On Friday, November 1, the New Deal Café (NDC) will open with new vendor Kenny Hilliard. Hilliard plans to debut “The New Deal Café Experience,” to offer more variety in memorable experiences, food choices with exhilarating flavors and new stage performances. Elements of the Café will remain the same, such as a cozy setting where patrons can connect with friends or enjoy a cup of coffee. Some of the same friendly staff members that patrons have known for years will be in place to greet them and excellent food will continue to be served, says Hilliard; however, there will be more for the patrons of the NDC – an elevated Experience.
Teachers Bring Creativity
Hilliard was a teacher for almost 20 years, and musician, songwriter and owner of two other restaurant locations. During a recent interview with the News Review, Hilliard recalled that the only knowledge he had of entrepreneurship in his family was through discussions about an uncle who owned a business. He learned financial lessons from his early years earning money by bagging papers and selling candy. Like many young people, he worked at McDonald’s and Roy Rogers, gaining food industry skills from the ground up. Hilliard plans to apply all his years of experience, creativity and outstanding customer service to deliver only the best to Café patrons. He said he is bringing a head chef and top-notch management team to work alongside existing Café staff.
His curiosity, teaching experience and lessons from his first cooking teacher, his mom, “Boss,” drove him to create new ways to achieve optimal results. He creates and curates his own unique seasonings, dressings and dishes. When asked how he would describe his food, he called it “universal” because it will appeal to all patrons. The New Deal Café Experience will bring meat, fish and vegan dishes, including avocado fries and his famous kale salad, which earned him the title of “Kale King.” It’s fitting that the Kale King is coming to Greenbelt, known for its “green spaces” and modeled after English garden cities. Another of his businesses is said to be the only flavored kale salad company in the world, but also offers burgers, chicken, steak, turkey and crabmeat. The flavors experienced at the NDC will be crafted just for his New Deal Café Experience customers. He will also serve bar food and drinks from smoothies to other libations. The menu will grow over time and he is open to suggestions and favorite recipes.
Community Support
Hilliard is committed to supporting the community and local farmers. He uses locally sourced ingredients in his creations. Patrons will have a choice of classic and modern dishes with a twist but top-notch table service will be available to all, while still keeping the place family friendly and cozy. In addition to breakfast, lunch and dinner, late night service will be a part of the New Deal Café Experience.
Musical Background
Experienced not only in the restaurant business but also in the music industry, Hilliard plays musical instruments, has written music, served as a key member of a musical group and toured with Montell Jordan. Working with the existing NDC stage performance team, the Experience will bring new acts and artists. He is also considering a jazz brunch.
Holiday Orders
The holidays will be upon us soon and Hilliard is prepared. Any orders for the holiday should be placed two weeks in advance of the special day to ensure all hands on deck with his team and any special requests can be accommodated. Orders can be placed by walking in or calling. Opening weekend hours are projected to be Friday, November 1 from 11 a.m. to midnight, with music from 8 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, November 2 from 8 a.m. to midnight; and Sunday, November 3 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. These hours are tentative and subject to change as the transition proceeds, said NDC president John Campanile.
The preliminary menu includes appetizers of grilled avocado, avocado fries, rosemary lamb chops and grilled chicken wings, with medium prices. The entrees include pasta with grilled meat or seafood, grilled or fried chicken, a burger and salmon, priced a bit higher. There will of course be flavored kale salad available – feta and onion, garlic parmesan or spicy – and the option to add protein from chicken to lump crab to baked tofu.
There’s no timeframe yet on an updated look and the stylistic changes Hilliard and his team have in store. They received the keys to the Café on Tuesday, and are getting kitchen operations going and point-of-sale software in order for Friday.
As Hilliard looked forward to the opening, he reflected on the role his spiritual foundation has played in his success. He started serving under his father, who is a pastor, and learned early to give honor and recognition for the journey. He references Jeremiah 29:11 and the plan for his life. His advice to dreamers: “You never know the direction your life will end up, but become passionate and follow every step of your dreams.” His next step is the NDC.
Stop by and cozy up to the New Deal Café Experience.
For more on Hilliard see the August 28 issue.