Press

Built upon the singular promise of eating well and without pretension, Kevin Gillespie’s Gunshow is our city’s gutsiest restaurant...With Revival, Kevin Gillespie pays tribute to the South of his childhood.

— Atlanta Magazine

James Beard Award for the Best Chef Southeast 2016

— AJC Atlanta

Kevin Gillespie's flagship isn't a place for quiet conversation: it's loud, it's bright, it's participatory, and it's arguably the most creatively energized restaurant in the Southeast, Addison says. Every week, executive chef Joey Ward and his team decide on a dozen or so dishes they'll each prepare. As they're ready, the cooks take their latest creations into the wide-open dining room on carts and trays, and explain them to the crowd. Indian-spiced fried okra? Peking duck? Beef Wellington? Their inspirations circle the globe, though meals always end squarely back in Georgia, with warm banana pudding billowing with meringue, a recipe from Gillespie's grandmother.

— Eater

Gillespie’s concepts are inspired by his family and humble Georgia upbringing. Communal seating, family-style meals and seasonal comfort foods are all part of the Gillespie’s vision to bring a community of happy diners together. Communion Beer Garden will continue this memory-creating trend four days a week under the shade trees of the little house-turned-restaurant with people seated around picnic tables or in rounds of Adirondacks happily sipping on a rotation of European-style session beers.

— AJC Atlanta

The menu changes weekly -- as we write this there is talk of a Middle Eastern style pizza and sweetbreads with truffles & soubise and some sort of delectable sounding beef short rib. Chef Kevin Gillespie’s eclectic tastes seem to have nothing in common, except that they all strive for meaty deliciousness. Whether he can or would even want to sustain this type of crazy, ever-changing experience for a long time is yet to be seen, but it’s very clear something special is happening on Garrett Street in ATL, and you should get involved as quickly as possible.

— Thrillist

The notoriety of Top Chef allowed him to leave luxury dining to pursue his true love, casual Southern cooking. His restaurants Gunshow and Revival have helped fuel the emergence of Southern cuisine, as has his cookbook, Fire in My Belly, which was a finalist for a James Beard Award. If the South builds a Mt. Rushmore, Gillespie’s face will be there.

— Restaurant Hospitality

Kevin Gillespie has made a name for himself with restaurants across Atlanta, namely Woodfire Grill and Gunshow. But Revival might be the truest example of who he is as a chef—full of heart and reverence for the most beloved dishes of Southern memory. Inside the restaurant, Gillespie’s family collectibles provide a heartfelt welcome. Go with friends, and order the Family Style Dinner, a feast of hors d’oeuvres (deviled ham tea sandwiches, benedictine on soft bread), relishes (pickled cucumbers), and sides (baked stone-ground grits, whipped sweet potatoes) that accompany entrées such as fried chicken, beef-and-pork meatloaf wrapped in bacon, and even chicken casserole.

— Southern Lving

Kevin Gillespie has struck gold again with his down-home restaurant REVIVAL. The fried chicken and meatloaf may dominate the spotlight, but the real reason to visit Revival is the cornbread that arrives fresh with every meal. Revival’s rendition of this Southern staple comes as simple triangles cooked in cast-iron skillets. The basic appearance belies the complex interior of Revival’s cornbread, which manages to evoke both the silky texture of a soufflé and the creaminess of a thick spoon bread at the same time. It comes from a recipe passed down by Gillespie’s great-grandmother, for whom we should all give thanks.

— Creative Loafing