Restaurants in Columbia ( South - Carolina )
CLOTH NAPKIN RESTAURANTS:
Blue Marlin, The (1994)
Lincoln St
Specialties: Shrimp and grits; grilled or Cajun mahimahi; Carolina deviled crabcakes. “Lowcountry New South cuisine in old train station; casual 50s Art Deco decor.”
Cellars Fine Food & Spirits (1990)
Columbia Northeast Dr.,
Specialties: Rack of lamb; tenderloin of beef; brandied chicken. “Intimate, romantic setting; can accommodate special dietary needs.”
Dianne’s on Devine (1995)
Devine St., Specialties: Seafood-stuffed N.Y. strip topped with a lobster dill champagne sauce; Fettuccine Dianne; Chicken Fellini. Enjoy Italian/fusion cuisine served in an intimate, elegant atmosphere. Full service bar featuing happy hour Mon.-Fri., an extensive wine list, nightly specials, live music. Experience al fresco dinning on our enclosed patio.
Garibaldi’s of Columbia (1986)
Green St.
Specialties: Crispy flounder; crab-stuffed grouper; potato-crusted salmon. “Everything prepared in-house; day-caught seafood; soft pink decor, Art Deco bar.”
Gervais & Vine (1999)
Gervais St.,
Specialties: The Alsutian Plate with wild mushroom paté and black forest
ham; Smoked Mahi spread; wine friendly bar food. A great relaxed place to
learn more about wine and enjoy up to 50 different wines by the glass.
Offers weekly wine classes and tastings. Owned by Mr. Friendly’s New
Southern Café. Winner of Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.
Hampton Street Vineyard (1995)
Hampton St Specialties: Lump crabcakes; rack of lamb;grilled fish. “An American bistro; melting pot cuisine features unique sauces; urban interior in 1871 bulding; a geagraphical elevator.”
Hannah Jane’s (1994)
Devine St., 256-0428
Specialties: Breads/spreads; fresh catch daily specials; pork chops stuffed with crabcakes with applespice glaze. “New American bistro-style cuisine; front wall is garage door which we can open for watching Five Points at night.”
Specialties: Pommerey salmon filet; N.Y. strip steak au poivre; Thai-style filet mignon; “On two stories; original tin ceiling from former hardware store upstairs; caters to professional business clients.”
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Key West Grill (1991)
Bush River Rd., 772-0046
Specialties: Blackened jumbo shrimp with southern grits; pan-seared Ahi tuna with wasabi mayonnaise; cashew crusted baked red snapper. “Blending creative savory recipes with a tropical atmosphere, Key West Grill is as special as the Keys themselves. Our goal is excellent service, and we think this makes all the difference.”
LaVecchia’s (1998)
Main St., 376-8888
Specialties: Smoked trout with red wine poached pear, fennel and walnut salad; basil sauteed shrimp with lemon-spinach risotto and red pepper vinaigrette; a wide selection of freash oysters and other seafoods. “Located in downtown Columbia, LaVecchia’s opened to rave reviews, and its owners hope to help spearhead the revitalization of the Main Streen area.”
Longhorn Steakhouse (1991)
A Gervais St., 254-5100
Specialties: USDA choice Western grain-fed beef; prime rib; Northwestern salmon. “Steaks cut in-house daily; multi-level Texas roadhouse decor; lots of USC memorabilia; a fun restaurant for a really great steak; also chicken, seafood.”
Mangia! Mangia! (1995)
State St., West Columbia, 791-3443
Specialties: Osso bucco; homemade ravioli stuffed with four cheeses and prosciutto, tossed with homemade pesto; tiramisu. Authenticity of food, sophistication of the eclectic decor, and dedication to service are all attended to with equal attention to detail, style, and flair.”
Motor Supply Company Bistro (1989)
Gervais St., 256-6687
Specialties: marinated pork chop, grilled tuna, sweet Thai chili with minted red onion relish, blue corn chicken with homemade salsa. “Creative Thai-French-Italian-New South menu changes every shift. Casually elegant bistro in renovated building on the National Register of Historic Places; patio dining in urban sculpture garden.”
Mr. Friendly’s New Southern Cafe (1995)
-A Greene St., 254-7828
Specialties: Filet mignon with French Quarter pimento cheese; pecan crabcakes with sherry cayenne mayo; fried grits with herbed goat cheese and roasted garlic. “Fresh local ingredients used in exciting new ways; in historic Claussen’s bakery (inn) building; extensive wine list; live jazz on Mondays; winner of Five Points chili cook-off.”
One-Two-Three (1990)
St. Andrews Rd., 781-0118
Specialties: Fresh fish; certified Angus beef; Lowcountry crabcakes.
The Rhino Room (1999)
Gervais St., 799-7749
Specialties: Fresh fish, aged beef, pasta, deep-dish pizzas. Big portions, hearty recipes. “Everything is fresh and made from scratch. Great food in a relaxed environment. Fine dining service in a tavern-style setting. Building is on the National Register of Historic Places.”
Ristorante Divino (1995)
Gervis St.
Specialties: Medallions of veal with porcini cream sauce; sesame seed encrusted yellowfin tuna; roasted rack of lamb Aristocrate; homemade gnocchi with gorgonzola cream sauce. “Authentic Northern Italian cuisine; emphasis on seasonal seafood and other ingredients; atmosphere reminiscent of Italy.”
Saluda’s (1996)
Saluda Ave.,
Specialties: Grilled and rubbed filet mignon with mango and crabmeat sauce; shrimp and grits with Cabernet redeye gravy; smoked duck fajita with a jalapeno mayonnaise. “Striving to provide a sense of complete gratification, with rich decor (classic armed chairs, antique bar, panoramic wood-framed windows high above street level), attentive service, a menu combining unique creations with assertive seasonings for unparalleled flavor, presented in smoke-free setting.”
Sesame Inn Chinese Restaurant (1991)
Harbison Blvd.,
Specialties: General Tso’s chicken; Peking duck; whole fish. “Gourmet style , authentic, original dishes; over 100 entrees; friendly, relaxed atmosphere; lighter fare menu, very low salt, no oil, no MSG.”
Villa Tronco (1941)
Blanding St.,
Specialties: Maryland crabcakes; seafood Italiano; chicken fettuccine; Amaretto bread pudding; Carmella’s cheesecake. “Historic landmark; Old World charm; skylit dining room; family-owned for four generations (carrying on Sadie Tronco’s legacy); first Italian restaurant in Columbia; wonderful desserts!”
Vista Brewing and Bistro (1996)
Gervais St.,
Specialties: Seared tuna with relish of tomatoes, scallions, peppers, served with basil mashed potatoes; Black Angus top sirloin with sauteed spinach, shoestring potatoes with bearnaise sauce; rabbit a la mourtarde with pasta du jour. “Creative fine dining in a lively bistro atmosphere; 90-year-old brick wall and inported slate floors; highly acclaimed French chef from New York City. Late dinners feature omelets and crabcake benedict.”
Za’s Brick Oven Pizza (1998)
Devine St. Suite E,
Specialties: Brick oven pizzas; veggie Za; Mexican Za; Take and Bake pizzas; nightly specials; soups, salads, sandwiches, pastas, pizzas, calzones; “Za’s gives customers the opportunity to create a unique pizza by offering 60 different toppings, 11 sauces and 12 cheeses. Za’s offers a laid-back, friendly atmosphere as well as a full-service bar and open kitchen, and is the first and only restaurant in Columbia to offer delicious California-style pizza.”
CLOTH NAPKINS AT DINNER
PAPER NAPKINS AT LUNCH RESTAURANTS:
Birds on a Wire (1994)
Devine St.,
Specialties: Rotisserie chicken and turkey; blackened pork tenderloin over cheddar cheese crawfish grits; meatloaf with macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes. It’s what you want, but don’t cook at home.”
Miyo’s Gourmet Shanghai and Szechuan Cuisine (1996)
South Main St.,
Specialties: Light, contemporary northern Chinese cuisine; fresh seafood, create-your-own vegetarian choices; chicken, pork and filet dishes. Full bar, premium saki and tempting European-style desserts. “One of the most popular dining spots downtown for locals and visitors.”
New Orleans Riverfront Restaurant (1996)
Alexander Rd.,
Specialties: Flounder stuffed with crab; crabcakes; prime rib; jambalayas. “Very large portions served outdoors or in, on the edge of the river with its natural habitats and a view of Columbia.”
Stellini’s (1994)
O’Neils Ct.,
Specialties: Stellini fettuccine (shrimp, scallops, mussels); pasta jambalaya (chicken, andouille sausage, tasso in a Creole tomato sauce); crawfish fettuccine. “Open kitchen, sauces from scratch, large portions, reasonably priced.”
Tiffany’s Cafe and Bakery on Devine (1997)
Devine St.,
Specialties: Fried green tomato BLT with apple smoked bacon on sundried tomato bread; crab cakes benedict with orange hollandaise; pignoli encrusted salmon with red chili aioli and orzo. “New South delicatessen with Mediterranean specialties offering the freshest and highest quality product available with various ingredients complementing one another and presented in a pleasing environment. Of course a fine wine and dessert would top off your dining experience.”
PAPER NAPKIN RESTAURANTS:
Browsing Brew (1999)
Forest Dr. (inside Happy Bookseller),
Specialties: Teas; fruit smoothies; desserts; Perfect Woman (sweet
cappuccino with a dark chocolate truffle, topped with fresh cream and
chocolate). “Comfortable, relaxed, eclectic café set in the best darn
bookstore this side of San Francisco. Perfect place to stop for coffee and
conversation or a great iced drink or smoothie.”
Cafe Strudel (1997)
State St., West Columbia,
Specialties: Deli sandwiches, prosciutto, smoked gouda, veggie supreme, smoked turkey a la Martino; an ever changing variety of award-winning desserts; European-style cafe and coffeehouse located in an early 20th century building serving the finest in pastries, beer and wines, coffees, scones, soups and deli sandwiches; consistent quality at affordable prices.
Carolina Crabhouse (1995)
Marina Rd., Ballentine,
Specialties: Grilled or blackened fresh fish daily; Frogmore stew; topped or raw oysters. “Lake view from every seat old barn wood walls, fireplace; everything homemade and in huge portions.”
Cool Beans! Coffee Co. (1998) College St.,
Specialties: Black bean wraps; Mediterranean panini; curry chicken salad
on Texas toast; Fantasia (Swiss chocolate mochaccino with fresh cream);
fast, affordable, healthy sandwiches. Great local artists’ works on the
walls. “We want people to think of Cool Beans! as the place to go for a
relaxing bite to eat or drink with a twist of cool coffeehouse culture. We
want people to feel like they are stopping by their own favorite gathering
spot.”
Courtyard Coffeehouse (1994)
State St.,
Specialties: Milky Way coffee (Chocolate cappuccino with caramel flavor); Ghirardelli, chocolate cake, carrot cake; Cheddar chicken breast, Falafel, spring chicken salad. “Comfort, quality and consistency. Great standard foods and unusual specials served quickly and friendly.”
D’s Wings (1987)
Axtell Dr.,
Specialties: Seafood, wings and ribs.
Damon’s
Senate St.,
Specialties: Ribs, prime rib, steaks, chicken, onion loaf. “1940s-era machinery plant finds new life in the Vista! “Clubhouse dining with 12′ screens and tableside speakers as well as casual dining in a cozy sports-themed dining room.
Frank’s Hot Dogs (l972)
Harden St.,
Specialties: New York hot dogs; corn dogs; fries. “Natural casing Hormel hot dogs.”
Garden Bistro (1999)
Gervais St
Specialties: Cuban Smashed sandwich, Garden Club tortilla wrap, Antz Delight tortilla wrap; good food and good atmosphere; the feel of patio dining created by a panoramic mural with garden scenes and a tree that “grows” in the center of the restaurant with branches coming down from the ceiling.
Groucho’s Deli (194l)
Harden St
Specialties: ISM chicken critter (grilled marinated chicken); world-famous original dipping sandwiches; Greek farm pizza.”Oldest original deli in SC; USC and Groucho’s artifacts dating back 56 years; delivering full stomachs and great taste.”
Jillian’s (1997)
Gervais St.,
Specialties: Hibachi grill, daily pizza and sandwich specialties; American Fare including soups, salads, burgers and wraps. “A rock and roll atmosphere you have to see to believe. Jillian’s is a unique dining and entertainment complex featuring two restaurants under one roof. The huge TVs lining the walls in the Sports Cafe make it the best place to watch the game, and Jillian’s Hibachi Grill is dining at its wildest. No matter what the occassion, there’s always a party at Jillian’s, so plan your celebration now!”
Lizard’s Thicket (1977)
Market St.
14 restaurant locations in Columbia.
Specialties: Fried chicken; pot roast; macaroni and cheese. “Home cooking, reasonable prices, fast service.”
New York Bagel Cafe (1995)
Harden St.,
Sumter St.,
Specialties: Gamecock (roast beef, smoked turkey, American cheese, lettuce, tomato); Brooklyn Bomber (hot pastrami, melted mozzarella on bagel or bread); Wall Street (everything bagel with vegetable cream cheese and smoked turkey). “Finest high-gluten flour bagels made the time-consuming way; Thumann meats.”
Nice-N-Natural (1982)
College St
Specialties: Chicken salad sandwich; fruit and nut salad; spinach salad. “Eat in a turn-of-the-century home; leave knowing you’ve just had a satisfying, refreshing, good tasting lunch that’s good for you.”
Rising High Natural Bread Co.
Harden St.,
St. Andrews Rd
Specialties: Italian grilled panini, chicken salad sandwich, sweet potato salad, coffee and espresso drinks. “Our unique breads, pastries and dressings are made in the restaurant daily. Live acoustic jazz at Harden street location on weekends in totally smoke-free casual atmosphere.”
Tiffany’s Bakery and Eatery (l977)
Two Notch Rd.,
Specialties: Spring Valley chicken salad, Tiffany’s famous hamburger basket, grilled chicken breast “Natural/health delicatessen offering the same quality of food, service and all bakery needs day in and day out, year after year! Our customers can come here and be satisfied.”