Welcome Home, New York: Inside Kevin Kelley's Kitchen + Kocktails Experience

There are restaurants you visit for the food. Others for the atmosphere. And then there are places where you walk in, settle into your seat and suddenly realize you're in no rush to leave.

That was my experience at Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley in Times Square.

I arrived at the restaurant's media brunch after a long day, ready to experience the food, take in the atmosphere and speak with the man behind the growing hospitality brand.

What I wasn't expecting was to feel so comfortable that when the staff offered to package my food to go, I wasn't ready.

I wanted to stay a little longer. And after sitting down with founder Kevin Kelley, I realized that feeling wasn't accidental. It was the entire point.

More Than a Restaurant, It's an Experience

Located at 7 Times Square, Kitchen + Kocktails brings Southern-inspired cuisine, handcrafted cocktails and an atmosphere filled with personality to the heart of New York City.

From the moment guests enter, the restaurant makes an impression.

A dramatic staircase surrounded by red roses, vibrant floral walls, colorful artwork and a striking Statue of Liberty mural create an environment that feels both celebratory and inviting. It's the kind of space that makes you want to take a few photos before you even sit down.

The bar, with its colorful design and carefully presented cocktails, adds another layer to the experience. Whether you're planning a girls' night, birthday celebration, date night or simply want to enjoy a good meal in a beautiful space, Kitchen + Kocktails offers a setting that feels like an occasion.

But what makes the experience memorable goes beyond what you see.

It's how you're treated.

'Welcome Home'

During our conversation, I asked Kelley how he ensures that communities feel connected to his restaurant as the brand expands into new cities.

His response began with two words.

"Welcome home."

"We have to make sure we welcome home the communities and the brand so they understand that even though we're in New York, this is their restaurant," Kelley explained.

For Kelley, opening in a new city isn't simply about establishing another location. It's about creating a space where people feel they belong.

"I'm here as a servant to make sure those who want to walk through the doors have a good time," he said.

"We're humble to serve, we're happy to serve, and we want to do everything that we can so people can be happy when they dine."

And from my experience, his staff understood the assignment. I had already spent a long day moving around the city before arriving at the restaurant. Yet the warm welcome and attentiveness of the team made it easy to settle in and enjoy myself.

By the time someone asked whether I wanted my food to go, I was enjoying the atmosphere too much to leave. That moment stayed with me because it reflected exactly what Kelley described.

Let's Talk About the Food

Of course, a restaurant called Kitchen + Kocktails has to deliver on both sides of its name.

The menu celebrates Southern comfort food, featuring familiar favorites such as fried chicken, catfish, shrimp and grits, macaroni and cheese, yams, collard greens and more.

The food presentation brings an elevated touch to comforting flavors, with beautifully plated seafood, vibrant sauces and fresh garnishes. And the cocktails are part of the experience themselves.

Colorful drinks, fruit garnishes and creative presentations complement the restaurant's energetic atmosphere. When I asked Kelley which dish he would recommend to someone visiting for the first time, he didn't hesitate.

"Everything."

We both laughed, but he eventually shared his personal favorite.

"My personal favorite is the blackened shrimp and grits with fried lobster tail on the side."

He also highlighted the fried chicken, catfish, mac and cheese, yams, collard greens with turkey, black-eyed peas, peach cobbler, banana pudding and chocolate cake. And then he shared something that offered a glimpse into the culture behind the business.

Whenever Kelley and his core team celebrate the opening of a new restaurant, they gather at the end of the night for catfish sandwiches served on white bread.

It's a simple tradition, but one that says a lot.

Behind the colorful interiors, growing restaurant portfolio and beautifully plated dishes, there's still an appreciation for the familiar flavors and shared moments that make Southern food special.

The Vision Behind the Brand

Before becoming a restaurateur, Kelley built his career as an attorney and entrepreneur.

He launched Kitchen + Kocktails in Dallas in 2020 and has since expanded the concept into several major markets, including Chicago, Washington, D.C., Charlotte, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Miami.

Through Kevin Kelley Concepts, his business interests extend beyond restaurants into law, entertainment and other ventures.

But throughout our conversation, Kelley consistently returned to the same subject.

People.

Not just the customers who visit his restaurants, but the communities that surround them and the staff responsible for bringing the experience to life.

His approach challenges the idea that an upscale dining experience has to feel exclusive or intimidating.

A restaurant can be beautiful without making people feel out of place. It can be lively without sacrificing attentiveness. And it can create lasting memories without losing sight of the importance of simple human connection.

The Customer Is the Star

One of the most meaningful moments of our interview came when I asked Kelley what he hopes people will remember about Kitchen + Kocktails ten years from now, beyond the food.

His answer wasn't about expansion, recognition or becoming the biggest restaurant brand.

"I want them to remember our care."

He explained that although people may remember a delicious meal, the feeling they experienced during their visit can stay with them much longer.

"The food is one thing. You're going to eat the food one day, you're going to eat food another day, but if we make you feel good in the restaurant, I think that's something that can resonate for a longer time than that meal sitting before you."

Kelley spoke about the different reasons people walk into restaurants. Some are celebrating birthdays, anniversaries or engagements. Others may be going through difficult personal experiences, looking for a place to unwind or simply hoping for a moment of joy.

He wants his team to recognize that hospitality is about more than taking orders and serving meals.

"I've designed my restaurants, Miami included, so that my staff understands that the customer is the star," Kelley said.

"We're here for you."

That perspective stood out to me. Because sometimes people don't need an extravagant experience. Sometimes they just want to feel seen, appreciated and welcomed. And in a city as busy as New York, that can mean everything.

 

A Little Southern Hospitality in the Heart of New York

New York City has no shortage of restaurants. But Kitchen + Kocktails offers a combination of Southern-inspired flavors, creative cocktails, vibrant interiors and a founder who places genuine emphasis on hospitality.

Kelley is confident in what his restaurant brings to the city.

"We understand that other people make Southern food too," he said. "But when you're talking the mix of the food, the drinks, the vibe, the building, 7 Times Square, our address, we're on OpenTable. It's different here."

His invitation to New Yorkers is simple: come experience it for yourself. And after visiting, I can understand why. I walked into Kitchen + Kocktails expecting a restaurant preview. I left with a reminder that some of the best experiences aren't simply about where you go or what you order.

They're about how a place makes you feel. A warm greeting. A thoughtful server. A good conversation. A delicious meal. A moment to enjoy yourself without feeling rushed.

Sometimes those are the things that turn a first visit into a reason to return.

So if you're looking for somewhere new to eat in Times Square, somewhere to celebrate or simply a reason to gather with people you love, Kitchen + Kocktails deserves a place on your list.

And when you walk through the doors, remember the words Kevin Kelley shared with me:

"Welcome home."

Reservations: Available through OpenTable

Website: www.kitchenkocktailsusa.com