About Us

Who We Are

Asylum Kitchen was created for those who seek refuge from mundane and ordinary dining. We strive to be your haven for an extraordinary culinary experience. Founded in 2021 as an artisan taco stand, we quickly evolved into one of Columbia's most elevated eateries and bars. With attention to detail and creativity, we have created a craft cocktail menu that aims to please. We research every spirit, use all-natural fresh ingredients and are committed to consistency. Our goal is to open your mind to new flavor combinations, while drawing you in with our take on the classics.
About the Founder:
Hi, I'm Chanel Rene! I've been a serial entrepreneur since 1999, when I graduated from Culinary school and started a private chef business. Eventually this led to food photography, then Fashion Photography for 15 years in Los Angeles. In 2015, I fell in love with Real Estate and built a career in coastal Orange County. Upon moving to Tennessee in 2021, I realized there was a lack of food diversity in the area and chose to put the chef's jacket back on and pursue my first full-service restaurant endeavor.
Entrepreneurship runs in the family. My daughter Anabelle, owns and operates The Loco Lemon, a gourmet lemonade stand and bubble tea café in the Arts District. She actually started her food business in 2016, so she's got me beat by a few years. ;)
I'm always in the kitchen, but I'm happy to stop by your table if you have any questions or concerns.

What We Serve

We are Columbia's first Tapas bar, specializing in small plates and tasting menus. Each dish will come to you as it's made in no particular order. 75% of our menu are small portions, meaning you will want to order more than one item. We make everything in house using the freshest ingredients and locally sourced when possible. We're serving bold flavors from Latin America, Asia, India, Italy and beyond. While we have a set main menu, we also have a feature menu that changes weekly.

Dining Room Etiquette

Parents, to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, we kindly request keeping an eye on your little ones to keep them from running around and to avoid damages in the dining area. This helps us maintain a comfortable environment for all our guests. We do not have a kid’s menu or high chairs, so please plan your visit accordingly.

No pets of any kind are allowed in the dining room under any circumstances. Service animals specifically trained to aid a person with a disability are always welcome.

The Lounge

A dress code is in place to maintain a sophisticated atmosphere and to enhance the overall lounge experience for all patrons. We kindly request that our guests adhere to a smart casual dress code. Please avoid overly casual attire such as shorts, flip-flops, work boots and athletic wear.

No one under the age of 21 will be allowed in the lounge during normal business hours. Private parties can only be booked for guests age 16 and up, no exceptions.

We ask that every guest is respectful of each other as well as kind to our staff and our furnishings. Any disruption or damage will result in loss of access to the lounge.