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

Mirko Pasta

Athens may have a “little Italy” but you really can’t get any closer to Italian cuisine than Mirko Pasta.


Breaking away from the downtown Athens dining, my friend and I headed over to the East Side to try a new restaurant. Her roommate suggested Mirko Pasta and after we dined there it was “amore.”

You walk in and order right at the counter. This is my favorite dining style, since you don’t feel the pressure to wait for the check at the end of the meal and can leisurely relax after eating. When you place your order you can choose from 16 different types of noodles and match it with one of the eleven sauces.

These aren’t you regular noodles. Not only are they homemade, but these noodles are made fresh everyday. On average, the noodles and sauce cost $8.50. Also, I recommend ordering an “antipasti.”

I ordered the Trecce Verdi with Pollo y Peperoni and my friend got the Lump Crab Meat with the Boscaiola sauce. While mine was good, but after I sample the other, I was secretly wishing I had ordered it. We also split the Caprese, which was delicious.

After you order, you fill up your own drink from the fountain and grab a seat. It’s casual but a little confusing. After we got to our seats with our drinks and silverware, we saw that there were glasses and silverware at the table already. The table was crowded until the waitress- who I might add was very prompt- came and cleared the table.

The portions are generous and between the fresh bread at the table with a garlic spread and you’re actual meal, you are sure to have leftovers.

Major Perks: The choices and food
Minor Quirks: A little confusing for the new timer

Five Star Day Cafe

One way to ensure that you have a "Five Star Day" is to eat at this little cafe located off Broad Street.

Open 7 days a week, Five Star Day cafe offers soul food with a touch of Athens culture. My personal favorites include the picnic chicken salad with a delicious poppyseed dressing and the BLT with a side of chicken and dumplings, fried green tomatoes, or black-eyed peas. All plates are topped of with a sweet cornbread muffin.

You order before you eat and then grab a seat. The quaint, grandma's kitchen atmosphere is decorated with local art that constantly changes. During the peak hours, you will not only experience the comforts of southern food, but, in the spirit of the south, the leisurely arrival of your food. It is usually pretty busy around lunch time so I suggest going at off-hours if you want faster service and a guaranteed seat, as it is a small dining area.

This is definitely an Athens must that deserves five stars.

Major perks: Southern food with all the fixin's

Minor Quirks: Slow food arrival, limited seating

Wild Wing Cafe Trivia

What Academy Award winner is the only actor to have a son who plays in the NFL?
Hint: His son plays for the St. Louis Rams.


Up until today, I used to think that Sunday nights in Athens were designated for detox and catching up on school work. But at 8:30 p.m., I found myself surrounded by relentless revelers seeking more than just a pint of beer. Forming teams under off-color names, “Olsen Twins + Ambien = A Hangover You don’t Wake-Up From,” for example, the Wild Wing patrons seek first place coupled with $50 restaurant credit at the weekly Trivia . Rewards are also given to second and third place.

But even if you don’t make the top three, you are sure to leave with a little more knowledge and lasting college memories. The questions range from entertainment to geography, encompassing a variety of areas that are sure strain your mind uncovering those useless facts you have collected here and there.

Here's how it works. The announcer asks a question and gives you a time limit, usually the length of a song. During this time, you and your friends converse/debate/blankly stare until you come up with a correct answer. You select how many points you want to wager based on your confidence in your answer and run the slip up to the bucket in the front. Then you hear the answer and either cheerfor your accurate response or kick yourself for one of those "should've known that" answers. There is no cheating! So, don't pull out your phones to make a call or look up info on the Web.

On average, teams were comprised of seven members. While playing, you can enjoy some of the cafe’s food. Even though the heavy traffic kept the orders slow, since you are there from 8:30 until 10:00, you don’t really notice the wait. Be sure to get there an hour or so earlier for a table, as this hot spot is maxed out with trivia hopefuls. Wild Wing Cafe is located downtown off of Washington Street.


Major Perks: Great Sunday night activity, mentally stimulating, casual environment
Minor Quirks: Slow service, fills up quickly



Oh, if you were wondering, the answer is Denzel Washington.

1st Review to Reid First

Need a quick bite to eat that will fill you up and won't empty your pocket?


Then head down to Broad Street's new deli "Which Wich?: Superior Sandwiches." Since its opening last week, I have already been twice.

The Food. The first time I ordered the "Chicken Cheese Steak." It had Cheese Whiz and I added provolone to make it extra cheesy. Although I envisioned melted cheese over chicken strips, I was slightly surprised to find that the meats are deli slices, and the cheese didn't really melt. Still good, but not what I was anticipating. However, I gave the Wich another shot. This time it was the Cuban wich. I would have to say this was De-wich-ious. I was very pleased with the pork, ham and pickle slices. Also, I was ecstatic to see that they serve the small, melt-in-your-mouth ice when you order a beverage.

The Ambiance. It is fast paced. Choose the paper bag with the specific meat you want. Mark what veggies and condiments you want to add and write your name at the bottom. They send it down a line and will shout your name out when it's ready. They also shout at random points during the meal maintaining its location-predecessor Coldstone's feel. Seating is close together, but when it gets warmer the outside seating should alleviate this.

Major Perks: quick, cheap and good ice
Minor Quirks: tight seating