Kevin Gray

Kevin Gray

Kevin Gray is a Dallas-based writer covering independent restaurants for NRN. He also writes for publications including Food & Wine, The Infatuation, and Wine Enthusiast, and he previously served as a correspondent for Restaurant Hospitality. Follow Kevin on Instagram.

Latest from Kevin Gray

Independent Restaurants

Lalaon is serving Korean barbecue and seafood on 10,000 square feet of Brooklyn waterfront Lalaon is serving Korean barbecue and seafood on 10,000 square feet of Brooklyn waterfront

Jul 27, 2026

1 Min Read

Independent Restaurants

Lester’s is now open in Savannah, Georgia, serving tinned fish and seafood towers Lester’s is now open in Savannah, Georgia, serving tinned fish and seafood towers

Jul 27, 2026

1 Min Read

All from Kevin Gray

Independent Restaurants

Jack’s All Day is serving American classics in New York City’s Theater District

Jack’s All Day is serving American classics in New York City’s Theater District

Independent Restaurants

MML Hospitality has opened Neighborhood Sushi in Dallas, with more concepts on the way

MML Hospitality has opened Neighborhood Sushi in Dallas, with more concepts on the way

Vagabond in London

Independent Restaurants

Vagabond, a self-pour wine bar and restaurant from London, is opening in Nashville early next year

Vagabond, a self-pour wine bar and restaurant from London, is opening in Nashville early next year

Independent Restaurants

Dallas’s Ngon Vietnamese Kitchen has opened in New York City

Dallas’s Ngon Vietnamese Kitchen has opened in New York City

Independent Restaurants

Memphis chefs Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman have opened two new concepts, Josephine Estelle and Rosie’s Tavern

Memphis chefs Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman have opened two new concepts, Josephine Estelle and Rosie’s Tavern

Independent Restaurants

Grupo Orfano has opened Argentina-inspired 1986 Steak House in Miami

Grupo Orfano has opened Argentina-inspired 1986 Steak House in Miami

Independent Restaurants

Dallas restaurant Punk Noir wants to redefine fine dining

Dallas restaurant Punk Noir wants to redefine fine dining

Brasserie Cognac Américain

Independent Restaurants

Brasserie Cognac Américain is now open in Midtown Manhattan with Michael Lomonaco running the kitchen

Brasserie Cognac Américain is now open in Midtown Manhattan with Michael Lomonaco running the kitchen

Independent Restaurants

Martha’s Vineyard institution Fat Ronnie’s Burger Bar is now open in New York City

Martha’s Vineyard institution Fat Ronnie’s Burger Bar is now open in New York City

Independent Restaurants

The Crossing opens in Charleston, South Carolina, at the Cooper, a new waterfront hotel

The Crossing opens in Charleston at the Cooper, a new waterfront hotel

Self-pour tap wall at Oak & Stone

Beverage Trends

Florida-based Oak & Stone expands into McKinney, Texas, and will add an Addison location later this year

Florida-based Oak & Stone expands into McKinney, Texas, and will add an Addison location later this year

Independent Restaurants

Chef Eyal Shani has opened Naked Tomato in Miami, with Brooklyn to follow

Chef Eyal Shani has opened Naked Tomato in Miami, with Brooklyn to follow

Independent Restaurants

BOA Steakhouse concept expands in Napa, Scottsdale, Mexico City

BOA Steakhouse concept expands in Napa, Scottsdale, Mexico City

Independent Restaurants

Michael White makes his Dallas debut with two original concepts, Lions Den and Bar Leonessa

Michael White makes his Dallas debut with two original concepts, Lions Den and Bar Leonessa

Independent Restaurants

Chicago’s Smyth is the best restaurant in North America, according to 50 Best

Chicago’s Smyth is the best restaurant in North America, according to 50 Best

The Ives interior booths

Independent Restaurants

Boka Restaurant Group has opened The Ives, its second concept at the Chicago Athletic Association

Boka Restaurant Group has opened The Ives, its second concept at the Chicago Athletic Association

Emma Chamberlain at Chamberlain Coffee in Venice, California.

Independent Restaurants

Emma Chamberlain opens her first standalone café in Los Angeles

Emma Chamberlain opens her first standalone café in Los Angeles

Independent Restaurants

San Diego’s Trust Restaurant Group has opened À L’ouest, a new French brasserie

San Diego’s Trust Restaurant Group has opened À L’ouest, a new French brasserie

Independent Restaurants

Chicago’s new magic venue, The Hand & The Eye, features a restaurant and six bars

Chicago’s new magic venue, The Hand & The Eye, features a restaurant and six bars

Only the Wild Ones back patio

Independent Restaurants

Only the Wild Ones opens in Austin, the hi-fi wine bar’s third location, after L.A. and New York

Only the Wild Ones opens in Austin, the hi-fi wine bar’s third location, after L.A. and New York

Selection of food at Maroon restaurant

Independent Restaurants

Kwame Onwuachi opens Maroon, an Afro-Caribbean steakhouse at Sahara Las Vegas

Kwame Onwuachi opens Maroon, an Afro-Caribbean steakhouse at Sahara Las Vegas

Musicians playing at Casa Cañita

Independent Restaurants

Boutique hotel Casa Cañita opens in Miami with a Michelle Berstein-led restaurant

Boutique hotel Casa Cañita opens in Miami with a Michelle Berstein-led restaurant

Independent Restaurants

After a popular residency, Kevin Finch’s Arthur now has a permanent home in Brooklyn, N.Y.

After a popular residency, Kevin Finch’s Arthur now has a permanent home in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Independent Restaurants

50 Best Bars names New York’s Sip & Guzzle the best bar in North America

50 Best Bars names New York’s Sip & Guzzle the best bar in North America

Philippe Chow spread of food

Independent Restaurants

Philippe Chow’s new flagship restaurant is now open in Midtown Manhattan

Philippe Chow’s new flagship restaurant is now open in Midtown Manhattan

Independent Restaurants

Miami-based Motek is opening its second NYC location, with more on the way

Miami-based Motek is opening its second NYC location, with more on the way

Independent Restaurants

Pies ‘n’ Thighs celebrates 20 years with a second location in Brooklyn

Pies ‘n’ Thighs celebrates 20 years with a second location in Brooklyn

Independent Restaurants

Salud opens in Los Angeles serving breakfast and coffee in the morning, and tapas and cocktails at night

Salud opens in Los Angeles serving breakfast and coffee in the morning, and tapas and cocktails at night

Independent Restaurants

Rocco DiSpirito’s Italian-American brasserie, Bar Rocco, is now open in New York City

Rocco DiSpirito’s Italian-American brasserie, Bar Rocco, is now open in New York City

Independent Restaurants

Charlie Palmer opens Cattlemen’s Bar in Paso Robles, Calif.

Charlie Palmer opens Cattlemen’s Bar in Paso Robles, Calif.

Independent Restaurants

Dallas restaurant The Charles debuts a new design and updated menu

Dallas restaurant The Charles debuts a new design and updated menu

Independent Restaurants

Chef Gabriel Kreuther is embracing wood-fired cooking at Saverne, his new NYC brasserie

Chef Gabriel Kreuther is embracing wood-fired cooking at Saverne, his new NYC brasserie

A sandwich at Fatback restaurant

Independent Restaurants

Chicago chef Charlie McKenna has opened Fatback, a hybrid sandwich shop, butcher, and market

Chicago chef Charlie McKenna has opened Fatback, a hybrid sandwich shop, butcher, and market

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