The Counter & Kitchen Bar @ Chef and the Farmer

4.6 ( 1390 reviews )
Checking... 12:00 AM - 8:00 PM See Hours
$50–100
120 W Gordon St, Kinston, NC 28501, United States
+1 252-208-2433

The Counter & Kitchen Bar @ Chef and the Farmer in Kinston, NC, offers diners an intimate culinary journey led by the talented Chef Vivian Howard. Guests rave about the seven-course meals filled with seasonal ingredients and unique dishes—think ribbonfish and inventive cantaloupe sorbet. Reviewers like Karen Ama Chachu appreciate the generous portions and the atmosphere, where Howard engages with diners, sharing stories about the ingredients and those who provide them.

Mary McCluskey highlights the casual yet attentive service, with dishes such as flash-fried collards and creamy mac and cheese stealing the spotlight. Chad Crom recalls multiple visits and consistently exceptional experiences, noting the restaurant's ability to create memorable occasions for families. Sarah C emphasizes the learning aspect of the dining experience, with opportunities to witness culinary artistry firsthand.

Each meal is not just about food but a celebration of Southern cooking, enriching the palate with complex flavors paired beautifully with wines. Regina Belcher notes that the highlight dishes, like the asparagus salad and soft-shell crab, leave diners longing for more. If you're passionate about fine dining and want a narrative-driven gastronomic experience, The Counter & Kitchen Bar comes highly recommended.

Amenities and More

  • Accessibility
    • Has wheelchair-accessible car park
    • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
    • Has wheelchair-accessible seating
    • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • From the business
    • Identifies as women-owned
  • Service options
    • Has outdoor seating
    • On-site services available
    • Offers takeaway
    • Serves dine-in
    • No delivery
  • Highlights
    • Has great beer selection
    • Serves great cocktails
    • Serves great coffee
    • Serves great dessert
    • Has great tea selection
    • Has great wine list
  • Popular for
    • Popular for lunch
    • Popular for dinner
    • Good for solo dining
  • Offerings
    • Serves alcohol
    • Serves beer
    • Serves cocktails
    • Serves coffee
    • Serves comfort food
    • Serves healthy options
    • Serves small plates
    • Serves spirits
    • Serves vegetarian dishes
    • Serves wine
  • Dining options
    • Serves dinner
    • Has catering
    • Serves dessert
    • Has seating
  • Amenities
    • Has bar on site
    • Has toilet
    • Has Wi-Fi
    • Free Wi-Fi
  • Atmosphere
    • Cosy
    • Romantic
    • Trendy
    • Upmarket
  • Crowd
    • Good for groups
    • Popular with tourists
  • Planning
    • Usually has a wait
    • Doesn't accept reservations
  • Payments
    • Accepts cheques
    • Accepts credit cards
    • Accepts debit cards
  • Children
    • High chairs available
  • Parking
    • Free of charge street parking
    • Free parking lot
    • Plenty of parking

Reviews For The Counter & Kitchen Bar @ Chef and the Farmer

Karen Ama Chachu
Jun 25,2025
We had such a great time at dinner! It was a 7 course meal with generous portion sizes (I recommend only a light lunch prior). The food was impeccable. Seasonal vegetables and fruits (peaches), unique fish (ribbonfish was one course), cantaloupe sorbet!! Vivian Howard is right there in front of you!! She tells you about two courses at a time, the ingredients, a funny story, like the guy who brought the clams from Rhode Island for one of our courses. She's a fantastic chef, and also witty, caring about her employees. The service is excellent. This dinner was everything I hoped it would be and more. Vivian also sticks around afterwards to take photos with guests and sign books.
Mary McCluskey
Jun 16,2025
My husband and I used to watch Vivian Howards show and I am working in New Bern and decided to go to the new place......The dining is pretty casual. The server staff was very friendly. The food was very good! I loved the flash fried collards! The mac and cheese was nice and creamy. The hushpuppies with their topping were very tasty. The salad was good and an interesting combination with the whipped goat butter (first time I have had that), and the pickled onions (loved those)..... Overall, it was was worth the 35 mile drive! Thanks y'all! May come for the later sitting my next trip to New Bern.....
Chad Crom
Jun 2,2025
Where do I start? The dining experience that the staff has been able to achieve here is above and beyond anything that you could experience anywhere. This was the 3rd time my wife and I have had the privilege of dining with Vivian and The Crew. And it was just as great as the first time we went. Actually, it was better, because we were able to introduce my parents to the event. And they can appreciate the great service just as much as we do. So a really big shout out to The Kitchen Bar ! We will be back for more. P.S. we already have reservations for March
Sarah C
May 20,2025
The Kitchen Bar experience is the best food experience of my life. I got to be so close to a chef I admire #girlboss #slay, while she told stories about the people and the ingredients, and I watched her expertly cook and plate the dishes so there was some learning too. I also got lucky and sat next to a food writer and got to gab about food all night. Each dish on the March 21 menu tasted delicious and each with a unique flavor profile. The mushroom toast and run ups dishes were the stars. Wine pairing
regina belcher
May 9,2025
Worth. Every. Cent. If you like southern cooking or fine dining or the tv show “A Chef’s Life,” then do not hesitate to reserve a spot at Chef & the Farmer’s Kitchen Counter experience. This intimate setting allows you to leisurely enjoy time with Chef Vivian Howard and her phenomenal staff while tasting complex, bright, and unique dishes that have been extremely well-thought out and expertly executed. You will not leave hungry from Chef Vivian’s table, and every bite is paired with a wonderful wine that brings faraway places in France or California right along side on the bar counter space. The opening dish of the night was the first-of-the-season asparagus salad with hazelnuts and mint. It set the tone for the entire meal and opened my eyes to the power of that spring herb. The loin of lamb was phenomenal, and all the other plates were just as fabulous. We even got soft-shell crab!!! Thank you, Chef Vivian and all, for a wonderful experience and for taking the time to make it so special!!
l c
May 8,2025
Oh my goodness! What a delight to eat at Vivian Howard's restaurant. It surpassed our expectations by a mile! The ambiance, presentations, flavors, variety and service was excellent (Susan snd others)! We were not sure about some of the reviews we read and almost cancelled our reservation but are so glad we went anyway! My partner said the pork chop was the best he had ever eaten. He also raved about the basil infused gimlet. I found the Miso gingered collard greens and the marinated cucumber noodles to be the highlight of the meal. I also LOVED the strawberry salad which had an amazing strawberry dressing. The 10 layer chocolate cake with vanilla chantilly cream was spectacular. Im not a fan of caramel but the rest of the dish was so good I would order it again. We shared the cake and are glad we did because there was plenty to satisfy. We are looking forward to our next visit already as we live in upstate NY and only get this far south occasionally .
Dennis Graham
May 1,2025
Wow, I always stop by when passing through Kinston. Today, my wife and I weren't extremely hungry, but we are loyal. We shared a burger and a veg plate. We couldn't have been happier. The burger was moist with an excellent cook. The onion jam and bacon perfectly complimented the beef. That said, the veg plate was amazing: cilantro street corn and the zucchini tomatoes made us SO HAPPY! And, we wish we'd had the watermelon and jalapenos sooner. You must stop by, you will not be disappointed.
chuck
Apr 6,2025
If I could give more than 5 stars I would. We were lucky enough to dine at Chef Vivian Howard’s chef table. The entire experience was magical and the best overall dining experience we’ve ever had. The dishes were all unique and fabulously executed. Her passion for what she does is infectious during the time with her. Thank you for such a wonderful time.

Add a Review

Quality
Location
Price
Space
Service

Location

Appreciated by Others

Howard's On Main
(275 review)
Howard's On Main
  • 330 Main St, Greenwood, SC 29646, United States
restaurant
+1 864-229-3700
El Fogón Taqueria
(500 review)
El Fogón Taqueria
  • 1327 E Chandler Blvd suite 108, Phoenix, AZ 85048, United States
Mexican restaurant
+1 480-228-9496
The George Inn, Maulden Pub Restaurant & Rooms
(853 review)
The George Inn, Maulden Pub Restaurant & Rooms
  • George Inn, 6 George St, Maulden, Bedford MK45 2DF, United Kingdom
restaurant
+44 1525 841559
2 Guys Pizza Planet Friendly Food & Brews
(818 review)
2 Guys Pizza Planet Friendly Food & Brews
  • 1307 7th Ave E, Hendersonville, NC 28792, United States
pizza restaurant
+1 828-693-6755
Shanty
(400 review)
Shanty
  • Old Lifeboat Shelter, Portrush BT56 8AY, United Kingdom
irish restaurant
+44 7594 432677
Haveli Indian Cuisine & Bar
(1097 review)
Haveli Indian Cuisine & Bar
  • 287 Los Altos Pkwy #107, Sparks, NV 89436, United States
Indian restaurant
+1 775-451-7469
The Fire Place
(502 review)
The Fire Place
  • 44 Center St, Southington, CT 06489, United States
pizza restaurant
+1 860-620-1234
Cafe La Lavella
(404 review)
Cafe La Lavella
  • 63 London Rd, Morden SM4 5HT, United Kingdom
Cafe
+44 20 7671 9108
Asteras
(1991 review)
Asteras
  • 347 Wesley St, Nanaimo, BC V9R 3A7, Canada
Greek restaurant
+1 250-716-0451
Olluco Bistro
(195 review)
Olluco Bistro
  • 535 NJ-23, Franklin, NJ 07416, United States
Restaurant
+1 862-364-4318