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| - I have wanted to try this place for quite some time now and have just not had the right opportunity. Last night, a guest from out of town and I decided that it was the night. Boy, was the wait vindicated!
A humble, small place on a side street so that you'd never see it, Kaleidoscope cafe is small, intimate, and cozy. The art on the walls is appropriately modern, as is the dark blue color on the walls, and each table is hand-painted by a different artist and then lacquered. This makes you want to not only look at your table, but walk around the room and view the entire (small) place. There's even a little kaleidoscope on every table.
Our server was friendly, had excellent suggestion, and was very accommodating of food allergies and substitutions. For a place that highlighted walnuts, I was able to get nearly anything I wanted nut-free.
We started with a hot sausage and white bean soup, which was delicious! My friend ordered the salmon and risotto, and I went safe with the filet mignon and garlic mashed potatoes. He was blown away by the risotto and very pleased with the salmon; I couldn't believe the steak. It was the single finest-cooked piece of beef I've ever eaten, flavorful and buttery-tender.
Desserts were both tasty and creative: a flourless chocolate torte for the safe-minded, and a rosemary shortbread with a lemon custard for something nicely off the beaten path.
The chef made sure to come speak to us after the meal, and that added to the sense that these people really care about what they're doing.
The restaurant was mildly on the pricy side, and the portions were not as large as I'd have liked - I left after eating soup, entree, and dessert, and was mildly full - but all in all, I don't think there's a restaurant in the city I'm more excited to try again.
Bravo, Kaleidoscope!
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