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The food here is alright; have to say average not at all justifying the price that is charged. I never feel welcomed by the wait staff; I am aware that they are nice people, just I feel as though I am always troubling them. I have ordered the Kobe beef burger at least 5 times and I have never had a similar burger. I have always ordered it the same medium, and yet it has been rare, and well done.
I am not impressed, overall
Do not follow the bear here!!!
Kingfish is right across the street from our office so I eat there often. Frankly, in the past I've been a little disappointed in the quality of food and service. But my family and I had dinner at Kingfish tonight and I feel compelled to write that they've really turned things around. The food was excellent. Fresh, hot and presented well. The service was remarkable. For example, our 3 year old daughter accidentally fell out of her chair and "went boom". Immediately the bus person rushed over to help her. When she started to cry, another waiter came over and gave her a necklace of Mardi Gras beads which really cheered her up. Then our waiter came over and gave her an ice cream sundae. It was as if the whole thing was choreographed. There was also a fun buzz going on because the restaurant was full and active and everyone seemed to be having a good time. If you haven't been to Kingfish lately, rush over and give the latest version a try.
I love nearly everything about Kingfish. From their execellent seafood, to their unique delta blues themed interior design, this restaurant really has it all. The food is spectacular and the service is prompt and friendly. Always a great choice for anyone who wishes to treat themselves at the end of a long week.
The last time I enjoyed the liquid area of this restaurant, I was completely disenchanted (yes, disenchanted) with the ambivalent -- no, make that downright rude -- service from both the waiter AND the snooty sommelier. One year later, I'm happy to report that the refreshment stand has improved markedly; both the bartender and wait staff were affable, attentive, and make solid cocktails. With their recent improvements to the basement level, Kingfish is sure to draw a bigger destination crowd... and maybe win back some old souls to boot. - bbk
This was without doubt the most offensive customer service I have ever received from a restaurant.
After enjoying their food on several occasions we decided to do a large family party (~40 people) in their private upstairs room. We elected to do an open bar-- but had no idea what we were getting into.
Our bar bill was outrageous (we are talking, about 4x what it should have been), and when we approached the management the next day to suggest that there had been a mix-up with our bill, they dismissed our claim flat-off and said that their waiters "don't make mistakes". We pursued the issue and went so far as to poll all our guests (mostly aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins) as to what they drank that night-- and presented a detailed account to the Kingfish owners. They flat-out said our guests had lied and that they had made no mistake at all on their end. Seriously? Their waiters have a lot more to gain (read: 20% automatic gratuity) from fudging the numbers than my 81 year old great-aunt.
I am surprised that they continue to get any business at all when the management holds such an arrogant and disrespectful attitude toward their customers.
I've been going to Kingfish less often recently because the quality and presentation of the food seemed to be slipping a bit. I went for lunch today with a couple friends and I have to say the food was much, much better. I asked our waitress if there was a new chef, and she replied that they had recently hired the chef from Roy's in Maui. If you shared my feelings that Kingfish was in need of some new energy in the kitchen, I say give it a try again soon and see if you agree that the quality has greatly improved. And the artwork on the walls is still great ;-)
I had heard that Kingfish Restaurant hired a couple new chefs. I'm not sure if this is true, but I checked it out to see if the food improved. Previously, the food was good but it was not equal to its reputation as a top restaurant. However, this time around, my entire party of four were very, very impressed with the dishes. The etoufee was outstanding (not as thick as Nawlin's dishes, but was wonderfully different), the skirt steak outstanding, great and different calamari, and so on. If they did bring in new chefs, it's definitely worth going back and trying their new dishes. For us, it was worth it, and we will definitely be back again. And their Mojitos are excellent. They would have rated a "five" but the server forgot twice to bring a requested item. But hey, that's what I get for asking to have butter for my bread.
We took a party of nine to dinner sat early evening. seating was excellent upstairs by the windows (reservations helped). no one was unhappy with their food or their portions. drinks were good, but a little selfish with the wine portion and the bread. Good restaurant to take young children to if you are having a family celebration-nice kid's menu and kid friendly staff. Our grandkids got a rave review from the table next to us and they're under 6years old!
The food is delicious. Prices are a little high, but for a treat this is a great place to go.
I've dined at Kingfish several times over the past year and each time I've been happy with my experience. Some nights (on the weekends) it can get a bit noisy but it adds to the New Orleans-esque feel. The interiors are brightly colored with paintings of Creole country.
The menu is very nicely done. Your basic steak, fish, or salad options, with a couple of creole favorites thrown in. I enjoy the Etoufee myself or the jambalaya. They have a raw bar for oysters and sushi. Although there are much better places in the Bay Area for raw oysters than Kingfish.
I'm not a chocolate or dessert fan especially...but you must try the ultimate ding dong if for no other reason than to tell your waiter you want to have an ultimate ding dong. It's chocolately, desserty and even I loved it.
Prices are reasonable (for the area) a little higher than most but still a good deal. The bar is well stocked and the bar tenders are knowledgeable. (They make excellent mojito's) Overall a nice place to take a date, celebrate with friends, or just to visit New Orleans in San Mateo
I've been to this restaurant at least 4 times & always try something different. Everything has been delicious; including the salads & desserts!
I've had a party here & it was terrific - excellent service, great room for the party with it's own bar & fun ambiance with the folk art throughout the restaurant.
I feel like I'm in New Orleans when I dine here!
She cancels at the last minute or worse yet, stands you up. Head to the Kingfish for oysters and a KettleOne martini or two. You might meet someone new but regardless you will come away feeling just fine. And when she calls and wants to make it up to you, let her buy you a dinner fit for the Kingfish himself. This is New Orleans food as it was before Bush abandoned the City.
I have not had one bad thing at Kingfish! Some of my favs are their halibut, ahi tuna and their Hubcap burger! YUM!
We have had about three work related events here. The wait staff is very friendly and the food is delicious! I am planning on having my daughters 13th birthday party downstair in the lounge. ALso, fun place to hang out on the weekends with friends.
This is one of our favorite "Girls Night Out" spots. We usually catch a movie and then head to Kingfish for a drink. The Tuna Tartar is always good, as are the steak skewers
atmosphere is incredible. not much to eat for vegetarians...but the drinks and dessert are delicious
Honestly, you can't go wrong here. From the mojitos, to the crab poppers, to the warm cabbage salad to the skirt steak, this place is great. All dishes have an amazing blend of flavors that you will love. Only possible downside is the noise, especially upstairs. Great atmosphere and friendly service!
This is my favorite restaurant in the San Mateo area. They have a great variety of food on the menu. They have changed the menu a few times in the past couple months. Try the ribs if it is offered.
Kingfish is one of those reliable places to go when you can't decide where else to go.
The location is great. Especially pre/post movie. The food is good. Not exceptional but reliably good. The atmosphere cannot be beat. Truly. There is something to look at wherever you sit and it's done very creatively.
The service is spotty and it can be a very loud place to go. In fact, if you are planning on going there for a quiet evening, think twice. I was there with a group of 10 women and no one could hear one another. It was a nightmare.
A HUGE positive is the full bar. Great cocktails. A fabulous place to just grab a drink and sit for a bit. I almost always take people here when they are visiting from out of town...
Great atmosphere, good food and great people-watching!
my family is originally from new orleans so havin that down south food is the best to remember them
We have been hear for a lot of our special occasion dinners. The service and food have been excellent every time. I look forward to another special night.
fish...boy, ain't that the truth! Great food and great service. Always makes ME happy!
went to Kingfish on a Friday night with reservations, seated 20 min after reservation...but the food (fish) was decent. the side dish of potatoes was however, a little too creamy for my liking. highly recommend the mojitos!
Wonderful cozy and initimate atmosphere. Perfect for a special date or a group celebration! Restaurant has a bar area, if you are just stopping by for a cocktail or two. Kingfish have an extensive seafood menu selection, as well as variety of soups and salads.
Reasonable prices. Vallet parking. Right by the theater so good for dinner and a movie. Salads are good, especially beet salad. I like all the variety of main courses including the fish of course. Deserts are awesome. I recommend the apple crisp. Real deserts ... these guys get it ... unlike other restaurants where there's just a bunch of artsy stuff that is nice to look at but has no taste.
Very enjoyable evening. Waiters were very attentive. Food was tasty. Everything was perfect. We lingered over our wine and did not feel rushed at all.
My family and I love to eat at Kingfish. Every dish we've had there has been very good to excellent. AND we never have to wait now that we've discovered we can make reservations at OpenTable.com - sometimes just 30 minutes before we show up!
Kingfish has some really great dishes - tuna tartare, gumbo, and some of their po' boys - and they make some tasty cocktails, too, so it's disappointing that the overall experience isn't better. Many of the dishes are underwhelming, the service is often a little too casual, and my gosh is the place ugly! On the other hand, all the deserts except the something-or-other-ding-dong are pretty great.
So go in, sit at the bar, have a cocktail and a bite of tuna tartare, then go somewhere else for dinner. Or stop in afterwards for dessert. But mostly, you can skip it.
I like the paintings on the walls. That's about it. The food is only okay. The wait staff is okay, too--that is, once you finally get to sit down.
