The bar is everything I look for from a cocktail bar - spacious yet cozy, dark with enough light to…read moreread what's in front of you, and quality drink. The cocktails were the star of the night - ranging from $11 to $13 - both their classics and house creations were well balanced and worth trying. Table service was provided with attentive wait staff who weren't overbearing. The only miss for the night was the food. While certain items like the fries and the Brussels sprouts were great, other items like the burger and duck tacos didn't hit the mark with a burger that was too dry and overly charred and the tacos which were too gamey and could have used a some more acid. For a drink I'd certainly visit again, but would likely pass on food.

We came here for dinner and drinks on a date night. The environment is nice and cozy and when you…read morewalk in you see a beautiful dessert display! We of course had to try a slice of peanut butter cake. My husband loved it (he picked the dessert). I picked our drinks and they have an excellent drink variety. We started our meal with the queso tots and they were delicious! Wiped them out! I ordered the lobster mac and cheese and he got the philly cheesesteak. He absolutely raved about his sandwich and said it was the best he ever had. I wouldn't order the lobster mac again but it was presented beautifully. I look forward to going back and trying the mussels. I saw many of those orders coming out and definitely looked so good! Great spot to check out for drinks, desserts, and a bite!

Both higher-end and casual options depending on what you want. Small space so there may be a wait…read moretime, but we got lucky on a raining evening. The food was excellent. There are small bites to choose from as soon as you are seated which are easy to fill up on. We then ordered stuffed mussels - which were could-have-just-ordered-this-all-night delicious. Then I ordered the Cavatelli al Modo Mio, which was a perfectly al dente pasta and chopped squash cooked with sage and brown butter. Save room for dessert! We ordered the Dark Chocolate Budino which we would get again! So good. The wine selection is modeled after Venetian wine bars - the staff is friendly and very knowledgeable to help with recommendations to pair with your meal. We were excited about the Negroni selection and cocktails but need to explore the wine menu more next time.

This place is a true hole in the wall. The vibes are homey and they have outdoor seating that has a…read morelittle bit of a private feel to it. Our server was so nice and incredible. And the food. So amazing. I'm very particular about when I get pasta bc often times it is overpriced for what it is, which this place is still expensive, but their pasta is so so good!!! Can't recommend enough.

One of the nicer restaurants in Columbia but I have to say that the layout was just poorly set. I…read morehad to squeeze my way into the bar as the bar seats were all crammed together. The food and drinks were excellent (though I would only come here for a light meal) and the bartender was very knowledgeable. Though, I honestly didn't get a very interactive experience as my attempts to further interact with the bartender didn't result in anything. I typically enjoy wine bars for these interactions so it was quite disappointing to not get that here.

Every once in a while you get lucky. Little did we know Lula Drake was a Michlin mentioned…read morerestaurant...in 2024. Not sure WHY they are not still listed. Our waiter CAMERON knew his job was to GUIDE customers on their culinary journey...with spot on advice, provided with the same conviction as a Baptist preacher converting souls...we had a delicious and memorable journey indeed.

We went here for brunch on Sunday. It's a nice clean restaurant they also have patio seating for…read morepet friendly area. Which was nice , the food was great . The breakfast burritos were delicious, the yogurt bowl was yummy plenty of fruit. The S'mores latte was delicious. The service was good , nothing exciting. So for this part of the review everything was good. (I had ordered the tres Leche pancakes because I was intrigued. When I got the tres leche pancakes I very disappointed there was no taste of tres leche anywhere on those pancakes , all I could taste was regular plain pancakes with syrup , it does come with plantains those were pretty good . I had thought that maybe they would put some tres leche in between the pancakes themselves. But no they were very dry. And the waiter didn't even give me the bacon that came with my pancakes ,I had to ask for it and if i didn't get the bacon.I would have been charged for the bacon . Waiter needs to be more aware of what comes with the plates. Anyway don't order the tres leche pancakes you will be disappointed. No stars for this experience) Overall the restaurant was nice and the other food we got was good.

Publico was fine, but it wasn't really my favorite Mexican experience. The chips, quesadilla,…read morefries, and tacos I got were pretty average as compared to other Mexican restaurants, and nothing about them really stood out. In addition, my waitress was nice, but I would've liked it if she was a tad more attentive. Although I didn't drink on this occasion, I've been to Publico in the past, and I will say that their margaritas are much better than comparable Mexican places. So, perhaps if you're looking for a Mexican place that has good drinks rather than great food, Publico seems like a nice option. As for the ambiance, it was a cool place. It was dimly lit, and they had TVs all over the back wall where you could watch the day's sporting events. The bar looked like it had a cool vibe as well, and they have a back patio that's perfect for outside dining. All-in-all, I'd probably go back and recommend Publico for drinks and ambiance, but would likely head elsewhere if I'm looking for great Mexican food.

Never disappoints - our go-to spot in downtown Columbia!…read more Christal and I have been coming to Hampton Street Vineyard for several visits now, and it truly never disappoints. Every time we walk in, we're greeted with that warm, welcoming vibe in the historic Sylvan Building - it's cozy yet elegant, perfect for a special night out or just a really great meal. The food is outstanding: seasonal, fresh ingredients shine through in every dish, and the wine list is impressive (no surprise with their Wine Spectator award). We've tried a variety of plates over our visits, and nothing has missed the mark - always flavorful, beautifully presented, and satisfying. What keeps us coming back (and recommending it nonstop) is how consistently excellent it is. We run Chestnut Cottage Inn just 4 blocks away, so we send our guests here all the time. Without fail, they come back raving about their meal and the great time they had. It's the perfect spot for visitors to Columbia - close by, reliable, and memorable. If you're in the area, do yourself a favor and book a table. You won't regret it! Highly recommend for dinner or their weekend brunch.

We went last night to celebrate a birthday and were underwhelmed. I will say it's restaurant week…read moreand they were busy, but not full . To begin I had requested a window seat @6:00 for 2 which was not available. We arrived 15 minutes early , so I would have expected to be given the choice to wait for a window table or be sat , no offer made. And speaking of tables , the chairs are super uncomfortable and you notice that as soon as you sit, hard and straight . We ordered from the special menu , but it was offerings from the regular standard menu . My husband had the flat iron steak w broccolini for extra $10.00 up charge . Steak was seasoned well but very small 6 oz portion . Broccolini was a mystery , served almost raw with charred ends. Was too tough to eat or cut with knife. I ordered the Beef short rib w Brussels sprouts and parsnips. The beef was flavorful, tasted exactly like crock pot roast . Agin , the Brussel sprouts were hard as a rock, literally! When trying to stick the fork into it , it flew off the plate ! I love al dente vegetables but last nights were extremely undercooked with NO flavor at all.Without seasonings Brussel sprouts can taste like dirt , and these did . Desert was date sticky pudding which was excellent . Summary is for $165.00 dinner we left underwhelmed , hungry and looking for the nearest Taco Bell. I would like to note our server was great .

Beautiful way to start a long weekend on the patio at Gervais & Vine. This month's special wine…read moreflight is from Argyle in Oregon - a delight. The wine menu for the flight is actually embedded with flower seeds! Also enjoyed hot goat cheese dip, fingerling potatoes, Spanish meatballs and scallops. Everything was fresh and tasty. Sitting on the patio is a unique experience. We encountered a slight tilt, many overly load mufflers and some delightfully well behaved French poodles. Service was kind and attentive. Already looking forward to our next visit.

Great food and service. Nice wine selection. The place has a very cozy feeling and is easily…read moreaccessible. Highly recommend.

Really awesome authentic Italian food in Columbia proper!…read more Sauces are made in house, portions are great, but service was AMAZING! Our server Mattie knew the menu very well and made excellent suggestions based off what we liked. Really awesome all around experience, and they offer a military/1st responder/veteran discount.

I really wanted to like this place. The food was delicious and the dessert was also pretty good…read more Their service is where they lose their stars for me. I felt like I was being served by high schoolers. I felt like I was forgotten for most of my experience. Though I would like to add that the restaurant is very beautiful (especially their outside seating).

My friends this is the best dinning experience in Columbia, SC. I travel for work and came across…read morethis hidden gem for dinner. Parking was a bit crazy but well worth the food and wine selections they offer. I personally recommend their Gnudi dish which features ricotta dumplings over slow cooked brisket with red pepper flakes. The dumplings were light and the brisket was tender. Put away the pepper and salt shaker because the chef has perfected the menu. Service was top chef and they performed at a Michelin level anticipating your every need. This place would be perfect for special occasions and events. They offer 25% off take home bottles of their special collections of curated wines. Also, there restaurant does not accept gratuity and donates any cash tips toward the World Central Kitchen. Thank you for setting the bar and I will definitely be back each time I'm in town!

Great location I wish I'd have found sooner…read more Came here for Valentine's Day dinner. Love the ambiance. Hunter greeted us at the door and was cool and very funny. The wait staff was aces. The food was excellent. I had The brusselsprouts / beets appetizer which was very good choice. I had the pork chop which was cooked perfectly and they even accommodated my request for a side of braised cabbage which was also very good. I didn't have dessert. Yes I'd come back!

Delicious food, eclectic upscale decor really made this place stand out. Elijah, our server was…read morejust the right amount of attentive amd knowledgeable.

I'm happy I visited. 3.5/5 stars. Nothing overwhelming…read more The food was good but not outstanding (we only got charcuterie though... wish I tried more). Keep in mind that the menu updates ever-so-often, but: The drinks we tried spanned from "ok" to "great." I highly recommend the "Lavender" libation, it was great! Bubbly, tasty. The "pear fect " drink was ok, not worth it imo. Too sweet/no decor to enhance it. One dimensional taste. Super juicy/sweet if you're into that, and felt super strong alcohol-wise honestly (that's a plus). There is a tiki bar underneath. That was fun. If you're looking for an "experience," this is underwhelming, but if you're purely interested in the flavors of food/drinks, I'd say give it a try.

The food here is consistently good. I mostly come here for their desserts (made in-house) but their…read moreregular menu items are just as good. The bartenders are a joy to talk to. It can get very loud and crowded but the live music is still fantastic. I would recommend grabbing a reservation if you want a table or else you'll get dropped at the bar (which is my favorite place to be).

Cuisine: 8 Service: 8…read moreDecor: 8 Value: 8 Overall: 8 Just a fantastic Italian restaurant all around in downtown Columbus, SC. I have eaten here twice and loved both of my experience. On my recent visit, I was able to enjoy one of the best Caesar Salad in recent memory, as well as a delicious Mushroom Soup. However, the highlight had to be the Fish Of The Day. The phenomenal Crab Meat Stuffed NC Rainbow Trout had a wonderful saffron, tomato, and fennel broth with toasted fregola. I am quite shocked at how many good Italian restaurants are in this part of SC, but I am certainly thankful that my best option is not Olive Garden.