Kincaid Grill - "Fine Dining Without Attitude"

Nestled at the end of the mall on the northwest corner of the "Four Corners" neighborhood of Anchorage is the Kincaid Grill.  My wife and I recently made our first visit to the acclaimed restaurant, and we were excited to try Chef Al's restaurant.  The dining area is well lit with a medium noise level and plenty of seating.  There is a well stocked bar and a nice wine list.

I did a little online research before going to the Kincaid Grill, so I had a good idea of what I was going to order, however, the specials for the night were tempting, and we both tried some of those offerings.

We started with the Roasted Oysters Casino.  With applewood bacon, parmesan, and herbs, these appetizers were excellent.  They were savory and satisfying.  I loved them because they were not overly salty.  I paired the appetizer with a light Pino Gris, and it was nice.  A well done appetizer will whet the appetite and not overwhelm the palet.  The Oysters Casino hit the mark.

For our salad we each has the special.  Mixed greens with roasted almonds, feta, and fig confit.  It was one of the better salads that I have had in Anchorage restaurants.  Each of the components worked together, and the feta and confit tasted great.  It went great with solid Chardonnay.

My wife had the special:  Petite Filet Mignon with lobster hollandaise and lobster medallions.  I tasted the hollandaise, and it was light and delicious.  She loved it.

I had heard that the Cioppino was the star of the menu, so naturally I had to give it a try.  I have had cioppino in other restaurants, and I feel like most restaurants are lazy with the dish.  Often it is too salty and/or spicy.  The Kincaid Grill cioppino, however, was wonderful.  The light tomato fume did not fight with, or overwhelm the lobster, shrimp, scallops, clams, and fin fish.  If have any complaint about the dish, it was that the lobster and scallops were a bit overdone and rubbery.  That aside, the flavor profile of the dish balanced the flavor of the seafood and the fume.  I would order it again in a heartbeat! It went well with nice strong Shiraz.

For dessert we shared the warm Raspberry Rhubarb Crisp.  The crisp was a savory and buttery crunch, and I think it was the star of the dish.  It helped sedate the tartness of the fruit, and the sweetness of the butter pecan ice cream topping.  It would be too much to eat alone, but it is the perfect size to share.  Try it with an ice wine.

Kincaid Grill:

Address - 6700 Jewel Lake Road, Anchorage, 99502

Phone - 907.243.0507

Website - www.kincaidgrill.com

Reservations - Definitely.  I used my Open Table app.

Overall  Recommendation - I think the Kincaid Grill is one of the bright spots on the Anchorage fine dining scene, and I look forward going again.  Give the ciopinno a try.