DINE+WINE | nibbles + bites
The infamous milk bread doughnuts that provided comfort to the community during the early months of the pandemic.
Comfort Food with a Twist milkbread all day offers curated menu of sweet and savory by Allie Spencer | photography by Lisa Crates
The third concept from Davidson restaurateurs, Joe and Katy Kindred, opened in late January during a snowstorm. Somewhat fitting for an idea born from the Kindreds’ response to another storm of sorts, the pandemic shutdown. When the Kindreds had to close the doors to their restaurants Kindred and Hello, Sailor in March 2020 they quickly pivoted with their staff to offer a takeout menu that would travel well— chicken sandwiches, milk bread donuts, and small production, independent wines.
The donuts that started it all Their offering of comfort food struck the right notes with people in a time of uncertainty for many. They also partnered with Summit Coffee during the shutdown to offer milk bread donuts at Summit’s temporary Drive To location on South Main Street in Davidson, which had cars lined up before sunrise. “Once we were able to reopen our doors to Kindred and Hello, Sailor we found time and again people mentioning how much they missed the donuts and chicken sandwiches. After continued requests, the idea for a brick and mortar reflecting that pandemic pivot came to life. We always knew we had something special 66
LAKE NORMAN CURRENTS | MARCH 2022
with both our donut and our chicken sandwich, and milkbread felt like the perfect space to bring them together,” says Katy Kindred. The all-day café (operating from 7 a.m.-9 p.m.), is a great spot for a morning meeting, a lunch date with a friend, or a bite to eat after karate practice. Expect fast casual counter service for dine-in, marble top tables with bistro chairs, outdoor seating, and a welcome vibe from staff. The long high top table tracing the perimeter is perfect for perching with a coffee from one of milkbread’s partnerships with HEX or Summit, or a glass of wine from the rotating selection available in the evening.
The quintessential neighborhood hangout “For milkbread, we always wanted it to be a space that people felt like they belonged. That neighborhood spot that everyone feels like is theirs,” says Katy Kindred. On the menu, items like the milk & honey toast with stracciatella cheese and pink peppercorn, are deliciously simple, and the sourdough from Verdant Bread (started by two former Kindred bartenders) takes it to the next level.
