While other restaurants and businesses were shutting down during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley was just getting started.
“Texas was similar to Florida in that we had a state that was moderately open,” lawyer, entrepreneur and restaurateur Kevin Kelley said. “We started construction on my building before the pandemic, and the pandemic came and we said, ‘Well, hey, we might as well just continue on with construction that we did.’ And we’re very, very fortunate, because our doors were full from the first day. A lot of people wanted somewhere to go, and the restaurant provided that.”
Six years later, the southern-food chain now has locations in Atlanta, Charlotte, N.C., Chicago, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Dallas. And starting Jan. 16, Miami.
Kevin Kelley said Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley will have something for everybody.
(Brustman Carrino Public Relations)
Kelley said he was inspired to create the restaurant when living and working abroad made him miss Southern cooking.
“I lived in Spain for four years, and so I would work five days in America and live in Spain 10 days, and then another five days in America and 10 in Spain each month, and I missed American food,” Kelley said. “And I said that if I come back to America full time, one of the things that I’m going to do is I’m going to create a southern restaurant, one that’ll make me happy, one that’ll make family and friends happy. And I want it to be the best of the best, and that’s where Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley came from.”
The 24k Gold-Fashioned.
(Brustman Carrino Public Relations)
Kelley said Miami diners will get the best as well.
“Miami diners can expect the best southern food this country has ever seen. And it’s big and bold to say that, but we’ve succeeded in Dallas, Chicago, D.C., Charlotte, Atlanta, Philadelphia, for good reason, because our chefs do a really, really good job. They work very hard to serve our customers and to make sure our flavor profile is unique,” Kelley said.
Chicken and waffles are among the specialty items on the menu.
(Brustman Carrino Public Relations)
The Miami menu includes such southern entrees as honey hot chicken, southern-fried catfish, fried green tomatoes, Cajun crab cakes, jerk chicken noodle soup, and chargrilled oysters, a half-dozen varieties of waffles, and sides that include grits, black-eyed peas with smoked turkey and lobster mac and cheese.
Desserts include a s’mores brownie, peach cobbler and banana pudding.
Cajun crab cakes.
(Brustman Carrino Public Relations)
Kelley believes Miami’s diversity makes it a great place for a southern-inspired restaurant.
“I think Miami is a fantastic place, because Miami is such a melting pot for the world. It’s an international city,” Kelley said. “I think that what we offer is something that’s going to be unique for the marketplace. There are a number of fantastic steakhouses and Asian mixed restaurants. And I think that with us bringing a true southern concept, I think there’s a space for us in this market.”
The Dusse Froze is on the cocktails menu.
(Brustman Carrino Public Relations)
To honor that diversity, Kelley said his restaurant will be affordable to pretty much everyone.
“We’ve got music, we’ve got drinks, we’ve got a really, really good time we show people,” Kelley said. “However, the core of our restaurant is family. Everyone can afford to dine in our restaurant. Our average customer pays $70, some pay less, some pay more. But there are things on the menu that everyone can reach. And in a marketplace like Miami, where there’s so many fantastic food options. I think it’s time for maybe one or two more that are at a more reasonable price point for all Miami residents.”
A variety of cocktails.
(Brustman Carrino Public Relations)
As he’s found success in southern cities, he’s also found a demand in northern cities like Philadelphia and Chicago — cities where dishes featuring grits and chicken and waffles aren’t on most menus.
“There’s only so many times that you can eat a cheesesteak in Philadelphia, and there’s so many times in Miami that you want to eat at a high-end restaurant,” Kelley said. “Sometimes you just want a regular casual restaurant to meet your friends, to bring your family and to enjoy yourself. And you know, for the times of year you come to us, we want to be that place.”
This leads to the second item in the restaurant’s name: the cocktails.
“The special thing about the cocktails is that it pairs well with food,” Kelley said, “Often when you have southern concepts or concepts where the price point is affordable, it’s not as likely that you’re going to have a number of good drink options too. We believe that we’ve created a fantastic menu with a great flavor profile, but we’ve not ignored the importance of drinks also. People like libations and they want to have a good time and enjoy themselves. And so we’ve not just said we believe we’ve got the best fried chicken and catfish. We’ve also said, ‘Hey, let’s make sure we’re making fantastic drinks too, because our guests are going to want to sit when they have a good time.’”
Kelley is welcoming everyone: singles, families, the rich and not-so-rich.
“I want everyone in my restaurant. That’s why my price point is what it is. I want to make sure that the richest of the rich in Miami are going to come because we’ve got the best tasting southern food. But I also want those who may not have as much to come because they know that we have the best tasting southern food they know that they can afford.”
“I love what I do, and I want the entire city of Miami to know that we’re bringing something for them.”
Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley opens Jan. 16. in Wynwood at 2838 N.W. 2nd Ave., Bldg. 2. For more information visit kitchenkocktailsusa.com or call 316-333-5460.