Katy and Joe Kindred have become something like household names in the Piedmont region of North Carolina. After meeting in Chicago, touring Italy, living in San Francisco, and marrying on the coast of Carolina, the husband and wife duo put down roots in Joe’s hometown of Davidson, just north of Charlotte. They restored an old pharmacy building on Davidson’s Main Street and opened Kindred in 2015. It still is one of our favorite places to eat in Davidson, NC. The pastas are out of this world, the cocktails are near-perfection, and the birthday cake for dessert always makes you feel special. Since then, the couple has serenaded the discerning palates of gastronomists across the Southeast. And they’ve done so to the tune of multiple James Beard Award nominations, exquisite wine, and perfect pastas.
Style and Ambiance At milkbread
After opening a second restaurant on Lake Norman named Hello, Sailor, the couple turned back to Davidson. The Kindreds envisioned a third restaurant — Milkbread — named for the buttery, salty, fluffy Kindred appetizer that inspired a loyal fandom. The restaurant opened its doors earlier this year and has quickly been a must for people searching of the delicious places to eat in Davidson, NC. In contrast with Kindred’s more buttoned-up style, Milkbread is an all-day restaurant with a casual café ambiance. Diners will find espresso, coffee, and tea beverages. These pair nicely with the restaurant’s dreamy donuts—descendants of the milk bread lineage with a soft, warm interior and perfectly crisp, sweetened exterior.
Milkbread and More
The core meal menu features bowls, salads, and chicken sandwiches. We recommend the grain bowl, which includes almond romesco, sprouts, avocado, and a jammy egg (soft boiled egg) served over a bed of delightfully crispy rice for a beautiful blend of textures and tastes. Feeling like you need some more greens in your life? Dress up a Momo Salad (seasonal lettuce, bacon, radish, carrot, red onion, breadcrumbs, buttermilk dressing) with avocado and grilled chicken breast. Or opt for something truly cravable from the crispy chicken section of the menu. For example, bite into The Hot Dip. This savory sammie consists of eastern Carolina hot-dipped chicken, citrusy coleslaw, and Duke’s mayonnaise tucked into a soft potato bun.
Milkbread, like the Kindreds’ other establishments, invites collaborations from other local eateries. You’ll find a custom house roast by Summit Coffee Co., espresso roast by HEX Coffee, and sourdoughs by Verdant Bread. This is particularly welcome in places like Davidson with a strong affinity for a healthy ecosystem of local businesses that provide color, originality, and an enhanced sense of community. That’s also what makes Milkbread such a good fit for its second location in the heart of Plaza Midwood.
From Icon to Innovation
For nearly six decades, the drive-up Dairy Queen at the corner of Central Ave and Pecan Ave was one of the most iconic digs in Charlotte. When it shut down, neighbors briefly worried that the building would be razed and replaced with yet more apartment complexes. In swooped an array of restaurateurs, ready to put their name on the building and dish out their fares. It was an opportunity for Joe and Katy Kindred to do what they do best: deftly restore an aging building and serve outstanding food. Not only will they have two of the most desirable places to eat in Davidson, NC, along with a lakefront staple, but now their world-class flavors are coming to Plaza Midwood! And we’re here for it.
Milkbread is open from 7 am to 9 pm in Davidson. It will welcome diners to its Plaza location in the fall of this year.
