Salud! Jacksonville celebrity chef's restaurant receives national recognition for champagne, innovative fare

Teresa Stepzinski, Florida Times-Union
·2 min read
File this under WOW! — Chef Kenny’s signature Flavor Bomb fried chicken thigh sandwich on truffle Gouda biscuit. Paired with orange blossom honey and Fernandina Beach hot sauce it is smoky, spicy, and sweet.

Silkie's Chicken & Champagne Bar, the latest restaurant from Jacksonville celebrity chef Kenny Gilbert, has received national recognition for its champagne offerings, including creative craft cocktails as well as his innovative interpretation of Southern and global cuisine.

Gilbert's restaurant in historic Springfield is among the top 10 bars and restaurants in the United States by the Champagne Bureau USA based in Washington.

The Champagne Bureau, the United States representative of the Comité Champagne — the trade association that represents all the grape growers and houses of Champagne, France — named the Top Ten list in honor of the upcoming 13th annual global Champagne Day, on Oct. 28. The day celebrates the sparkling wine that comes only from Champagne, France.

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“We hope champagne lovers and those new to the sparkling wine alike will consider visiting these impressive establishments to enjoy Champagne Day in style," the bureau said in a news release announcing Silkie's and other nine restaurants and bars on its list.

The bureau describes Silkie's as "an upscale casual restaurant with delicious fried chicken and biscuits, catering options, and an overall unique dining experience."

Gilbert is a former Food Network "Top Chef" Season 7 contestant. He and his wife, Anna, opened Silkie's Chicken and Champagne Bar at 1602 Walnut St. in 2020.

An upscale fast-casual restaurant, Silkie's showcases Gilbert's signature fried chicken, biscuits and champagne cocktails. Daily specials focus on international chicken dishes.

Silkie's menu includes eight varieties of champagne, plus cocktails

The restaurant's menu includes eight varieties of champagne. All but three are listed as being from France.

Craft champagne cocktails include Girls Night Out, featuring pear nectar, wine-based gin, lime and simple syrup; Southern Belle, with peach, wine-based whiskey, green tea, lemon and simple syrup; and Late Night on Walnut Street, featuring stout beer, wine-based vodka, coffee, cinnamon, orange and simple syrup, the menu shows.

Champagne flights also are available.

The Bureau works to educate American consumers about the uniqueness of the wines of Champagne and expand their understanding of the need to protect the Champagne name.

Other restaurants and bars on its list include the following:

  • Air’s Champagne Parlor, New York, NY.

  • Apéro, Washington, D.C.

  • Ça Va, Kansas City, Mo.

  • Corridor 44, Denver, Colo.

  • Effervescence, New Orleans, La.

  • Frank’s Oyster House and Champagne Parlor, Seattle, Wash.

  • Pops for Champagne, Chicago, Ill.

  • San Francisco Champagne Society, San Francisco, Calif.

  • The Champagnery, Louisville, Ky.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville chef Kenny Gilbert's Silkie's touted for champagne, menu