Kincaid's Redondo Beach: A Waterfront Restaurant That's Way More Than a View

Usually when one dines at a waterfront restaurant, they’re totally paying for the view. I’ve done it more times than I’d like to admit and you probably have too. The food is mediocre at best and the service, subpar. Straight up; this is hardly the case at Kincaid's Redondo Beach, where Chris and I recently had the best afternoon date. The food was outstanding and the service - better than just about any Los Angeles restaurant I’ve ever dined at.

While it was a gloomy L.A. beach kind of day, we still very much enjoyed the al fresco ambiance with the waves crashing onto the rocky shoreline just below us. With tons of cocktails and wine to choose from, I opted for a Pinot Noir to sip on as I read every word of every dish on the menu.

I was ravenous as I hadn’t eaten but a protein fruit smoothie all day and it was gearing in on 3pm. So needless to say, we really went for it. And because we’re both suckers for a baked brie, the obvious first choice was their Warm Brie with Macadamia Crust. Served with a balsamic reduction and orange-blossom honey, this brie was decadent as ever. I almost ordered a second serving of it to take home but then, reluctantly came to my senses.

I’m also pretty obsessed with raw oysters but because I couldn’t remember whether November was an acceptable month to eat them and I clearly didn’t feel like summoning Siri for her insight on the matter, we went with a seasonal menu item, Oysters Rockefeller - a safe choice that was also, quite scrumptious. Perfectly warm, buttery, garlicky, and cheesy, I could’ve devoured the whole plate of the suckers (and almost did).

For our entrees, we split the 7-ounce Char-Grilled Fillet and the Asiago–Almond Crusted Scallops. The filet was oh so, flavorful and juicy - and was also, cooked exactly to my requested temp. It came generously topped with smoked mushrooms and served alongside truffle mashed potatoes and a heaping pile of crisp, sautéed asparagus. It was all, very divine.

However, the scallops were definitely the star of the two entrees. Crispy and crunchy on the exterior, they were silky and cut like absolute butter underneath that delightful Asiago–Almond crust. Soaking in a heavenly beurre blanc sauce, these giant scallops were one serious seafood indulgence. And straight up, that beurre blanc would’ve made Julia Child proud. I was practically licking the plate clean. Bravo, Kincaid's. Oh, and the stacked 10-something layers of potato gratin that came with it...oh man, that was fantastic too.

Although our pants were pretty much bursting at the seams at this point, when we were told the Key Lime Pie was a sure thing, I just had to try it. A born and raised Florida girl, I’m always skeptical when restaurants outside of Florida claim a stellar key lime pie. But these people weren’t joking. Whoa. An impeccable balance of sweet and tart and the mousse smooth as can be, their version was also topped with a layer of meringue that made it extra special indeed.

The meal was wonderful and we will most certainly be back as Kincaid’s is practically in our backyard. But I must say, the best part of the whole day was the sunset, which came burning up through the gloomy sky around 5pm and was, without question, one of the top 3 most gorgeous and mind-blowing, sunsets I have ever freaking seen.