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<p>KINGSTON &#8212; It&#8217;s a familiar setting with fresh scenery.</p><p>More than 100 guests gathered at Kevin&#8217;s Bar &amp; Restaurant Thursday afternoon to celebrate the Wyoming Avenue eatery&#8217;s extensive upgrade under new ownership.</p><p>Amid soft lighting, warm earth tones and a cozy post-industrial feel, fashionably dressed diners sampled food and drink from a menu that offers some creative noshes not so common on the Wyoming Valley restaurant scene.</p><p>No detail was too small for Robert Friedman, who purchased the restaurant in July and immediately set to work planning what he called &#8220;a much needed face-lift&#8221; to the upscale space that boasts a chic warehouse feel and a hometown clientele.</p><p>&#8220;With the help of an architect, I designed the carpeting, flooring and all the booths,&#8221; Friedman said.</p><p>Longtime restaurant manager John Lahr said the renovations have provided the perfect space for everything from stopping with friends for a drink after work to an intimate dinner date.</p><p>&#8220;You can have a full meal, a small plate or just stop in for a drink,&#8221; Lahr said. &#8220;Last week we re-opened the kitchen because Wyoming Seminary had an event and they came by.&#8221;</p><p>Its location near Kingston Corners makes Kevin&#8217;s convenient to Wilkes-Barre, Kingston and the West Side, he added.</p><p>To Gary and Debbie Mack, however, Kevin&#8217;s is much more than simply a corner eatery serving great food; the restaurant is a testament to love, friendship and healing for the Edwardsville couple.</p><p>Shortly after the couple were married in 2014, Debbie was diagnosed with cancer and sought treatment in the Philadelphia area.</p><p>In May 2015, the night before the Debbie was to go to Fox Chase Cancer Center for stem cell treatment, the couple made it a point to go to Kevin&#8217;s for oysters.</p><p>&#8220;I knew that I wouldn&#8217;t be able to eat oysters for a while,&#8221; said Debbie. &#8220;So, we came here for the Tuesday night oyster special.&#8221;</p><p>As Gary Mack looks back on that night, tears comes to his eyes, &#8220;The only thing was it was Monday night. John (Lahr) said he picks a special couple every Monday night for the Tuesday special. That was us that night.&#8221;</p><p>One year later, in remission and with treatment behind her, the couple again returned to the restaurant with a friend for Debbie&#8217;s first time eating oysters since her treatment.</p><p>&#8220;John had a special table, with candlelight and champagne and oysters,&#8221; said Gary Mack. &#8220;It was beautiful.&#8221;</p><p>The Macks are thrilled with the changes that Friedman has brought to the eatery and come often for a variety of occasions.</p><p>&#8220;We come for dinner,&#8221; said Gary Mack. &#8220;But we also come if we want to stop for drinks after we go to the Kirby (Center).&#8221;</p><p>Across the way, CeCe McCarthy and Ann Evans were enjoying a girls night out in one of the business&#8217; new booths.</p><p>The two, friends for about four years, said they have always enjoyed coming to the restaurant, but appreciate the recent changes.</p><p>&#8220;I mean where else could you find a booth for two,&#8221; said McCarthy. &#8220;We love having dinner here. Our favorites are crab cakes and the salmon.&#8221;</p><p>Chef Matt Gilbert, who heads the culinary team, said he appreciates Friedman&#8217;s encouragement to be both creative and traditional.</p><p>&#8220;For example, our Kentucky fried quail,&#8221; he said. &#8220;It&#8217;s a classic with a twist.&#8221;</p><p>The menu, Gilbert said, makes Kevin&#8217;s the perfect spot for a sit down dinner, a date or a drink.</p><p>&#8220;This is a contemporary atmosphere with a variety of food and drinks that you can&#8217;t find anywhere else,&#8221; he said.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Robert Friedman is flanked by his daughters Haley 14, and Diane 16, outside of the newly re-opened Kevin&#8217;s Bar &amp; Restaurant in Kingston. Friedman purchased the eatery in July. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_TTL100518Kevins1-2.jpg</photo0><caption0>Robert Friedman is flanked by his daughters Haley 14, and Diane 16, outside of the newly re-opened Kevin&#8217;s Bar &amp; Restaurant in Kingston. Friedman purchased the eatery in July. </caption0><photoCredit0>Aimee Dilger | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_TTL100518Kevins3-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Patrons chat and mingle during Kevin&#8217;s Bar &amp; Restaurant&#8217;s re-opening Thursday afternoon. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_TTL100518Kevins3-2.jpg</photo1><caption1>Patrons chat and mingle during Kevin&#8217;s Bar &amp; Restaurant&#8217;s re-opening Thursday afternoon. </caption1><photoCredit1>Aimee Dilger | Times Leader </photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_TTL100518Kevins4-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Kevin&#8217;s Bar &amp; Restaurant sports a new outdoor patio area.  </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_TTL100518Kevins4-2.jpg</photo2><caption2>Kevin&#8217;s Bar &amp; Restaurant sports a new outdoor patio area.  </caption2><photoCredit2>Aimee Dilger | Times Leader </photoCredit2></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_TTL100518Kevins2-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Kevin&#8217;s Bar &amp; Restaurant in Kingston held a re-opening on Thursday afternoon. &#8216;With the help of an architect, I designed the carpeting, flooring and all the booths,&#8217; new owner Robert Friedman said. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo3>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_TTL100518Kevins2-2.jpg</photo3><caption3>Kevin&#8217;s Bar &amp; Restaurant in Kingston held a re-opening on Thursday afternoon. &#8216;With the help of an architect, I designed the carpeting, flooring and all the booths,&#8217; new owner Robert Friedman said. </caption3><photoCredit3>Aimee Dilger | Times Leader </photoCredit3></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Robert Friedman purchased eatery in July</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>For Times Leader</p></bylineMeta></div>

Fresh take on a familiar space: Renovated Kevin’s reopens in Kingston