The heavy front doors, with giant letters running across the handles, make it unmistakable where you are. At Kingfisher, patrons gather at the spacious bar for a well-crafted drink and conversation. Underneath the wood-paneled ceilings, diners enjoy a good meal and each other’s company. Some stop for an appetizer and cocktail on their way to The Grand Hotel. The outdoor deck allows for a refreshing dining experience complete with a light Eastern Shore breeze.
Kingfisher’s location on Mobile Street in Fairhope is no stranger to hosting restaurants, having memorably housed Wintzell’s in the past. Tyler Hood, one of the owners of several of The Chimes restaurants in Louisiana, bought the property a few years ago for his first concept in Baldwin County. The long renovation project brought new life to the building and its surrounding lot. The giant live oaks shading the restaurant add an extra layer to the ambiance, their charm maintained. “We did everything that we could to preserve those oak trees, which wound up being more than if we had just torn the building down and started over,” says General Manager Megan Aucoin. “We brought in specialists and aerated the entire lot where the trees are to make sure the roots were healthy. We took everything down to the studs and then realized the studs had to be replaced too. It was a labor of love for sure.”
The building is vast and open, allowing for a steady flow between the separate dining rooms. The family-friendly restaurant caters to appetites of all ranges, styles and preferences. Bestsellers from Hood’s Louisiana restaurants, with their tried-and-true recipes dating back decades, feature on the menu. A few new listings created specifically for the Fairhope eatery also make an appearance. Offerings include robust Cajun-influenced seafood dishes alongside laidback options such as cheese fries and sandwiches. The caprese salad, the Pontchartrain with crabmeat hollandaise, and red beans and rice are all favorites with the clientele. Many of the ingredients are sourced from Louisiana and the kitchen makes dishes fresh to order, catering to substitutions and customizations.
With a comfortable, inviting atmosphere and a menu that will please a diverse collection of customers, Kingfisher is as well suited for a nice evening out as it is for a casual lunch with friends. As diners venture to the restaurant, the giant oak trees stand to witness a new generation of meals in Fairhope.
On the Menu
Chargrilled Oysters
These grilled oysters come in one of two ways. The traditional is topped with an Italian cheese blend while the Black Jack is served with pepperjack cream sauce, crumbled bacon and pickled jalapenos.
Peach Caprese Salad
Spring mix mingles with mozzarella, tomatoes, peaches and Italian dressing. A drizzle of balsamic reduction, a sprinkle of croutons and your choice of protein finishes this light offering.
Fried Cornish Hen
Served over chicken and sausage jambalaya, this whole Cornish hen will be the talk of the table and is sure to fill you up.
Andouille Encrusted Fish
A crispy paneed drum filet tops a bed of crawfish tails and mushrooms in an andouille cream sauce for a hearty seafood meal served with your choice of side.
Crab and Brie Soup
Crabmeat mixes with melty brie cheese and broth for soup rich enough to stand on its own as an entree. A breadstick on the side is perfect for dipping.
Kingfisher • 805 S. Mobile St., Fairhope • kingfisherseafood.com • 383-4430
Sun – Thu 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Fri – Sat 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
