Kincaid's Fish, Chop & Steakhouse — Restaurant in Saint Paul

You always like to overlook the few negative reviews, in hopes that your own experience would fall in with the many positive reviews.

Unfortunately, our first time visiting Kincaids fell short. Had reservations on a slow Sunday evening. Was excited to try this place, and wanted to give my girls and myself a special birthday dinner. Started out well, was seated and told our server would be with us shortly. They must have a different meaning of the word "shortly". We waited for 30 minutes without anyone checking on us. Mind you, there was only maybe 3-4 tables of guests besides us, so hardly busy at all.

There was a waiter in our section, but he just looked at us multiple times as he passes by. Never asked if we have been helped. It looked like we were seated in his section, because two couples who came in after us, he served them.

We were only accidentally noticed because another waiter serving other tables further away brought us appetizers we never ordered. We told her we didn't order those and that our waiter has never came by yet. She apologize and must have went and told the manager. The manager finally stops by and apologizes saying there must have been a mix up with our reservation, and that some of the servers called in sick or left early.

He was nice enough to comp some appetizers for us, but at this point, it had already left a sour taste. They assigned a waiter, who basically had no personality. Looked like she was annoyed she was assigned to us. She tried her best. Let's just say, if that is her best, her best won't do.

Just one thing after another. Our water was served as the manager was still by our table, and my wife noticed a long hair in the glass and showed him. Also, some the silverware we were given were dirty.

Most of our entrees were pretty good. I had the fillet mignon and my wife had the ribeye. Both were very salty. Waiter recommended a butter sauce, which we tried, not knowing it was $3 for like an ounce. Butter sauce should come with the entree without having to be extra.

Maybe covid has really affected them, and I understand they are probably just hiring anyone off the street, but business is business. If you want to retain customers, figure out a plan. I would have given a lower score, but do appreciate the manager trying to make it right. I know it probably won't make a difference to them, but this will be our once...

This place has great food and great atmosphere. The staff was extremely friendly as well. If you have a formal celebration for any reason, like a wedding party, birthday, or graduation, or just want a nice night out. I'd highly recommend reserving a table here. Reservations are highly recommended if you have a large party, but really reservations for any size party, large or small, makes life easier for everyone.

For appetizers we ordered the spicy teriyaki beef bites, which tasted amazing. I'm usually pretty sensitive to spicy food, but they didn't bother me at all.

We ordered a nice bottle of white wine, sauvignon blanc. If you have a certain wine you like, you can ask your server which one they recommend. We did and the wine was great.

I had swordfish which also tasted amazing. They give you the option of how you want your fish cooked, I chose blackened, and would highly recommend it. Portions were good too, not too large, but not too small, you will feel filled up.

Most nice reasteraunts will make great tasting food, but Kincaids to me went that extra step. If you're thinking about a fancy place to eat and want to impress, make reservations here, you won't be disappointed.

Price was expensive, but that's expected at a fancy restaurant. It wasnt too over the top. I think for me and my girlfriend, our total was roughly $150, but we were celebrating and expected to spend about that much. Keep in mind, I ordered swordfish, she had a steak (I had a bite and it was beyond delicious), we ordered a bottle of wine and had an appetizer, so we knew what we were getting into price wise.

Parking is also very convenient, there is a ramp right next to the restaurant, which, yes you do have to pay for, otherwise there is lots of street parking, if you can find a spot. It's in downtown Saint Paul, so parking is...

Update below It wasn't bad, just disappointing. This was a place I had looked forward to trying for a long time. Let's start from the beginning. We ordered a couple of "signature" cocktails of which one was very sloppily made. For an app we got a poke bowl. Now I know we are in the Midwest but you lead with fish in your name. So, it should be safe right? Tuna should be red and when serving raw salmon you can't leave the skin on. I still was excited for the other things we ordered. Unfortunately it all came out on cold plates and the steak was quite a bit under. Our waitress quickly confirmed it and took it back. This is where my mind was blown. Instead of bringing a correctly made steak they just put the piece of meat back in the pan! Including the piece I cut off to check the cook on the meat. You are a steak and chop house. If the only thing you do right is the steak I think I would have been able to look past the other stuff. The wait staff were good. The food came quick. The shrimp and grits were dynamite. Lobster bisque was good. Also the chef did come to the table with the meat to ensure the doneness was correct after it was sent back.

Update 1/2019 So we decided to give Kincaid's another go at it. I have to say it was a quite improved experience. This time we had the Lobster Bisque again, excellent and hot. first we had the meatloaf wellington. I have had more than a few different forms of a wellington, this one was okay. We also ordered the wild mushroom ravioli with braised short ribs. It was well done and probably the best thing we ordered in both sittings combined. The highlight of the evening was the service. Sharone was amazing. If the experience is what you are looking for then this is the place. I didn't leave feeling let down, but still not wow'd...