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Workers apply a fresh coat of paint above the windows of King’s Fish House, to the left of the new main entrance, putting the finishing touches on the Pine Avenue staple’s facelift. Photo above by Adrian Liwanag, additional photos by Keeley Smith.

Three weeks ago, a fence was erected outside of King’s Fish House on Pine Avenue and the windows were shuttered. 

Those looking for a table simply could not get in, or found it extraordinarily tough to find a seat at a table. Because for three weeks, those tables didn’t exist. 

“Even with the fence, people wanted to get seated, which is a good thing for us,” said King’s Fish House General Manager John Montorio, with a smile. 

Today, the restaurant re-opened—with a significant facelift—to the pleasure of Pine Avenue regulars. 

Chic, wooden-slatted doors greet customers from a new entrance on the side of the restaurant on Pine Avenue, moved from the original main entrance at Broadway and Pine. Tables are speckled throughout the interior where booths once sat, while red booths remain along the outer walls. New red light fixtures hang from the ceiling, spelling out the word “F-I-S-H.” 

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Today, the windows were open to let in the light, and a brisk breeze swept through the renovated interior. 

“We were really able to maximize the space and energy of the restaurant,” said Montorio from a booth inside the restaurant. With a nod to the new red letter light fixtures, he said “that’s really the signature piece of the whole thing—it’s unique to us.” 

According to Montorio, the owners started to consider a revamping of the interior about a year ago, with the goal of updating the restaurant’s traditional “sophisticated casual” vibe. 

Beyond aesthetics, King’s also updated its happy hour and bar menus, in addition to adding two new desserts. The happy hour was also extended, now lasting from 3:00PM to 6:00PM.

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While the “bulk of the menu is exactly the same,” maintaining its “approachable but sophisticated” vibe, 16 new beers are now on tap, and the restaurant has added 17 new freshly-made cocktails, Montorio said. 

The new desserts consist of a banana pudding, with vanilla pudding oozing around vanilla wafers, fresh bananas and whipped cream, served in a canning jar, as well as a “Hooked on Butter Cake,” served with custom-made ice cream, whipped cream and berries. 

Happy hour menu items range from $4 to $9, something Montorio said is an example of King’s consistently approachable vibe. 

“For example, we have a wine list with 27 wines, and people can have all of them by the glass,” said Montorio. “Anyone can come in.” 

For now, customers will be able to soak in a new look, and a more contemporary vibe in the restaurant, with its hardwood floors and white-tiled, pillared walls. 

“We’re very excited to be open and show off the new parts of the restaurant,” said Montorio. “Now it’s just time to deliver.” 

King’s Fish House is located at 100 West Broadway, at the corner of Broadway and Pine. Check out King’s on Facebook or at kingsfishhouse.com.

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