard before returning.
(2)
liz w.
Terrible had sick child at home wanted to order kids food to go but they would not let us order the special to go. The waiter was useless and needed to ask Helen manager about everything she was cold and unfriendly. We ordered 80 dollars for 3 of us but they could not do a to go order for my sick child??? No customer service and zero brains running that outfit overpriced and service seriously lacking. They do not care rude
(1)
Peter M.
If I could leave a 0 star I would. Don't be mistaken, I have a bunch of 5-star reviews, I don't just review those I hate, this one I absolutely hate and I can't even really tell you much about most of their food as the story goes something (or everything) like this. We went to Mitchell's last night while in town on business, we ordered half dozen east coast oysters and a half dozen west coast, among some other apps. There were six of us so I ate one west coast oyster, it was good, and then i ate one east coast, it was rancid, to the point that it smelled like I image my a** smells. I literally gagged at the table, had to get up and ran to the restroom while I violently puked it up. I returned to the table and one guy in our party summoned the waitress, gave her the shell and asked her please have the chef smell it, not because we wanted him to puke but rather so he could protect the other patrons. She left with it and the other discarded shells. (This is where bad gets really f'ing bad) The manager on duty, a fairly young lady, came to the table, she turned bad into f'ing bad with how she handled the situation. Now, if it was me and I was playing manager, I would have immediately apologized, comped the 6 oysters, bought a round of drinks and offered the guy that just puked free dinner. What did this manager do? She preceded to tell us that she would remove what we did not eat. Meaning the two uneaten oysters out of six, not caring that two were rancid, I failed to mention that someone else at the table had eaten one seconds before me, he didn't puke but wanted to. When we asked her if the chef smelled the shell she didn't answer, instead she gave some lame line of "the chef monitors all the food leaving the kitchen, those oysters have been so popular we are now sold out". Ironic, a guy gets sick and suddenly you are sold out. We asked again if he smelled it but still got no answer. We proceeded to cancel the remaining appetizers and pay the bill and leave. Let me give some advice to this manager, READ THIS REVIEW and focus on the part where I said "Now, if it was me and i was playing manager" and learn how to provide some customer service. Since you were visibly shaking when talking to us it is clear you are not prepared for this sort of conflict and we weren't asking for anything for free, just trying to protect the lives of your customers. In case you were not aware, you can DIE from bad oysters, a free meal wouldn't have saved my life had I died but it would have left you feeling a smidgen better knowing you cared.
(1)
Christie B.
Love this place. Never a bad experience. Always go there when I go to Ceresni & Offen. As a matter of fact- we are going again today
(5)
Gail S.
Food was very good, however;where they sat us, next to the windows on the street side, whenever a car turned the corner the headlights would shine in my eyes. There were shutters on all of the larger windows but not the smaller one where I was sitting.Not great for celebrating a birthday.
(2)
MaryLiz S.
I don't want to say exactly "meh," but it wasn't truly A-OK, either. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and round up. We arrived at about 5:30 on a Wednesday night. There were a few other parties. We were there two hours dining, but the place never filled up to the point where it got too noisy for pleasant conversation. That's the way we like it! Service was awesome. Our waiter was always there when we needed him. My water glass got refilled without ice plenty of times. But he committed the faux pas of reaching across to retrieve plates. Maybe my experience at the Birmingham Mitchell's was tarnished by the excellent time I had at the Cinci location. This time, the peach ice tea was just ... beh! Heavy on the liquor, and not so much peach ice tea flavor. But what really disappointed me was that when I ordered it, I asked to please be light on the ice, being that I'd just mushed my way across the frozen tundra to get there. The glass came half full of ice! Oh, well. I ordered a calamari appetizer for our table, because that's what my father-in-law can eat. My mother-in-law said, "You always order that. You must love it." I said, "Well, I'd like to try some other appetizers, but not all of us can eat them. Spicy this, Flaming that..." She got my point. The oil must not have been very hot yet. The calamari seemed a bit besodden, but the batter was crispy and the hoisin sauce was a nice change from the usual tomato-based sauce. There were some green beans along for the ride, and I liked those a lot! Three of us got the house salad. My mother-in-law got a spinach salad. I noted that the plates were virtually freezing. Had they been waiting in the refrigerator to be grabbed by a waiter? I liked the tangy poppyseed dressing on my house salad, though I thought that chopped head lettuce mixed with leaf lettuce was a chintzy choice on the part of the kitchen. I'd almost gone for the Wedge-O-Iceberg, but when I saw one on its way to another table, I was glad that I had not chosen that one. It's a big salad! I opted for a cup of gumbo and a seared yellowfin tuna appetizer as my main event. The gumbo had a lot of whitefish in it. I didn't see any other species, though I tasted them. A good cook wastes nothing, so I bet that all the exoskeletons had been used to make the flavorful broth. It was so thick, I was glad that I had not ordered the bowl. I can imagine a bowl of this plus a small salad as a complete dinner - no appetizer. The tuna had a nice outer coating. It came on a pillow of dried out glutinous rice. It seemed to have sat around and dried out before being adorned with the fish. Sorry, but I'm an expert on rice in all its many forms, and that was definitely a "meh." There were three tasty sesame chips, a dollop of wasabi and some pickled ginger along with this, and it was just the right size. I had seen the entree version on the menu, but was glad that I had downsized in order to have the gumbo, which turned out to be the best item of the entire evening. Hubby got the trout almondine, which had a *very* caramelized sauce. He dipped the tines of his fork in it so that I could sample it. A nice, smoky finish. But there was too much of it, and he said his fish tasted too sweet for his liking. A thin stream that one encounters now and then would be better than a pool in the center of the plate. But that's just our opinion. Mom got scallops. Brother got steak - he doesn't like fish. I didn't see what Dad got. They all seemed satisfied with their fare. The three of them go to this restaurant now and then. I agree with other reviewers that this place just does not shine. Considering the prices you pay, you should get even better food. But again ... that's just my opinion.
(3)
Sarah C.
I was really excited about this place and when my bf and I arrived I was a bit underwhelmed. I was expecting a really nice place but in my opinion it looked a bit old fashion to me, like the 1950s and they never remodeled. The place is huge so don't worry about making a reservation. Anyway, the booths were leather with this brown-red color. The only thing fancy about this place is the bathroom; I like how they had mouth wash, lotion, perfume, etc in there. The food was pretty good. The fish were cooked perfectly and the sides - veggies and mash potatoes were cooked perfectly too. It was just a bit boring. Nothing special but for fish this is the best place to go to. We didn't get our complementary bread. I really hope its some rule where if you come after 1 and before dinner that you don't get bread.
(4)
Mark M.
Ate there last night First stopped by the bar, no complaints generous drinks good service next to the food and service for dinner SERVICE TERRIBLE waited for food , never asked if we would like another drink, brought us sparkling water but didn't serve it Just the worst service I've had in some time Food was just adequate at best SKIP THIS PLACE I would hope that Birmingham has a better place to eat OVERALL JUST TERRIBLE
(2)
Sam G.
Man what a nice place! So i'm just ducking into different places and seeing what different scenes are all about and I saw that this place was getting some pretty good press from the yelp!ers, so as my sworn duty, I had to come here. ;) I came into the bar area, which is separated by a hallway from the main dining area, so it's like a totally different place, but under one roof. It's a darker bar, but not too dim so you can't see. I started in on some craft beer and spotted this jar of pineapple sitting on the bar. They make an infused pineapple vodka here and the prep jar was sitting there.. staring at me. I begged the bartender, not for a drink of the vodka, but for a chunk of that amazing pineapple... and got one. SCORE! Soo good. I think it held an entire shot of vodka in that piece. Grabbed some Calamari off the Apps menu and it was buttery but not with butter, light but not too light. Full of flavor and not even a hint of rubberyness that you sometimes get with squids. The bartender mentioned that the squid gets to soak for a day in some buttermilk so rubberyness just isn't an option. :) This place is pretty amazing!
Went for lunch and had the crab cakes and some clam chowder. The food was amazing and the staff was very friendly. I look goward to going back
(5)
Andre W.
My 2 favorite clients suggested this place when I arrived into town last week. I was told it was in the ritzy part of town which was fine by me...lol We sat down and was greeted by a very knowledgeable waiter. He was able to break everything on the menu from the food to the drinks. He was even able to impress one of my clients that is featured on local television for his dishes every ow and then. We started with the char broiled oysters which were smothered and broiled with bayou cajun butter & parmesan cheese. Very delightful! We also had the calamari that came with a zesty asian dipping sauce which was pretty good. Was definitely in the mood for fish so I ordered the tropical tilapia from Costa Rica which came along with delicious vegetables and mashed redskin potatoes. The whole meal was phenomenal as I enjoyed every bite of each item. As I mentioned earlier the service here is outstanding!
(5)
Douglas A.
Not sure I can accurately describe what was so MEH about this place. Maybe it was the feeling of being at an upscale denny's for fish lovers, where the wait staff and menu are trying to ACT as if it's not a denny's, but deep down the sommelier has no idea what he's talking about, the food is sysco to the max, allt he flavors are too strong to balance out the dill-prepared fish and at the end of the day it's about getting lots of cheap food into people's mouths as quickly and efficiently as possible while making so much fing money off these people it would make denny's cringe. This is the first restaurant I have been to where I was so turned off at the fact I was over paying so much for poor quality food I simply did not even eat it as a egotistical protest to all restaurants that are hoping and praying their clientele does not expect so much more from a $30 a plate restaurant.
(2)
Scott T.
I was here for a group dinner on a Friday night. The food was all solid but not great. However, most of the food by the time we had it at our table was lukewarm. And the service was very slow.
(3)
Jon G.
I'm not a fish guy, so obviously I chose a fresh fish market to celebrate the New Year with my girlfriend. I contemplated ordering the fish market burger because a massive slab of prime beef sounded amazing. But not wanting to be that guy, I chose the yellowfin tuna. Previously, the only tuna I had ever eaten came in a can with a mermaid logo. The offering was impressive as the tuna was served in a sweet hoisin sauce. It was paired with stir-fried vegetables and white sticky rice (white sticky rice is better than all other rices, it is a known fact). I also ordered a caesar salad which was okay and sampled some lobster bisque soup which was a bit sweet for my tastes. The caesar salad was a must, as eat more than most people, although the tuna was a very large portion. Prices were reasonable and a bit higher than Red Lobster, but with much better quality. Drinks were fairly priced as well. A pint of Blue Moon cost $4.95 and some frilly drink my girlfriend ordered was $8.95. After tax and tip we walked away under $100, but if you don't drink alcohol or order soup and salad for starters you could expect something closer to $65. I would recommend this restaurant for someone who loves fish or someone just starting out. The wait staff was very helpful while I was making my dinner selection. In fact, Mitchell's offers their fish a variety of ways such as blackened, grilled, or sushi-grade (raw).
(4)
Abi J.
Heard this was a good location for happy hour and decided to try it... Loved it! It is hard to complain with $5 wine, $4 mixed drinks, and $3 beers... They also had a large appetizer menu where each item was $5... I tried the codwich sliders and the spicy shrimp tacos. The codwich sandwiches were huge! Two sliders and it was a meal. The spicy shrimp tacos were amazing. A lot of flavor and fresh tasting at the same time. The fries were also house cut and perfectly seasoned- not too salty. The house Cabernet was decent... I wish they would have offered more wine choices but I'm not picky. The mix of people was old and young, a little more on the older side... Service was good- sat at the bar... Cute bartender :) Ill definitely be back!
(4)
S W.
Horrible service at lunch time. Waiter ignored our table but took care of everyone else and so our order took forever to show up. After 45 minutes, flagged down a manager and our entrees finally made it out to our table. Not impressed at all with the food. The fried calamari was tasteless. Had the "signature dish" which tasted no better than something you could pick out of the supermarket frozen food section. My friend's fish and chips order was cold. We complained and were not charged for our meal but the experience was a real let down especially since we were initially looking forward to lunching at Mitchell's.
(1)
Kerwin W.
I have been to Mitchell' s several times and the food and service was good. I suggested that my family take me there for Father's Day. It was an horrible experience. The restaurant was not crowed and it took forever for our food to come. It seem like management did not care. Our waiter was inexperience and poor. The food substandard as well.
(1)
Deborah P.
We ate here last evening with my husband and a friend. always thought this was one of the better Mitchell's restaurants in the chain, but last night changed my mind. My husband's salmon was under cooked though he ordered it medium. My salad was drenched in dressing. The salad bowls were icy cold so I assume they were pre-prepared and sitting in a cold case. My shrimp/scallop/salmon dish was nothing like the tastiness the last time I ordered this dish (my favorite). Very ordinary for the price. Maybe it was the B team on duty since it was freezing cold last night.
(2)
Byron S.
Birmingham native and long-time seafood lover here. Mitchell's and Charley's Crab in Troy are my two favorite seafood spots in the area. The atmosphere is much more relaxed than Ocean Prime, and the food is superior in my opinion. $5 well drinks during happy hour and a great $30 lobster deal in the summer. Great spot, I would highly recommend.
(5)
Anna H.
I would give Mitchell's Fish Market a 2 star, but I'm being generous and giving them a 3 star rating for an okay service/management. Where do I begin? Started off great and then it pretty much went downhill from there.. My boyfriend and I went here for the first time on Valentine's Day. Of course, we made reservations ahead of time knowing it was going to be busy. We were very hungry and decided to go all out. What we ordered: Drinks: My boyfriend ordered a FM mojito (Bacardi and Lime Juice) and I had a Pinefin martini (pineapple juice and vodka). Drinks were good, but it took a while for our server to get our drinks out, but was worth the wait. Appetizers: 1. Crispy Calamari: It was good, but I've had better. The calamari was a bit soft. I would've loved for it to be crunchier, but overall we enjoyed it and the sauce is to die for! Love the dipping sauce! 2. Seared Hawaiian Ahi Tuna: LOVE IT! It was delicious! The fish was fresh and the rice and the ponzu sauce goes well with it. I highly recommend it! 3. Seafood Gumbo Soup: My boyfriend ordered it and he liked it. He said it was hearty and flavorful with a good hint of spice. 4. Spinach Salad: I also ordered a spinach salad. It had granny smith apples, red onions, bacon, and goat cheese. I love salads, and this salad was great. So far everything about Mitchell's was amazing. The drinks were good, the food was good, and we're having a great Valentine's Day. The only thing I would have to pick at is that the service was a little slow and our server was not that attentive. There were a few times we had to track him down for him to refill our drinks or get us more bread. He didn't check up on us as often as we like. He only took our orders and he was gone. Some other server actually brought us our food. However, it was understandable because it was a very busy day, so it didn't bother us too much. Moving onto the entree. I ordered the Fish Market Trio and my boyfriend ordered the Shanghai Seafood Sampler. The plate presentation looked amazing and it smelled sooo good! The Fish Market Trio consisted of tilapia, salmon, and sea scallops served over rice with sauteed asparagus. Everything was seasoned and cooked well. It was very delicious! As for the Shanghai Seafood Sampler, it consisted of salmon, shrimp, and scallops. It was steamed with ginger and scallions and was served with sticky rice and sauteed spinach with a rice wine soy sauce. My boyfriend really loved his entree! WOW! Everything seemed so perfect, for the first few bites, but then the unthinkable happened. As my boyfriend was chewing, he had a horrified expression on his face. IN HIS PLATE WAS A PIECE OF HAIR WRAPPED AROUND HIS SHRIMP. MY BOYFRIEND TOOK THE FORK AND LIFTED UP THE SHRIMP AND FOUND TWO MORE STRANDS OF HAIR AROUND ANOTHER SHRIMP! THAT MAKES THREE STRANDS OF HAIR COOKED INTO HIS FOOD!!! WE CANNOT FREAKING BELIEVE IT. NOT ONE, BUT THREE STRANDS OF HAIR! UNBELIEVABLE!!! Of course our server was no where to be seen. My boyfriend actually had to track down one of the managers and told her the situation. The manager apologized and offered to make my boyfriend a new one and he accepted it. At this point, I wanted to throw up. My food may have been good, but I was so paranoid, I lost my appetite, but I still tried to finish my food anyways because I don't like wasting. Here we are on a Valentin's Day date and I'm eating alone, while my boyfriend is waiting on his new entree. Which was supposed to be "out in a few minutes." This is such a disappointment... My boyfriend finally got his new entree after I finished eating. Now I'm just staring at him eat... *SIGH* This date was not what I was expecting. In the end, our server was very apologetic and the managers took off my boyfriend's entree and offer us two free desserts. We appreciate Mitchell's for doing that, but that doesn't change that horrific incident. Overall, it started off real nice and the food was great, until... Like I stated, I'm being very generous to give Mitchell's a three star rating. We may be back in the future to give them a second chance. Hopefully when the next time comes around, this situation will not be revisited.
(3)
J. L. M.
We just had the nicest time eating the crab cakes, the shanghai scallops and the shanghai sampler. And the house salad. All were great and the service was very nice and friendly. This is gem. Jennifer was very nice.
(5)
Paul J.
Mitchell's used to be a lot better but has gone downhill since they were sold. The food isn't as good, the portions have gotten smaller, and the service has gone from attentive to totally missing the boat. This evening, our party arrived to find out that the air conditioning in the restaurant was out. It happens, but in this case, the restaurant called us several hours before our reservation to confirm, and they didn't say a word. So, we wound up sitting in a steaming restaurant just trying to power through our meal. This is really disappointing. Mitchell's used to be one of our "go to restaurants." The food was dependable, and you can't beat the location. But it's time to give it up and move on, unfortunately.
(2)
Daniel K.
Excellent service. Great Yellowfin tuna. Excellent filet.
(5)
Diane K.
I've been here a few times whenever I come to Michigan and each time the food & service was excellent. This last time, we were delayed by a flat tire & the receptionist saved our reservation & sat us as soon as we arrived. The wine pour was substantial (we needed that after waiting for an hour for help with our car) and the wait staff was more than friendly even though they were very busy. The fish was also very good. All in all, a very good experience. And of course, the Shark Fin pie was a great end to a pretty stressful evening!!
(4)
Irwin F.
The appetizers and sushi were excellent! The dishes we ordered - not so much. The fish is definitely fresh - but they over do the soy sauce and it kills the other flavors. Also, the Management did not seem to care that customers were sweating as their air conditioning sucked. Probably won't be back.
This place was great. Upscale, classy atmopshere. We went the night before Valentines day to beat the rush, and it was perfect. Our server was very knowledgable about different meny items, and was quick to offer suggestions to my wife. I have the Chilean Sea Bass, blackened, and it was AMAZING. Flakey, sweet, soft ... it was awesome. Arrived warm and perfectly seasoned. I also had the lobster bisque, which I had no complaints about. My wife had a spinach salad, which she seeme to enjoy, and blacked Scallops, which she loved. The scallops were large and juicy, and again seasoned perfectly. The bill was high, but we got a lot of food and this was an upscale experience. Perfect for a romantic splurge. I'd definitely go again for the right occasion!
(4)
Stacey D.
Big, fat, meh. We went here the Saturday after Valentine's Day. Seemed like we weren't the only couple who couldn't celebrate on the actual holiday. We arrived early and decided to grab and app and drinks in the bar. The bartender was fantastic! He got our drinks promptly, and they were delish! Get the grapefruit basil martini. Yum! We wanted an app, and asked if it contained gluten. He said he thought so, but wanted to be sure, and off he went to get the answer, no complaints. It did, so we got the Bacon Wrapped BBQ Shrimp. Very good. We should have stayed in the bar... We got buzzed, and yet still had to stand around several minutes before being seated. They headed straight toward a booth, and at the last second, veered us off to a table right behind the waitress stand where they put in the orders/get water, etc. I nestled up between the coat rack on the wall and the busy aisle next to me, and started to look over the menu, reminding myself it's a romantic evening. Along came our waiter. Seriously, Birmingham, if you're a nice restaurant, train your waiters. We ordered wine, but felt plenty rushed to make the decision. When I ordered crab legs, she told me that they were out. Then she backtracked and said that the computer said they were out, the kitchen said they weren't, so maybe they would have it. Fine. I placed two orders. She came back later to refill our water, and told me my dinner would be a surprise. Again, I tried to remind myself it was a romantic evening and laughed it off. Everytime she came by (with terrible timing), it seemed like she thought we were her buddies, not her customers out for a date. Not what I'm looking for in a waitress. Once the bill came, my husband and I felt overcharged, underwhelmed, and will not be back. Next time I want a romantic steak dinner (seriously, I love steak), I will just go to a Morton's or a Ruth's Chris, where at least it always seems to be worth the high bill.
(2)
Olivia M.
First time at the restaurant and not going back anytime soon. Non existent service and very sad food. Shrimp wrapped in bacon with sesame sauce was not good at all. Their famous fish trio dish was so bland and over cooked it actually made me sad for the fish that was served on the plate. And to top it off, the chairs and the table were not properly wiped off..yuck!!!
(2)
Kristin G.
You can make reservations online, which I did. Worked out perfect, I gave a special request that it was my friend's birthday. He arrived before me, they greeted him by name and said, "Happy Birthday!" I thought that was a nice touch. Plus they comped the Fruit Cobbler Dessert for us. Very nice. The food: Started out with the Colossal Shrimp Cocktail. I was blown away by the sheer size of these shrimp, they aren't kidding when they say colossal! They were deliciously fresh tasting and the cocktail sauce was of superb quality. In my book, it's not cocktail sauce without a significant amount of the sinus clearing horseradish. So this cocktail sauce did not disappoint! For dinner, I got the Chilean Steelhead- grilled. It came with garlic whipped potatoes and over a bed of green beans and peppers. The fish was cooked to perfection! It flaked apart ever so delicately on my fork and there was a nice crunch to the outside of the filet without it being over cooked. It had a hint of smoked flavor about it too. I enjoyed every last morsel. Dessert: We split the Fruit Cobbler with Vanilla Bean icecream. WOW. What a heavenly fruit symphony! I was eating it thinking, this is like a fruit version of a stew. It had the crisp cobbler on top, the wonderfully sugary cinnamon sauce. Worth every calorie!!! The Atmosphere: It's nice, fish market themed. They sat us at a booth. It was comfy and had a nautical feeling to it but not overly so. In fact, it was more casual in there than I realized. I like that I can get some delicious fish and not have to get all dressed up to enjoy it. The downside: It's pricey. My entree was $18 dollars. But most great fish is expensive, especially in Michigan. Where exotic fishes aren't a stone's throw away. Bottom line: I'll be back. The price was worth it for the perfectly grilled fish. It was really one of the better fish dinners I've had in quite some time!
(4)
Seoung L.
I only had lunches here and not dinner and I really like their food and service at Mitchell's. For an upscale franchise, the lunch prices are actually reasonable. Usually lunches are between $8 to $15. I got the Seafood Sampler (Asian Style) and it was tasty. Not enough shrimp and scallops but it had great flavor. (around $14) Another day I had the Seafood Gumbo and it was fantastic! The bowl size was very filling. Lot of meaty goodness and great flavor. (around $5) Also got the Kung Pow Fried Calamari and it was very delicious. Perfectly cooked. All lunches come with a fresh baked sourdough loaf of bread and butter at the table. Service was superb. My drinks were refilled quickly and the waiter was very attentive and helpful with the questions. Few notes: --- They have valet parking --- If you hate fishy smell, stay away from their kitchen/fish market area. Ask to be seated away from it.
(4)
Marisa M.
My first time at Mitchell's fish market and I was very impressed. The wait staff were really kind and on top of everything, a manager even stopped by to see how our meal was going. The food was excellent!! I had the Lobster and Crab stuffed Cod and finished every bite. We were there with a small child and the wait staff was very attentive to his needs and his desire to eat right away. They kindly brought his food first so he could get started and even offered him a cookie shaped like a fish for desert. I would recommend this restaurant to anymore who enjoys seafood!
(4)
Kiley K.
Great food great service great place!
(5)
Larry N.
Fantastic meal and service!!! We stopped into Mitchell's Fish Market in Birmingham, MI for dinner on Wednesday night and had a fantastic experience. When we arrived Ron introduced himself as our server and asked if he could get us anything to drink. We ordered the a nice Sauvignon Blanc to go with the fish that we planned to order and placed an order for the Seared Ahi Tuna appetizer. We have had some great Ahi before this (including a few nights earlier at the Franklin Grill in Franklin, MI) but Mitchell's Ahi, prepared with a honey mustard sauce, sticky rice with a Soy Sauce, Wasabi and Ginger, blew these away, This definitely set the tone for the remainder of the meal which did not disappoint. We ordered the Chilean Sea Bass and Sockeye Salmon. Both were fresh, excellent and well worth the money. The Chilean Sea Bass was so tender and tasty that it actually beat the best we had had previously from the Italian Grotto in Scottsdale, AZ (not an easy feat). The food was only exceeded by the great service we had from Ron who checked back with us often to make sure we were satisfied and were having a great experience. We could not have asked for better service. Based on the great food and excellent service that we received we will be back whenever I am in town for corporate meetings or visiting family. Great Job Mitchell's. You should be very proud of your quality of food and the great team member you have in Ron. We are on our way to relocate to the Boston, MA area and looking forward to the great seafood out there. They have their work cut out to exceed our experience on this night.
(5)
Tim B.
Poor service above average Price.surf not cooked and the turf was cold... 20 mins 4 glass of wine and 5 empty tables around us.... Will not b back at this price or 1/2 the price.
(1)
Bo T.
Excellent food and service in every respect. We would not hesitate to go back to Mitchell's for any occasion. Our server Jennifer was excellent, she was very attentive to our needs, and even the valet was very much on the ball on a very cold night!
(5)
Brett K.
Best (and only) steak I've ever had in Birmingham. (I hear the fish is good to...)
(3)
Pete D.
A nice place in Birmingham and you can park with out walking five blocks. The food is good but a bit pricy. You won't be a out of this world experience but good steady fair.
(3)
Nate K.
During my most recent trip to the Ann Arbor-Plymouth-Detroit area, I stopped by Mitchell's Fish Market with a few friends for a semi-annual catch-up dinner. Mitchell's, or at least the one in Birmingham, MI, is what a modern McCormick & Schmicks would look and feel like. Actually, in many ways, it reminds me of Legal Seafood in the Pru or Roy's in Waikiki. Walking into the restaurant (which is located in a very distinguished and classic building), you immediately notice the "market" part of the restaurant and then the dark cherry oak walls, which leads to a white table-clothed dining room that wraps around the building. The servers are very attentive and knowledgable about dishes they serve. And, if you think they misspelled something on the menu - they will graciously check on that too. The menu (which was grammatically correct) was very forward thinking and offered a nice balance of classic seafood staples and more inventive dishes. Being a big app fan, we started with the seared ahi, calamari and Old Bay shrimp - all were well prepared. For dinner, I had the Seafood Americana - which was seared giant scallops and giant bay shrimp mixed with fresh spinach and seasoned mushrooms "over" roasted fingerling potatoes. Our server, recommended that I try the garlic butter cream sauce on the side - which was a very smart recommendation, as the dish was already very rich. It was definitely a dish worth coming back for... All in all, Mitchell's Fish Market shows you that you don't need to live in places like Boston, Honolulu or SF to get great seafood. Insiders Note: There are several Mitchell's in the Ann-Arbor/Detroit area - but i would recommend Birmingham over the others. Opposed to the other two locations which are located in strip malls, the Birmingham restaurant is located in a classy old building in the center of downtown. Insiders Note II: Mitchell's offers a fixed menu dinner for a really good price. It is definitely worth checking out.
(5)
Chilly C.
Delicious, fresh, seafood! Wow! Service & Salads were just 'ok' or I would have given 5 Stars.
(4)
Gabi M.
I was surprised to find out that Mitchell's Fish Market is a chain... a high end chain, but still - a chain. We visited tonight, a Saturday night, so I wasn't surprised to see that it was so busy. Busy + bad accoustics = loud. We had to scream over each other... thankfully, Tim, our waiter, was wonderful, and the food was impressive as well. The sour dough bread and butter was a hit with our group of 7, as was the wine and various drinks we started with... I enjoyed a caesar salad and then my favorite, the seabass shanghai style - yum! I cleaned my plate full of rice, spinach, and fish... so much that I had no room left for the huge shark something dessert (it had icecream, peanut butter, oreo, etc... and looked damn good). My boyfriend said the mussel appetizer was great, but that his seafood combination salad was just alright. It was a pleasure to go into Birmingham... we walked around the city a bit afterwords. I would not hesitate to return to Mitchell's Fish Market during my next trip to town, but perhaps I'll try Cameron's nextdoor first!
(4)
Tom B.
Great night. Our server was quick, friendly, and attentive. Nice, informal atmosphere, too. Calamari and lump crab appetizers were terrific, and I got a good Manhattan. We all enjoyed our entrees (all fish) as well, and the final tab was reasonable. I'm happy!
(4)
Tony S.
The first time I came here was in 2005 with my brother on a Sunday after church for lunch. When you walk in the lobby and get to the place where you will be seated you get a waft of a fish smell that is not the stinky rotten fish smell but the one of a fish market with fresh fish. The decor is mostly wood and they try to capture nautical themes of the East Coast and of the West Coast, San Francisco and such. Outside the big window in the bar you can see that Google has an office in the building across the street, the city of Birmingham is a beautiful place to dine. Service is good,mostly. They can get busy or maybe the cook is doing something, I'm usually willing to wait if food is done right. I'd rather get a great meal after waiting an hour than get crap in 5 minutes. On the weekend a lot of people make reservations. Sunday afternoon is not busy though. I've only had a few things on the menu but everything that I have had is the best of whatever it is I have EVER had. The only thing that was just real good but not fantastic was the bread. It was a sour dough hybrid that was just a bit sour dough and the rest something else, it made me think of San Fran. Anyways, the Food: Crab Cake Appetizer, best I've ever had, melt in your mouth. It comes lying over a bed of corn with homemade tarter & a lemon. New Orleans Seafood Gumbo: Best Ever also. I came back once in 2009 when business was real slow and the Gumbo didn't seem so fresh, it was very good but not the same. I gave this place another chance this weekend and was impressed again or I would have given 4 stars instead of 5. I've had the Fish & Chips, Salmon, shrimp and scallops in different variations, some low fat, some drenched in butter, but always great, always fresh. I tasted my girlfriends salmon this weekend when we were there and it was so delicately crisp on the outside, moist, flakey and fresh tasting on the inside. The vegetable sides are not an afterthought but treated as something almost as special as everything else on the plate. The only reason I can see anyone being disappointed here is if they are used going to the best seafood restaurants and maybe they come on a bad day when maybe the server is overwhelmed or the normal cook is sick. If you like seafood and live in Southeast Michigan this place rocks, I don't care if it is a franchise, they know what they are doing.
(5)
Michael A.
Today the four of us went for Sunday dinner. Two of us liked our meal-two of us the ordered the salmon, prepared two different ways. Mine was delicious. I had the Ginger with the sticky rice. My mom had it maple planked. My partner got a chicken dish and he said it was okay. The side of noodles tasted fishy which was what he was trying to avoid. My dad ate off the gluten-free menu and he had a small plate of small scallops (lukewarm/cold) and small shrimp. Service was very slow we think because the bar is at the other end of the large space so to get a drink or ice or limes takes 15 minutes each time. The manager, when asked to pick up the pace was cool about it-very agreeable. But it didn't change anything. Next time we will head to 220 where the service & food is perfect.
(3)
Peter S.
We've eaten at Mitchell's a number of times and have yet to really be impressed. The food is never bad, but it's never anything more than fair or sometimes on the cusp of good. Their chowder is inoffensive and without much flavor. The crabcake I had was falling apart before I got my knife into it. A prior reviewer described Mitchell's as an upscale Red Lobster and I would probably agree with that. I'd also like to mention that responsible seafood restaurants have ceased to feature Chilean sea bass (real name: Patagonian toothfish) due to its near-endangered status, but Mitchell's is not that ecologically-concerned. The bottom line is that you will find most things palatable and leave full but not satisfied. Mitchell's might be good enough to not streniously object if others want to dine there, but it wouldn't be my suggestion.
(3)
Jonny P.
Went in for a business lunch today. The Chilean Sea Bass was light & buttery, perfectly prepared. I also sampled 3 appetizers: The Crab, Spinach & Artichoke dip, The Kung Pao Fried Calamari alongside The Spicy Asian Scrimp. All 3 were prepared promptly and a delight. My sole criticism is the portions were a bit slight vs the price. Otherwise it was an excellent experience...
(4)
Natalie Z.
We went to Mitchell's this last super-snowy Tuesday night. I think we lucked out in that the place was pretty empty at 7pm. We went because of Birmingham Restaurant Week - lots of restaurants have specials for $25. Our server was attentive and our food was really good. They have an interesting cocktail menu; I ended up ordering an "Elderflower" something, and it was really interesting. While I didn't get the $25 dinner special, I ordered a prix fixe meal from their regular menu: steelhead with ceasar salad and creme brulee ($19.95). The steelhead was described on the menu like this: "Steelhead are delicious..." I can't remember the rest, because I thought, "Well, if it's delicious..." - and it was! The side salad was indeed small-sized, but I think that is OK, because I still had leftovers. The creme brulee was rich and tasty, too.
(5)
Jen M.
A few coworkers and I swung by to grab a quick after work bite to eat before going to the movies down the street. Their happy hour appetizer prices almost knocked me off my stool!!! Everything on the menu was 1/2 off!!! Ok, now I've been duped with this little gimmick before...1/2 off apps that are the size of Mary Kate Olsen's last Thanksgiving dinner (that's pretty small) but not here. We got at least 2 dozen good sized shrimp in the shrimp cocktail and plate was mounded with calamari. We ordered 3 items for 3 people and there was food left on the plate when we finished. As other reviewers have stated, however, this is not mind-blowing-oh-my god-you-have-to-eat-here type cuisine but for the price, location, and EXCELLENT service it's a destination for after work eats. Oh and I guess on Mondays they have $4 Absolut drinks too. BONUS!
(4)
Emily L.
I went to Mitchell's for Birmingham Restaurant Week. My friend and I both got the lobster bisque to start. It had the right amount of richness to it, although it was just a tad salty. We then both got the Fish Market Trio - blackened tilapia, jambalaya rice with shrimp and andouille, cedar plank salmon with steamed asparagus, and "Shang Hai" sea scallops. The salmon came with a dab of goat cheese and some tiny pieces of indistinguishable vegetables sauteed in balsamic vinaigrette. It was quite tasty. The tilapia and jambalaya rice were decent, although more discerning folk, such as my coworker from New Orleans, would probably call the jambalaya rice a sham. The sea scallops, though, were disgusting. They were rubbery and were floating in soy sauce and topped with black sesame seeds, ginger, and chopped scallions. They would've tasted better if they'd been sauteed rather than steamed. For dessert, I got the key lime pie - very tasty. My friend got the creme brulee and said it was really good, and she usually doesn't really like creme brulee. Service was good. Our server was attentive and made sure our water glasses were filled, etc. Overall, the food was decent but kind of boring. If a friend invited me there, I guess I'd go again, but I'd try to convince them to go somewhere else.
(3)
James B.
Once again I find myself in the minority when it comes to rating one of the more popular restaurants in the Detroit area. Not to be too unkind but Mitchell's has always struck me as an upscale version of Red Lobster. A place that serves the most popular type of fishes and crustacea, in a fashion that appeals to a large audience with some dishes supposedly influenced by regional cuisines. Why, it is even dressed up in a nautical theme like Red Lobster (or perhaps the Krusty Krab). Put simply, it's a place that takes no risks. Are there any positives? Sure... they usually have a fine selection of oysters... of course, it's hard to screw up something served raw, poor refrigeration aside. In general, the food is cooked properly, being neither undercooked or overcooked, under-seasoned or over-seasoned. The drinks are nice. The food is just so uninspired in my opinion. Like RL, you get your choice of fish and can choose how its prepared... sauteed, grilled, blackened, steamed, "Shanghai" style. No where do you see any progressive cooking techniques that can add dimension to an otherwise pedestrian fish. Why not try butter poaching, or sous vide? The selection of fish is likewise risk free. There are the standard tuna, salmon, whitefish, swordfish, mussels, shrimp, lobster, and crab. I forgot to mention the pricey, trendy, soon-to-be-on-the-endangered-species-list Chilean sea bass (which is neither Chilean nor sea bass). All species that are found at... you guessed it... Red Lobster. How about using sea urchin, conger eel, langostines, octopus? Yes, dear reader, I am aware that Mitchell's is part of a chain and as such, there are certain dishes one must have on the menu to draw in the majority of customers (Clam Chowder, lobster bisque, King Crab legs, seared ahi, tiramisu - oh, brother). I am not suggesting these items be sacrificed. What I am saying is that if Mitchell's really wants to be a high-end seafood restaurant and charge high-end prices, it is not enough to play it safe. Great seafood restaurants like Le Bernardin get their reputation based on their great food... a result of constant experimentation with new techniques, unusual ingredients and a variety of flavor profiles. The only times I go the Mitchell's these days is if I'm not the one paying or if Red Lobster is closed... the food is about the same. ... I kid.... I don't do Red Lobster either.
(2)
Kris G.
Had 8:15 reservations for 8 people Friday night, didn't get seated until 9pm. Food was good aside from 2 of my friends found hair in their entrees. We told the waiter and he apologized profusely. He comped us a couple of desserts which was nice but overall sort of a letdown.
(3)
Kyle S.
It was my birthday. My waiter got my drink wrong 3 times, handed me the wrong soup, and messed up my dinner order. The correct order was overcooked, sandy scallops and raw carrots. Passed on my "birthday" dessert because I just wanted to leave. Nobody ever apologized, not once. I will never eat there again and you shouldn't either. I seriously thought there was hidden cameras because this experience was so awful it must have been set up as a joke- but it wasn't.
(1)
Heather M.
I liked the calamari and spinach, artichoke, and crab dip apps. Service was just "ok" which was odd considering there were not many people there on a Th at 4pm.
(4)
Rodney H.
Often times the seating at this venue is hectic & more akin to a Cafeteria quality establishment than a decent dining experience, Service can also be very spotty. however the menu is very good & i have enjoyed more than a dozen different dishes form the appetizer & entree menu. Decent enough wine list, good selection of beers. Making on-line reservations is a bonus I especially like the Crab cakes, The scallops are large & tasty.
(4)
Russ C.
Food was excellent as usual. Location closed by our house in the Chicagoland area. Chilean sea bass was great. Terrific crab cake for appetizer. I went with my wife and another couple and my wife and I shared the Hawaiian ahi tuna for an appetizer small portion but delicious. The other couple got their signature cocktails and they really seemed to enjoy them. Try the 7 layer carrot cake it can feed 3-4 it's that big. Sharkfin was good as well but the carrot cake stole the show. Only negative was that the tap water smelled and tasted terrible so ask for another option.
(4)
Wendy S.
This is a mainstay, for lunch or dinner. Never disappoints. Bar side or restaurant side...we always leave happy. I have a...habit...of rearranging the menu. And Mitchell's never bats an eyelash. Even when my friends and family tease. That alone gets 3 stars.
(5)
Cristina F.
Service is not really good!We were waiting for our drinks during 15min and then we got charged for our dinner twice! 2 stars because the quality of the food was great...
(2)
Rebecca B.
I lucked out and found a metered spot right out front.. Birmingham sets you up for failure though with their meters.. You better watch the clock, because there are strict limitations.. I'm the type that likes to put several coins in and forget about it.. I think you're limited to an hour (if memory serves)..This was an impromptu visit to Mitchell's, and I'm so glad I went. Maybe it was because I was starving, thirsty, and in good company, I don't know...but I had a great time! We decided to pop in for a cocktail on our way to our next stop.. It took a few minutes until we were acknowledged, but it was semi busy.. I ordered a martini with pineapple infused vodka (forgot it's name) which was strong, but delish. It came with a pineapple chunk on a stick - I love cocktails that come with a snack.. Lol!! My second drink was a Mojito, which was equally good.. We decided to order two appetizers, spinach artichoke dip, and don't laugh...hush puppies!!! I sort of teased my friend for wanting the puppies.. They ended up being so tasty, I can't wait to go back for more!! The dipping sauce was somewhat zesty and a perfect accompaniment.. Spinach artichoke seems to end up on my table wherever I go, and I've got to say this was one of the best! Mitchell's is on the pricier side, but hey, this isn't Long John Silvers!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Karen J.
We had an early dinner here and everything was very good. The place is attractive and clean, and we were seated promptly in a comfortable booth. Our server knew the menu well, and the martini I ordered was ice cold and well made. We both ordered from the Lobster Celebration menu, and the amount of food was just right. My caesar salad was excellent, my partner's "famous" market salad was just OK: kind of a chopped salad with poppy seed dressing. The bread was hot and fresh. I ordered the lobster and shrimp cakes while my dining companion had the lobster and shrimp stuffed cod. We traded bites, and I decided that I liked mine better since I thought the cod was a bit bland. My seafood cakes were heavy on the seafood and light on the non-fish filler. Yay! The only "meh" was dessert. We both ordered creme brulee and while it was good, it was nothing special. All in all, we had a good time and would definitely come back. Good service, good prices, good food in a pleasant atmosphere.
(4)Jenny D.
They were on time with my reservation and the food was great.
(5)Angela F.
Our group of 5 had a 6:15 reservation for a Saturday night. We were seated immediately, only to wait...and wait...and wait to be acknowledged by our server approximately 25 minutes after we'd taken our booth. Disappointing start. Having little desire for a 3 hour dinner on this visit, we skipped apps and ordered entrees. My husband ordered the Yellowfin tuna, Shanghai-style, to which the server countered "What temperature would you like your fish?" Um...what? Does the average restaurant patron really know the answer to this question? No one at our table did, which led to several moments of awkward conversation with the waitress, her attempting to explain how the fish cooked (never actually mentioning a numeric temperature, I might add). Hubby left it to the chef's discretion, and was thoroughly pleased with the outcome. My mother-in-law commented that her cedar plank salmon was the best she'd had. I ordered the pecan-crusted Whitefish which was moist and delicious, and the Key Lime pie for dessert - fantastically tangy with a divine texture; definitely ranks in the top 3 best of my dining career. For a chain restaurant, the food was a treat at a decent price; the service a bit lacking. If we find ourselves back in the area, we'd give Mitchell's another go.
(4)Greg R.
Great food and excellent wait staff. Was able to reserve a table using yelp which to 2 minutes.
(4)Debbie H.
The staple of our dine out options. Mitchell's is outstanding in both the service we receive and the quality of food. My "usual" is the cedar plank salmon ... I'd try to describe the flavors and variety in this dish, but I couldn't possibly do it justice. Suffice to say that it's something you'll order more than once. Deb usually goes for the shrimp and scallop skewers ... even if it isn't on the menu (our server has always made it seem like it's no problem to have the chef prepare this on request). Highly recommended!
(5)Richard F.
It is a chain, but it is a good chain and this particular location is well managed. The food quality is good, the value is there, albeit not cheap. But good seafood can't be cheap. Service is very good, the drinks are good too. I like it and I go back.
(4)Andrew S.
Went there for the first time with friends and was very unimpressed. The setting in downtown Birmingham, the valet parking, etc. set the stage for a very exquisite dining experience. However, inside it wasn't very elegant at all -- very plain. We were seated in a booth that was slightly nicer than one at Big Boy. The menu looked very nice, with pricing you would expect at a fine restaurant. It is printed "freshly" every day with the current specials highlighted. I ordered the blackened scallops for about $30. Having spent much time in New Orleans, they need to look up what "blackened" means. It was bland with some boring tomato-based sauce. My wife ordered the Sea Bass, which the server highly recommended (probably because it was the most expensive thing outside of lobster). Again, it was quite bland, and not what you would expect for the price. Overall, if I wanted to go someplace that has the outward appearance (and pricing) of a high-end restaurant, I would rather go to Capital Grille, or even Mccormick and Schmick's. You won't see me at this place again.
(2)Otis M.
I like Mitchell's. Been to this one several times as well as the one in Rochester. Something funky going on with the ownership of these places...but that hasn't impacted it's food or service. It's a fun place for drinks and dinner. They can easily accommodate a large party at a 8 top, even a much larger group in a separate room. The fresh fish can be prepared in a number of signature ways. A nice wine list. My service experience has been very good. Both locations are normally busy so make a reservation.
(4)Dan H.
Initially was going to be seated in front of the fish counter at the kitchen window. Was moved without a problem. Once we were reseated, we really enjoyed our dinner experience. Food was excellent along with the service. I had the Surf and turf and my wife had the blackened scallops. We also had the lobster bisque. I highly recommend it as an appetizer. Don't forget to bring some change for the meters (every day except Sunday) or pay the $6 for valet.
(4)kelly w.
As mentioned in previous yelps- I am not a fish eater. So why go to a Fish Market? Not everyone eats Filets here so I generally find myself tending to the fish-frenzied crowd of my buddies. I love sitting in the bar area here. They have a half-moon bar you can sit around, or choose to sit in one of the comfortable booths. I'm really into booths, so I chose the latter. A friend of mine had once told me that because Mitchell's and Cameron's were owned by the same people you can order from either menu. I immediately asked Jeff, our waiter if this was possible. Sure is, he replied. Hmmm.. so what did I do? I ordered an appetizer from the steakhouse (Cameron's) and then ordered my filet from the fish market. Believe me folks, there is NO rationale to this way of thinking. The app I ordered was the wild mushroom saute- a perfect fungus trifecta if you ask me. Portabello, shiitake, and button mushrooms in a delicately creamy base... (not soupy by any means though). Of course I ordered the Filet from Mitchell's-- what can I say, it was $2 cheaper on the Mitchell's menu (oh ps- I have heard they share a kitchen.. so it's the same damn meat-- why am I paying $2 more to order it from the steakhouse when I am sitting in the fish market? Good place to go even just to get drinks-- just not a place to patron if you are a little light in the wallet.
(4)Dane K.
Having just gone to the adjacent restaurant owned by them (Cameron's Steakhouse) two nights prior, I was pretty let down by this place... The server was VERY nice, but not very good at his job. He didn't really seem to have any restaurant experience, but that was OK. At least he could hold a good conversation. We found out his whole life story and shared ours... ha :) The food was mediocre at best. I ordered jambalaya, but the server couldn't remember what I ordered (why, I don't know, we were his only table) so he brought both jambalaya and the lobster bisque. I had contemplated the lobster bisque, so I tried it... It was pretty bad. It tasted like they poured a bucket of half and half in it then added some lobster flavorings. Jambalaya was good. I had a cajun blackened swordfish. It wasn't really blackened or cajun... It was more cooked then sprinkled with some sort of seasoning. It just didn't taste right and the seasoning was clumping off. It was kind of gross even. The sides were mediocre as well. Not being impressed by anything thus far, we declined having dessert (and believe me, the company was paying so we would have if we wanted...). He brought us dessert anyway, to be nice. And though it was nice, it wasn't really that great either... (luckily it was comped). It was overcooked and eggy... We went for an early dinner. Looking around, the atmosphere felt very much like a Denny's. Even the people made me feel that way. Very much not what I expected. I wouldn't go back here. There are tons of better places in Birmingham. (Next door, at Cameron's, for instance!)... And other seafood restaurants that are better in Birmingham too.
(2)Ryan J.
My Chilean Sea Bass was as good as I have had it. There's only one other place where I have had a better piece of fish and it isn't close to here. I'll give them five for just that and the Shrimp cocktail which was also very good.
(5)Adam H.
I eat out every meal and came full circle back to Mitchells. I'm really not a fish eater but was in the mood tonight. I had the signature "shang hai" sea bass. Mmmmm mmmm good. I ordered chicken wings as an ppetizer and actually enjoyed them as well. The service was pretty average. The manager came by for a visit and i thought that was cool. Overall a very good experience.
(4)Nivedita P.
started my dinner with the absolute peartini..it was yummy..the elderflower liqueur has a unique taste..luved it..ordered mussels and the asian shrimp for apps..the shrimp was good.this was my 1st tym eating mussels..i enjoyed it alot..the broth was soo flavourful(i actually wanted 2 lift the bowl n slurp down the broth :P)..i had the sea bass,shanghai style for main course..the fish portion was was pretty small,but it was tasty..yum,yum,yummmy..i also had their basil & grapefruit cocktail..it was sooo refreshing...if u like red wine,do try the malbec pascal toco..it is sooo smooth..i luved it..overall had a wonderful dinner..they also have a prefix dinner for $20 ..if u'r in a budget,go for dat..i'm sure it'll b worth every penny.
(4)Julie T.
Came here on my six-year anniversary with my boyfriend. I had to wait a little despite our reservations, which was sort of upsetting. However, our great waiter and food made up for that. We ordered steak and salmon; both of which were mouthwatering. Calamari appetizer was delicious! It's a little pricey (for my college student budget) but not exorbitant. Great place for an anniversary or birthday but the crowd is a bit older. Definitely would come again.
(4)Tim M.
The perfect place for a delicious healthy dinner.
(5)Ming D.
It is my third time to this restaurant. Good taste. Good environment. I like it very much.
(4)Deirdre M.
A dinner on Father's day was such a disappointment. When our food took forever to come out, we were told "the kitchen is in a shambles." The specials, when they did arrive, were dry and lacked flavor. We will not go back
(1)C B.
Great experience all around for my husbands birthday. Everything was delicious and the staff was wonderful. To note-I ordered the scallops grilled and when they came they were waaaaaayyyy overcooked. I let the waiter know who apologized, took the plate and assured me I would have proper scallops in 5-10 minutes. And I did! the chef came out to apologize, as did the manager. So overcooked scallops did not ruin or overshadow our experience because it was rectified in a very pleasant manner. That's rare these days and deserves some recognition. And when I received the new scallops-they were perfectly cooked.
(4)nameera f.
Something different for everyone! The crab dip was awesome. Our server was great too. Be prepared to wait if you are going there on any event.
(4)Rkt T.
favorite food for me and my husband
(5)Patrick N.
My girlfriend and I had a reservation for 7pm, we entered the door right on the dot. We watched too different people get seated before us who came in after us without reservations. Come on, guys. The food was good but the service was half assed. I had to wait half the meal to get my water refilled. We had the shrimp fondu with brie and bacon jam, alaskan king crab legs and the fruitti de mare pasta. The food was cooked perfectly and we left full and satisfied. I'd love to give them a higher rating but because of the customer service it remains at a three.
(3)Magnus L.
We came here for Valentine's Day dinner. As expected they were busy but we came early enough that not every table was occupied yet. We started out with appetizers, I had the seared ahi tuna which was really awesome. The flavors were great and the presentation was really nice. For the main meal I ended up going with the yellowfin tuna cooked Shanghai style. The tuna had good flavor but was a bit dry. I haven't had their tuna before so I'm not sure if it gets a little dry when cooked this particular way. I finished the dinner with a cappuccino and vanilla bean cream brulee. The cappuccino was ok but not as good as in their Livonia location and the creme brulee was disappointing. The service was below what I expect for this type of restaurant. It was OK but I'm not impressed with Mitchell's at this location.
(3)Jordan S.
Sadly this one is not really worth your time or money. Staff is really nice but food quality leaves much to be desired...
(1)Deborah E.
I just got home from Mitchell's in Birmingham. The decor and ambiance was great, very comfy. My wine was served in a broken glass which they graciously replaced and then charged me for two glasses of wine when the bill came! I was a bit taken aback, they did remove charges for both. My friend ordered an inexpensive glass of wine, and was charged for a pricier glass. Just make sure you check your bill at this location. My shrimp were the quality I would expect at Red Lobster, not Mitchell's. The salad was excellent as were my vegetables. I thought the concept of tag team servers doesn't work here, one server has no idea what the other server has provided. All in all, I may return but wouldn't order the shrimp, the other fish looked good. Loved the valet parking!
(2)Youssef A.
One of my favorite seafood restaurants. Great service and food! Planked salmon is the best
(5)Brian K.
Good food, mediocre service. We had a group of 5 guys and had a nice dinner for a birthday celebration. I got a salmon dish with pieces of lobster and covered in tasty sauce Béarnaise . It was very rich (and delicious). Service was very unsatisfying. Essentially, they came by to take our order, drop off our food, then they just bounced. We had wine in the ice bucket and I guess the modus operandi here is to pour your own drinks.
(3)Steve K.
Have been coming here since a week after they opened in 2003. Have always enjoyed, but lately the food quality seems to have dipped a bit. Have never received an especially strong pour from the bar. Still, the salads are excellent, the fish is always fresh, and the atmosphere is great. Wish the servings were a bit bigger.
(3)Meghan H.
Time after time we hope that our service will be better but today solidified we won't be back. They do not have their staffing and service figured out.
(1)Laura K.
Holy-the-worst-seriice-EVER Batman. Popped in with my dad after a movie at the B'ham 8 around 2:30. The place was empty and I mean it, only one other 2 top. We ordered some tea and put in our food order at the same time. As the time ticked by we kept glancing up at the open in kitchen. Where's the food? Our server was pretty much MIA, no bread, no water refills. She came over once to apologize for the lack of any food whatsoever. After about a half hour I went to the bathroom and the food magically appeared. The manager brought the food over personally (my dad said) and comped the bill. My scallops were fine but definitely not worth a 30 plus minute wait. I'm not saying this snafu is a total deal breaker but I'll think long and hard before returning.
(2)liz w.
Terrible had sick child at home wanted to order kids food to go but they would not let us order the special to go. The waiter was useless and needed to ask Helen manager about everything she was cold and unfriendly. We ordered 80 dollars for 3 of us but they could not do a to go order for my sick child??? No customer service and zero brains running that outfit overpriced and service seriously lacking. They do not care rude
(1)Peter M.
If I could leave a 0 star I would. Don't be mistaken, I have a bunch of 5-star reviews, I don't just review those I hate, this one I absolutely hate and I can't even really tell you much about most of their food as the story goes something (or everything) like this. We went to Mitchell's last night while in town on business, we ordered half dozen east coast oysters and a half dozen west coast, among some other apps. There were six of us so I ate one west coast oyster, it was good, and then i ate one east coast, it was rancid, to the point that it smelled like I image my a** smells. I literally gagged at the table, had to get up and ran to the restroom while I violently puked it up. I returned to the table and one guy in our party summoned the waitress, gave her the shell and asked her please have the chef smell it, not because we wanted him to puke but rather so he could protect the other patrons. She left with it and the other discarded shells. (This is where bad gets really f'ing bad) The manager on duty, a fairly young lady, came to the table, she turned bad into f'ing bad with how she handled the situation. Now, if it was me and I was playing manager, I would have immediately apologized, comped the 6 oysters, bought a round of drinks and offered the guy that just puked free dinner. What did this manager do? She preceded to tell us that she would remove what we did not eat. Meaning the two uneaten oysters out of six, not caring that two were rancid, I failed to mention that someone else at the table had eaten one seconds before me, he didn't puke but wanted to. When we asked her if the chef smelled the shell she didn't answer, instead she gave some lame line of "the chef monitors all the food leaving the kitchen, those oysters have been so popular we are now sold out". Ironic, a guy gets sick and suddenly you are sold out. We asked again if he smelled it but still got no answer. We proceeded to cancel the remaining appetizers and pay the bill and leave. Let me give some advice to this manager, READ THIS REVIEW and focus on the part where I said "Now, if it was me and i was playing manager" and learn how to provide some customer service. Since you were visibly shaking when talking to us it is clear you are not prepared for this sort of conflict and we weren't asking for anything for free, just trying to protect the lives of your customers. In case you were not aware, you can DIE from bad oysters, a free meal wouldn't have saved my life had I died but it would have left you feeling a smidgen better knowing you cared.
(1)Christie B.
Love this place. Never a bad experience. Always go there when I go to Ceresni & Offen. As a matter of fact- we are going again today
(5)Gail S.
Food was very good, however;where they sat us, next to the windows on the street side, whenever a car turned the corner the headlights would shine in my eyes. There were shutters on all of the larger windows but not the smaller one where I was sitting.Not great for celebrating a birthday.
(2)MaryLiz S.
I don't want to say exactly "meh," but it wasn't truly A-OK, either. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and round up. We arrived at about 5:30 on a Wednesday night. There were a few other parties. We were there two hours dining, but the place never filled up to the point where it got too noisy for pleasant conversation. That's the way we like it! Service was awesome. Our waiter was always there when we needed him. My water glass got refilled without ice plenty of times. But he committed the faux pas of reaching across to retrieve plates. Maybe my experience at the Birmingham Mitchell's was tarnished by the excellent time I had at the Cinci location. This time, the peach ice tea was just ... beh! Heavy on the liquor, and not so much peach ice tea flavor. But what really disappointed me was that when I ordered it, I asked to please be light on the ice, being that I'd just mushed my way across the frozen tundra to get there. The glass came half full of ice! Oh, well. I ordered a calamari appetizer for our table, because that's what my father-in-law can eat. My mother-in-law said, "You always order that. You must love it." I said, "Well, I'd like to try some other appetizers, but not all of us can eat them. Spicy this, Flaming that..." She got my point. The oil must not have been very hot yet. The calamari seemed a bit besodden, but the batter was crispy and the hoisin sauce was a nice change from the usual tomato-based sauce. There were some green beans along for the ride, and I liked those a lot! Three of us got the house salad. My mother-in-law got a spinach salad. I noted that the plates were virtually freezing. Had they been waiting in the refrigerator to be grabbed by a waiter? I liked the tangy poppyseed dressing on my house salad, though I thought that chopped head lettuce mixed with leaf lettuce was a chintzy choice on the part of the kitchen. I'd almost gone for the Wedge-O-Iceberg, but when I saw one on its way to another table, I was glad that I had not chosen that one. It's a big salad! I opted for a cup of gumbo and a seared yellowfin tuna appetizer as my main event. The gumbo had a lot of whitefish in it. I didn't see any other species, though I tasted them. A good cook wastes nothing, so I bet that all the exoskeletons had been used to make the flavorful broth. It was so thick, I was glad that I had not ordered the bowl. I can imagine a bowl of this plus a small salad as a complete dinner - no appetizer. The tuna had a nice outer coating. It came on a pillow of dried out glutinous rice. It seemed to have sat around and dried out before being adorned with the fish. Sorry, but I'm an expert on rice in all its many forms, and that was definitely a "meh." There were three tasty sesame chips, a dollop of wasabi and some pickled ginger along with this, and it was just the right size. I had seen the entree version on the menu, but was glad that I had downsized in order to have the gumbo, which turned out to be the best item of the entire evening. Hubby got the trout almondine, which had a *very* caramelized sauce. He dipped the tines of his fork in it so that I could sample it. A nice, smoky finish. But there was too much of it, and he said his fish tasted too sweet for his liking. A thin stream that one encounters now and then would be better than a pool in the center of the plate. But that's just our opinion. Mom got scallops. Brother got steak - he doesn't like fish. I didn't see what Dad got. They all seemed satisfied with their fare. The three of them go to this restaurant now and then. I agree with other reviewers that this place just does not shine. Considering the prices you pay, you should get even better food. But again ... that's just my opinion.
(3)Sarah C.
I was really excited about this place and when my bf and I arrived I was a bit underwhelmed. I was expecting a really nice place but in my opinion it looked a bit old fashion to me, like the 1950s and they never remodeled. The place is huge so don't worry about making a reservation. Anyway, the booths were leather with this brown-red color. The only thing fancy about this place is the bathroom; I like how they had mouth wash, lotion, perfume, etc in there. The food was pretty good. The fish were cooked perfectly and the sides - veggies and mash potatoes were cooked perfectly too. It was just a bit boring. Nothing special but for fish this is the best place to go to. We didn't get our complementary bread. I really hope its some rule where if you come after 1 and before dinner that you don't get bread.
(4)Mark M.
Ate there last night First stopped by the bar, no complaints generous drinks good service next to the food and service for dinner SERVICE TERRIBLE waited for food , never asked if we would like another drink, brought us sparkling water but didn't serve it Just the worst service I've had in some time Food was just adequate at best SKIP THIS PLACE I would hope that Birmingham has a better place to eat OVERALL JUST TERRIBLE
(2)Sam G.
Man what a nice place! So i'm just ducking into different places and seeing what different scenes are all about and I saw that this place was getting some pretty good press from the yelp!ers, so as my sworn duty, I had to come here. ;) I came into the bar area, which is separated by a hallway from the main dining area, so it's like a totally different place, but under one roof. It's a darker bar, but not too dim so you can't see. I started in on some craft beer and spotted this jar of pineapple sitting on the bar. They make an infused pineapple vodka here and the prep jar was sitting there.. staring at me. I begged the bartender, not for a drink of the vodka, but for a chunk of that amazing pineapple... and got one. SCORE! Soo good. I think it held an entire shot of vodka in that piece. Grabbed some Calamari off the Apps menu and it was buttery but not with butter, light but not too light. Full of flavor and not even a hint of rubberyness that you sometimes get with squids. The bartender mentioned that the squid gets to soak for a day in some buttermilk so rubberyness just isn't an option. :) This place is pretty amazing!
(4)Thylias M.
Exceptional service. I had a spinach salad that was exquisite. My partner had clam chowder that was very tasty; he's from Maine and his expectations for seafood in the Midwest are low, but Mitchell's was a pleasant surprise for the soup. Was an off-night for the calamari appetizer --which wasn't as good as it usually is --server had it promptly removed from the bill! --very nice. Lobster tails were serviceable --a taste of seawater instead of sweetness I was expecting. Creme brûlée was excellent for my partner's birthday. Enjoyed the bustling atmosphere. Again: impeccable service.
(3)Nikki S.
Went for lunch and had the crab cakes and some clam chowder. The food was amazing and the staff was very friendly. I look goward to going back
(5)Andre W.
My 2 favorite clients suggested this place when I arrived into town last week. I was told it was in the ritzy part of town which was fine by me...lol We sat down and was greeted by a very knowledgeable waiter. He was able to break everything on the menu from the food to the drinks. He was even able to impress one of my clients that is featured on local television for his dishes every ow and then. We started with the char broiled oysters which were smothered and broiled with bayou cajun butter & parmesan cheese. Very delightful! We also had the calamari that came with a zesty asian dipping sauce which was pretty good. Was definitely in the mood for fish so I ordered the tropical tilapia from Costa Rica which came along with delicious vegetables and mashed redskin potatoes. The whole meal was phenomenal as I enjoyed every bite of each item. As I mentioned earlier the service here is outstanding!
(5)Douglas A.
Not sure I can accurately describe what was so MEH about this place. Maybe it was the feeling of being at an upscale denny's for fish lovers, where the wait staff and menu are trying to ACT as if it's not a denny's, but deep down the sommelier has no idea what he's talking about, the food is sysco to the max, allt he flavors are too strong to balance out the dill-prepared fish and at the end of the day it's about getting lots of cheap food into people's mouths as quickly and efficiently as possible while making so much fing money off these people it would make denny's cringe. This is the first restaurant I have been to where I was so turned off at the fact I was over paying so much for poor quality food I simply did not even eat it as a egotistical protest to all restaurants that are hoping and praying their clientele does not expect so much more from a $30 a plate restaurant.
(2)Scott T.
I was here for a group dinner on a Friday night. The food was all solid but not great. However, most of the food by the time we had it at our table was lukewarm. And the service was very slow.
(3)Jon G.
I'm not a fish guy, so obviously I chose a fresh fish market to celebrate the New Year with my girlfriend. I contemplated ordering the fish market burger because a massive slab of prime beef sounded amazing. But not wanting to be that guy, I chose the yellowfin tuna. Previously, the only tuna I had ever eaten came in a can with a mermaid logo. The offering was impressive as the tuna was served in a sweet hoisin sauce. It was paired with stir-fried vegetables and white sticky rice (white sticky rice is better than all other rices, it is a known fact). I also ordered a caesar salad which was okay and sampled some lobster bisque soup which was a bit sweet for my tastes. The caesar salad was a must, as eat more than most people, although the tuna was a very large portion. Prices were reasonable and a bit higher than Red Lobster, but with much better quality. Drinks were fairly priced as well. A pint of Blue Moon cost $4.95 and some frilly drink my girlfriend ordered was $8.95. After tax and tip we walked away under $100, but if you don't drink alcohol or order soup and salad for starters you could expect something closer to $65. I would recommend this restaurant for someone who loves fish or someone just starting out. The wait staff was very helpful while I was making my dinner selection. In fact, Mitchell's offers their fish a variety of ways such as blackened, grilled, or sushi-grade (raw).
(4)Abi J.
Heard this was a good location for happy hour and decided to try it... Loved it! It is hard to complain with $5 wine, $4 mixed drinks, and $3 beers... They also had a large appetizer menu where each item was $5... I tried the codwich sliders and the spicy shrimp tacos. The codwich sandwiches were huge! Two sliders and it was a meal. The spicy shrimp tacos were amazing. A lot of flavor and fresh tasting at the same time. The fries were also house cut and perfectly seasoned- not too salty. The house Cabernet was decent... I wish they would have offered more wine choices but I'm not picky. The mix of people was old and young, a little more on the older side... Service was good- sat at the bar... Cute bartender :) Ill definitely be back!
(4)S W.
Horrible service at lunch time. Waiter ignored our table but took care of everyone else and so our order took forever to show up. After 45 minutes, flagged down a manager and our entrees finally made it out to our table. Not impressed at all with the food. The fried calamari was tasteless. Had the "signature dish" which tasted no better than something you could pick out of the supermarket frozen food section. My friend's fish and chips order was cold. We complained and were not charged for our meal but the experience was a real let down especially since we were initially looking forward to lunching at Mitchell's.
(1)Kerwin W.
I have been to Mitchell' s several times and the food and service was good. I suggested that my family take me there for Father's Day. It was an horrible experience. The restaurant was not crowed and it took forever for our food to come. It seem like management did not care. Our waiter was inexperience and poor. The food substandard as well.
(1)Deborah P.
We ate here last evening with my husband and a friend. always thought this was one of the better Mitchell's restaurants in the chain, but last night changed my mind. My husband's salmon was under cooked though he ordered it medium. My salad was drenched in dressing. The salad bowls were icy cold so I assume they were pre-prepared and sitting in a cold case. My shrimp/scallop/salmon dish was nothing like the tastiness the last time I ordered this dish (my favorite). Very ordinary for the price. Maybe it was the B team on duty since it was freezing cold last night.
(2)Byron S.
Birmingham native and long-time seafood lover here. Mitchell's and Charley's Crab in Troy are my two favorite seafood spots in the area. The atmosphere is much more relaxed than Ocean Prime, and the food is superior in my opinion. $5 well drinks during happy hour and a great $30 lobster deal in the summer. Great spot, I would highly recommend.
(5)Anna H.
I would give Mitchell's Fish Market a 2 star, but I'm being generous and giving them a 3 star rating for an okay service/management. Where do I begin? Started off great and then it pretty much went downhill from there.. My boyfriend and I went here for the first time on Valentine's Day. Of course, we made reservations ahead of time knowing it was going to be busy. We were very hungry and decided to go all out. What we ordered: Drinks: My boyfriend ordered a FM mojito (Bacardi and Lime Juice) and I had a Pinefin martini (pineapple juice and vodka). Drinks were good, but it took a while for our server to get our drinks out, but was worth the wait. Appetizers: 1. Crispy Calamari: It was good, but I've had better. The calamari was a bit soft. I would've loved for it to be crunchier, but overall we enjoyed it and the sauce is to die for! Love the dipping sauce! 2. Seared Hawaiian Ahi Tuna: LOVE IT! It was delicious! The fish was fresh and the rice and the ponzu sauce goes well with it. I highly recommend it! 3. Seafood Gumbo Soup: My boyfriend ordered it and he liked it. He said it was hearty and flavorful with a good hint of spice. 4. Spinach Salad: I also ordered a spinach salad. It had granny smith apples, red onions, bacon, and goat cheese. I love salads, and this salad was great. So far everything about Mitchell's was amazing. The drinks were good, the food was good, and we're having a great Valentine's Day. The only thing I would have to pick at is that the service was a little slow and our server was not that attentive. There were a few times we had to track him down for him to refill our drinks or get us more bread. He didn't check up on us as often as we like. He only took our orders and he was gone. Some other server actually brought us our food. However, it was understandable because it was a very busy day, so it didn't bother us too much. Moving onto the entree. I ordered the Fish Market Trio and my boyfriend ordered the Shanghai Seafood Sampler. The plate presentation looked amazing and it smelled sooo good! The Fish Market Trio consisted of tilapia, salmon, and sea scallops served over rice with sauteed asparagus. Everything was seasoned and cooked well. It was very delicious! As for the Shanghai Seafood Sampler, it consisted of salmon, shrimp, and scallops. It was steamed with ginger and scallions and was served with sticky rice and sauteed spinach with a rice wine soy sauce. My boyfriend really loved his entree! WOW! Everything seemed so perfect, for the first few bites, but then the unthinkable happened. As my boyfriend was chewing, he had a horrified expression on his face. IN HIS PLATE WAS A PIECE OF HAIR WRAPPED AROUND HIS SHRIMP. MY BOYFRIEND TOOK THE FORK AND LIFTED UP THE SHRIMP AND FOUND TWO MORE STRANDS OF HAIR AROUND ANOTHER SHRIMP! THAT MAKES THREE STRANDS OF HAIR COOKED INTO HIS FOOD!!! WE CANNOT FREAKING BELIEVE IT. NOT ONE, BUT THREE STRANDS OF HAIR! UNBELIEVABLE!!! Of course our server was no where to be seen. My boyfriend actually had to track down one of the managers and told her the situation. The manager apologized and offered to make my boyfriend a new one and he accepted it. At this point, I wanted to throw up. My food may have been good, but I was so paranoid, I lost my appetite, but I still tried to finish my food anyways because I don't like wasting. Here we are on a Valentin's Day date and I'm eating alone, while my boyfriend is waiting on his new entree. Which was supposed to be "out in a few minutes." This is such a disappointment... My boyfriend finally got his new entree after I finished eating. Now I'm just staring at him eat... *SIGH* This date was not what I was expecting. In the end, our server was very apologetic and the managers took off my boyfriend's entree and offer us two free desserts. We appreciate Mitchell's for doing that, but that doesn't change that horrific incident. Overall, it started off real nice and the food was great, until... Like I stated, I'm being very generous to give Mitchell's a three star rating. We may be back in the future to give them a second chance. Hopefully when the next time comes around, this situation will not be revisited.
(3)J. L. M.
We just had the nicest time eating the crab cakes, the shanghai scallops and the shanghai sampler. And the house salad. All were great and the service was very nice and friendly. This is gem. Jennifer was very nice.
(5)Paul J.
Mitchell's used to be a lot better but has gone downhill since they were sold. The food isn't as good, the portions have gotten smaller, and the service has gone from attentive to totally missing the boat. This evening, our party arrived to find out that the air conditioning in the restaurant was out. It happens, but in this case, the restaurant called us several hours before our reservation to confirm, and they didn't say a word. So, we wound up sitting in a steaming restaurant just trying to power through our meal. This is really disappointing. Mitchell's used to be one of our "go to restaurants." The food was dependable, and you can't beat the location. But it's time to give it up and move on, unfortunately.
(2)Daniel K.
Excellent service. Great Yellowfin tuna. Excellent filet.
(5)Diane K.
I've been here a few times whenever I come to Michigan and each time the food & service was excellent. This last time, we were delayed by a flat tire & the receptionist saved our reservation & sat us as soon as we arrived. The wine pour was substantial (we needed that after waiting for an hour for help with our car) and the wait staff was more than friendly even though they were very busy. The fish was also very good. All in all, a very good experience. And of course, the Shark Fin pie was a great end to a pretty stressful evening!!
(4)Irwin F.
The appetizers and sushi were excellent! The dishes we ordered - not so much. The fish is definitely fresh - but they over do the soy sauce and it kills the other flavors. Also, the Management did not seem to care that customers were sweating as their air conditioning sucked. Probably won't be back.
(3)Dan M.
Went there for dinner the other night. We have eaten at the Livonia location sometime back but I remember having a good meal there. Off to a good start with a Short's IPA beer on draft for $4.75 which oddly enough was cheaper than a Sam Adams. My wife had a very nice Sangria. Fresh hot tasty bread was brought out. So far so good! I ordered Tuna with Jerk seasoning that came with a side of black beans and rice ($26 or so which was in the mid range of the fresh catch seafood pricing). The Tuna was slightly warmer than room temperature which I guess is the hazard of rare tuna. Too bad I did not order it rare... Flagged our waitress who graciously took care of it and brought it back done a bit more. The jerk seasoning was imperceptible. No spice and no flavor. On the bright side, the tuna was a shining star relative to the black beans and rice. The beans were mixed into the rice which all together had taken on a greyish purple hue. Not an attractive kind of hue but more of a color of food that makes you think "No way am I going to put that in my mouth." Brave soul that I am, I tried it. It had a pretty starchy, pasty consistency and no particular flavor. My wife had crabcakes which she said were good; a solid example. We passed on dessert but did see someone order carrot cake which was an enormous slice that could feed several people. Overall, at this price point, I expect much more from both the entrée and the side. Doubt that I will be back here anytime soon. Should probably be more of 2.5 star rating since my wife enjoyed her entrée.
(2)Mohan K.
This place was great. Upscale, classy atmopshere. We went the night before Valentines day to beat the rush, and it was perfect. Our server was very knowledgable about different meny items, and was quick to offer suggestions to my wife. I have the Chilean Sea Bass, blackened, and it was AMAZING. Flakey, sweet, soft ... it was awesome. Arrived warm and perfectly seasoned. I also had the lobster bisque, which I had no complaints about. My wife had a spinach salad, which she seeme to enjoy, and blacked Scallops, which she loved. The scallops were large and juicy, and again seasoned perfectly. The bill was high, but we got a lot of food and this was an upscale experience. Perfect for a romantic splurge. I'd definitely go again for the right occasion!
(4)Stacey D.
Big, fat, meh. We went here the Saturday after Valentine's Day. Seemed like we weren't the only couple who couldn't celebrate on the actual holiday. We arrived early and decided to grab and app and drinks in the bar. The bartender was fantastic! He got our drinks promptly, and they were delish! Get the grapefruit basil martini. Yum! We wanted an app, and asked if it contained gluten. He said he thought so, but wanted to be sure, and off he went to get the answer, no complaints. It did, so we got the Bacon Wrapped BBQ Shrimp. Very good. We should have stayed in the bar... We got buzzed, and yet still had to stand around several minutes before being seated. They headed straight toward a booth, and at the last second, veered us off to a table right behind the waitress stand where they put in the orders/get water, etc. I nestled up between the coat rack on the wall and the busy aisle next to me, and started to look over the menu, reminding myself it's a romantic evening. Along came our waiter. Seriously, Birmingham, if you're a nice restaurant, train your waiters. We ordered wine, but felt plenty rushed to make the decision. When I ordered crab legs, she told me that they were out. Then she backtracked and said that the computer said they were out, the kitchen said they weren't, so maybe they would have it. Fine. I placed two orders. She came back later to refill our water, and told me my dinner would be a surprise. Again, I tried to remind myself it was a romantic evening and laughed it off. Everytime she came by (with terrible timing), it seemed like she thought we were her buddies, not her customers out for a date. Not what I'm looking for in a waitress. Once the bill came, my husband and I felt overcharged, underwhelmed, and will not be back. Next time I want a romantic steak dinner (seriously, I love steak), I will just go to a Morton's or a Ruth's Chris, where at least it always seems to be worth the high bill.
(2)Olivia M.
First time at the restaurant and not going back anytime soon. Non existent service and very sad food. Shrimp wrapped in bacon with sesame sauce was not good at all. Their famous fish trio dish was so bland and over cooked it actually made me sad for the fish that was served on the plate. And to top it off, the chairs and the table were not properly wiped off..yuck!!!
(2)Kristin G.
You can make reservations online, which I did. Worked out perfect, I gave a special request that it was my friend's birthday. He arrived before me, they greeted him by name and said, "Happy Birthday!" I thought that was a nice touch. Plus they comped the Fruit Cobbler Dessert for us. Very nice. The food: Started out with the Colossal Shrimp Cocktail. I was blown away by the sheer size of these shrimp, they aren't kidding when they say colossal! They were deliciously fresh tasting and the cocktail sauce was of superb quality. In my book, it's not cocktail sauce without a significant amount of the sinus clearing horseradish. So this cocktail sauce did not disappoint! For dinner, I got the Chilean Steelhead- grilled. It came with garlic whipped potatoes and over a bed of green beans and peppers. The fish was cooked to perfection! It flaked apart ever so delicately on my fork and there was a nice crunch to the outside of the filet without it being over cooked. It had a hint of smoked flavor about it too. I enjoyed every last morsel. Dessert: We split the Fruit Cobbler with Vanilla Bean icecream. WOW. What a heavenly fruit symphony! I was eating it thinking, this is like a fruit version of a stew. It had the crisp cobbler on top, the wonderfully sugary cinnamon sauce. Worth every calorie!!! The Atmosphere: It's nice, fish market themed. They sat us at a booth. It was comfy and had a nautical feeling to it but not overly so. In fact, it was more casual in there than I realized. I like that I can get some delicious fish and not have to get all dressed up to enjoy it. The downside: It's pricey. My entree was $18 dollars. But most great fish is expensive, especially in Michigan. Where exotic fishes aren't a stone's throw away. Bottom line: I'll be back. The price was worth it for the perfectly grilled fish. It was really one of the better fish dinners I've had in quite some time!
(4)Seoung L.
I only had lunches here and not dinner and I really like their food and service at Mitchell's. For an upscale franchise, the lunch prices are actually reasonable. Usually lunches are between $8 to $15. I got the Seafood Sampler (Asian Style) and it was tasty. Not enough shrimp and scallops but it had great flavor. (around $14) Another day I had the Seafood Gumbo and it was fantastic! The bowl size was very filling. Lot of meaty goodness and great flavor. (around $5) Also got the Kung Pow Fried Calamari and it was very delicious. Perfectly cooked. All lunches come with a fresh baked sourdough loaf of bread and butter at the table. Service was superb. My drinks were refilled quickly and the waiter was very attentive and helpful with the questions. Few notes: --- They have valet parking --- If you hate fishy smell, stay away from their kitchen/fish market area. Ask to be seated away from it.
(4)Marisa M.
My first time at Mitchell's fish market and I was very impressed. The wait staff were really kind and on top of everything, a manager even stopped by to see how our meal was going. The food was excellent!! I had the Lobster and Crab stuffed Cod and finished every bite. We were there with a small child and the wait staff was very attentive to his needs and his desire to eat right away. They kindly brought his food first so he could get started and even offered him a cookie shaped like a fish for desert. I would recommend this restaurant to anymore who enjoys seafood!
(4)Kiley K.
Great food great service great place!
(5)Larry N.
Fantastic meal and service!!! We stopped into Mitchell's Fish Market in Birmingham, MI for dinner on Wednesday night and had a fantastic experience. When we arrived Ron introduced himself as our server and asked if he could get us anything to drink. We ordered the a nice Sauvignon Blanc to go with the fish that we planned to order and placed an order for the Seared Ahi Tuna appetizer. We have had some great Ahi before this (including a few nights earlier at the Franklin Grill in Franklin, MI) but Mitchell's Ahi, prepared with a honey mustard sauce, sticky rice with a Soy Sauce, Wasabi and Ginger, blew these away, This definitely set the tone for the remainder of the meal which did not disappoint. We ordered the Chilean Sea Bass and Sockeye Salmon. Both were fresh, excellent and well worth the money. The Chilean Sea Bass was so tender and tasty that it actually beat the best we had had previously from the Italian Grotto in Scottsdale, AZ (not an easy feat). The food was only exceeded by the great service we had from Ron who checked back with us often to make sure we were satisfied and were having a great experience. We could not have asked for better service. Based on the great food and excellent service that we received we will be back whenever I am in town for corporate meetings or visiting family. Great Job Mitchell's. You should be very proud of your quality of food and the great team member you have in Ron. We are on our way to relocate to the Boston, MA area and looking forward to the great seafood out there. They have their work cut out to exceed our experience on this night.
(5)Tim B.
Poor service above average Price.surf not cooked and the turf was cold... 20 mins 4 glass of wine and 5 empty tables around us.... Will not b back at this price or 1/2 the price.
(1)Bo T.
Excellent food and service in every respect. We would not hesitate to go back to Mitchell's for any occasion. Our server Jennifer was excellent, she was very attentive to our needs, and even the valet was very much on the ball on a very cold night!
(5)Brett K.
Best (and only) steak I've ever had in Birmingham. (I hear the fish is good to...)
(3)Pete D.
A nice place in Birmingham and you can park with out walking five blocks. The food is good but a bit pricy. You won't be a out of this world experience but good steady fair.
(3)Nate K.
During my most recent trip to the Ann Arbor-Plymouth-Detroit area, I stopped by Mitchell's Fish Market with a few friends for a semi-annual catch-up dinner. Mitchell's, or at least the one in Birmingham, MI, is what a modern McCormick & Schmicks would look and feel like. Actually, in many ways, it reminds me of Legal Seafood in the Pru or Roy's in Waikiki. Walking into the restaurant (which is located in a very distinguished and classic building), you immediately notice the "market" part of the restaurant and then the dark cherry oak walls, which leads to a white table-clothed dining room that wraps around the building. The servers are very attentive and knowledgable about dishes they serve. And, if you think they misspelled something on the menu - they will graciously check on that too. The menu (which was grammatically correct) was very forward thinking and offered a nice balance of classic seafood staples and more inventive dishes. Being a big app fan, we started with the seared ahi, calamari and Old Bay shrimp - all were well prepared. For dinner, I had the Seafood Americana - which was seared giant scallops and giant bay shrimp mixed with fresh spinach and seasoned mushrooms "over" roasted fingerling potatoes. Our server, recommended that I try the garlic butter cream sauce on the side - which was a very smart recommendation, as the dish was already very rich. It was definitely a dish worth coming back for... All in all, Mitchell's Fish Market shows you that you don't need to live in places like Boston, Honolulu or SF to get great seafood. Insiders Note: There are several Mitchell's in the Ann-Arbor/Detroit area - but i would recommend Birmingham over the others. Opposed to the other two locations which are located in strip malls, the Birmingham restaurant is located in a classy old building in the center of downtown. Insiders Note II: Mitchell's offers a fixed menu dinner for a really good price. It is definitely worth checking out.
(5)Chilly C.
Delicious, fresh, seafood! Wow! Service & Salads were just 'ok' or I would have given 5 Stars.
(4)Gabi M.
I was surprised to find out that Mitchell's Fish Market is a chain... a high end chain, but still - a chain. We visited tonight, a Saturday night, so I wasn't surprised to see that it was so busy. Busy + bad accoustics = loud. We had to scream over each other... thankfully, Tim, our waiter, was wonderful, and the food was impressive as well. The sour dough bread and butter was a hit with our group of 7, as was the wine and various drinks we started with... I enjoyed a caesar salad and then my favorite, the seabass shanghai style - yum! I cleaned my plate full of rice, spinach, and fish... so much that I had no room left for the huge shark something dessert (it had icecream, peanut butter, oreo, etc... and looked damn good). My boyfriend said the mussel appetizer was great, but that his seafood combination salad was just alright. It was a pleasure to go into Birmingham... we walked around the city a bit afterwords. I would not hesitate to return to Mitchell's Fish Market during my next trip to town, but perhaps I'll try Cameron's nextdoor first!
(4)Tom B.
Great night. Our server was quick, friendly, and attentive. Nice, informal atmosphere, too. Calamari and lump crab appetizers were terrific, and I got a good Manhattan. We all enjoyed our entrees (all fish) as well, and the final tab was reasonable. I'm happy!
(4)Tony S.
The first time I came here was in 2005 with my brother on a Sunday after church for lunch. When you walk in the lobby and get to the place where you will be seated you get a waft of a fish smell that is not the stinky rotten fish smell but the one of a fish market with fresh fish. The decor is mostly wood and they try to capture nautical themes of the East Coast and of the West Coast, San Francisco and such. Outside the big window in the bar you can see that Google has an office in the building across the street, the city of Birmingham is a beautiful place to dine. Service is good,mostly. They can get busy or maybe the cook is doing something, I'm usually willing to wait if food is done right. I'd rather get a great meal after waiting an hour than get crap in 5 minutes. On the weekend a lot of people make reservations. Sunday afternoon is not busy though. I've only had a few things on the menu but everything that I have had is the best of whatever it is I have EVER had. The only thing that was just real good but not fantastic was the bread. It was a sour dough hybrid that was just a bit sour dough and the rest something else, it made me think of San Fran. Anyways, the Food: Crab Cake Appetizer, best I've ever had, melt in your mouth. It comes lying over a bed of corn with homemade tarter & a lemon. New Orleans Seafood Gumbo: Best Ever also. I came back once in 2009 when business was real slow and the Gumbo didn't seem so fresh, it was very good but not the same. I gave this place another chance this weekend and was impressed again or I would have given 4 stars instead of 5. I've had the Fish & Chips, Salmon, shrimp and scallops in different variations, some low fat, some drenched in butter, but always great, always fresh. I tasted my girlfriends salmon this weekend when we were there and it was so delicately crisp on the outside, moist, flakey and fresh tasting on the inside. The vegetable sides are not an afterthought but treated as something almost as special as everything else on the plate. The only reason I can see anyone being disappointed here is if they are used going to the best seafood restaurants and maybe they come on a bad day when maybe the server is overwhelmed or the normal cook is sick. If you like seafood and live in Southeast Michigan this place rocks, I don't care if it is a franchise, they know what they are doing.
(5)Michael A.
Today the four of us went for Sunday dinner. Two of us liked our meal-two of us the ordered the salmon, prepared two different ways. Mine was delicious. I had the Ginger with the sticky rice. My mom had it maple planked. My partner got a chicken dish and he said it was okay. The side of noodles tasted fishy which was what he was trying to avoid. My dad ate off the gluten-free menu and he had a small plate of small scallops (lukewarm/cold) and small shrimp. Service was very slow we think because the bar is at the other end of the large space so to get a drink or ice or limes takes 15 minutes each time. The manager, when asked to pick up the pace was cool about it-very agreeable. But it didn't change anything. Next time we will head to 220 where the service & food is perfect.
(3)Peter S.
We've eaten at Mitchell's a number of times and have yet to really be impressed. The food is never bad, but it's never anything more than fair or sometimes on the cusp of good. Their chowder is inoffensive and without much flavor. The crabcake I had was falling apart before I got my knife into it. A prior reviewer described Mitchell's as an upscale Red Lobster and I would probably agree with that. I'd also like to mention that responsible seafood restaurants have ceased to feature Chilean sea bass (real name: Patagonian toothfish) due to its near-endangered status, but Mitchell's is not that ecologically-concerned. The bottom line is that you will find most things palatable and leave full but not satisfied. Mitchell's might be good enough to not streniously object if others want to dine there, but it wouldn't be my suggestion.
(3)Jonny P.
Went in for a business lunch today. The Chilean Sea Bass was light & buttery, perfectly prepared. I also sampled 3 appetizers: The Crab, Spinach & Artichoke dip, The Kung Pao Fried Calamari alongside The Spicy Asian Scrimp. All 3 were prepared promptly and a delight. My sole criticism is the portions were a bit slight vs the price. Otherwise it was an excellent experience...
(4)Natalie Z.
We went to Mitchell's this last super-snowy Tuesday night. I think we lucked out in that the place was pretty empty at 7pm. We went because of Birmingham Restaurant Week - lots of restaurants have specials for $25. Our server was attentive and our food was really good. They have an interesting cocktail menu; I ended up ordering an "Elderflower" something, and it was really interesting. While I didn't get the $25 dinner special, I ordered a prix fixe meal from their regular menu: steelhead with ceasar salad and creme brulee ($19.95). The steelhead was described on the menu like this: "Steelhead are delicious..." I can't remember the rest, because I thought, "Well, if it's delicious..." - and it was! The side salad was indeed small-sized, but I think that is OK, because I still had leftovers. The creme brulee was rich and tasty, too.
(5)Jen M.
A few coworkers and I swung by to grab a quick after work bite to eat before going to the movies down the street. Their happy hour appetizer prices almost knocked me off my stool!!! Everything on the menu was 1/2 off!!! Ok, now I've been duped with this little gimmick before...1/2 off apps that are the size of Mary Kate Olsen's last Thanksgiving dinner (that's pretty small) but not here. We got at least 2 dozen good sized shrimp in the shrimp cocktail and plate was mounded with calamari. We ordered 3 items for 3 people and there was food left on the plate when we finished. As other reviewers have stated, however, this is not mind-blowing-oh-my god-you-have-to-eat-here type cuisine but for the price, location, and EXCELLENT service it's a destination for after work eats. Oh and I guess on Mondays they have $4 Absolut drinks too. BONUS!
(4)Emily L.
I went to Mitchell's for Birmingham Restaurant Week. My friend and I both got the lobster bisque to start. It had the right amount of richness to it, although it was just a tad salty. We then both got the Fish Market Trio - blackened tilapia, jambalaya rice with shrimp and andouille, cedar plank salmon with steamed asparagus, and "Shang Hai" sea scallops. The salmon came with a dab of goat cheese and some tiny pieces of indistinguishable vegetables sauteed in balsamic vinaigrette. It was quite tasty. The tilapia and jambalaya rice were decent, although more discerning folk, such as my coworker from New Orleans, would probably call the jambalaya rice a sham. The sea scallops, though, were disgusting. They were rubbery and were floating in soy sauce and topped with black sesame seeds, ginger, and chopped scallions. They would've tasted better if they'd been sauteed rather than steamed. For dessert, I got the key lime pie - very tasty. My friend got the creme brulee and said it was really good, and she usually doesn't really like creme brulee. Service was good. Our server was attentive and made sure our water glasses were filled, etc. Overall, the food was decent but kind of boring. If a friend invited me there, I guess I'd go again, but I'd try to convince them to go somewhere else.
(3)James B.
Once again I find myself in the minority when it comes to rating one of the more popular restaurants in the Detroit area. Not to be too unkind but Mitchell's has always struck me as an upscale version of Red Lobster. A place that serves the most popular type of fishes and crustacea, in a fashion that appeals to a large audience with some dishes supposedly influenced by regional cuisines. Why, it is even dressed up in a nautical theme like Red Lobster (or perhaps the Krusty Krab). Put simply, it's a place that takes no risks. Are there any positives? Sure... they usually have a fine selection of oysters... of course, it's hard to screw up something served raw, poor refrigeration aside. In general, the food is cooked properly, being neither undercooked or overcooked, under-seasoned or over-seasoned. The drinks are nice. The food is just so uninspired in my opinion. Like RL, you get your choice of fish and can choose how its prepared... sauteed, grilled, blackened, steamed, "Shanghai" style. No where do you see any progressive cooking techniques that can add dimension to an otherwise pedestrian fish. Why not try butter poaching, or sous vide? The selection of fish is likewise risk free. There are the standard tuna, salmon, whitefish, swordfish, mussels, shrimp, lobster, and crab. I forgot to mention the pricey, trendy, soon-to-be-on-the-endangered-species-list Chilean sea bass (which is neither Chilean nor sea bass). All species that are found at... you guessed it... Red Lobster. How about using sea urchin, conger eel, langostines, octopus? Yes, dear reader, I am aware that Mitchell's is part of a chain and as such, there are certain dishes one must have on the menu to draw in the majority of customers (Clam Chowder, lobster bisque, King Crab legs, seared ahi, tiramisu - oh, brother). I am not suggesting these items be sacrificed. What I am saying is that if Mitchell's really wants to be a high-end seafood restaurant and charge high-end prices, it is not enough to play it safe. Great seafood restaurants like Le Bernardin get their reputation based on their great food... a result of constant experimentation with new techniques, unusual ingredients and a variety of flavor profiles. The only times I go the Mitchell's these days is if I'm not the one paying or if Red Lobster is closed... the food is about the same. ... I kid.... I don't do Red Lobster either.
(2)Kris G.
Had 8:15 reservations for 8 people Friday night, didn't get seated until 9pm. Food was good aside from 2 of my friends found hair in their entrees. We told the waiter and he apologized profusely. He comped us a couple of desserts which was nice but overall sort of a letdown.
(3)Kyle S.
It was my birthday. My waiter got my drink wrong 3 times, handed me the wrong soup, and messed up my dinner order. The correct order was overcooked, sandy scallops and raw carrots. Passed on my "birthday" dessert because I just wanted to leave. Nobody ever apologized, not once. I will never eat there again and you shouldn't either. I seriously thought there was hidden cameras because this experience was so awful it must have been set up as a joke- but it wasn't.
(1)Heather M.
I liked the calamari and spinach, artichoke, and crab dip apps. Service was just "ok" which was odd considering there were not many people there on a Th at 4pm.
(4)Rodney H.
Often times the seating at this venue is hectic & more akin to a Cafeteria quality establishment than a decent dining experience, Service can also be very spotty. however the menu is very good & i have enjoyed more than a dozen different dishes form the appetizer & entree menu. Decent enough wine list, good selection of beers. Making on-line reservations is a bonus I especially like the Crab cakes, The scallops are large & tasty.
(4)Russ C.
Food was excellent as usual. Location closed by our house in the Chicagoland area. Chilean sea bass was great. Terrific crab cake for appetizer. I went with my wife and another couple and my wife and I shared the Hawaiian ahi tuna for an appetizer small portion but delicious. The other couple got their signature cocktails and they really seemed to enjoy them. Try the 7 layer carrot cake it can feed 3-4 it's that big. Sharkfin was good as well but the carrot cake stole the show. Only negative was that the tap water smelled and tasted terrible so ask for another option.
(4)Wendy S.
This is a mainstay, for lunch or dinner. Never disappoints. Bar side or restaurant side...we always leave happy. I have a...habit...of rearranging the menu. And Mitchell's never bats an eyelash. Even when my friends and family tease. That alone gets 3 stars.
(5)Cristina F.
Service is not really good!We were waiting for our drinks during 15min and then we got charged for our dinner twice! 2 stars because the quality of the food was great...
(2)Rebecca B.
I lucked out and found a metered spot right out front.. Birmingham sets you up for failure though with their meters.. You better watch the clock, because there are strict limitations.. I'm the type that likes to put several coins in and forget about it.. I think you're limited to an hour (if memory serves)..This was an impromptu visit to Mitchell's, and I'm so glad I went. Maybe it was because I was starving, thirsty, and in good company, I don't know...but I had a great time! We decided to pop in for a cocktail on our way to our next stop.. It took a few minutes until we were acknowledged, but it was semi busy.. I ordered a martini with pineapple infused vodka (forgot it's name) which was strong, but delish. It came with a pineapple chunk on a stick - I love cocktails that come with a snack.. Lol!! My second drink was a Mojito, which was equally good.. We decided to order two appetizers, spinach artichoke dip, and don't laugh...hush puppies!!! I sort of teased my friend for wanting the puppies.. They ended up being so tasty, I can't wait to go back for more!! The dipping sauce was somewhat zesty and a perfect accompaniment.. Spinach artichoke seems to end up on my table wherever I go, and I've got to say this was one of the best! Mitchell's is on the pricier side, but hey, this isn't Long John Silvers!
(4)