Tour River North’s Instagram-Friendly Comfort Food Palace

Chicago has loved Kevin Kelley since he decided to move his Dallas restaurant to River North. Kelley sees Kevin Kelley’s Kitchen + Kocktails as Chicago’s next great restaurant to add to the downtown Chicago scene and draw diners to high-energy dining rooms like Maple & Ash and Adalina.

He believes there is no restaurant in America (other than its Dallas location) that serves home cooking (dishes like lobster macaroni and cheese and a tomahawk steak with Hennessy cognac icing) in an environment like Kitchen + Kocktails. It’s fun, upscale and suits special occasions.

“We just want to serve people and make them happy,” says Kelley.

The room was outfitted with LEDs and Instagram-enabled displays like the inevitable neon angel wings. Kelley warns that customers aren’t hearing “elevator music” but rather the tunes they would play in the car, dropping the names of Chicago artists like Common and Chance The Rapper.

For Kelley, encouraging customers to dress up is a top priority. Dress codes in restaurants can be slippery slopes, but Kelly strives to enforce the same standards he established in Dallas. That means no sports jerseys, hats or sports shoes. Also noteworthy, as explained on Instagram, are restrictions on “revealing outfits” that “show a woman’s privacy”.

There may be a generation split as to what customers think is appropriate when it comes to dress codes, but Kelley says he believes Chicago has already adopted the dress code because he wants an atmosphere where people are comfortable and “off.” Surrounded by people who are beautifully dressed ”.

Whether the beautiful people show up or not, Kelley says there is already strong demand for reservations (which he releases every two weeks). In Dallas, pro athletes like Ezekiel Elliott of the Cowboys and ex-cowboy Dez Bryant were known for dropping by. Kelley hopes Chicago athletes from the Bulls and Bears find their way to his restaurant. Other celebrities who have visited Dallas include 50 Cent as well as actor and comedian Bill Bellamy. While the Kelley likes to serve famous people, he warns that celebrities are not what he considers his true VIPs: it’s the regulars that make or break his business.

Against this background, the restaurant opens with lunch and brunch service at the start. As dinner reservations are being booked for the immediate future, walk-ins are welcomed in the bar area. While the menu is similar to Dallas, Kelley will still flatter Chicago’s black community with references to Rev. Jesse Jackson and the city’s first black mayor, Harold Washington. There’s also a photo of Beyonce wearing a Bulls Derrick Rose jersey, and photos of Barack and Michelle Obama. Kelley says it’s important to pay tribute to black politicians and celebrities who have broken into the mainstream and to recognize their achievements.

Kelley, a lawyer by profession, is grateful for the support he received in Chicago. The city’s real estate market is a tough nut to crack, especially for black entrepreneurs. He mentioned names like Kenny Johnson, the owner of Bureau Bar, and his real estate agent, David Goldberg, to open up opportunities. He may have other Chicago projects up his sleeve, but right now he’s ready to give Chicago a great time at River North.

Check out the room, food, and drinks below.

Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley, 444 N. Wabash, open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Weekend brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Waffles with fruity pebbles.

Black magic

Rum punch Plus +

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