Colonel's Kitchen Offers Fast-Casual Dining from Scratch in Fort Thomas

In May of 2018, Colonel De Stewart opened a little restaurant near the headquarters of his Gourmet Herbs & Spices chain of shops in Fort Thomas. Colonel’s Kitchen offers breakfast and lunch six days a week, with brunch specials on Sunday. While it’s not any kind of fancy, both the layout and décor make it feel homey and welcoming. Chalkboards tell you what’s to eat and the cooking is done behind a long counter, supplemented by ovens and prep space in a back room. A team of chefs/cooks also work on baked goods and extra dishes for their catering business that often fills the restaurant in the evenings with private events. With creative takes on breakfast fare such as pancakes, French toast and egg dishes to sandwiches, salads, soups and biscuit concoctions, the place delivers what Stewart calls “fast-casual from scratch.” Colonel’s Kitchen is a one-room operation with a high ceiling, a good design to accommodate the large chalkboards on the left wall as you enter. The section called “Plates” includes the breakfast treats, such as The Colonel (eggs, cheesy grits, biscuit and a choice of breakfast meat), Jam-Packed (housemade fennel-apple-butter French toast) and a vegetarian frittata with tomato jam and Swiss cheese. Everything is priced attractively considering the quality and generous portions, with breakfast plates ranging from $7.50-$9. Hours: 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sunday. Colonel De’s Kitchen, 22 N. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas, Ky., 859-215-0200; colonelde.com.