A critical Eye: Kith & Kin

Kith & Kin

Head Chef: Andrew Brochu
1119 W Webster ave {Webster + W of Seminary}
(773) 472- 7070

It seems the turmoil following Kith & Kin can't be resolved- back or front of house. The service is consistently spotty and not confident. All in all they've got to step it up and ensure that the food matches the service, otherwise the imbalance leaves a sour taste.

I've been to Kith and Kin a total of 4 times and each visit varies in quality of service from spot-on to horrendous. We'll start with the good: an outstanding waiter with a heavy beard knows the menu in and out, gives great drink recommendations, and basically runs the floor. If you get him as your server you're safe- as for some of the others, well, back to the drawing board. Fast forward to the nightmare: a rainy Saturday night Kith & Kin was jammed but we managed to get a picturesque, romantic seat on a balcony overlooking the restaurant. After waiting 1 hour and 15 minutes for our scallops and chicken entree a girlfriend and I were forgotten and starved. Our server kept insisting that our food would be "Right out" and on came the cocktails. By the time the food arrived I didn't even remember it. We got a free sticky toffee pudding dessert and our bill reduced considerably. At one point, I'd say an hour after waiting, I actually got up and consulted the bearded server because he was so fantastic before and told him the situation. He of course took care of it right away and let me know that it was my server's second day on the job, still no excuse. That was the only time I've had to get up in a fine dining establishment and track down someone to get help. It really was absurd.

Don't let my bad experience steer you away. Kith & Kin is unique as it is elegant when everything lands on the plate. Fantastic cuts are complimented by bold, anything but precarious flavors. True to its roots the menu is seasonally rotating and incorporates shining southern delights like authentic hush puppies, buttermilk biscuits, and cornmeal grits. If you've got a hankerin' for great food from down south but don't want to pay Table 52 prices, go to Kith & Kin.

{Pimento cheese spread. Cue bold flavors. The cheese and spanish pimentos are very, very vibrant to the palate. The most comforting feature of cheese, naturally, is the warm, gooey consistency that melts in your mouth after its spread on the crisp baguette. You get so much that leftovers are inevitable and still delicious the next day}

{Buttermilk biscuits with honey butter. Fluffy, airy, baked to perfection}

{Bar Harbour Mussels in a heavenly spiced broth, candied shrimp and ciabatta bread for dipping. The mussels must have been given steroids, they were huge- I mean truly GIANT. The broth was divine, I could have sipped it right out of the bowl}

{Housemade corned beef with a pickled mustard jus and braised cabbage. The beef is phenomenal, the heavy, robust sauce pairs well with the cabbage and meat}

{Blackened tiger shrimp on top of smoked cheddar grits and scallions. In order to get to the shrimp meat you have to scrape it out of the shell of the shrimp, it's messy and labor intensive which hurts the favorability of the dish. But, when you get that bite- ah, it's so worth it. The intense blackened char flavor dances with garlic and onion spices. Well done}

Who to bring:

• A date. Candlelit dinner in a comfortable atmosphere will make any occasion more meaningful. 
• Meat eaters. They've got: rabbit, chicken, corned beef, and wagyu ribeye two ways
• Family small or large, there's something for everyone 

What to try:

• This is a MUST- the Moscow Mule cocktail (Vodka, Gosslings black seal rum, with lime and ginger beer. I wish this came by the pitcher)
• Foie gras starter
• Rabbit stew
• Buttermilk fried chicken thighs 
• Fried catfish

Take note:

• As the menu rotates so does the art. Kith & Kin uses their walls as an open gallery for local artists who wish to display their latest masterpiece
• Kith means friends and kin means family