Kaleidoscope Bistro and Pub - Brookhaven Atlanta Georgia

You can find Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub at 1410 Dresden Drive Suite 100, Brookhaven, GA 30319 in the heart of the newish community concept on Dresden. This is the corner building about a block west of the row that houses the very good Haven and Valenza. Parking is free on the streets that surround the buildings or you can opt for one of the lots or nearby valet. The exterior looks more like a municipal building or a bank than a restaurant, with white block columns extending from a red brick facade. 

I've been wanting to hit Kaleidoscope for some time and had the opportunity one late Sunday afternoon while out-and-about. It seemed like a good time to soak in the bar and maybe get a bite to eat - I was also interested in the beer selection. I was able to find a stool right at the bar - there were already quite a few waiting to be seated for an early dinner. The interior has contemporary fixtures and an open kitchen at one end - the bar is a dominant feature lining the wall to the right. Besides a rather extensive liquor collection there's also a bunch of sporting bobble-heads across the top shelf - a bit of kitsch for this neighborhood pub.

I love draft beer and focused on the Creature Comforts Koko Buni Milk Porter with Coconu - of course they were out. The Westbrook 5th Anniversary Raspberry Chocolate Imperial Stout was recommended and while I loved the flavor on the first couple of pulls, the aftertaste got the better of me about halfway down the glass. I think those flavors are only good in small amounts, at least for me.

For food I looked to the Specials menu and chose a Tomato Tortilla soup with Avocado and queso fresco - it was good but I should have gotten the bowl - the cup is indeed a tease. I backed this up with the Award Winning Kaleidoscope Burger - pimento cheese, slaw, green tomato chow chow, bread and butter pickles as a double and it was quite delicious. I recommend this one highly. The fires were hand-cut style skin on and very hot. I also finished things up with a Brouwerij Huyghe Delirium Tremens Belgian Strong Pale Ale that was extremely good and gave me quite the buzz.

The bartenders were fairly attentive, preferring to dote over all the honeys gathered in groups around the bar - this looks like a great place to hang and meet people - of course I'm 20 years too late for that but you get the drift. Good vibes and lots of people drinking and having a good time. The food was exceptional and the craft draft selection way above average. I'm expecting to come again.

-- John

(also posted to Yelp)
 

Yard House - Atlantic Station - Atlanta Georgia

You can find Yard House at 261 19th Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30363 in Atlantic Station - Midtown near the Publix and LA Fitness. If you haven't visited Atlantic Station, this is a sprawling mixed-use development with restaurants, shops and housing nestled in the old Atlantic Station railway complex, thus the name. There's some limited parking on the streets but they really get too jammed up to use so just park on the Publix end of the underground deck.

 The restaurant is located on one end of a block-long row of buildings with both exterior (via patio) and interior seating. The appearance is retro-brownstone meats industrial loft and will be sure to get the nod from any hipster. The interior bar is rather spectacular with beer? tubing along the ceilings leading to the many taps around the center stage - while there is a full bar, this place is really about the beer and there are many options, many on draft. I found the selection exceptional with many things to try - some of my favorite locals were on hand as well as some well-seasoned regional craft.

I've had occasion to visit a few times and in every case it was fairly easy to find seating at the bar. The bartenders do a great job once you get their attention - the times I've gone this took a few minutes, not that they were that busy but the bar is massive and it's easy to miss someone newly sat (so make yourself a bit obnoxious and flag someone down!). Once you get that first draft and order up some appetizers you'll be feeling fine and can take everything in - at least everything you can see. This place is dark as Hades, so to speak, so keep the flashlight on your phone handy while looking at menus.

Speaking of menu, it's fairly extensive with many options - on the occasions I've visited (once before a movie - there's a large Regal cineplex in the same long row of buildings - quite handy to have a bar so close, actually; and a couple of other times while hitting technology meetups in nearby venues) I've tended to feed on bits of spicy chicken - they have these boneless firecracker wings - they're supposed to be hot but they're more spicy than hot if you know what I mean. I've also had the calamari and the moo shu eggroles - all of these were good and satisfying. Nothing great, mind, but still worth giving a whirl. I've also had the :Gardein™ Fried Chicken Strips" with fries and thought them almost inadequate - tons of breading and cold fries.

All this being said, while Yard House hits things off well it finishes a bit flat. I think the service and food can be a bit better - it's not horrible but not what I would call great. Still, it's worth dropping in, especially if you're waiting on a movie, happen to overlap the happy hour and want to sample the exceptional beer selection. I think it's a pub that wants to be a restaurant but needs a little shake-up or maturing. I have high hopes for it  and it's certainly competitive to the nearby Meehan's.

-- John

 (also posted to Yelp)
 

Palookaville Fine Foods - Avondale Estates Georgia

You can find Palookaville Fine Foods at 17 S Avondale Plaza, Avondale Estates, GA 30002 right in the heart of downtown Avondale Estates (or at least what I think of as downtown). This fine establishment sits at the corner of N. Avondale Rd (turns into East College further West and Covington Hwy further East) and N. Clarendon Ave. You can park in the lot on the N. Clarendon Ave side or nearby either in lots or on the street. Do be careful as this area of town is infamous for the speed traps, especially during posted school zone times.

You may have heard of Jim Stacy via his show "Offbeat Eats" or maybe via his "Get Delicious" shows on PBS. I've known him for many years, either through friends or from his corn dog stand at the Starlight Drive-In Theater on Moreland. While I am a huge fan of the corn dog, I actually prefer a big sloppy Chicago style dog so after venturing to My Parent's Basement for a brewskie and kimcheese sandwich, I decided to head to Palookaville for something a bit more substantial (plus a boozy shake, of course).

The interior of Palookaville is made up of reclaimed wood and reused surfaces - it's quite warm and looks very lived-in. Along the walls are tons of kitsch and memorabilia, much of it echoing my own collecting interests so yes, I felt right at home indeed. I saddled up to the bar and engaged a rather overworked and hectic bartender. There are two menus available - one primarily made up of cocktails and the other primarily of food creations). There were quite a few delicious-sounding options including egg creams, cream sodas, parfaits, custom syrup sodas and shaketails - yum! I decided to go with a basic boozy shake made up of vanilla ice cream and Kraken rum (my old standby for Dark and Stormy's).

The food menu consists of the aforementioned Corndogs (with several options from beef to a veggie option made from Mt Olive pickle); Hot Dogs (referenced as Frankfurter Sandwiches), chopped salads, vegan or meat chili bowls, pork burgers, your typical topped fries and a mess of house sandwiches. 

With all this going on, I decided that I needed the Reuben - 1/2 LB of pastrami, sauerkraut and Swiss cooked with 1000 island dressing on rye with half sour. I'm happy to say that it was juicy, greasy and oh-so-good! I think this will be my go-to sandwich in future visits.

In a way, I wish I still lived in Clarkston as this is the ideal hangout for me (well, between Palookaville and My Parents' Basement most of my needs are covered). As it is, I think this is going to be a regular stop when I shop at the Dekalb Farmers Market.

-- John

(slightly shorter review posted to Yelp)

My Parents Basement - Avondale Estates Georgia

You can find My Parents' Basement at 22 N. Avondale Road, Avondale Estates, GA 30002
across from the Agnes Scott campus but further East - the business occupies the same building that formerly housed the very good James Joyce pub (and wasn't it the original location of Avondale Pizza before the moved across the street and West?).

If you haven't been to Avondale Estates there are now a handful of destination spots that makes it worthwhile to visit - the aforementioned Avondale Pizza was a favorite of mine, but as indicated I haven't enjoyed those pies since moving from the area. Also nearby is the very good Skip's Hot Dogs (how many stand-alone hot dog joints do you know about?). Add to the list Palookaville and now My Parent's Basement. I decided to spend an early afternoon in the area while my SO was trail-biking and wanted to try MPB - I don't quite remember who first told me about the restaurant, it was either a neighbor or Clay Croker, in any case I hit the restaurant around One-ish - the restaurant was busy but not full. I parked to the left of the building and took a couple of snaps before entering. The exterior has a large patio where you can sit and be loud if that's your style.

The interior is finished in dark woods (left-over from James Joyce) with a large bar to the left, filled with tap handles. To the right is the attended comic-book section, with a counter on the entry-wall. Tables are scattered about - I headed to the bar since I was my myself after taking a quick walk through the comic book area. The comics are in long boxes on the right while an expansive selection of trades are in upright shelves. Behind the comics are a small assortment of stand-up video games - I spotted Centipede and three others (one prominently labeled "Nintendo"). The pub is surprisingly quiet (no blaring muzak here) even with the video games going at the back. Also no annoying TV with sports or obnoxious conservative news programs continually droning in the background.

Seated at the bar, I took-a-look at a single page food menu and several pages of craft draft and bottled beer - the back page held a short wine and spirits list - this is a full bar though it may have a limited selection of hard-spirits (at least a large selection wasn't evident). There are comic book and related geeky items on the walls, including what appeared to be an 18" Kenner Alien behind the bar. I was already enjoying myself and hadn't ordered a thing! Looking over the menu I went with the most excellent Cherry Street Chief Sawnee's Stash Coconut Porter - if you haven't tried this delicious brew yet from this brewery in Cumming Georgia, you're really missing out. Simply delicious.

Continuing with the menu, which thematically seems to hold those concoctions you might envision while living in your parents' basement (get it?), I spied the Grilled Kimcheese (Kimchee Grilled Cheese) - well there's something you don't see every day? I asked about the seasonal veggies - roasted okra for the win! I decided to go with the single draft and a snack before hitting Palookaville and a boozy shake - great plan, right?

The Grilled Kimcheese was excellent - the perfect combination of fermented spicy cabbage and yellow cheese on buttery pan-seared sourdough with the side of okra. Between the porter, the sandwich and the okra, I'm not too sure what was best but the combination really rocked.

I started up a conversation with an elderly couple next to me and found that they were really enjoying themselves also, having drafts, the Kimcheese and a few sides. I hope to be as spry and willing to try something different when I approach that age. Nothing like great conversation and good food to make a sleepy weekend into something special.

-- John

(shorter version posted to Yelp)