Kingfisher Seafood — Restaurant in Fairhope

I’ve been plotting this review since I left the restaurant last night (because this experience has been the only thing I can think about since then).

The Fairhope food scene often sees places come and go, and there are several staples that are simply not going anywhere because they’re great, signature fairhope dining experiences. Kingfisher will ultimately become one of these Fairhope signatures, because the entire experience from start to fishing was absolute perfection.

We sat at the bar (which is beautifully crafted) and shared several appetizers. The bartenders were so kind, friendly, and accommodating. They have everything! Wine on tap! Kombucha! Espresso martini on tap! Craft beer! Coffee beverages! All temperature controlled in a one of a kind bar system.

Every member of the staff here was so hands on and was exemplary of high service standards. I actually am unsure I’ve received such high service at another establishment in Fairhope, it was impressive.

But the biggest part of this is THE FOOD. Absolutely impeccable flavors on the dishes we ordered. I have lived in several major U.S. cities and traveled all over the world, trying some internationally known locations, and I am not joking when I say the food at Kingfisher rivals even the most prestigious culinary experiences I’ve had in my lifetime. I would marry the sautéed crab claws, and I could never get enough of the delicious sauce they are served in. The black jack chargrilled oysters were the best oysters I’ve ever had, and the stuffed mushrooms were a spiritual experience.

I could write a novel on the one hour, fifteen minute dining experience last night (and I just might), because it was simply that good, but for now I’m just going to book reservations every single weekend until they kick me out or I crash the OpenTable app. Kingfisher is our new “go-to” spot when guests are in town.

Go snag your...

8 of us came here on a Monday night to celebrate our friend's birthday. We had reservations for 6:30. There was some misunderstanding with the seating arrangements due to the rainy weather. Not quite sure what the issue was but we had to slide a table together with a booth to all be together. Our sweet waitress had just completed her training and it was her first night actually on the floor. It was crazy busy for a Monday night. Being women we all were very patient and understanding as she was a little nervous. Midway through our meal she came to deliver a couple of cocktails to us and spilled an entire peach Bellini on one of our friends. It was all over her hair and pooled in her dress. She immediately had to get up and leave because it was so sticky. We felt terrible for our friend and of course the waitress. We all hugged her and told her that mistakes happen it was a mistake. You could tell she was visibly upset and felt terrible. What we were upset about was how the Manager handled the entire situation. He never once came To check on us or to apologize. We never even saw him. When we all received our bills, there was a lot of confusion. There were several mistakes. The manager whose name was SHANE came out. He was very unfriendly and appeared to be very perturbed and bothered that he had to come to figure the situation out. Again, he never apologized for what happened. He never smiled and never offered to make anything right. As a manager, I would think that if something happened he would at least come to check on the party or to see if he could do anything to help. The bill was never corrected after several tries. Not that we expected anything, but just out of decency been a little apologetic and friendlier. We didn’t leave the restaurant until 9:35. Due to the manager, we all agreed it was one of the worst dining...

We recently visited the newly opened Kingfisher Seafood Restaurant, and while there were some highlights, there were significant areas for improvement.

First, we called ahead at noon and were told reservations weren’t accepted on Saturdays. When we arrived, we were told to expect a 30-35 minute wait. However, we watched several parties that arrived after us get seated first. After waiting 50-55 minutes, I finally mentioned this to the hostess staff, and we were promptly seated—but not without frustration. With four hostesses working, it was surprising that things weren’t better organized. To add to the confusion, several parties arrived claiming they had reservations, which contradicted what we were told over the phone.

Once seated, we noticed the air conditioning was blowing directly on us, and the thermostat was set at 69 degrees, despite the outdoor temperature being 58. We requested it be adjusted, but nothing was done. Eventually, we asked to move tables, and even the next couple seated in the same spot immediately complained about the cold air.

As for the food, it was a mixed experience. The initial oysters were fresh and delicious, but we were overcharged—charged $34 for a dozen oysters split between two styles, instead of the $26 menu price for a dozen. This added another layer of aggravation.

Finally, while my Drum on the half shell was initially tasty, I discovered it was raw in the middle halfway through eating. The manager apologized and had another piece cooked, but no discount was offered, which felt disappointing given the seriousness of receiving undercooked seafood.

Overall, while the food had its moments, the disorganized service, overcharging, and handling of raw fish need attention. This restaurant has potential but will need to address these issues quickly to ensure a better...