Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

Charlie & Debbie

New Southern Comfort Restaurant Opening In Former EpiCentre

Author Charlie & Debbie

My first reaction to hearing of Kitchen+Kocktails by Kevin Kelley opening June 1st in Charlotte was stunning surprise. No, it’s nothing to do with the restaurant or its concepts. Rather, my raised eyebrow had everything to do with location. This amazing southern comfort food dining experience is set to open in what was the EpiCentre in uptown Charlotte. I didn’t know this was even a thing anymore. And I’m overjoyed to hear that it is. Rebranded “Queen City Quarter” this area was once an uber-popular and thriving area of business adjacent to the Spectrum Center arena and the Ritz Carlton. Now, it has potential to be so again.

What Is Kitchen+Kocktails By Kevin Kelley?

According to Queen City Metro, Kitchen+Kocktails by Kevin Kelley is a Texas-based concept is known for its weekend brunch and is popular for its craft cocktails, Southern-inspired menu and contemporary decor. Kelley is an attorney and restauranteur who, while living abroad discovered a longing for the comfort food of his youth. In 2020, he opened the first Kitchen+Kocktails in Dallas, Texas. Since then, locations have also opened in Chicago and Washington, DC.

What’s On The Menu At Kitchen+Kocktails By Kevin Kelley

OMG, this is the part I’ve been waiting to talk about. I am a FIEND for southern comfort food. I’m also a FIEND for cocktails. In other words, I am going to be an absolute FIEND for Kitchen+Kocktails by Kevin Kelley. Its “elevated” menu includes such southern staples as shrimp and grits, fried chicken, and chicken and waffles. Wait, there’s more. Kitchen+Kocktails by Kevin Kelly also strays from its southern US roots to offer items like Caribbean-flavor jerk lamp chops and lobster tail. The roster of sides is equally mouth-watering. Macaroni & cheese, candied yams, cornbread, grits, jerk chicken noodles soup and sweet potato fries? HONEY, HUSH!

Oh, and cocktails are a part of Kitchen+Kocktails, right? Their equally impressive menu on this front features more than 15 set, craft cocktails utilizing top-shelf spirits. Yes, please.

When And How Can I Sample Kitchen+Kocktails By Kevin Kelley

Kitchen+Kocktails by Kevin Kelley is set to open in Uptown Charlotte’s Queen City Quarter (formerly the EpiCentre) on June 1. Reservations for day one are gone! However, you can make yours for another date, here.

Charlie Nance is the Afternoon Drive co-host (along with his wife) of "The Charlie and Debbie Show" at WSOC, Country 1037 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The couple have been with the radio station since 2006. Charlie has won the prestigious CMA (Country Music Association) Award for Radio Personality of the Year and has been a finalist for the Country Radio Hall of Fame four times. Prior to his time in Charlotte, Charlie (along with Debbie) spent more than a decade hosting successful morning radio shows in Greenville, SC; Augusta, Ga; and Birmingham, Al. As a content creator for Country 1037, Charlie writes about dream lottery windfalls, sports, restaurants and bars, and travel experiences in North and South Carolina.

These North Carolina Restaurants Are James Beard Semifinalists

It’s that time of year again to award the best of the best when it comes to great dining. The James Beard Foundation has announced its 2024 semifinalists. And several of them are in North Carolina.

I always love to check out the list because it always gives me a wide range of restaurants to choose from when I want really good food. And that’s what makes it extra special because the list of restaurants below is considered the ‘creme de la creme.’ They made the James Beard list.

And in case you didn’t know, to receive any recognition from The James Beard Foundation is an honor within itself. According to its website, the James Beard Award honors those who create exceptional food, food media content, and better food systems while demonstrating a commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive.

Who Is James Beard?

As a foodie, I’ve always heard of the distinguished James Beard Award in the culinary industry. But, I never really knew who he was. I’ve since learned Beard was a pioneer foodie. And was one of the first to host a food program on television back in the 1940’s. Beard was from Portland, Oregon and appeared to have a passion for food honestly. He and his family would often spend summers at the beach fishing and cooking meals with what they caught.

He studied for a short time at the local college in Portland, but was expelled. Beard believed it was because he was a homosexual. He went on to try to get into the theater and movie business, but realized his real passion was food and cooking. Beard would go on to leave his imprint in the cooking industry, writing the first major cookbook of its kind devoted exclusively to cocktail food, Hors d’Oeuvre & Canapés.

Beard died in 1985 at the age of 81. But, he left a legacy of culinary excellence to generations of home cooks and professional chefs. See some of those restaurants, bars and bakeries are listed below.

  • Jimmy Pearl's - Outstanding Chefs (Charlotte)

    This Southern restaurant serves a unique blend of Afro-Southern eats inspired by the Foodways of Chesapeake Bay. Growing up, the owners, Oscar Johnson and Darryl Cooper shared the passion of family meals and history of their ancestors. They founded Jimmy Pearl’s initially as a pop-up restaurant. Their quality and passion for food has sustained them and today they run a restaurant inside a public market space. Both Johnson and Cooper are up for Outstanding Chef.

    Jimmy Pearls
    The Market at 7th Street
    224 E. 7th Street
    Charlotte, NC 28202
    980-263-9677

  • The Market Place - Outstanding Restaurant (Asheville)

    In the heart of downtown Asheville, The Market Place offers handcrafted and ingredient driven cuisine. It offers seafood dishes, steak and pork. Chef William Dissen prides himself on specializing in farm-to-table cuisine. The menu items are healthy and locally sourced, so it makes sense that this food haven would be a semifinalist for the James Beard Award.

    The Market Place
    20 Wall Street
    Asheville, NC 28801
    828-252-4162

     

  • The Restaurant @ Gideon Ridge Inn - Outstanding Restaurant (Blowing Rock)

    This restaurant sets the tone as soon as you visit their website. They’re slogan ‘We don’t need an excuse to make it unforgettable’ makes your experience just that — unforgettable. Imagine dining in the High country, where you get to take in a breath-taking mountain view. If the scenery doesn’t do it for you, the food surely will. The restaurant proclaims the farmers define the menu. So you can look forward to fresh and local produce. It’s refreshing to note the menu changes based on the season of the Appalachian weather.

    The Restaurant @ Gideon Ridge Inn
    202 Gideon Ridge Road
    Blowing Rock, NC 28605
    828-295-3644

     

  • Ajja - Best New Restaurant (Raleigh)

    The owners, Cheetie Kumar and Paul Silas, are musicians at heart. After touring the U.S. and Europe with their bands for years, they opened a musical venue in the late 90’s. It wasn’t long after that the two decided to bring their collective experiences of music and travel together. Their vision came to reality. The creation of Ajja — a restaurant that celebrates the diverse foodways and cultures, vibrant spices and cooking techniques of the Mediterranean, the Middle East and beyond! All set in the fast-growing city of Raleigh.

    Ajja
    209 Bickett Blvd.
    Raleigh, NC 27608
    919-213-1276

  • Seabird - Outstanding Chef (Wilmington)

    If you want authentic and quality seafood, what better way to go than this restaurant in Wilmington which is right off the coast of North Carolina. Seabird specializes in fresh oysters, fish and more. The culinary team is led by Chef Dean Neff, who is a semifinalist for Outstanding Chef for the James Beard Award. Besides fresh seafood, Seabird is also known for its brunch menu served every Saturday and Sunday.

    Seabird
    1 S. Front Street
    Wilmington, NC 28401
    910-769-5996

  • Bobby Boy Bakeshop - Outstanding Bakery (Winston-Salem)

    Located in the Buena Vista neighborhood of Winston-Salem, Bobby Boy Bakeshop is an artisanal bakeshop. They offer pastries, coffees and breads. I hear the croissants are to die for — made fresh daily. The bakeshop prides itself on using the highest quality ingredients. And the reviews, speak for themselves. One customer exclaimed, “The ultimate pastry/sandwich experience. The quality and sheer art form of each item impeccable. Devoured every last crumb!”

    Bobby Boy Bakeshop
    1100 Reynolda Road
    Winston-Salem, NC 27104
    336-955-3284

  • Crawford And Son - Outstanding Bar (Raleigh)

    If you’re looking for that neighborhood spot, where you feel at home without being at home and where everybody knows your name, than Crawford And Son may be your spot! It’s located in historic Oakwood neighborhood near downtown Raleigh. They serve what they call ‘honest food’ that ranges from the familiar to the unexpected. They have everything from Pan Roasted NC Trout, to Duck Breast to the popular Manchego-Herbed biscuits. They seem to serve up the flavor of home with an edge.

    Crawford And Son
    619 N. Person Street
    Raleigh, NC 27604
    919-307-4647

Get The Country 103.7 All Access Newsletter Delivered To Your Inbox

Enjoy the latest country music, entertainment, and local stories, plus exclusive contests, games, and more!

*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Author Charlie & Debbie
Category:
Tags:
,,

More Charlie and Debbie

Load More