Kincaid Grill — Restaurant in Alaska

I work nearby, so I’ve been in seven or eight times, mostly by myself, and always sat at the bar, which I’ve always been told was open seating. (Like the bar at every other restaurant in town.) I’ve raved about the place to my husband, so we went in together tonight and snagged the two open seats at the bar. The people whom I held the door for on the way in complained to the hostess that we took the bar seats because they were there first (only because I let them be) and they showed no interest in the open bar seats until we took them. We wouldn't have taken them if they tried. We stood around for several minutes with no acknowledgment before we took the open bar seats. At that point, the hostess quite loudly told the folks I opened the door for that she knew they were first, that we should not have taken the bar seats, and then told us the bar was not open seating. The woman I was seated next to also commented about how loud the hostess was with her comments.

The bar was open seating a week and a half ago when I was there. I guess that changed? There was no sign telling anyone that the bar was no longer open seating. While the hostess ultimately let us stay at the bar, she told all of the people who came in after us that there was nowhere for them to wait because the bar “suddenly filled up.”

The bartender kept filling the wine glasses of the women next to us without asking them if they wanted more while we sat for long periods of time with empty glasses and no acknowledgement. We felt so uncomfortable and unwelcome.

I’ve given at least a thousand dollars to this place while sitting in the previously open but not anymore bar seating. I doubt we’ll be back. The food was good but the experience was really passive aggressive and far...

Kincaid Grill offers a refined dining experience with a menu that’s creative, well-executed in parts, and slightly uneven in others.

We started with the Pork Belly Appetizer, which was a standout. The texture was spot-on. Crisp exterior, tender interior, and the combination of hot honey glaze, crispy polenta, frisée & fennel, and pickled red onion created a perfectly balanced bite. This dish set the tone for what we hoped would be an exceptional meal.

The Seafood Fusion dish was bold and beautifully composed with king crab and lemongrass-infused coconut milk bringing vibrant, aromatic depth. The only out-of-place element was the shrimp-mushroom wonton, which felt like an odd fit with the rest of the flavors.

The Roasted Alaskan Oysters, though technically from the Pacific Northwest, were large, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. Another highlight was the Black Cod, glazed with miso and paired with sesame-ginger scallion. It was silky, rich, and expertly cooked, easily one of the top dishes of the evening.

Unfortunately, not everything hit the mark. The Alaskan Halibut was underwhelming, bland and lacking acidity or punch, especially compared to the more dynamic dishes on the table. The Gumbo also failed to impress; it felt flat and one-note.

On the dessert front, the Crème Brûlée was standard fare, nothing wrong with it, just nothing special. The Cookies & Cream Semifreddo, however, was a fun and satisfying end to the meal, with a creamy, nostalgic sweetness that elevated it above the typical dessert offerings.

All in all, Kincaid Grill delivers a thoughtful menu with a few standout dishes that are well worth trying. While not every plate was a hit, the highs were truly memorable and show the kitchen’s potential when...

This meal was really special. It’s tucked away in a strip mall, but don’t let that fool you—everything about the experience feels first-class from the moment you call to make a reservation. The staff’s warmth, attentiveness, and precision remind me of fine-dining service you’d expect from a Michelin-level restaurant.

Even the small details stand out. The utensils are designed for right- and left-handed diners, the bread service includes multiple varieties (and they happily let me try all three), and our server knew the menu inside and out.

I ordered the Parmesan-crusted halibut, and it was fantastic—by far the best I’ve had in Anchorage. I’ve tried similar dishes at Glacier Brewhouse and Orso, but Kincaid’s version wins on both flavor and presentation. The oyster casino appetizer was another highlight: Alaskan oysters baked under a crispy Parmesan crust with just the right touch of bacon.

For dessert, I tried the port-infused chocolate pudding, and it was as rich and interesting as it sounds. They offer several creative desserts, many with a subtle splash of liqueur.

The portions are generous, the atmosphere relaxed yet elegant, and it’s clearly a place where people come to celebrate—nearly every table had a birthday or anniversary candle glowing. It’s easy to see why Kincaid Grill has remained an Anchorage favorite for so many years.

My only feedback is that I hope they will consider adding a shellfish with carbs options (scallops with risotto, crab cakes etc). While scallops nicoise is unique, I prefer a more starchy carb to pair the protein with. Also add a few dishes that are more risky, I feel the menu plays it overall safe, although I understand that's what the local crowd...