Brookhaven Gets Colorful:Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub

A little math for this next post:

kaleidoscope (a pattern of changing colors & shapes) + bistro (a small, informal restaurant)
= a small, informal restaurant filled with a pattern of changing colors and shapes.

This equation brings you to Brookhaven's newest hot spot, Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub.

Beaming on the corner of Village Place off Dresden, the less-than-1-month-old restaurant combines class and comfort into one local pub. We were greeted by a much welcomed valet on a wintry night and then opened the door, stepping into a jam-packed, golden-colored restaurant. Though it was a week night around 9 p.m., there was a 25-minute wait and not an open seat in sight. Thankfully, the bar is conveniently placed near the entrance and features a good selection of house specials and a vast collection of brews, both domestic and imported. They even carry Genny Cream ale (first time I've seen it in the south).

After we were seated, the menu set before us revealed the true meaning behind the restaurant's name. According to Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub's website,

"the idea is that every time you look into a kaleidoscope, you see something colorful and different. We have chosen to apply that concept to our own menu. We call our cuisine 'global comfort food.'"After we placed our order, our table became the kaleidoscope that displayed an assortment of this "global comfort food" with Coastal, Asian, "French" and Southern flair.

Coastal:
"Best Crabcake Ever"
Asian:
Chinese Steamed Buns
French:
“Steak Frites”
Southern:
Shrimp-N-Grits










The Chinese Steamed Buns were my favorite, and the Shrimp-N-Grits were a close second. Overall, the experience was very pleasant, with a friendly staff who continued to check to ensure everything was okay. There is a nice outdoor patio that I am just waiting to give a spin once the temperatures begin to rise.

Major Perk: Lively, fun atmosphere with a varied menu that assures each guest will be happy
Minor Quirk: As busy as the colorful patterns in a kaleidoscope, not a place for a quick dinner