Kevin Kelley has transformed from practicing law for 22 years to operating nine restaurants across the country, with his latest venture bringing authentic Southern cuisine to Miami through Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley.
The attorney-turned-restaurateur's journey into hospitality began unexpectedly when he owned a building in Dallas that remained unleased.
"I said, 'You know what? I'm going to turn this space into a restaurant,'" Kelley said. "And it ended up being very popular, even though we opened in the middle of the pandemic."
Since that initial success, Kelley has expanded Kitchen + Kocktails to Dallas, Chicago, Washington D.C., Charlotte, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and now Miami, growing from zero hospitality experience to nine restaurant locations in just five years.
The restaurant's Southern-inspired menu draws directly from Kelley's childhood memories and family influences. As a self-described "grandma's boy," Kelley credits his grandmother with inspiring both his love of food and the restaurant's core offerings.
"When it came to creating a menu, I thought of the things that I ate as a boy," Kelley said. "She always made fried chicken. We always had catfish every Friday and mac and cheese. I fell in love with food because of her."
Every detail of the restaurant reflects Kelley's personal touch, from the hand-picked artwork adorning the walls to the carefully curated menu items. The establishment combines comfort food with elevated culinary presentation, featuring marble tables and thoughtfully plated dishes.
Kelley spent six months before opening, personally tasting every dish daily, ensuring each item met his standards before serving customers.
The beverage program receives equal attention, featuring creative cocktails like the Peach Sidecar and the Blackberry Margarita, a signature drink with a sugar stick that dissolves as customers drink, creating different flavor profiles from first sip to last.
"We don't want to miss out on anything just because we're a southern place," Kelley said. "I could have gotten the worst-looking restaurant site in South Florida, and because of what our chicken and mac and cheese taste like, we would have done well. But we don't want to take advantage of the customer."
Family remains central to Kelley's business philosophy. His mother serves as Director of Community and Governmental Affairs, ensuring the restaurant maintains community involvement and gives back to local causes. Kelley's grandmother, who passed away, continued to enjoy fish from his Dallas location every Friday until her death.
"I went from every Friday eating fish with her at her house to every Friday, when she moved to Dallas, she would eat fish from my restaurant," Kelley said.
Kelley emphasizes that the restaurant's mission extends beyond serving food, recognizing that diners arrive with various emotional states and life circumstances.
"When people walk into our doors, we have the opportunity to make their life better, even if it's only for the hour and a half that they're with us," Kelley said. "So we don't take it for granted."
The restaurant aims to fill a void in South Florida's dining scene, as Kelley noted, there aren't many Southern concepts in the area. Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley welcomes customers with a "welcome home" philosophy, emphasizing that every customer is valued.
When asked to describe his restaurant in one word, Kelley chose "humbled," expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve the South Florida community.
For more information, visit kitchenkocktailsusa.com.
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