Kitchen + Kocktails — Restaurant in Dallas

Kitchen + Kocktails is an absolute gem! The moment you arrive, the restaurant’s striking presence on the corner, with large windows and eye-catching decals, draws you right in. As soon as I stepped inside, I was greeted with a warm smile from the beautiful hostess, and I was seated immediately at a cozy spot next to the bar. The bar itself is stunning—blue marble stone, giving off an elegant, classy vibe. I could easily imagine myself coming here just for drinks or to enjoy dinner, especially with the huge TVs hanging above the bar, perfect for watching a game or taking in the lively atmosphere.

For my meal, I ordered the blackened shrimp and grits with a fried lobster tail, and it was incredible! The food was seasoned to perfection—no extra seasoning needed at all. I also had the strawberry lemonade, which came with a purple sugar rim and was garnished beautifully with a strawberry, lemon, and fresh mint. It was delicious and refreshing.

Alongside the shrimp and lobster, I tried a few sides: yams, greens, and mac & cheese—all cooked perfectly. Next time, I might add a little hot sauce to the greens, but that’s just personal preference.

The highlights for me were definitely the food, the ambiance, and the top-notch service. The restaurant has two levels—the upper level with black velvet seats and the lower with wooden tables—and the entire staff was super friendly. Another standout during my visit to Kitchen + Kocktails was Robert, the assistant general manager. He was incredibly attentive, and it was such a nice touch to have him introduce himself to me personally. It was also impressive to see him doing the same with other guests, checking in on everyone periodically, ensuring that we were all having a great experience. His presence and leadership made the restaurant feel clean, smoothly run, and welcoming.

Robert, the assistant General Manager’s interactions with both the guests and the staff were warm and professional, creating an environment that you’d want to be a part of. It’s clear he takes pride in his work, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him becoming a general manager at one of their locations soon. The entire team, from Robert’s leadership to the rest of the staff, is doing a fantastic job.

The service at Kitchen + Kocktails was just as impressive as the food and ambiance, thanks to my waitress, Taylor. She was super sweet, friendly, and personable, making the entire experience even better. Taylor made sure I had everything I needed, was attentive without being overbearing, and truly added to the warm, welcoming atmosphere. Her genuine friendliness made me feel right at home, and it was clear she takes pride in making sure her guests have a great time. Overall, Taylor’s service was a standout and another reason I can’t wait to come back!

Overall, this place is fantastic, and I can’t wait to return. With four other locations, I’ll definitely make it a point to visit if I’m ever in one of those cities. Highly...

Night 1 in Dallas and the Volleyball Team chose Kitchen & Kocktails for our dinner spot. This was an ideal option as the menu had something for everyone, there was a live band, and the drinks were said to have been amazing.

Our reservation was for 08:30 pm. We arrived around 8:07 pm and were taken upstairs to the waiting area to await our table. The wait area is super cute. It’s truly like its own club and presents a super dope vibe to help keep everyone engaged and the energy high while you wait. The walk up to the waiting area is truly a selfie haven as the walls are lined with flowers and present a gorgeous background for a photo capture.

Our table was ready around 8:42 pm and we were seated. Once we got to the main area the vibe kept going. The live band was rocking and the crowd was fully engaged. Though it wasn't an open mic night, we were surely singing along as if it was. LoL!!! I’m talking nothing but good vibes, great ambiance, and an awesome view as we were seated on the second level which overlooked the first.

As far as the meal, Kitchen & Kocktails has me in a chokehold over the menu selection. I finally decided on the,

Chicken Fried Chicken: Fried Chicken Breast over Garlic Mashed Potatoes Smothered in Gravy. Yes Lawdddddddddddd… Babeeeeeeeeee, when I say Amazing, I mean AhhhhhhhhMahhhhhZinggggggggggg. The breast was perfectly fried extra crispy on the outside but moist and meaty on the inside. The extra crisp on the outside was great as this allows for the crunch to stay crunchy even after being smothered. Whoever made this truly understood the assignment. Furthermore, the Garlic Mashed Potatoes were the bomb. Thick yet creamy. Robust flavor profile and they stood strong on their own and didn’t require the gravy for them to be good. Them mashed potatoes were tatoeinnnnnn.

Collards with Smoked Turkey Wings: When I say DELIVERED!!!!!!! Somebody's momma was in the back making these greens. Tender. Well seasoned. Perfectly cut. And the pot liquor was good enough to stand alone as a broth.

Cornbread: As it relates to this cornbread…. Do me one favor… don’t talk to me! This cornbread was so BUTTERY GOOD!!!!!!! I am convinced my mother was in the back cooking. This cornbread was pound cake pleasing, southern trending, please my souls kinda good.

Overall, Kitchen & Kocktails was an amazing experience. Also, as the food stole the entire show, the General Manager stopped by our table to say hello and do a temperature check on how our visit was going. Her pleasant demeanor, amazing smile, and warm welcome truly enhanced the experience. Her understanding of customer service was truly represented and she truly put an amazing brand stamp on the Kitchen &...

I recently dined at this establishment, and while there were a few highlights, there were also several things that left me disappointed especially for the price point.

Parking: Let’s start with logistics. Parking is across the street, and it’s paid $20 for 12 hours. Free parking is available, but it’s a bit of a walk. That alone set the tone for an expensive evening.

Ambience & Music: The DJ was on point! The music was energetic and loud definitely more of a club vibe than a dinner setting. If you’re looking for a quiet meal, this might not be your scene, but if you want energy and a good time, the vibe is definitely there.

Customer Service: I have to give major credit to the waitress who took our order. She was attentive, upbeat, patient, and quick to respond to any questions. That part of the experience was top-tier and genuinely appreciated.

Bathrooms: However, the restroom situation left a lot to be desired. There was only one stall available downstairs, and I’m not sure if there were more upstairs. For the amount of traffic this place receives, the facilities should absolutely be upgraded and expanded.

Food & Pricing: Now for the tough part: the food and pricing. I ordered the catfish fried hard, and it wasn’t. It came out overly salty, and I barely ate it. While the drinks looked good, I didn’t order any, mostly due to the sticker shock. Prices were steep across the board.

What really rubbed me the wrong way was the pricing structure:

15% gratuity is automatically added to every check no matter the party size.

Then, you're still prompted to leave an additional tip. Meats and sides are priced separately, which drives the bill up fast. When I asked the person who took our order how gratuity and tipping worked, she explained that the gratuity is split among everyone working, while any additional tip goes directly to your individual waitress. I understand the system, but I personally believe the gratuity should be at the discretion of the guest, or at the very least, only added for larger parties. The menu should include all necessary elements in the base price, not nickel-and-dime customers, with separate charges for basics.

Final Thoughts: This is a Black-owned business, and I support that 100%, but the excessive upcharges, split fees, and automatic gratuity with tip requests on top left me feeling like I was being overcharged at every turn. It's giving more "money grab" than community hospitality.

The vibe was lively. The service from our waitress was excellent, but the value for money just wasn’t there. If you’re going for the atmosphere and a night out with friends, maybe it’s worth it, but don’t go hungry or expect a...