Kevin Kelley doesn’t waste words or time.

As a sharp litigation attorney for more than two decades, and the owner/partner of Kelley Law Firm, P.C., he gets right to the point—clearly, concisely and with conviction. A proud graduate of the HBCU Paul Quinn College in Dallas, Texas, Kelley was not content with solely practicing law, even though he is extremely successful at it. In true visionary fashion, during the height of the COVID-19 global pandemic, Kelley tapped into his enterprising instincts and added entrepreneur to his already impressive resume.

Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley became a reality in August of 2020 in the heart of Downtown Dallas. Kelly boldly decided to offer elevated updates to familiar classics in a modern and sophisticated, stylish setting, with memorable cocktails to match. In six short years, the father of two sons has opened six additional Kitchen + Kocktails locations in major cities: Chicago, Washington, D.C., Charlotte, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Miami. All are 100% owned by Kelley; sans major corporate investors or the like. This type of ownership is extraordinarily rare.

The menu consists of Southern comfort food staples such as chicken and waffles, macaroni and cheese, fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits and crowd favorite desserts like banana pudding and peach cobbler, all with an with an elevated twist. A wide range of household names from Bishop T.D. Jakes to Angel Reese to 50 Cent to Megan Thee Stallion and Phylicia Rashad have all dined at Kitchen + Kocktails.

The rapid growth of Kitchen + Kocktails is fueled by not only Kelley’s astute business acumen but also his old-fashioned Southern upbringing. “When I grew up, every Friday was catfish and one other day of the week, we’d always have fried chicken, and then we have things such as squash and potatoes. My grandmother would also bake caramel cakes for us,” Kelley fondly recalls with a grin. An unapologetic country boy at heart with down home values, Kelley attributes much of his success to his deceased maternal grandmother, Mrs. Gussie, who recognized her grandson’s ambition early. “My grandmother gave me $1,000 when I started my law firm, and I never forgot that. Family means a lot. Grandmothers mean a lot.”

And now the distinguished member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is expanding his footprint yet again, this time venturing to The Big Apple. And not just anywhere in New York City, but in the heart of Times Square. The latest Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley location opens at 7 Times Square in New York City on Saturday, October 3. “For me, New York City is the world’s capital,” Kelley professes about his remarkable expansion in the Empire State. Now, native New Yorkers and tourists alike have a fully Black-owned establishment to dine in for a delicious Southern meal, tasty drinks, sophisticated ambiance and impeccable customer service. These are all things Kelley takes seriously.

“We believe our people, our customers, deserve to be given restaurant opportunities that are Black-owned, that have a menu that serves Black people and that are in prime real estate,” Kelley explains. He continues, “I’ve always loved southern food, but the reality is when I get southern food, that’s the best, especially in Texas, I gotta go somewhere [that isn’t necessarily safe]. I want to create restaurants that serve food with a better flavor profile, located in better real estate, with better hospitality. That magical mix works out well.”

That magical mix does indeed work out well and we’re excited to have it in such an easily accessible New York City location. I have dined at the Charlotte location in the Uptown area of the Queen City and was excited to try out the newest locale ahead of the official opening. I was immediately impressed. The contrast of vibrant red roses against the matte black furniture, a signature of K+K, meet me at the door. The cool R&B tunes playing (at just the right volume) were a vibe. The entire atmosphere was sexy and chic, a welcoming departure from the exterior right on the other side of the entrance.

The cuisine was delish. I enjoyed the fried chicken, especially because although I opted for white meat, it was juicy and not dry which often happens with those pieces. The peach cobbler was divine. The ratio of peaches to crust was…chef’s kiss. Oh, and the salmon bites are the perfect hearty starter to get your palette ready for a wholesale and artfully prepared meal. They even have non-meat eaters covered with a well-seasoned vegan bowl. And the cocktails? 10 out of 10. I tried the fruity blackberry margarita and the bright lemon drop. Both drinks were creatively garnished too; ideal for those who like to show off their spirits on TikTok.

As for Kelley’s personal menu favorites, he stands by everything they’re cooking up. “I won’t put anything on the menu that I don’t personally approve. That’s what allows me to keep things authentic for my customers. Sometimes my chef will say, hey, I want this on the menu. They’ll think it’s good. But if I don’t like it, I can’t give it to my guests, because I have to believe in this menu.” But when pressed, he does reveal up a few of the items that he tends to order most. “My personal favorite is the shrimp and grits with a fried lobster tail on the side. I actually start with my Peach D’usse Frozé, and my appetizer trio are the lamb chops, my dream (deviled) eggs with blackened shrimp, and our crab cake. For dessert, it is peach cobbler. I’m a dessert guy. I can eat dessert 3 times a day.”

Upon arriving to the latest Times Square Kitchen + Kocktails, guests are greeted with a warm smile and the words, “Welcome Home.”

Well, Mr. Kelley, congratulations brother. And yes, “Welcome home!”

Author: Bridgette Bartlett Royall

Read the original article on Essence.