Bites & Sights Summer 2016

COLUMBIA’S PREMIER VISITORS GUIDE SUMMER 2016

Dining, Attractions and Nightlife

free-times.com/restaurants free-times.com/restaurants | Summer 2016

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C O N S I D E R “ O L D FA S H I O N ED ” A C O M P L I ME N T. A N D A D A R N G O O D C O C K TA I L .

TA K E T H E RO A D L E S S TR AV E L ED .

S AV O R FA M O U S LY H O T C O L U M B I A O N E B I T E AT A T IM E .

924-A Senate Street at the Hilton Columbia Center In Columbia’s Historic Vista District 803.212.6666 2

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Summer 2016 | free-times.com/restaurants For Menus & Additional Information, visit RuthsChris.net

HISTORIC FOODS. MODERN FLAVORS. Healthy, Fresh, Seasonal, Local, Homemade, Unique, Affordable, and delicious prepared meals.

Online Ordering In-Store pickup Gym Deliveries 6903 St. Andrews Rd. • PrimalGourmetSC.com free-times.com/restaurants | Summer 2016

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BEE BEE TRAIL TRAIL FARM FARM

HUMBLE HUMBLE FARMS FARMS

SCSC STATE STATE FARMER’S FARMER’S MARKET MARKET

USC USC COMMUNITY COMMUNITY FARM FARM && GARDEN GARDEN

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Restaurants

PATCHWORK PATCHWORK FARMS FARMS

SANDHILLS SANDHILLS HEIRLOOMS HEIRLOOMS

T O M S U R R A A A FL N L N MID D D D I T T O saturday saturday 11:00 11:00 --6:00pm 6:00pm O M M S S U U R R R R FA FA MM

6 American/Southern 8 Asian 8 Bagel/Bakery 8 Bar/Pub Food 8 Bistro/

COLUMBIA’S PREMIER VISITORS GUIDE SUMMER 2016

MERCER MERCER HOUSE HOUSE ESTATE ESTATE

Dining, Attractions and Nightlife

TERRA TERRA KOT KOT TATA BEE TRAIL FARM MARKET MARKET SIX FARM BERRY SIX BEE BERRY SIXTRAIL BERRY FARM FARM FARM BEE TRAIL FARM BEE TRAIL BEE FARM FARM WRIGHT WRIGHT FARM FARM HUMBLE FARMS SC STATE FARMER’S OFOF SCSC SANDHILLS SANDHILLS USC MARKET New American HUMBLE FARMS HUMBLE HUMBLE SC FARMS STATE FARMS SC STATE SC STA S COMMUNITY HEIRLOOMS HEIRLOOMS FARM & GARDEN SANDHILLS 10 BBQ/Wings/Ribs

FARMER’S FARMER’S FARME F HEIRLOOMS PATCHWORK 11 Breweries/ USC USC MARKET USC MARKET MARK FARMS MERCER HOUSE MERCER MERCER HOUSE HOUSE X BERRY FARM COMMUNITY COMMUNITY BEE TRAIL FARM Brew Pubs ESTATE COMMUNITY TERRA KOT TA ESTATE ESTATE 12 Café/Coffee House FARM WRIGHT FARM FARM & GARDEN FARMFARM & SANDHILLS GARDEN & GARDEN SANDHILLS SANDH SA UMBLE FARMS SC STATE OF SC

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OFSANDHILLS SC 14 French SANDHILLS smoked carrot purée and HEIRLOOMS HEIRLOOMS olive soil at Nonnah’s/ 14 German PATCHWORK WORK Sea & Salt (see page 13).

14 Greek/ FARMS MERCER HOUSE RMS SIX BERRY FARM BEE TRAILMERCER FARM HOUSE BEE TRAIL FARM Mediterranean Photo by John Carlos.

ESTATE ESTATE www.MidlandsFarmTour.com TERRA KOT TA KOT TA 14 Indian

HUMBLE FARMS SC STATE SC STATE Tickets - $15 the day of the event. Kids under 10 free.

FARM WRIGHT FARM RM WRIGHT FARM Early bird tickets - $10 (website only) *plus processing fees.

FARMER’S 14 OF Italian SC FARMER’S OF SC The tour is free for SNAP, WIC, and EBT beneficiaries with cards.

USC MARKET MARKET 15 Japanese/Sushi COMMUNITY CheckFARM out the Farm to Fork Restaurant Feast week May 13 21 & GARDEN SANDHILLS SANDHILLS 15 Korean HEIRLOOMS HEIRLOOMS 16 Mexican/ PATCHWORK Southwestern FARMS MERCER HOUSE MERCER HOUSE Tickets Tickets - $15 - $15 the the day day of of thethe event. event.

Kids under under 1010 free. free.

Middle Eastern 16 Kids ESTATE ESTATE Published by TERRA KOT TA Early Early bird bird tickets tickets - $10 - $10 (website (website only) *plus *plus processing processing fees. fees. Evening only) 16 Peruvian Post Industries FARM WRIGHT FARM WRIGHT FARM out to theFork Farm to Fork Feast 13EBT 21 Pizza -16 Check outCheck the Farm Restaurant Feast week May 13 -WIC, 21May 1534 Main St., Columbia, SC 29201 OF SC week OF SC The The tour tour isRestaurant free is free for for SNAP, SNAP, WIC, and and EBT beneficiaries beneficiaries with with cards. cards.

(803) 765.0707 17 Seafood free-times.com 17 Steakhouse PUBLISHER: Chris Ratliff www.MidlandsFarmTour.com GENERAL MANAGER: Jen Coody 17 Tapas OFFICE MANAGER: 18 Thai Tickets - $15 the day of the event. Kids under 10 free.

Anton Dela Cruz Early bird tickets - $10 (website only) *plus processing fees.

18 Vegetarian EDITOR: Andy Shain yofofthe theevent. event.

Kids Kidsunder under10 10free. free.

The tour is free for SNAP, WIC, and EBT beneficiaries with cards.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR:

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Things to Do

Xavier Edwards

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27 Nightlife

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Did we list a restaurant that has closed? Did we overlook ckets - $15 the day of the event. Kids Tickets under - $15 10the free. day of the event. Kids under 10your free.favorite place? Let us knowfees. what you think: Email bird tickets - $10 (website only) Early *plus birdprocessing tickets - $10 fees. (website only) *plus processing ur is free for SNAP, WIC, andThe EBTtour beneficiaries is free forwith SNAP, cards.

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Bill Cranford bill@free-times.com, x 127 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: Hyatt Drake hyattd@free-times.com, x 153 ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Angie Bledsoe Linda Webb Hunter Wise

Advertisers in Free Times Bites & Sights assume responsibility for the entire content and subject matter of all advertisements. In case of error or omissions in advertisement, the publisher’s sole liability shall be to publish the advertisement at a later date. Notice of error must be made within ten days of first insertion. Views expressed in Free Times Bites & Sights reflect the opinion of the individual writer or artist and are not necessarily those of Free Times. Unsolicited submissions are welcome, but may not be returned. © 2016 Evening Post Industries. All rights reserved.

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Summer 2016 | free-times.com/restaurants

white duck taco shop 612 C whaley st columbia, sc 29201 803-814-0374

whiteducktacoshop.com @whiteduckcola

monday-friday 11:30-2pm - two tacos & a drink for $7 *pork belly & duck add $1 margarita mondays - $3 house, $5 top shelf - all day taco tuesdays 4-9pm - any taco and a beverage, second taco free extraordinary food, great service, tons of free parking

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Liberty on the Lake

American/ Southern Allean’s Southern Cuisine

alleanssoutherncuisine.com Northeast: 5 Lake Carolina Way #130, 803-764-7944 Wed-Fri noon-7 p.m., Sat. 1-8 p.m.; Sun 1-5 p.m.

Serves chicken wings, cornbread and a slew of sides familiar to Southern cuisine. Sweet potato pie, banana pudding and peach cobbler are available for dessert. ¢

California Dreaming

californiadreaming.co Downtown: 401 S. Main St., 803-254-6767 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m.-11 p.m..; Sun 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Located in a historic railroad station, California Dreaming has been popular ever since it opened in 1984. Serves large salads, burgers, sandwiches, seafood, pasta, chicken and steaks.

Excellent mixed drinks, and the honey croissants always are a hit. ¢-$

Carolina Ale House

carolinaalehouse.com Harbison/Irmo: 277 Columbiana Dr., 803-407-6996 Mon-Sun 11 a.m.-2 a.m.

Vista: 708 Lady St., 803-227-7150 Mon-Sun 11-2a.m.

North Carolina-based franchise offers salads, pizzas, appetizers, signature sandwiches and all manner of chicken, steaks, barbecue and ribs and seafood entrees. More than 30 beers on tap and 40 or so bottle selections. Vista location features popular rooftop bar. ¢-$

Compton’s Kitchen

comptonskitchen.com Lexington: 5343-L Sunset Blvd., 803-399-1272 Mon-Fri 6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Sat 6:30 a.m.noon; Sun 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

West Columbia/Cayce: 1118 B Ave., 803-791-0750 Mon-Fri 6 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Sat 6 a.m.-noon With most everything made from scratch, you can’t go wrong with the meat-and-veggies combos. Lunch entrees include fried chicken, stewed beef and rice, salmon patties, livers and gizzards and country-style steak.

Special menu with meals under 400 calories. ¢

Dupre at the Market

West Columbia/Cayce: 3483 Charleston Hwy., 803-509-5641 Sun-Mon 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Located at the South Carolina State Farmers Market, Dupre serves breakfast and lunch made with fresh produce from the market itself. Features classic breakfast items, as well as Southern favorites (catfish, fried gizzards), sandwiches, burgers, Greek favorites and more. ¢-$

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Eggs Up Grill

eggsupgrill.com Shandon/Rosewood: 2930 Devine St., 803-661-9174 Mon-Sun 6 a.m.-2 p.m.

A South Carolina chain devoted to breakfast foods, from waffles to omelets to loaded home-fry platters, plus lunch foods like burgers, sandwiches and wraps. All hail breakfast! ¢

Flight Deck

shoppesatflightdeck.com Lexington: 109-A Old Chapin Rd., 803-957-5990 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Family-owned restaurant with an extensive collection of WWII-themed memorabilia and photographs. Menu ranges from burgers and sandwiches to ribs, pizza and Greek specialties.

Blue-plate special includes one meat, two veggies, dessert and a drink. ¢

Grill Marks

grillmarks.com Vista: 711 Gervais St., 803-661-8932 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Fancy burgers, fancy shakes (with or without booze) and a swank atmosphere. Trivia on Mondays, 7-9 p.m. $

Harper’s Restaurant

harpersgroup.com Five Points: 700 Harden St., 803-252-2222 Mon-Wed 11:15 a.m.-10 p.m.; Thu. and Fri 11:15 a.m.-11 p.m. (kitchen to 10 p.m. Thu); Sat 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Part of a small Charlotte-based chain, Harper’s exceeds chain standards in both its food and its service. While the menu has burgers, sandwiches and nicely smoked meats (dig the firewood pile out back), Harper’s also offers fresh seafood, creative salads and more. Sunday brunch, too. $

Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles

kikischickenandwaffles.com Northeast: 7001 Parklane Rd., 803-699-5422 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.-midnight; Sat 9:30 a.m.-12 midnight; Sun 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m.

Chicken and waffles! And not just any old iteration of this soul food classic — Kiki’s offers a red velvet waffle if you’re feeling fancy. Also try the shrimp and grits. Bonus trivia: Both Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton have eaten here. ¢

Kingsman Restaurant

West Columbia/Cayce: 936 Axtell Dr. (Parkland Shopping Center), 803-796-8622 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

This longtime Cayce favorite offers everything from fried appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, pizza and wings to salads, lasagna and even liver and onions. Known for its grilled rib eye, which is one of the city’s best. Serves liquor. Busy lunch, lots of atmosphere. ¢

libertytaproom.com Harbison/Irmo: 1602 Marina Rd., 803-667-9715 Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

With sweeping, scenic views of Lake Murray from its multiple decks, Liberty on the Lake is a gorgeous place to knock back a few beers and some tasty, fresh-caught fish or a burger. Some of the same great salads, sandwiches and apps you’ll find at the Liberty in the heart of Columbia. $

Liberty Tap Room & Grill

Original Pancake House

originalpancakehousencsc.com Forest Acres: 4840 Forest Dr. (Trenholm Plaza), 803-782-6742 Mon-Fri 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat-Sun 7 a.m.-9 p.m.

Pancakes as you like them. Offering a full menu including cinnamon-glazed apple pancakes, freshly squeezed juices, homemade fruit syrups and more. And if you’re not in the mood for pancakes, try the meat-lovers omelet.

The lines are long for a reason; get there before church lets out and you’ll be in good shape. ¢

libertytaproom.com Vista: 828 Gervais St., 803-461-4677 Mon-Th 11 a.m.- 10 p.m, bar until midnight; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-12 a.m., bar until 2 a.m; Sun, 10 a.m.-10 pm, bar until midnight.

Liberty begins with sturdy American fare but doesn’t end there. Known for its delicious salads, you’ll also find an array of appetizers, succulent soups and colorful entrees. You can’t go wrong with the Freedom Burger (fried egg!) or any of the fresh seafood, pizzas, chicken and pastas. tbonz.com. $

Pawleys Front Porch

Lizard’s Thicket

Le Peep

lizardsthicket.com Downtown: 818 Elmwood Ave., 803-779-6407 Blythewood: 711-1 University Village Dr., 803-451-8400 Forest Acres: 3147 Forest Dr., 803-787-8781 Garners Ferry/Southeast: 7938 Garners Ferry Rd., 803-647-0095 Garners Ferry/Southeast: 402 Beltline Blvd., 803-738-0006 Harbison/Irmo: 7569 St. Andrews Rd., 803-732-1225 Lexington: 621 W Main St., 803-951-3555 Northeast: 10170 Two Notch Rd., 803-419-5662 Northeast: 7620 Two Notch Rd., 803-788-3088 St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 1824 Broad River Rd., 803-798-6427 West Columbia/Cayce: 2240 Airport Blvd., 803-796-7820 West Columbia/Cayce: 501 Knox Abbott Dr., 803-791-0314 West Columbia/Cayce: 2234 Sunset Blvd., 803-794-0923 Mon-Sun 6 a.m.-9 p.m.

Meat loaf, fried chicken, mac and cheese, fried okra. Good lord, what more could you want? A true local institution that thrives on the meat-and-veggies formula. This is what Southern cooking is all about. ¢

Midlands Café

Garners Ferry/Southeast: 1629 Bluff Rd., 803-764-4740 Mon-Fri. 6 a.m. to 3 p.m; Sun buffet 1-4 p.m.

Down-home country cooking, with hearty breakfasts and daily lunch specials. ¢

Midlands’ Food Arts

marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/ restaurant/caemh-columbia-marriott Downtown: 1200 Hampton St., 803-771-7000 Sun-Sat 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

This restaurant’s nice, casual feel is something you might come to expect during your time at the Marriott Hotel.

Features New Southern classics like shrimp and grits. Stop by for breakfast, lunch or dinner after a long day (or night) in downtown Columbia. $

pawleysfrontporch.com Five Points: 827 Harden St., 803-771-8001 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri- 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Fancy a fried egg, apple-cured ham, pineapple or a pair of onion rings stuffed between a half-pound patty and a ciabatta bun? Crowds have been lining up outside Pawleys Front Porch ever since its fantastic burgers were featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives back in 2010. $ lepeep.com/index.php Vista: 701 Gervais St., Ste. 110, 803-254-1200 Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sat 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Are you in the mood for something other than IHOP? This chain serves breakfast and lunch around the country with everything from tacos to breakfast banana splits. $

Rockaway Athletic Club

Shandon/Rosewood: 2719 Rosewood Dr., 803-256-1075 Mon-Sun 11 a.m.-2 a.m. (Kitchen closes at 11 p.m. Mon-Thu.; 12 a.m. Fri-Sat.) This local institution was a stop for President George W. Bush during a visit to Columbia, and for good reason.

For years, locals have been flocking to Rockaway’s for its unbeatable pimento cheeseburgers and excellent bar food. ¢-$

The Happy Café

thehappycafeonforest.com Forest Acres: 4525 Forest Dr., 803-787-8411 Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Housemade tomato pie, chicken salad and other downhome deli favorites, plus a variety of desserts including a beloved caramel cake. $

The War Mouth

facebook.com/thewarmouth North Main: 1209 Franklin St., 803-569-6144 Tue-Sat 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; bar open all day.

South Carolina food done right, from chicken bog to mustard-fried venison to deviled eggs, with a fine dining flair but no pretensions. The barbecue is out of this world, and there’s a big comfy bar. $

Yesterdays Restaurant and Tavern

yesterdayssc.com Five Points: 2030 Devine St., 803-799-0196 Mon-Thu 11:15 a.m.-11:15 p.m., bar open until 12 a.m.; Fri 11:15 a.m.-1 a.m.; Sat 10 a.m.-1 a.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-12 a.m..

A landmark since 1978, people flock here not just for a glimpse of a guy in a bathtub but also to fill up on the heartiest fare in town, including meatloaf, broiled salmon, Lowcountry shrimp

Summer 2016 | free-times.com/restaurants

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SHOPBOT TLES

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and grits and, of course, country fried steak. Just about everything comes with veggies, too. ¢

cias, ciabattas, sourdough, levains and more. And yes, it has no telephone. ¢

fish-n-chips, pot roast and more, plus the always amazing shrimp burger. ¢-$.

Heather’s Artisan Bakery

Delaney’s

Asian

heathersartisanbakery.com West Columbia/Cayce: 1524 Lafayette Ave., 803-807-1428 Fri 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Artisanal bakery offers homemade breads for serious bread fans, from wheat to sourdough to ciabatta. For sale at Soda City Market, Rosewood Market and other area markets. ¢

M Grille

gomgrille.com Vista: 531 Lady St., 803-708-8881 Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.- 9:30 p.m.; Fri 11:30 a.m. -10:30 p.m.; Sat 5-10:30 p.m.

High-end Asian dining in the Vista.

Creative dishes span seafood, salads and more, from Thai-style tenderloin salad to honey-brined Southern chicken. Full bar with happy hour. $-$$

M Kitchen

Harbison/Irmo: 340 Columbiana Dr., 803-764-1285 Sun-Thu 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

The latest from Michelle Wang of the Miyo’s empire features fresh takes on Asian and bistro classics, all convenient to Columbiana Mall. $

M Vista

miyos.com Vista: 701-C Lady St., 803-255-8878 Sun-Thu 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat 4:30-11 p.m.

Just like the other Miyo’s and M Cafe locations, M Vista features upscale Chinese cuisine and sushi with a twist: M Vista focuses on healthy ingredients and portions and cooks with organic ingredients. Besides stir-fries, noodle soups and special sushi rolls, there’s a well-stocked bar. Yum! ¢-$

Miyo’s

miyos.com Northeast: 715 Fashion Dr., Ste. 1, Village at Sandhill, 803-788-8878 Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.- 10:30 p.m.; Sun 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Harbison/Irmo: 1220 E-2 Bower Pkwy., 803-781-7788 Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.- 10:30 p.m.; Sun 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Forest Acres: 3250 Forest Dr., 803-743-9996 Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.- 10:30 p.m.; Sun 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Lexington: 5594 Sunset Blvd., 803-957-9888 Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.- 10:30 p.m.; Sun 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Winner of many Best of Columbia awards for its Shanghai and Sichuan cuisine. Features both traditional and innovative dishes served in a comfortable, elegant atmosphere. Also features a sushi bar. ¢-$$

Bagel/Bakery Ally & Eloise Bakeshop

allyandeloise.com Forest Acres: 5209-B Forest Dr., 803-708-2982 Tue-Fri 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Eloise is a French bulldog. And Ally is a heck of a baker, turning out fancy cookies, cupcakes, muffins and scones, not to mention fancy layer cakes and bundt cakes galore. ¢

Crust Bakehouse

crustbakehouse.com Shandon/Rosewood: 2701-B Rosewood Dr. Tue-Fri 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

In the mornings, Crust offers cookies, scones and other sweet pastries; a little later in the day, the delectable breads start coming out of the oven: focac-

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The Pastry Shop at Nonnah’s

nonnahs.com Vista: 928 Gervais St., 803-779-9599 Mon-Sat, kitchen open 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; cafe to 4 p.m.; Mon-Thu., 5- 11 p.m.; Fri-Sat., 5 PM-12:30 AM. Sunday, 11:30 AM-2 PM. This bakeshop, an offshoot of long-beloved dessert joint Nonnah’s, serves freshly baked bread, scones, brownies, pastries and more. ¢

Rise Gourmet Goods and Bakeshop

risebakeshop.com Five Points: 926 Harden St., 803-851-1248 Mon-Fri 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat-Sun 7 a.m.-4 p.m.

Neighborhood bakery meets upscale sandwich shop, with a tasty array of baked goods leaning toward the sweet. Offers gourmet tailgating boxes and much more.

Silver Spoon Bake Shop

silverspoonbakeshop.com Shandon/Rosewood: 2507 Devine St., 803-673-6374 Tue-Fri 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Housemade pastries, cakes, pies and delicious cookies, plus a coffee bar.

Custom cakes and pies for special events, too. $

Bar/Pub Food

delaneyspub.com Five Points: 741 Saluda Ave., 803-779-2345 Mon-Sun 11 a.m.-2 a.m.

Irish pub with 27 beers on tap and a variety of food, including Irish and American favorites. Live acoustic and Celtic music Tuesday through Saturday and trivia on Sundays. ¢

Flying Saucer

beerknurd.com Vista: 931 Senate St., 803-256-2055 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-12 a.m.; Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Sun noon-midnight Sure, you can get a burger here — even a stroganoff burger, a turkey burger or a hippie burger (i.e., veggie). But you can also get a Vietnamese pork banhmi sandwich, green chili pork stew, IPA mac & cheese or bacon-wrapped jalapeños. In short, there’s more than standard bar food at this popular beer mecca. ¢

Goat’s

Five Points: 2017 Devine St., 803-708-4495 Rising from the figurative ashes of Goatfeathers is Goat’s, a swanky bar for sophisticated people. The menu runs the gamut from burgers to finer fare. $

Henry’s Grill and Bar

henrysgrillandbar.com Shandon/Rosewood: 2865 Devine St., 803-708-4705 Mon-Sun 11 a.m.-2 a.m.

Northeast: 111 Sparkleberry Crossing, 803-563-5674 A comfortable, classy neighborhood bar with delicious burgers, fried pickles and tons of drink specials. Try the Big T burger: a huge, juicy double cheeseburger between two grilled cheese sandwiches. The Sunday brunch rocks. henrysgrillandbar.com. ¢-$

Bar None

Jake’s

British Bulldog Pub

Krafty Draft

Five Points: 620 Harden St., 803-254-3354 Mon-Fri 3 p.m.-6 a.m.; Sat-Sun 3 p.m.-2 a.m.

Late-night bar serving food into the wee hours of the morning — including, on certain special nights, the finest smoked chicken wings you’ve ever tasted. Large selection of beers on tap. ¢

thebritishbulldogpub.com Harbison/Irmo: 1220 E10 Bower Pkwy., 803-227-8918 Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sat-Sun 9 a.m.-2 a.m. (night menu Wed-Thu 10-11pm; Fri-Sat 10:30 pm-12 a.m.); Sun buffet 10 am-1 p.m.

A British pub with a real British pub menu: everything from roast beef and Yorkshire pudding to meat pies to Scotch eggs to crispy samosas, plus plenty of burgers and salads for the anglophobes. Breakfast served all day.

Extensive soccer and rugby viewing schedule, too. $

Cock N’ Bull Pub

facebook.com/cocknbull.pub Shandon/Rosewood: 326 S. Edisto Ave., 803-251-4474 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m; Sun 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (bar open later) The Cock N’ Bull is an English-style pub with soccer (football) matches a-plenty on the tube. Pub food and daily specials include shepherd’s pie,

jakesofcolumbia.com Five Points: 2112 Devine St., 803-708-4788 Tue-Fri 4 p.m.-until; Sat 4 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sun 11 p.m.-until Yellow Dog Barbecue runs the kitchen at longtime college bar Jake’s, featuring South Carolina-influenced fresh fare like biscuits and shrimp and grits — but not excluding some tasty bar standards like burgers. Great brunch. $ kraftydraft.com Lexington: 269 Charter Oak Rd., 803-996-0345 Mon-Tue 4-10 p.m.; Wed-Fri 4 p.m.-12 a.m.; Sat 2 p.m.-12 a.m.

Nibble on tortilla chips, hummus or a rotisserie chicken salad while sampling a wide assortment of beers. ¢

The Kraken

facebook.com/thekrakengastropub Shandon/Rosewood: 2910 Rosewood Dr., 803-955-7408 Mon-Sat 4 p.m.-12 a.m. (kitchen open 5-10 p.m. Mon-Thu; 5-11 p.m. Fri-Sat); Sun brunch 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

What’s a gastropub? Well, that just means the food is as good as the excellent selection of beer, with offerings like boiled peanut hummus, a lamb shank and a cheese plate. Regular specials keep things interesting. $

Moriarty’s Irish Pub

Vista: 902B Gervais St., 803-803-888-6462 Mon-Sun 11 a.m.-2 a.m.

Authentic pub in a nice big space featuring plenty of draft beers, TVs and a cozy bar. Menu features English and Irish pub fare, brunch favorites and more. $

Thirsty Fellow

thirstyfellow.com Vista: 621 Gadsden St., 803-799-1311 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-midnight; Sun 10 a.m.-11 p.m. (Brunch 10 a.m.-2 p.m.)

Pub food and fresh specials include wings, fish ‘n chips, sandwiches, soups, appetizers and an array of stone-fired pizzas. Try the banana pepper stuffed with sausage and served with a hearty marinara and cheese sauce. ¢

Tin Roof

tinroofbars.com Vista: 1022 Senate St., 803-771-1558 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-3 a.m.; Sun noon-9 p.m.

Tin Roof has a bar menu with touches of flair, from the chicken-and-waffle nuggets (served with syrup for dipping) to the awesome quesadillas. $

The Whig

thewhig.org Downtown: 1200 Main St., 803-931-8852 Sun-Sat 4 p.m.-until (happy hour Mon-Fri 4-7 p.m.)

Hip underground bar across from the State House serves burgers, sweet potato fries and a mean chicken sandwich. Also home of the infamous Taco Tuesdays, when beef or bean tacos are 75 cents apiece and the crowds are massive. ¢

Bistro/ New American @116 Espresso & Wine Bar

116state.com West Columbia/Cayce: 116 State St., 803-791-5663 Tue-Thu 5-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 5-11 p.m; brunch Sat-Sun 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (last seating at 2:30 p.m.)

Combines a chill coffee-shop atmosphere with great wine and food.

Specials range from soups to seafood to steaks to specialty pizzas, many with Mediterranean and Southern influences. Fabulous Spanish wines, and a famed White Russian menu. Popular brunch spot, too. $

Bistro on the Boulevard

bistroontheblvd.com Harbison/Irmo: 1085-D Lake Murray Blvd., 803-369-1332 Mon-Thu 5 p.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Sun brunch 11a.m. -2 p.m.

Upscale Southern classics like Lowcountry crab dip and shrimp and grits meet bistro offerings like fancy stuffed pork chops and an Asian salmon burger. $

Cellar on Greene

cellarongreene.com Five Points: 2001D Greene St., 803-343-3303 Mon-Thurs 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Sat noon-10:30 p.m. (Shop open Mon-Fri 11 a.m.; bar opens at 5 p.m.)

Part wine shop, part tapas bar, the Cellar on Greene is the place to go for wines by the glass or bottle and an ever-changing menu of Continental,

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Mediterranean, and bistro-style dishes: seafood and steaks, salads, hummus, pizzas, pastas and more. The truffle parmesan raw fries are exceptional. $-$$

City Bar Martinis and Fondue Vista: 700 Gervais St., 803-764-6125 Tue-Thu 4-11 p.m.; Fri-Sat 4 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Cheese fondue, dessert fondue, steaks, shrimp and other swanky eats. $-$$

Cola’s

colasrestaurant.com Downtown: 1215 Assembly St., 803-451-0051 Mon-Thu 5:30-10 p.m., Fri-Sat 5:30-10:30 p.m.

American bistro with diverse influences, launched by the proprietors of the now-defunct Garibaldi Cafe. Robust seafood selection, plus steaks, salads and more, plus a lovely bar. Large window wall opens to Assembly St.. $$

Copper River Grill

copperrivergrill.com Harbison/Irmo: 1230 Bower Pkwy., 803-749-4647 Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.- 11 p.m.

Specializes in a little bit of everything — grilled seafood, chicken and steak dishes, sandwiches and burgers and oven-baked pizzas. Try the sashimi tuna appetizer and, if you’re man (or lady) enough, the 32-oz. Big Sky Porterhouse. $

Empire Supper Club

empire-sc.com Vista: 920 Lady St., 803-638-4942 Thu-Sat (dinner) 7-10 p.m.; bar open until 2 a.m.

Roaries Twenties-themed club offers tapas in a swank atmosphere, from the exotic mac-and-cheese menu to the list of culinary aphrodisiacs. $

Hampton St. Vineyard

hamptonSt.vineyard.com Downtown: 1201 Hampton St., 803-252-0850 Mon-Fri 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 6-10 p.m.; Sat 6-10 p.m. (Bar opens at 5 p.m.)

Innovative American cuisine with seasonal menu changes, featuring fresh seafood, handcut steaks, lamb, duck, veal, accommodating and professional service all taking place in an urban cool space below the sidewalk in the historic Sylvan Building. ¢-$$

Jonez

jonezcolumbia.com Vista: 1004 Gervais St., 803-834-4434 Mon 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Tu-Thu 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and 5-10 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and 5 p.m.-midnight; Sat 5 p.m.-12 a.m.

Smooth jazz club with a bistro-slashbar menu featuring salads, fish tacos, steaks, wings, grilled salmon and more. $

Julep’s Bistro

julepsbistro.com Northeast: 120 Sparkleberry Crossing Dr., 803-419-7200 Mon-Thu 4-10 p.m.; Fri 4-11 p.m.; Sat 12 -11 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Swanky but chill bar and bistro, with a diverse menu featuring seafood, pizzas, small plates and steaks. $ price ¢ avg. entrée < $10 key $ avg. entrée = $10-15

$$ avg. entrée > $15

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Motor Supply Co.

motorsupplycobistro.com Vista: 920 Gervais St., 803-256-6687 Tue-Th 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 5:30-9:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.,5:30-10:30 p.m.; Sun 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5:30-9 p.m.

An early pioneer of dining in the Vista, Motor Supply’s eclectic menu reflects a classic bistro mentality and changes every day. Upbeat, cosmopolitan atmosphere and excellent food with a focus on fresh, local produce and artisanal techniques. Especially popular for Sunday brunch. $-$$

Mr. Friendly’s

mrfriendlys.com Five Points: 2001-A Greene St., 803-254-7828 Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5:309:30 p.m.; Fri 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5:30-10:30 p.m.; Sat 5:30-10:30 p.m.

The award-winning bistro Mr. Friendly’s is tucked into the side of Claussen’s Inn. Since 1995, it’s been serving New Southern Cuisine — sometimes innovative, sometimes comforting — at reasonable prices. In addition to its daily menu, Mr. Friendly’s offers nightly specials. A great higher end lunch spot, too. $-$$

Saluda’s

saludas.com Five Points: 751 Saluda Ave., 803-799-9500 Mon-Sun 5-10 p.m.

This casual fine-dining establishment offers cutting-edge culinary styles that blend Italian, French and Lowcountry influences. Serves seafood, beef, chicken and vegetarian entrees. Also hosts wine dinners. $$

Solstice Kitchen & Wine Bar

solsticekitchen.com Northeast: 841-4 Sparkleberry Lane, 803-788-6966 Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Dinner: Mon-Thu 5:30-9:30 p.m., Fri-Sat 5:30-10 p.m.; Bar: Mon-Sat 5 p.m.-until From the people who bring you Mr. Friendly’s and Cellar on Greene, Solstice presents an upscale dining experience with such dishes as seared diver scallops, beef tartare, in-house brined pork chops, South Carolina seafood and hand-cut steaks. Extensive wine list and elegant, yet cozy, atmosphere. $-$$

Spotted Salamander

spottedsalamandercatering.com Downtown: 1531 Richland St., 803-546-0249 Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Longtime local caterer now has a lunch cafe downtown. Daily specials offer quirky, balanced, tasty fare. Plus — cronuts! $

Stonefire American Grill

stonefireamericangrill.com Northeast: 566 Spears Creek Church Rd., 803-419-2332 Tue-Thu 4-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 4-10 p.m.

Upscale American classics — steakhouse-style burgers, prime rib, roasted chicken, grilled salmon and even a classic New England lobster roll — are joined by Southern favorites like fried green tomatoes and Lowcountry crab cakes. $-$$

Tazza Kitchen

tazzakitchen.com Forest Acres: 4840 Forest Dr. #20, 803-782-0760 Tue-Fri lunch and Sat brunch: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Sun brunch 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; Din. Tue-Thu 4:30-10 p.m., Fri-Sat 4:30-11 p.m., Sun 4:30-9 p.m.

Modern but comfortable bistro features wood-fired pizzas, salads and entrees and apps borrowing from a variety of cuisines. Ditto for brunch, where you can choose everything from huevos rancheros to a five-spice chicken sandwich. $

Terra

terrasc.com West Columbia/Cayce: 100 State St., 803-791-3443 Tue-Sat 5 -10 p.m.

Chef Mike Davis brings together top-quality Southern ingredients and classic European techniques to make creative, original fare — truly one of the region’s best restaurants. Fantastic view of downtown Columbia from the upscale Vista West location. Looking for something a little simpler? Sit at the cozy bar and sample a brick-oven pizza. $$

The Oak Table

theoaktablesc.com Downtown: 1221 Main St., 803-563-5066 Mon-Th 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. & 5-10 p.m.; Fri 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. & 5-11 p.m.; Sat 5-11 p.m.; Sun brunch 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

A fantastic view of the State House, not to mention excellent high-end fine dining fare, from deep-fried whole lobster to refined steaks, crispy-roasted mushrooms and much more. Sundays feature a great brunch. $-$$

Tombo Grille

tombogrille.com Forest Acres: 4517 Forest Dr., 803-782-9665 Mon-Thu 5:30-9:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 5:3010:30 p.m. (Bar opens at 4:30 p.m.)

Whether you’re looking for a carefully crafted small bite or seafood dish using local ingredients with a fine wine to match, or just a great burger and a beer, Tombo is a solid choice. Live music several nights a week. $

BBQ/Wings/ Ribs Big-T Bar-B-Que

bigtbbq.com Gadsden: 2520 Congaree Rd., 803-353-0488 Wed 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thu-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Garners Ferry/Southeast: 7535 Garners Ferry Rd., 776-7132 Mon-Wed 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thu-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Northeast: 1061 Sparkleberry Ln., 788-4295 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m Big T’s turns out some of the best barbecue in town. Pit-cooked pulled pork is the standout, served with hot or mild, slightly sweet mustard-based sauce. The sides are first-rate. Friendly people, generous portions. Top it all off with some homemade chocolate cake. ¢

For food and drink news plus a comprehensive list of local restaurants, visit free-times.com/restaurants.

Doc’s Barbeque and Southern Buffet

docsbarbeque.com Garners Ferry/Southeast: 601 Shop Rd., 799-1532 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

First-rate barbecue buffet with stellar fried chicken. Also features delicious catfish bites. Order off the menu for tailgating or simply to take home some quality BBQ. ¢

Hot 4 Wings

hot4wings.com Lexington: 5454-E Sunset Blvd., 803-358-0707 Tue-Thu 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Su 12 noon-8 p.m.

Part Filipino restaurant, part wing joint, all awesome. Also offers salads, sandwiches and burgers. $

Hudson’s Smokehouse & Saloon

hudsonssmokehouse.com Lexington: 4952 Sunset Blvd., 803-356-1070 Tue-Thu 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sun 11:00 a.m.-3 p.m.

Lexington: Hudson’s Smokehouse Express, 931 Old Two Notch Rd., 803-356-1070 Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (take-out only) In a town full of barbecue joints, Hudson’s distinguishes itself with Cheerwine and a mean and lean tender brisket. Was spotlighted by Turner South as a Blue Ribbon Barbecue Joint.

Offers mustard-based, ketchup-based and vinegar-and-pepper options. ¢

John D. Hite’s

hitesbbq.com West Columbia/Cayce: 240 Dreher Rd., 803-794-4120 Fri 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Don’t let the plain cinder-block building deter you. No-frills tasty pulled pork barbecue, roasted chicken, ribs and ham, all slow-cooked using wood.

Meats and the usual fixins available to go by the pound or the pint. Takeout only. ¢

Little Pigs

littlepigs.biz Northeast: 4927 Alpine Rd., 803-788-8238 Wed 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Thu 11 a.m.- 8:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Amazing spread of lunch buffet offerings including yams, corn, baked beans, fried okra, onion rings, hush puppies, green beans and more. The three varieties of barbecue are nothing to sneeze at, either. Just stellar local barbecue beloved by regulars. ¢

Maurice’s Piggie Park

piggiepark.com Downtown: 800 Elmwood Ave., 803-256-4377 Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Harbison/Irmo: 1141 Lake Murray Blvd., 803-732-5555 Sun-Thu 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Lexington: 766 W. Main St., 803-359-8789 Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Lexington: 1010 S. Lake Dr., 803-356-1909 Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri-Sat 10 a.m.9:30 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Northeast: 252 O’Neil Ct., 803-865-0608 Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-9 p.m..

Northeast: 9563 Two Notch Rd., 803-462-0882

Summer 2016 | free-times.com/restaurants

Sun-Wed 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Thu-Sat 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Northeast: 107 Clemson Rd., 803-788-5661 Sun-Thu 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Shandon/Rosewood: 4411 Devine St., 803-782-9547 Mon.-Sat 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 622 St. Andrews Rd., 803-772-6999 Sun 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

West Columbia/Cayce: 1600 Charleston Hwy., 803-796-0220 Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

West Columbia/Cayce: 2450 Augusta Rd., 803-796-4777 Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 10 a.m.9:30 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

This Midlands barbecue institution pit-cooks its juicy pork, ribs, beef and chicken over hickory coals, and its Carolina Gold mustard-based sauce is legendary. The controversial Maurice Bessinger no longer runs the chain — the younger generation has taken it over, eschewing controversy and Confederate flags alike. ¢

Shealy’s Bar-B-Que House

Midwood Smokehouse

true-bbq.com West Columbia/Cayce: 1237 D Ave., 803-791-9950 Wed-Sat 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

Serves pork ribs and classic chopped pork barbecue, smoked on site; hash and rice; barbecue chicken; barbecue sandwiches; and the usual slew of sides and desserts. Choose between Pretty Lady, Sexy Lady or vinegar-based sauce. ¢

midwoodsmokehouse.com Garners Ferry/Southeast: 702 Cross Hill Rd #400, 803-764-1231 Sun-Wed. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Thu-Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Columbia location is the third for this Charlotte-based restaurant. Serves ribs, burgers, and pulled pork and chicken with your choice of mustard, vinegar or spicy habanero sauce.

When you get to the sides, don’t miss the barbecue baked beans. $

Palmetto Pig

palmettopig.com Downtown: 530 Devine St., 803-733-2556 Tue-Wed 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Thu-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

All-you-can-eat buffet featuring pulled pork barbecue, hash, green beans, slaw and crispy fried chicken. At the downtown location, be sure to arrive early or late to beat the rush. Discount available for USC students. $

Publick House

publick-house.com Shandon/Rosewood: 2307 Devine St., 803-256-2207 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-2 a.m. (kitchen closes 12 am Mon-Thu, and 1 a.m. Fri-Sat).

Sun 3 p.m.-1 a.m.

A Devine St. icon, and rightfully so.

Beloved for its hot wings, Publick House also offers three types of buffalo wings, as well as honey mustard, teriyaki, barbecue, pterodactyl, garlic butter and buttery barbecue. Salads, burgers and pasta round out the menu.

Billiards and wide range of beers on tap. ¢

Quaker Steak and Lube

thelube.com Northeast: 941 Spears Creek Ct., 803-563-5501 Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-1 a.m.

Twenty kinds of wings?! Yes, indeed.

And if you’re not in the mood for poultry, the menu is packed with ribs, sandwiches, salads, soups, steaks and more. $

shealysbbq.com Leesville: 340 E. Columbia Ave., 803-532-8135 Mon-Tue and Thu-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m (carry-out 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat breakfast buffet 7-9:30 a.m.)

More than 40 amazing buffet items.

The pork is lovingly pulled from slow-cooked whole hogs and served with a thick and tangy mustard sauce.

Among the best-loved barbecue places in the state. ¢

Southern Belly

southernbellybbq.com Shandon/Rosewood: 1332 Rosewood Dr., 803-667-9533 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.- 10 p.m.

Five Points: 819 Harden St., 803-764-3512 Lots of sauces distinguish this barbecue joint, which offers a small but tasty selection of barbecued meat sandwiches. Original location is convenient to Williams-Brice Stadium; satellite location is in the heart of Five Points. ¢-$

True BBQ

Columbia’s home cookin’ Since 1977!

Wing City

2fat2flywings.com Garners Ferry/Southeast: 905A Bluff Rd., 803-638-4411 Tue-Sat 5-10 p.m.

The gentlemen behind the famous local food truck 2 Fat 2 Fly have a brick-and-mortar location, where they’re serving their stuffed chicken wings, plus Southern sides, burgers and more. $

Breweries/ Brew Pubs Conquest Brewing Co.

conquestbrewing.com Garners Ferry/Southeast: 947 S. Stadium Rd., Bay 1.

Mon-Thu 4-9 p.m.; Fri 4-10 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 1-6 p.m.

Columbia’s first production brewery, featuring a cozy tap room and a fine selection of beers.

Hunter-Gatherer

huntergathererbrewery.com Downtown: 900 Main St., 803-748-0540 Mon-Thu 4-10 p.m.; Fri 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat 4-11 p.m.

Serving excellent hand-crafted ales since 1995, Hunter-Gatherer’s food is as good as its beer, with nightly gourmet specials to complement such local favorites as the black bean dip.

Specialty pizzas are popular, as are the burgers and sandwiches. A favorite spot for university types, hipsters and oldsters alike. Also offers half-gallon growlers so you can take the good stuff home. ¢-$

15 convenient locations to serve you 10170 Two Notch Rd. (803) 419-5662

7938 Garners Ferry Rd. (803) 647-0095

1824 Broad River Rd. (803) 798-6427

7411 Nates Rd. (803)788-3088

402 Beltline Blvd.

(803) 419-5662

7569 St. Andrews Rd. (803) 732-1225

3147 Forest Dr. (803) 787-8781

2240 Airport Blvd.

(803) 796-7820

621 West Main St. (803) 951-3555

818 Elmwood Ave. (803) 779-6407

711-1 University Village Dr. (803) 451-8400

4616 Augusta Rd. (803) 785-5560

501 Knox Abbot Dr. (803) 791-0314

2234 Sunset Blvd.

(803) 794-0923

1712 W. Palmetto St. Florence, SC (843) 519-1083

www.LIZARDSTHICKET.com 15 convenient locations to serve you!

Catering and drop off services available

free-times.com/restaurants | Summer 2016

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Old Mill Brew Pub

oldmillbrewpub.net Lexington: 711 E. Main St., 803-785-2337 Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-2 a.m. (kitchen); bar open until.

Craft beer? Made on site at a former cotton mill? In downtown Lexington? Yes, Old Mill is doing all this and more — and also serving up some fine, creative bar fare. Hosts occasional live music, too. $

River Rat Brewery

riverratbrewery.com Garners Ferry/Southeast: 1231 Shop Rd., 803-724-5712 Tue-Thu 4-9 p.m.; Fri 4-10 p.m.; Sat noon-10 p.m.; Sun 1-8 p.m.

River Rat produces excellent and original craft beers. Features a lovely outdoor deck, grassy area with cornhole and swank taproom.

Swamp Cabbage Brewing Co.

swampcabbagebrewing.com Garners Ferry/Southeast: 921 Brookwood Drive, 803-252-0250 Wed-Thu 5-8 p.m.; Fri 5-9 p.m.; Sat noon-9 p.m.; Sun 1-6 p.m.

Columbia’s third production brewery boasts a strong catalog of beers, starting with its extra-special bitter. Run by two brothers.

Twisted Spur Brewing

Vista: 705 Gervais St., 803-764-0203 Sun-Wed 11 a.m.-midnight; Thu-Sat 11 a.m.-2 a.m.

Vista hotspot features beers brewed on the premises to pair with the West Coast-influenced menu, from nachos to burgers to oysters on the half shell and much, much more. $

Café/Coffee House Café Strudel

cafestrudel.com West Columbia/Cayce: 300 State St., 803-794-6634 Mon-Tue 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; Wed-Sat 8 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-9:30 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-9:30 p.m.

This Vista West café has as much fun naming its dishes (“Hangover Hashbrowns,” “Heart Attack Wrap”) as it does hand-crafting its desserts and breads. The casual, Bohemian style restaurant offers soups, salads, sandwiches, grill items and coffees, plus great daily specials. Also hosts a legendary Sunday brunch, and offers creative cocktails and a happy hour bar menu. ¢

College Grounds Café

collegegroundscafe.com Downtown: 1217 College St., 803-708-9476 Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Closed weekends for duration of summer.

Think of it as the younger sister to established upstairs coffeehouse Cool Beans: College Grounds Café serves sandwiches and other healthy breakfast and brunch foods — bagels, fruit, grits and more — as well as fresh doughnuts made in-house daily. Yum. Lots of vegetarian-friendly options. ¢

price ¢ avg. entrée < $10 key $ avg. entrée = $10-15

$$ avg. entrée > $15

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Cool Beans Coffee Company

coolbeanscoffeecompany.net Downtown: 1217 College St., 803-779-4277 Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-midnight; Sat-Sun 9 a.m.-midnight Cool near-campus coffee shop offers plenty of space for studying or socializing — but it’s not just for students.

Great menu of sandwiches (the curry chicken salad is a longtime favorite), wraps, soups and salads, plus all the coffee drinks you’d expect — and a few you wouldn’t. (Vegan hot cocoa? Yes please.) ¢

Drip Coffee

dripcolumbia.com Downtown: 1441 Main St., 803-799-0067 Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat-Sun 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Five Points: 729 Saluda Ave., 803-661-9545 Mon-Sat 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Specializing in the pour-over method of brewing, Drip makes some fabulous coffee. Besides being a great place for a meeting or first date, both Drip locations also sell creative breakfast and lunch sandwiches and delectable pastries. Free Wi-Fi, too. ¢-$

First Citizens Café

firstcitizenscafe.com Downtown: 1210 Main St., 803-931-1200 Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-4 p.m.

Yes, it’s a coffee shop run by a bank, located in a lovely renovated space (with an outdoor patio) in one of the oldest buildings on Main. Serves baked goods, sandwiches, salads — and, of course, lattes in many varieties. ¢

Immaculate Consumption

immaculate-consumption.com Downtown: 933 Main St., 803-799-9053 Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (coffee until 6 p.m.)

In addition to several different coffees and beer, this coffee shop serves a wide range of sandwiches and fresh salads that folks rave about. ¢

Loveland Coffee

lovelandcoffee.com St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 7001 St. Andrews Rd., 803-466-7168 Mon-Fri 6:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Sat 7:30 a.m.-noon Tasty local coffee, served up in a variety of ways, from lattes to drip coffee to the famous cold brewed coffee concentrate. ¢

Wired Goat Café

wiredgoatcafe.com Vista: 709 Gervais St., 803-851-0990 Mon-Sat 5:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Chapin: 908 Chapin Rd., 803-201-5348 Mon-Sat 6 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

Tasty coffee; cool atmosphere. Features some funky drinks like the Canadian Bacon Latte, flavored with maple syrup and bacon syrup. Baked goods include scones and muffins. ¢

Cajun Bourbon

bourboncolumbia.com Downtown: 1214 Main St., 803-403-1404 Mon-Fri 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m.; Sat 4:30 p.m.-2 a.m; Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (brunch) and 5-10 p.m. (dinner). Bar open until 12 a.m.

Go for the bourbon, stay for the whiskey. Serves higher-end Cajun-Creole cuisine like squash jambalaya, bayou burgers, seared duck breast, steaks and more. Updates on lunch and dinner menus posted through Facebook.

Tasty Sunday brunch. $$

Private Property

privatepropertysc.com Lexington: 220 West Main St., 803-399-8085 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4:30-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4:30-9:30 p.m.

Cajun and Creole food in the heart of Lexington, from gumbos to jambalayas — plus big tasty burgers and a few fun extras like Cajun egg rolls. Laidback sports bar vibe. $

The Lost Cajun

thelostcajun.com Lexington: 5078 Sunset Blvd., 803-356-2256 Sun-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Cajun chain features a slew of Louisiana favorites, from jambalaya to etouffee to gumbo to po’ boys to fried catfish — along with some extra-special Cajun touches like beignets and chicory coffee. $

Caribbean/ Latin Arkos Mojo Grill and Martini Bar

arkosmojo.com Lexington: 109K Old Chapin Rd., 803-785-5660 Mon-Sat 4 p.m.-until A sort of Latin American bistro featuring ceviche, fancy salsas, paella, tacos and much more. Also has a swank bar menu that spans martinis, margaritas mojitos and caipirinhas. $

Cabañas Restaurant

West Columbia/Cayce: 825 Sunset Blvd., 803-851-1189 Sun-Tue and Thu 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Flip to the back of the menu for the Honduran specialities, which are the shining stars of this restaurant, from baleadas (homemade tortillas stuffed with beans, meat and more) to yuca con chicharron (fried or boiled yuca and fried pork rinds) to pupusas. Also features classic Tex-Mex combination plates, tacos and more. $

Fire and Spice

Harbison/Irmo: 7971 N. Woodrow St. No. 5, 803-602-5353 Tue-Thu.11 a.m.-3 p.m; Fri 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Part Caribbean restaurant — jerk chicken, mojo pork, steamed cabbage — and part sandwich shop — cheesesteaks, french dips and more. $

Deli

Chinese

Andy’s Deli

Egg Roll Chen

eggrollchen.com Shandon/Rosewood: 715 Crowson Rd., 803-787-6820 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-9:00 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

A longtime Columbia favorite, packed at the dinner hour with everyone from lawyers to construction workers, Egg Roll Chen makes fresh Chinese favorites to order: Spicy Taiwan Beef, Hot and Nutty Chicken, perfect lo mein and the famous Mamasan’s Beef Noodle Soup. eggrollchen.com. ¢

Egg Roll Station

West Columbia/Cayce: 135 Sunset Blvd., 803-791-4060 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Beloved by generations of Columbians, Egg Roll Station prepares inexpensive, fresh Chinese-American standards to order while you watch. Go Cocks; go E’Rolls. ¢

Sun Ming

sunmingrestaurant.com Harbison/Irmo: 7509 St. Andrews Rd., 803-732-4488 Sun-Thurs 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.

For the most authentic Chinese dining in the Midlands, order off the traditional Chinese menu, which features such dishes as chicken feet with black mushrooms or spicy chicken ding. On the other hand, also offers plenty of orange chicken and beef-and-broccoli to satisfy all your Chinese-American desires. $

For food and drink news plus a comprehensive list of local restaurants, visit free-times.com/restaurants.

Five Points: 2005 Greene St., 803-799-2639 Mon-Sat 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Serving a range of hot and cold deli sandwiches plus salads, this Five Points mainstay enjoys a well-deserved reputation for prompt service and consistent quality. No matter how long the lunch line appears, the food never fails to arrive promptly and satisfy completely. Andy’s Special, which features roast beef, turkey and bacon bits on a hoagie roll, and which comes with that tantalizingly tangy dip, ought to qualify as the official sandwich of the Midlands. Thank you my friend, indeed. ¢

Black Bean Company

blackbeanco.com Vista: 701 Gervais St., Suite 140, 803-399-9797 Mon-Sun 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

Billing itself as a “energy food restaurant,” this Charleston-based chain serves up healthy wraps and gyros, salads and other power fare, with plenty of gluten-free, veggie and vegan options. Don’t miss breakfast, either. $

DiPrato’s Delicatessen

dipratos.com Five Points: 342 Pickens St., 803-779-0606 Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

(Brunch Sat-Sun 10 a.m.-2 p.m.)

A stone’s throw from Maxcy Gregg Park, DiPrato’s brings a New York attitude to its gourmet deli selections.

Choose from its signature sandwiches, build your own or explore the paninis and salads. A fabulous and well-loved brunch spot, too. ¢-$

Summer 2016 | free-times.com/restaurants

Garden Bistro

gardenbistrovista.com Vista: 1303 Assembly St., 803-933-9085 Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Healthy downtown lunch option with an eclectic assortment of soup, salads, wraps and specialty sandwiches. ¢

The Gourmet Shop

thegourmetshop.net Five Points: 724 Saluda Ave., 803-799-3705 Cafe: Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-3:45 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m.4:45 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Shop: Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

A Five Points icon because of its coveted sidewalk seating and signature dishes that include the chicken salad and the turkey pesto. The store offers coffees, wines, breads, kitchen gadgets and more. ¢-$

Groucho’s

grouchos.com Blythewood: 730 University Village Dr., 803-754-4509 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Five Points: 611 Harden St., 803-799-5708 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Forest Acres: 4717 Forest Dr., 803-790-0801 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

Harbison/Irmo: 800 Lake Murray Blvd., 803-749-4515 Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Lexington: 117 1/2 East Main St., 803-356-8800 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

West Columbia/Cayce: 2265 Sunset Blvd., 803-796-7826 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Northeast: 111 Sparkleberry Crossing, 803-419-6767 Sun-Mon-11 a.m.- 8:30 p.m.

Open since 1941, Groucho’s is a beloved lunchtime meeting place for the students and business people of Columbia. The Apollo and the STP Dippers are locally famous for good reason. ¢

Newk’s Eatery

newks.com Vista: 707 Gervais St., 803-888-6788 Sun-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Salads, toasted sandwiches and little artisan pizzas make this a hot spot for the Vista lunch crowd. $

No Name Deli

Downtown: 2042 Marion St., Blythewood 803-252-0480 Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-3:45 p.m.

This popular downtown lunch spot is anything but anonymous. Grab a tray and line up for sandwiches (hot or cold), salads and homemade soup.

Pay at the register when you get your food, though be sure to bring cash or a check — no cards. Separate counter for to-go order pickup helps long lines disappear quickly. ¢

Sandwich Depot

Downtown: 1211 Taylor St., 803-335-1290 Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Sat 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Sandwiches galore, plus breakfast and brunch favorites — and not just at breakfast time. The grilled wraps are always tasty. ¢-$

Dessert Blue Flour

blueflour.com Harbison/Irmo: 7703 St. Andrews Rd., 803-407-3603 Tue-Fri 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Want a huge, delicious cookie? Of course you do. Blue Flour bakes up new versions each day. Also on the menu: quiches, muffins, cupcak es, coffeecakes, crumbles, plus fresh cold milk and fresh brewed coffee. ¢

Cupcake

freshcupcakes.com Vista: 1213 Lincoln St., 803-212-4949 Mon-Wed 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thu-Sat 10 a.m.10 p.m.; Sun 12-5 p.m.

This Charleston import does one thing and one thing only: cupcakes. Of course, they also do them supremely well. From red velvet to mandarin orange chocolate to salted caramel chocolate chip to about anything sweet you can think of, Cupcake has your sweet tooth covered and then some. Now with alcohol-infused cupcakes for the grownups! ¢

Insomnia Cookies

insomniacookies.com Five Points: 2013 Devine St., 877-632-6654 Mon-Sun noon-3 a.m.

Bakes fresh cookies and other goodies for the late-night partying crowd.

What’s better after a night of drinking than a freshly made chocolate chip cookie? Try the Menage a Trois, a blend of three cookies all baked together.

Delivery is available for a $6 minimum (plus tip, of course). ¢

Kaminsky’s Dessert Café

kaminskys.com Vista: 930 Gervais St., 803-550-9979 Mon-Wed 5 p.m.-12 a.m.; Thu 5 p.m.-1 a.m.; Fri 5 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sat 2 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sun 2 p.m.-midnight Dessert bar featuring milkshakes, spiked coffees, dessert martinis, cakes, cider and more. ¢

Main St. Bakery

mainSt.bakery3307.com North Main: 3307 N. Main St., 803-807-9567 Tue-Fri 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Cozy bakery housed in a brick home serves fresh-made cinnamon rolls, sweet potato pie, cupcakes and more, plus specially made-to-order cakes. ¢

My Dessert Bar

mydessertbar.com West Columbia/Cayce: 134 State St., 803-728-1690 Tue-Fri 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Bakery and dessert catering company with everything from cakes to cakepops; also offers brunch on weekends. ¢-$$

Nonnah’s

nonnahs.com Vista: 923 Gervais St., 803-779-9599 Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-12 a.m.; Sun 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Best known for its desserts, Nonnah’s is a good place to stop for coffee and drinks after dinner or a show. A frequent winner of Free Times’ Best of Columbia awards in the dessert category. $$

112 ROCKY RIDGE ROAD | LEESVILLE, SC 29070 803.470.6010 | HOLLOWCREEKDISTILLERY.COM

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13

Scoopy Doo

Five Points: 725 Saluda Ave., 803-765-6999 Mon-Sat 1 p.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Housemade gelato and sorbetto incorporating some excellent local ingredients, including coffee from Drip, which is right next door. ¢

Sweet Cream Company

sweetcreamcompany.com Downtown: 1627 Main St., 803-251-3311 Mon noon-8 p.m., Wed-Sat noon-8 p.m., Sun 1-5 p.m.

Fancy some handcrafted ice cream or sorbet? Sweet Cream Co. does it best, with an ever-rotating selection of handmade, creative frozen flavors using local and organic ingredients. ¢

Ethiopian

pawleysmobileeats.com Food Truck: 803-729-5397 Hire the truck for your next event — and when you see it parked somewhere, sidle up to the window for great burgers, fish tacos, grilled chicken and more. ¢

The Wurst Wagen

thewurstwagen.com Food Truck: 803-463-6637 This mobile food truck boasts a German-trained master butcher and a whole lot of delicious German sausages, not to mention occasional doner kebab. There are specials every now and then, so visit them often to get the best prices. For locations and hours, follow the truck on twitter: @ BestWurstWagen. ¢

French

Harambe Ethiopian Restaurant

iloveharambe.com/home.html Five Points: 2006 Senate St., 803764-5510 Tue-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 am to 12 a.m.; Sun 12 noon-9 p.m.

Wonderful stews, veggies and curries are served atop injera, a sourdough flatbread made from teff, a North African grain. A warm and inviting restaurant with a large bar, too. $

Food Truck

Crepes and Croissants

Downtown: 1465 Sumter St., 803-462-4779 Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sat. 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

A real French creperie in the heart of downtown Columbia? Oui, c’est vrai.

Choose from a variety of creative savory and sweet crepes, in addition to savory tarts, croissants, salads and a few French desserts. The Nutella-filled crepe is rather amazing, and the Paris crepe is a classic. ¢

German

2 Fat 2 Fly Stuffed Chicken Wings

2fat2flywings.com Food Truck: 803-622-6063 Creamy macaroni and cheese stuffed inside a chicken wing?! It’s true. Or jambalaya? Or an inside-out chicken parmigiana? All these delicacies and more can be yours: For locations and hours, follow the truck on Twitter at @2fat2flywings, check the calendar at 2fat2flywings.com or call the truck.

Also has a brick-and-mortar location called Wing City; see the BBQ/Wings/ Ribs section for details. ¢

Belgian Waffle Truck

Pawleys Front Porch Truck

thebelgianwaffletruck.com Food Truck: 803-606-6780 Serves authentic Liege waffles — a dense, browned version of the Belgian waffle — with toppings both sweet and savory. Try the Ouf-Ti Waffle, which features goat cheese, lettuce, duck and chicken confit and an onion confiture. ¢-$

Julia’s German Restaurant

Garners Ferry/Southeast: 4341 Fort Jackson Blvd., 803-738-0630 Tue-Fri 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; 5-9 p.m.; Sat 5-9 p.m.

Old-fashioned, homestyle German comfort cooking. From bratwurst to schnitzel, Julia’s has you covered.

Bring a healthy appetite and love for all things Deutsch. ¢

Greek/ Mediterranean Ariana’s Greek Restaurant

arianasofwestcolumbia.com West Columbia/Cayce: 1720 Sunset Blvd., 803-796-4430 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat noon-10 p.m.

(Closed 3-5 p.m. daily.)

A Greek restaurant with an internation-

Breakfast, Brunch & Lunch Restaurant!

OPEN ON SUNDAYS

701 Gervais St. Ste 110 • 803.254.1200 14 freetimes |

al flair. Along with the gyros, souvlaki, pastichio and moussaka on the menu, you’ll also find Indian samosas and a lamb pilaf that’s considered the national dish of Afghanistan. $

Boeshreen

boeshreen.com Northeast: 2630 Decker Blvd., 803-699-2300 Mon-Sun 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

A fascinating combination of Mediterranean, Libyan and American dishes make up the menu at this cafe and bakery — burgers, wings, falafel sandwiches, gyros, baba ghanoush, shakshouka (eggs poached in a spiced tomato sauce) — and some Libyan favorites, including pastries. ¢

Mediterranean Tea Room

Shandon/Rosewood: 2601 Devine St., 803-799-3118 Mon-Tue 11:30 a.m.-2:15 p.m. and 5-8:45 p.m.; Wed-Fri lunch 11 a.m.-2:15 p.m.; WedSat dinner 5-9 p.m.

Wide selection of traditional Middle Eastern food such as hummus, baba ghanoush, falafel and tabbouleh. Specialty dish is kofta kebob, a combination of lamb and beef mixed with parsley, celery and spices. Entrees include chicken, lamb, beef and vegetarian dishes, plus nightly specials. ¢-$

Indian 2Gingers

2gingers.biz St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 245 Bush River Rd., 803-772-5121 Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (lunch), weekday dinner hours are M-Th 5-9:30 p.m., Fri 5:30-10 pm. Sat-Sun 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 5:30-10 p.m.

Featuring a range of South and North Indian dishes, this Boozer Shopping Center one-stop satisfies vegetarians and omnivores alike. The South Indian dosai (stuffed savory crepes) are not to be missed. $

Delhi Palace

delhipalace.ms11.net St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 542 St. Andrews Rd., 803-750-7760 Mon 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Tue-Thu 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 5–10 p.m.

This much-loved Indian restaurant offers a buffet as well as traditional menu items including rich curries, biryani and a range of Indian breads.

Savvy enough to please afficionados and newcomers alike. ¢-$

SERVING A QUALITY BREAKFAST & LUNCH WITH ALL NATURAL, CLEAN-LABEL & FRESH INGREDIENTS ALL DAY AT A FAST, EFFICIENT RATE

Spice Junction

West Columbia/Cayce: 2335 Augusta Rd., 803-708-9158 Mon-Sat- 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

Delicious Indian restaurant has everything from tandoori to raita to naan, plus occasional Hyderabadi specials you won’t find at other Midlands Indian restaurants. If you like seriously spicy food, ask for some house-made hot sauce. $

Italian Alodia’s Cucina Italiana

Harbison/Irmo: 2736 North Lake Dr., 803-781-9814 Mon -Sat lunch 11 AM-3 PM; dinner M-Th 4-10 p.m, Fri and Sat. dinner 4-11 PM. Sun. lunch 11 AM-2 PM and dinner 5-9:30 PM Classy Italian dining, from the favorites (fettucine alfredo, manicotti, veal piccata) to the fancy (seafood risotto, pork ribeye). $

Al’s Upstairs

alsupstairsitalian.com West Columbia/Cayce: 304 Meeting St., 803-794-7404 Mon-Sat 5 p.m.-until Italian fine dining since 1979. Executive chef employs an Old World style influenced by his grandmother’s cooking.

Lobster bisque is served with a popular puff pastry dome that locks in flavors and aromas. Offers fresh fish, veal, pasta and steaks with impeccable service and a beautiful view of Columbia’s skyline. $$

Bellacino’s Pizza & Grinders

Harbison/Irmo: 1085 Lake Murray Blvd., 803-407-4884 Mon-Sun 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Lexington: 5339 Sunset Blvd., Hwy. 378, 803-957-6767 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Generous portions of hearty Italian pizza and grinders. Affordable prices, friendly staff and consistent quality keep this popular restaurant full. ¢

Columbo’s Italian Eatery & Prime Steaks

columbos.net St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 2100 Bush River Rd. (inside the Radisson Hotel), 803-744-2200 Mon-Sun 6 a.m.-midnight Italian cuisine with a Tuscan flair and boasting “The Best Steak in Town.”

Premium steaks are barrel-cut in house, and restaurant also offers a do-it-yourself pasta bar as well as breakfast. $-$$

1211 TAYLOR ST COLUMBIA, SC 803.335.1290

Summer 2016 | free-times.com/restaurants

Delucca’s

deluccas.com West Columbia/Cayce: 2275 Sunset Blvd., 803-926-5255 Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 4:30-9 p.m.; Sat 4-9 p.m.

Italian eatery featuring traditional favorites such as chicken and veal parmesan and primavera in addition to veal piccata and stuffed eggplant. Also includes pasta, ravioli, pizza, calzone and strombolis. $

Kovachi’s

kovachis.com Lexington: 905 N. Lake Dr., 803-356-1366 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Family-friendly restaurant features signature Greek-and Italian- themed subs, sandwiches and salads alongside an array of specialty pizza offerings, calzones, strombolis and desserts. Try the chicken breast stuffed with spinach and feta or, if you dare, try Mike’s Giant Cake. ¢

Pasta Fresca

The Villa

Inakaya Watanabe

Travinia Italian Kitchen

Menkoi Ramen House

thevillaonbushriver.com St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 1704 Bush River Rd., 803-798-6360 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Sat 4:30-10:30 p.m.

This charming, low-priced Italian favorite boasts a low-key atmosphere and terrific pizzas. ¢-$ traviniaitaliankitchen.com Northeast: 101-A Sparkleberry Crossing, 803-419-9313 Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Sun 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

Lexington: 5074 Sunset Dr., 803-957-2422 Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

A fine dining Italian eatery with a bit of Southern spice to give the menu a unique flair. Crab cakes are big and fluffy, entrees are excellent across the board and soups are particularly good. $-$$

pastafresca.net Forest Acres: 4722 Forest Dr., 803-787-1838 Sun-Thu 4:30-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 4:30-10:30 p.m.

Family-owned restaurant that features pasta dishes with fresh, made-fromscratch sauces and pastas. Innovative nightly seafood specials, a good selection of vegetarian dishes and welcoming atmosphere make this a local favorite. Now in a slick new location near the old one. ¢-$

Villa Tronco

Ristorante Divino

Japanese/ Sushi

ristorantedivino.com Vista: 803 Gervais St., 803-799-4550 Mon-Sat 6 p.m.-10 p.m.

Some of the best fine dining in Columbia or anywhere else. Features classic northern Italian dishes, including the signature rack of lamb and the excellent gnocchi, but also more inventive fare, especially when it comes to seafood. Wine list consistently wins awards. $$

Rosso Trattoria Italia

rossocolumbia.com Forest Acres: 4840 Forest Dr., 803-787-3949 Mon-Thu 5-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 5-11 p.m.

(Bar opens at 4:30 p.m. every day) Part sexy, part Old World rustic, this Forest Acres restaurant is a Columbia gem. Out-of-this-world seafood highlights the excellent Italian-Mediterranean menu, but don’t miss out on the wood-fired traditional pizzas. Entrées include Rosso Bucco (tee hee), woodgrilled meats and seafood, rich pastas and sea scallops with lemon-saffron risotto. A winner all the way around. $-$$

Stephano’s

Lexington: 420 Columbia Ave., 803-359-5436 Tue.-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Reliable Italian-American fare: chicken parmesan, spaghetti, raviolis, manicottis and pizzas, to name a few. Lunch menu includes personal midget pizzas and a variety of hot and cold subs. Salads and homemade pimento cheese also are available. ¢-$

villatronco.com Downtown: 1213 Blanding St., 803-256-7677 Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; Sat 5-10 p.m.

A Columbia institution for more than 60 years, Villa Tronco serves consistently generous portions of traditional Italian fare such as veal parmagiana, chicken piccata and linguine with clams. Make sure to leave room for Carmella’s Famous Cheesecake. $

facebook.com/InakayaWatanabe St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 655-C St. Andrews Rd., 803-731-2538 Mon 5-10 p.m.; Tue-Thu 11:45 a.m.-2 p.m., 5-10 p.m.; Fri. 11:45 a.m.-2 p.m., 5-11 p.m.; Sat 5-11 p.m.

Excellent sushi, sashimi and traditional Japanese dishes. $ Vista: 1004 Gervais St., 803-708-1569 Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-11 p.m.; FriSat 11 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.-3 a.m.

Surprised to find legitimate Japanese ramen in the heart of the Vista? You shouldn’t be: The proprietor of beloved sushi joint Inakaya is now slinging noodles. We’re told the beef and vegetable curry — a mild, brown-gravy concoction served over rice — is highly authentic, as well. ¢

SakiTumi Grill & Sushi Bar

sakifresh.com Vista: 807 Gervais St., 803-931-0700 Sun-Thu 5-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 5-10 p.m. (bar open until) Upscale Vista hotspot includes a popular bar area and a separate sushi bar.

Extensive sake list complements beer and wine offerings, and SakiTumi also has weekly sushi and drink specials that are easy on the wallet. Plenty of non-sushi items on menu, including grilled items and tasty appetizers such as the lotus root chips. Also check out their regular sushi-making classes. $

Tsunami

tsunamicompany.com Harbison/Irmo: 1290 Bower Pkwy., 803-407-3873 Mon-Fri 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 4-10 p.m.; Sat 4-11 p.m.; Sun 4-10 p.m.

The Vista: 700-C Gervais St., 803-312-9911 Mon-Sat 4-11:45 p.m. Sun 4-10:45 p.m.

Trendy, chic sushi bar and restaurant with elegant, contemporary atmosphere and ample seating areas to complement extensive sake, wine and beer selection. $

Korean Arirang

Northeast: 1943 Decker Blvd., 803-790-5506 Tue-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

You’ll feel right at home in this Korean restaurant, where the staff will take charge as if they were your own mom.

Serves up such delights as pork belly grilled right at your table, plus Korean classics and banchan — and cold beer, of course. ¢-$

Blue Cactus Cafe

bluecactuscafe.com Five Points: 2002 Greene St., 803-929-0782 Wed-Fri 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.; Sat noon-9 p.m.

This unassuming little eatery boasts a serious culinary reputation, specializing in home style Korean food mixed with Mexican and other influences to create a sizzling menu that is especially vegetarian-friendly. Quality takes time, however, so don’t go if you’re in a hurry. ¢

Camon Japanese Restaurant camonsushi.com Downtown: 1332 Assembly St., 803-254-5400 Tue-Sat 5-9:15 p.m.

The only sushi spot in Columbia’s downtown business district defiantly refuses to serve lunch and earns its keep by offering an exotic alternative to the more mainstream restaurant options available in the nearby Vista.

Quiet and discreet — not what you’ll encounter along the Gervais St. corridor, a couple of blocks away. Beloved by devoted regulars for the outstanding food, service and atmosphere. $

Ganbei

ganbeirestaurants.com Lexington: 5580-F Sunset Blvd., 803-808-1618 Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 4:30-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 4:30-11 p.m.

Swanky Japanese restaurant and bar features plenty of classics — hibachi items, potstickers, stir frys, fried rice, sushi, donburi, plus some curve balls like baked mussels and spring rolls. $

Inakaya Japanese Restaurant

Northeast: 224 O’Neil Ct., 803-699-2626 Mon 5-10 p.m.; Tue-Fri 11:45 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 5-11 p.m. Sun 4:30 -9 p.m.

Elegant seating where outstanding sushi, sashimi and other Japanese cuisine take center stage. Popular with families and large groups for their spectacular Inakaya Boat Specials. Good variety and value. $

price ¢ avg. entrée < $10 key $ avg. entrée = $10-15

$$ avg. entrée > $15

free-times.com/restaurants | Summer 2016

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Hero Korean Steak House

columbiahero.com Northeast: 6634 Two Notch Rd., 803-699-9922 Mon-Tue and Thu-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun 3-9 p.m.

Yes, those are live, glowing coals in the middle of your table. Specializes in authentic Korean dishes such as gal bi (short ribs in a house sauce) and hwe dup bob (mixed raw fish and spicy sauce atop rice). ¢-$$

Korea Garden

Northeast: 2318 Decker Blvd., 803-760-3888 Mon and Wed-Thu 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; FriSat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 12 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

Traditional Korean foods, from spicy stews to bi bim bap, from the owners of the former DJ House. Beer and wine available. $

O Bok Korean Restaurant

Northeast: 1616 Decker Blvd., 803-787-1100 Tue-Thu 11 a.m.-9:00 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.9:00 p.m.; Sun 12:30-9 p.m.

O Bok is popular with Korean folks for good reason — the authenticity of the food. Dishes include the traditional barbecued beef and stir-fries as well as more exotic offerings. Meals are served with a big assortment of banchan, or Korean-style small dishes. ¢

Seoul Restaurant and Grocery

Northeast: 1717 Decker Blvd., 803-790-0090 Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

This charming restaurant and grocery offers authentic homestyle Korean fare in a casual setting. $

Mexican/ Southwestern 7 Mares

Lexington: 4360 Augusta Rd., 803-520-0067 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

That’s mar-es, as in Spanish for oceans, not English for girl horses. Serves up the oceans’ bounty, featuring Mexican favorites like red snapper Veracruz-style, lobster soup, ceviche, spicy shrimp, octopus salad and more. Also serves Mexican-American classics like fajitas and carnitas. $

Cantina 76

cantina76.com Shandon/Rosewood: 2901 Devine St., 803-708-6004 Mon-Tue 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 4-9:30 p.m.; Wed-Thu 11-2:30 p.m., 4-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

Downtown: 1301 Main St., 803-764-1769 Mon 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Tue-We 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Th-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Draws everyone from singles at the bar to couples and families, all of whom come for the Tex-Mex cuisine — and some of whom also go for the excellent margaritas, made in all shapes, flavors and sizes with top-shelf tequilas. $

Chapala Mexican Restaurant Lexington: 1792 S. Lake Dr., 803-957-0840 Mon-Sun 11 AM-10 PM St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 7001 St. Andrews Rd., 803-749-7071 Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Mexican-American and border region specialties, from fajitas to chilaquiles

16 freetimes |

to fish tacos, plus the combination platters you’d expect. Lots of tortas (sandwiches) if you’ve got a big lunch appetite. $

El Burrito

Five Points: 934 Harden St., 803-765-2188 Mon-Sat 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

El Burrito serves healthy, super-fresh, authentic taqueria-style food. Beans and rice, chicken, beef, soup, salads and more. Attention to healthy food and local produce. Vegan- and vegetarian-friendly. Cold beer, hot salsas and good people. ¢

JP’s 4 Corners Signature Southwest

jp4corners.com Northeast: 150 Forum Dr., 803-865-1001 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

“4 Corners” refers to the spot where Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah meet in the Southwest — and the menu includes a wide variety of Southwestern-edged dishes with a hickory-grilled flavor. $

Publico Kitchen and Tap

publicokitchenandtap.com/ Five Points: 2013 Greene St., 803-661-9043 Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-12 p.m.; kitchen closes at 10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; kitchen closes at midnight A long row of craft beer taps sets the stage for the fun, fresh flavors of Publico. Featuring tacos inspired by ethnic foods from banh mi to Hawaiian poke to pad Thai, Publico serves up tasty modern Mexican-inspired fare. $

Real Mexico

St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 2421 Bush River Rd., 803-750-8990 Mon-Thurs 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Plenty of authentic Mexican and Southwestern restaurant foods, from tortas to carne asada to fajitas to chimichangas to fish tacos. Full bar with margarita specials. $

Takosushi

tako-sushi.com Vista: 1115 Assembly St., 803-771-7131 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat noon-11 p.m.

Tacos! Sushi! Takosushi! A sushi joint and casual Mexican restaurant rolled into one, Takosushi offers burritos, enchiladas, tacos (“takos,” actually), sashimi, bento boxes and more. $

Taqueria Jalisco

St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 612 St. Andrews Rd., 803-731-5546 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Friendly Mexican joint bursting with flavor. ¢-$

Tin Lizzy’s Cantina

tinlizzyscantina.com Vista: 700-C Gervais St., 803-768-4562 Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-11p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-1 a.m.

Billing itself as “FlexMex,” this Atlanta-based eatery boasts soft tacos, quesadillas (the chicken-bacon-ranch quesadilla is popular), salads, specialty skillets and more — plus more fancy margaritas than you can shake a stick at. $

Tio’s Mexican Cafe

tiossc.com Downtown: 921-A Sumter St., 803-252-7229 Mon-Wed 11 a.m.-midnight.; Thu-Sat 11 a.m.-1:45 a.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

Locally owned Tex-Mex café distinguished by its extensive and eclectic salsa offerings. Features an array of tacos, sandwiches, chimichangas, salads and the famous wet burrito, which comes smothered in sauce and/or queso — or a vegan option featuring vegan cheese. Check out the award-winning No. 4 Salsa. Full bar features tequilas and beers galore. Open late, and delivers late, too. ¢

White Duck Taco Shop

whiteducktacoshop.com Olympia: 612 Whaley St., 803-814-0374 Sun-Thu 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

Founded in Asheville, this fusion taco joint is hoppin’, serving up everything from banh mi tofu tacos to housemade kimchi. $

Middle Eastern Al-Amir

Downtown: 1734 Main St., 803-401-5882 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-9:00 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Authentic and well-prepared Middle Eastern cuisine including hummus, falafel, lamb kabob, mujadara and shawarma.

Salads, subs and daily dessert specials round out the menu. Housed in a spacious renovated building across from City Hall. ¢-$

Arabesque

Shandon/Rosewood: 2930 Devine St., 803-779-6299 Mon-Wed 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Thu-Sat 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

All your Middle Eastern favorites, from shawarma to tabouli to falafel, not to mention pizzas and — for lunch, at least — wraps and burgers. Also serves alcohol. $

Green Olive Restaurant

greenolivesc.com Downtown: 922 Main St., 803-764-3740 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Fresh, tasty Middle Eastern food featuring all your favorites, from baba ghanoush to beef kebabs. $

Pitas

Downtown: 1800 Taylor St., 803-343-3454 Mon-Fri 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.

Downtown: 1901 Main St., 803-834-7310 From the owner of the Mediterranean Tea Room comes this lunch locale featuring Mediterranean/Middle Eastern fare. Taylor St. location includes a Middle Eastern grocery store inside. Sure, pitas are on the menu, but so are some delicious salads, wraps and more. ¢

Sahara on Main

saharaonmain.com Downtown: 629 Main St., 803-851-1118 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Moroccan and Mediterranean food handy to the USC campus. Features fresh-baked Damascus bread and a range of Middle Eastern favorites. ¢-$

Peruvian Paraiso Del Inca

Shandon/Rosewood: 506 N. Beltline Blvd., 803-403-1403 Best known for its rotisserie chicken, Paraiso Del Inca is Columbia’s only Peruvian restaurant. Also features ceviche and an assortment of Peruvian dishes. ¢-$

Pizza Dano’s Pizza

danosdelivers.com Shandon/Rosewood: 3008 Rosewood Dr., 803-254-3266 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-12 am.; Sun noon-12a.m.

New York-style and gourmet pizzas sold by the pie or slice include the Spicy Buffalo Chicken, the Barbecue Chicken, the Meat Lovers and the Deluxe. Dinner menu also offers veal parmesan, manicotti and stuffed shells.

Not a bad place to drink a beer and watch the game, either. ¢-$

Fast Eddies Calzones

eddiescalzones.com Five Points: 817 Harden St., 803-764-3669 Sun 12 -4 p.m. Mon-Sat. 11 a.m.-4 a.m.

Has over 60 variations to choose from including Diablo, dragon and cheesecake calzones. Delivery open until 4 a.m. which means you’ll have something to soak up the alcohol any day of the week. ¢

Il Giorgione Pizzeria and Wine Bar

ilgiorgione.com Shandon/Rosewood: 2406 Devine St., 803-521-5063 Tue 5:30-10 p.m.; Wed- Fri 11:30 a.m.- 10 p.m.; Sat 5:30-10 p.m.

Authentic pizzas and pastas, plus nice touches like an Italian cheese plate and lovely arugula salads. Good selection of affordable Italian wines. $

Mellow Mushroom

mellowmushroomcolumbia.com Vista: 1009 Gervais St., 803-933-9201 Mon-Wed 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Thu 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-midnight; Sun noon-9 p.m.

Lexington: 5364 Sunset Blvd., 803-359-0778 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-midnight; Sun noon-10 p.m.

A popular lunch and dinner spot, Mellow Mushroom serves gourmet hand-tossed pies, along with huge calzones, hoagies and salads, all with fresh ingredients. Pizza toppings range from jerk chicken and pineapple to plain-old pepperoni. Large beer selection, with more taps upstairs at the Vista location. $

Nicky’s Pizzeria

nickyspizzaria.com/Menus.html Five Points: 2123 Greene St., 803-748-9661 Mon-Wed 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Thu-Fri 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Sat 12 p.m.-3 a.m.

Choose between a traditional New York-style thin crust pizza and a Sicilian-style thick crust — or just pick one of the tasty calzones, subs or salads on offer. Bottled and draft beer, too.

price ¢ avg. entrée < $10 key $ avg. entrée = $10-15

$$ avg. entrée > $15

Summer 2016 | free-times.com/restaurants

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& Taproom Forest Acres: 3246 Forest

oldchicago.com/locations/columDr., 803-454-1743 bia-south-carolina Mon-Wed 11 Gervais a.m.-11 p.m.; Thu-Sat Vista: 802 St., Suite 11100C, a.m.-midnight; Sun 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

803-252-3100 This popular Forest Mon-Sun 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Acres spot has pizza, obviously, but it also serves up Combine your barbecue chicken, Hawaiin Thai pie with beer, glass calzones,orstrombolis anda sandwiches, of winewith or cocktail.

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goodness. ¢-$ Persona Pizzeria

personapizzeria.com Pizza Man Pizzeria Downtown: 1202 Main Shandon/Rosewood: 341St., S. 803-661-9096 Woodrow St., 803-252-6931 Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.-midnight; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Sat 7 a.m.-midnight; Sun 7 a.m.-11 p.m.

First, you tell the friendly staff at PerPizzawhat Man you is a comfortable, sona want on your low-key individual restaurant good at a pizza.

Then,offering they stick it inpizza a woodsteal.and Serves a wide variety of toppings, fired oven. tasty, authentic lamb thePresto: excellent gnocchi, but also more as well as appetizers, subs, Neapolitan-style pizza.

Offers salads, inventive fare, especially when it hamburgers, comes to seatoo. $Wine salads andlistchicken wings. food. consistently wins¢.awards. $$.

Pizza Rio’s Joint Pizza andItalia Bagels Rosso Trattoria

thepizzajoint.net rios5points.com rossocolumbia.com Forest Acres: 3246 Forest FOREST ACRES : 4840 Five Points: 707 Harden 851-5605 Forest Dr., St., 803-Dr., 787-3949 803-454-1743 Mon-Sun 10p.m.; a.m.-4 a.m.

Mon-Thu 5-10 Fri-Sat 5-11 p.m. (Bar opens at Sun-Thu 11 a.m.approx.

11 p.m.; 4:30 everyand day) Bagels serves both the Rio’sp.m.

Pizza Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-approx. midnight Part sexy, part Oldthe World rustic, thiscrowd, Forest pre-party and post-party This popular Forest Acres spot has Acres restaurant is a Columbia staying open well after thegem. barsOut-ofclose. pizza, obviously, but it also serves up this-world seafood highlights theat excellent Or you could have the party Rio’s, calzones, strombolis and sandwiches, Italian-Mediterranean menu, but don’t miss whichwith has $10 mimosa towers in addialong a wide selection of beer out the wood-fi red traditional pizzas. ¢ tiononto fresh-made pizza and with which to wash down that bagels. yummy Entrées include Rosso Bucco (tee hee), Italian goodness. ¢-$ Village Idiot wood-grilled meats and seafood, rich pastas villageidiotpizza.com and sea scallops with lemon-saffron risotto. A Pizza Man Pizzeria winner all the way around. $-$$.

Five Points: 2009 Devine Shandon/Rosewood: 341 S. Woodrow St., 803-252-6931 St., 803-252-8646 Stephano’s Mon-Thu a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.-midnight; Mon-Sun11:11:30 a.m.-until.

LEXINGTON 420 Columbia 803-p.m.

359-5436 Sat 7 a.m.-midnight; Sun Ave., 7 a.m.-11 Delivery: 11:30 a.m.-midnight Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Pizza Man is a comfortable, low-key Forest Italian-American Acres: 4517 Forest Reliable fare: chicken restaurant offering good pizza at a Dr., 803-252-8646 parmesan, spaghetti, steal. Serves a wideraviolis, varietymanicottis of top- and Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 pizzas, to name a few.

Lunch menu includes pings, as well as appetizers, subs, hama.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-9 personal midget pizzas and ap.m. variety of ¢ burgers, salads and chicken wings. hot and612 coldWhaley subs. Salads homemade Vista: St.,and 803-252-8646 Rio’s Pizza and pimento cheese also areBagels available. ¢-$.

Mon-Sun 11 a.m.-11 p.m. rios5points.com Offering New707 York-style hand-tossed Tony’s Pizza and Italian Five Points: Harden St.,Eatery 803pizza by the pie or slice for lunch, dinner 851-5605 tonyspizzadowntown.com and5p.m.–3a.m.; delivery, original Five Points Sat Sun 11 a.m.–4 p.m.; Mon DOWNTOWN : 1120the Washington St., 803779-3000 ofa.m.; the Tue Village Idiota.m.; is a favored 5location p.m.–1:30 Wed 5 Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m.5 p.m.–3 spot for USC students.

Othera.m. featured p.m.–1:30 a.m.; downtown Thu-Fri 5 p.m.–3 Below-ground favorite offers menuPizza itemsand include sandwiches (Jersey Rio’s Bagels serves both the pastas, subs, salads, lasagna, spaghetti and pre-party and the post-party crowd, Cheesesteak), wings, calzones and chicken. staying openpasta well after theziti), barssalads close. strombolis, (baked Or could party at Rio’s, Travinia Italian Kitchen andyou wings. ¢.have the which has $10 mimosa towers in additraviniaitaliankitchen.com Za’s Pizza tion to Brick fresh-made pizza and NORTHEAST : 101-AOven Sparkleberry Cr.,bagels.

419-9313¢ zasbrickovenpizza.com LEXINGTON: 5074 Sunset Dr., 803-957-2422 Shandon/Rosewood: 2930 Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Devine 803-771-7334 Fri-Sat 11:30St., a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. of allItalian sorts,eatery plus with salads, APizzas fine dining a bitsandof Southwiches, pastas, calzones and more ern spice to give the menu a unique flair. Crab

round out the menu at this chic Shandon eatery. $

Village Idiot

the Crispy Firecracker Flounder served with a jalapeno salsa. Private dining facility available. $

Seafood villageidiotpizza.com

Five Points: 2009 Devine St.,

Blue Fin Seafood 803-252-8646 Mon-Sun 11:30 a.m.-until; Restaurant and Bar

Bonefish Grill

delivery: 11:30 a.m.-midnight bluefinrestaurantandbar.com/ Forest Acres: Forest Dr., Northeast: 461-44517 Town 803-252-8646 Center Place, 865-7346 Mon-Thu11:30 11 a.m.-9 p.m.;p.m.

Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-10 Mon-Thu a.m.-10 Fri 11:30 p.m.; Sun 5 p.m.-9 p.m. a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

Olympia: 612 Whaley St., Brunch, lunch and dinner with a marine 803-252-8646 focus, from the lovely Sun-Wed 11 a.m.-10 p.m.;crab dip to the lobster and many fresh fish opThu-Satravioli 11 am.-11 p.m. tions.

Steaks, andhand-tossed the like will Offering Newchicken York-style keep happy. $ pizzathe bynon-seafood-loving the pie or slice for lunch,

dinner and delivery, the original Five Blue Marlin Points location of the Village Idiot is a

bluemarlincolumbia.com favored spot for USC students. Other Vista: 1200 Lincoln St., 803-799-3838 featured menu items include sandMon-Fri a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5-10wings, p.m.; Sat wiches11:30 (Jersey Cheesesteak), cakes are bigand andstrombolis, flSun uffy, 11:30 entrees are excellent 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; a.m.-9 p.m. calzones pasta (baked across board soupsseafood ziti), the salads and wings. ¢are particularly Specializing in and creative dishes good. with a$-$$. decidedly Lowcountry Za’s Brick Oven Pizzaflair, Blue Marlin also serves hand-cut steaks and Villa Tronco zasbrickovenpizza.com prime rib. Shrimp and grits is a top Shandon/Rosewood: 2930 Devine villatronco.com seller, with: 1213 the Blanding grits coming from right St., 803-771-7334 DOWNTOWN St., 803256-7677 across the street at Adluh Flour.

Don’t Mon-Tue 11 a.m.-2:30 4-9:30 p.m.; Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-3 p.m. andp.m., 5-10 p.m.; Sat 5-10 p.m. tastyfor options such Wed-Thu 11institution a.m.-2:30 p.m., 4-10 p.m.; Fri-the Aoverlook Columbiaother more than 60as Sat 11Villa a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

Crispy Firecracker Flounder served with years, Tronco serves consistently generaPizzas jalapeno salsa.

Private dining facility of all plusItalian salads, ous portions of sorts, traditional faresandsuch wiches, pastas, calzones and more available. $. as veal parmagiana, chicken piccata and roundwith out clams. the menu thistochic linguine Makeatsure leaveShanroom Bonefish Grill don eatery.Famous $ for Carmella’s Cheesecake. $. bonefishgrill.com Forest Acres: 4708 Forest Dr., 803-787-6200 Mon-Thu 4-10:30 p.m.; Fri 4-11:30 p.m.; Camon Japanese Restaurant Sat 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Blue Fin Seafood camonsushi.com Restaurant and Bar Harbison/Irmo: 1260 Bower DOWNTOWN : 1332 Assembly St., 803-254-5400 bluefinrestaurantandbar.com/ Pkwy., 803-407-1599 Tue-Sat 5-9:30 p.m.

Northeast: 461-4 Town Center Based out of St. Petersburg, Florida, Place, 803-865-7346 The only sushi in Columbia’s downtown Bonefish Grillspot specializes in offering the business district defi antly refuses to Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

Fri 11:30 a.m.-11 freshest seafood possible and serve boasts p.m.;and Sunearns 11:30itsa.m.-9 p.m. lunch keep by off ering an exotic an oak-burning grill and a wide range alternative to the more lunch and mainstream dinner withrestaurant a marine ofBrunch, sauces.

Pasta, chicken, pork and options in the nearby Vista. focus,available from the lovely crab dipBeloved to the steak dishes round out the menu suit bylobster devotedravioli regulars formany the outstanding food, and fresh fishto opvaried tastes. ¢-$. tions.and Steaks, chicken$.and the like will service atmosphere.

Seafood JAPANESE/SUSHI

keep the Bar non-seafood-loving happy. $ Oyster Ganbei

oysterbarcolumbia.com Blue Marlin ganbeirestaurants.com Vista: 1123 Park St., 803-799-4484 bluemarlincolumbia.com LEXINGTON : 5580-F Sunset Blvd., 803-808-1618 Mon-Wed 4-10 Lincoln p.m.; Vista:111200 Sun-Thu a.m.-2:30 p.m.Thu-Sat andSt., 4:30-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 803-799-3838 p.m. (bar later)p.m.

114-11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. open and 4:30-11 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5-10 p.m.; AMon-Thu true,Japanese old-fashioned oyster bar, and Swanky restaurant and bar features Fri Vista’s 11:30 a.m.-2:30 5-11bar p.m.;and Satlet 11:30 the first.

Sitp.m., at the plenty of classics — hibachi items, potstickers, stir a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. your server shuck you some steamed frys, fried rice, sushi, donburi, plus some curve or Specializing in creative seafood raw Gulf oysters.

Also steamed balls like baked mussels andserves spring rolls. $.dishes with a decidedly Lowcountry flair, Blue shrimp and scallops, plus shrimp and Marlin also serves hand-cut steaks and Inakaya Japanese grits, crab legs and sideRestaurant dishes. prime rib.

Shrimp grits is a ¢-$. top NORTHEAST : 224 O’Neiland Ct., 803-699-2626 seller, withTue-Fri the grits coming Mon 5-10 p.m.; 11:45 a.m.-2 p.m. from and 5-10right p.m.; across the Sun St. 11:30 at Adluh Fri-Sat 5-11 p.m.; a.m.-2 Flour. p.m. andDon’t 4-9 p.m. overlook other tasty options such as Elegant seating where outstanding sushi,

aurants free-times.com/restaurants | Summer 2016

bonefishgrill.com Forest Acres: 4708 Forest Dr., 803-787-6200 Harbison/Irmo: 1260 Bower Pkwy., 803-407-1599 Mon-Thu 4-10:30 p.m.; Fri 4-11:30 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Based out of St. Petersburg, Florida, Bonefish Grill specializes in offering the freshest seafood possible and boasts an oak-burning grill and a wide range of sauces. Pasta, chicken, pork and steak dishes round out the menu to suit varied tastes. ¢-$

Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse

cowboybraziliansteakhouse.com Downtown: 1508 Main St., 803-728-0887 Mon-Fri 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat. 4-10 p.m.; Sun 4-9 p.m.

Visit the enormous salad bar, then partake in the never-ending parade of sizzling grilled meats being carried around the dining room. Some 30 cuts available, including filet mignon, chicken wing, pork sausage, lamb shoulder and beef picanha — a special Brazilian cut. $$

Rioz Brazilian Steakhouse

rioz.com Harbison/Irmo: 410 Columbiana Dr., 803-708-3151 Oyster Bar Mon-Fri 5-10 p.m.; Sat.-Sun 4-10 p.m. oysterbarcolumbia.com skewers stacked meat DJ and a sashimi and1123 otherPark Japanese take bi bimGiant bap, from the owners ofwith the former Vista: St., cuisine 803-799-4484 massive salad — and$you can have center stage. Popular withThu-Sat families4-11 andp.m. large House.

Beer and winebar available.

Mon-Wed 4-10 p.m.; as much of it as you want. $$ groups theiruntil) spectacular Inakaya Boat (barfor open O Bok Korean Restaurant Specials.

Good variety and value.

A true, old-fashioned oyster$.bar, and Ruth’s House NORTHEAST : 1616Chris Decker Steak Blvd., 803-787-1100 the Vista’s first. Sit at the bar and let ruthschris.com Inakaya Watanabe Tue-Thu 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; your server shuck you some steamed or Vista:p.m.

924-A Senate St. (Hilton facebook.com/InakayaWatanabe Sun 12:30-9 raw Gulf oysters. Also serves steamed Hotel), 803-212-6666 ST. ANDREWS/DUTCH SQUARE: O Bok is popular with Korean folks for good shrimp and scallops, plus shrimp and Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; 655-C St. Andrews Rd., 803-731-2538 reason — the authenticity of the food. Dishes grits, crab legs and side dishes. ¢-$ Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-11 Mon 5-10 p.m.; Tue-Fri 11:45 a.m.-2 p.m., 5-10 p.m.; include the traditionalp.m. barbecued beef and What canas you say,exotic it’s Ruth’s freaking Sat 5-11 p.m. Oyster Bar stir-fries as well more offerings.

Pearlz Among best steaks on MealsChris. are served withthe a big assortment of planet pearlzoysterbar.com Excellent sushi, sashimi and traditional Earth, hands down, and you’ll Vista:dishes.

936 Gervais St., banchan, or Korean-style small dishes. be ¢.

Japanese $ paying mightily for them. Its seafood 803-661-7741 rocks, too. $$ Seoul Restaurant and Grocery Menkoi House Mon-SunRamen 4 p.m.-2 a.m.

NORTHEAST: 1717 Decker Blvd., 803-790-0090 VISTA : 1004specializes Gervais St., 803708-1569 Pearlz in fresh oysters, Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Sun-Thu 11 a.m.2:30 p.m.and and 5-11 p.m.; regional seafood Lowcountry Fri-Sat 11 a.m.- But 2:30 its p.m.hip, and trendy 5 p.m.-3 ambience a.m.

This charming restaurant and grocery offers recipes. authentic homestyle Korean fare in a casual Surprised to find legitimate ramen and signature martinisJapanese also make it a Blue. setting. $. hotspot young, urban in the heart offor theColumbia’s Vista? You shouldn’t be: facebook.com/blueinthevista crowd. $sushi joint Inakaya Theprofessional proprietor of beloved Vista: 721-A Lady St., is now slinging noodles. We’re told the beef 803-251-4447 Academy andSeafood vegetable curry — a mild, brown-gravy theseafoodacademysc.com Wed-Sat 4 p.m.-2 a.m. concoction served over rice — is highly Forest Acres: 3400 Forest Dr., A tapas bar and cocktail lounge that authentic, as well. ¢.

803-536-4558 features the city’s only ice bar to go Tue-Thu 4 Grill -9 p.m.;&Fri 4-10 p.m.; SakiTumi Sushi BarSat 11:30 7 Mares with breads and spreads and tapas a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. items.: 4360 AlsoAugusta serves Rd salads, chips and LEXINGTON ., 803-520-0067 sakifresh.com Serves traditional seafood like fried caldips11and desserts.

VISTA : 807 Gervais St., 803931-0700 Mon-Thu a.m.-10 p.m.; Enjoy sitting outamari, tuna salad and crab legs. Tailgate under theSun patio listening Fri-Satside 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. to the Sun-Thu 5-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 5-untilwings, ribs, menu includes chicken seriously, that ice That’swaterfall. mar-es, asAnd in Spanish for oceans, notbar is Upscale Vistapotatoes hotspot includes a popular mashed and more. $-$$ bar sweet.

English for girl¢-$ horses. Serves up the oceans’ area and a separate sushi bar. Extensive sake

Tapas

MEXICAN/ SOUTHWESTERN

list complements beer and wine offerings, and SakiTumi also has weekly sushi and drink specials that are easy on the wallet. Plenty of non-sushi items on menu,Club including grilled Carolina Strip items and tasty appetizers such as the lotus carolinastripclub.com rootVista: chips. Also out their 902check Gervais St.,regular sushimaking classes. $.

803-764-4017

Steakhouse

Mon-Thu 5-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 5-11 p.m.; Tsunami

Sun 5-9 p.m. tsunamicompany.com Steaks. Salads. Steak salads. Burgers, HARBISON/IRMO: 1290 Bower Pkwy., 803-407-3873

too, and seafood. Your straight-up Mon-Fri 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4-10 p.m.; American steakhouse. $-$$ Sat-Sun 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.

THE VISTA: 700-C Gervais St., 312-9911

Mon-Sat 4-11:45 p.m. Sun 4-10:45 p.m.

Trendy, chic sushi bar and restaurant with elegant, contemporary atmosphere and ample seating areas to complement extensive sake, wine and beer selection. $.

KOREAN Arirang

NORTHEAST: 1943 Decker Blvd., 803-790-5506

bounty, featuring Mexican Gervais & Vinefavorites like red snapper Veracruz-style, lobster soup, ceviche, gervine.com spicyVista: shrimp,620-A octopus Gervais salad and more.

St., Also serves803-799-8463 Mexican-American classics like fajitas and carnitas.

Mon-Th $.

5-10 p.m. Fri-Sat 5-11 p.m. .

True Mediterranean wine and tapas bar Cantina 76 with more than 40 wines by the glass cantina76.com and a wide selection of appetizers.

Dishes prepared in open kitchen and

SHANDON/ROSEWOOD:

2901 are Devine St., 803-708-6004 a fusion of Greek, Italian and SpanMon-Tue a.m.-2:30 p.m.,Southern 4:30-9:30 p.m.; ish 11 cuisine with influences. A Wed-Fri 4:30gem. p.m.-10¢-$ p.m.; Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Vista DOWNTOWN: 1301 Main St., 803-764-1769

Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Draws everyone from singles at the bar to couples and families, all of whom come for the Tex-Mex cuisine — and some of whom also go for the excellent margaritas, made in all shapes, flavors and sizes with top-shelf tequilas. $.

Chapala Mexican Restaurant

LEXINGTON: 1792 S. Lake Dr., 803-957-0840 ST. ANDREWS/DUTCH SQUARE:

7001 St. Andrews Rd., 803-749-7071

Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Tue-Sun 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Mexican-American and border region speYou’ll feel right at home in this Korean restau- cialties, from fajitas to chilaquiles to fish tacos, rant, where the staff will take charge as if they plus the combination platters you’d expect. were your own mom. Serves up such delights Lots of tortas (sandwiches) if you’ve got a big as pork belly grilled right at your table, plus lunch appetite. $.

Korean classics11am-9pm and banchan — and cold • Closed Wednesday & Sunday El Burrito beer, of course. ¢-$

TAKE US WITH YOU TO YOUR NEXT TAILGATE PARTY!

340Café E. Columbia Ave. (Hwy 1) • Leesville, SC Blue Cactus Mon-Sat 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

FIVE POINTS: 934 Harden St., 803-765-2188

bluecactuscafe.com FIVE POINTS: 2002 Greene St., 803-929-0782

El Burrito serves healthy, super-fresh, 803.532.8135 • www.shealysbbq.com authentic taqueria-style food. Beans and

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freetimes

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Wed-Fri 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.; Sat noon-9 p.m. rice, chicken, beef, soup, salads and more.

This unassuming little eatery boasts a serious Attention to healthy food and local produce. | freetimes

culinary reputation, specializing in home style Vegan- and vegetarian-friendly.

Cold beer, 17 Korean food mixed with Mexican and other hot salsas and good people. ¢. influences to create a sizzling menu that is especially vegetarian-friendly. Quality takes time, JP’s 4 Corners Signature Southwest however, so don’t go if you’re in a hurry. ¢.

Hero Korean Steak House

jp4corners.com

Thai Baan Sawan

Five Points: 2135 Devine St., 803-252-8992 Tue-Sat 5:30-9 p.m.

Not your typical Thai restaurant, Baan Sawan serves expertly prepared Thai standards like pad thai and curries, but also offers dishes you won’t find elsewhere and inventive seafood creations.

It’s pricey Thai food, but well worth it.

Classy setting and staff, too. $-$$

Bangkok Restaurant

Garners Ferry/Southeast: 7546 Garners Ferry Rd., 803-724-2255 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Bangkok was one of the first Thai restaurants in Columbia and remains worth the search. The pad thai and kaou pad bai kapow are favorites.

Offers a wide range of Thai cuisine, as well as soups and Thai iced tea. Also serves Chinese. ¢-$

Basil Thai Restaurant 3246 Forest Drive

·

803-454-1743

eatatbasil.com Garners Ferry/Southeast: 700 Cross Hill Rd., 803-782-0716 Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-9:30 p.m.; Fri 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5-10 p.m; Sat 5-10 p.m.; Sun. 5-9:30 p.m.

Housed at the upscale Cross Hill Market, this Charleston import features Thai classics and approachable twists thereupon. Nice cocktail selection. $

Mai Thai

Jp’s 4 Corners where we feature distinctive flavors of the southwest from Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah.

THE VILLAGE AT SANDHILL 150 Forum Dr • (803) 865-1001 w w w. j p 4 c o r n e r s . c o m    We Support Our Troops! 10% Discount for Retired and Active Military   

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selection of fresh squeezed juices and herbal tonics, and some scrumptious desserts. A full bar rounds out the awesomeness. $

Lamb’s Bread Vegan Café

lambsbreadvegancafe.com Downtown: 2338 Main St., 803-253-7889 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fri-Sat. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

One of the city’s only restaurants catering to both vegans and vegetarians.

Entire menu is vegan and uses locally grown and organic produce. Mock meats, sandwiches, vegetable dishes and fresh fruit juices available. Menu avoids genetically modified ingredients and tap water. ¢

Rosewood Market & Deli

rosewoodmarket.com Shandon/Rosewood: 2803 Rosewood Dr., 803-765-1083 Store hours: Mon-Sat 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Hot meals served Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Saturday breakfast: 9 a.m.11:30 a.m.; Sunday brunch: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

A natural-foods grocery featuring fresh organic produce, herbs and spices, as well as natural beauty aids and popular supplements. The deli serves a diverse selection of hot gourmet meals, salads, breads, pastries and desserts. The daily grain bowl is a standout. Eat in or take out. ¢

Vietnamese

maithais.com West Columbia/Cayce: 2249 Sunset Blvd., 803-939-4795 Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.; Fri 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-9:30 p.m.; Sat 5-9:30 p.m.

Not just a great Thai restaurant, but also a bubble tea cafe and Asian bakery. Restaurant features Thai classics such as spring rolls, stuffed chicken wing appetizers and a host of noodle and rice dishes and entrees such as rainbow duck, whole red snapper and a host of curries. Also offers reasonably priced lunch special entrees. $

Golden Chopstix

Thailand Restaurant

Pho Viet

St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 6024 St. Andrews Rd., 803-731-7715 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5-8:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5-9 p.m.; Sat-Sun 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Dinner Sat. 5-9 p.m., Sun. 5-8 p.m.

Authentic and delicious Thai food.

Serves numerous entrées, soups and salads, with choices of mild, medium or hot. $

Vegetarian Good Life Café

goodlifecafe.net Downtown: 1614 Main St., 803-726-2310 Mon-Thu 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

So much vegan awesomeness. The raw menu and specials feature a tasty and ever-rotating array of mock foods: tacos, tostadas, wraps, sandwiches, tarts and more. Also has a cooked menu with everything from grilled wraps to bean-and-grain bowls. Large

goldenchopstix.us West Columbia/Cayce: 1505 Charleston Hwy., 803-791-0206 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 5-8:30 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 5-9:30 p.m.; Sat noon-2 p.m., 5-9:30 p.m.

Serves Thai and Vietnamese dishes.

This quiet, tucked away restaurant is a pleasant surprise; the décor is tasteful and simple, and the service is excellent.

Dishes are prepared fresh when they are ordered — even the curry. Also serves sushi. ¢ pho-viet.com Northeast: 2300 Decker Blvd., 803-699-5959 Mon-Sun 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Five Points: 2011 Devine St., 803-779-4077 Mon-Sun 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Though it specializes in pho — the fragrant Vietnamese beef soup served with fresh herbs, bean sprouts and more — Pho Viet also serves spring rolls, chicken and seafood soups, rice bowls and noodle bowls. Also serves jelly pearl drinks and Vietnamese coffee. ¢

price ¢ avg. entrée < $10 key $ avg. entrée = $10-15

$$ avg. entrée > $15

For food and drink news plus a comprehensive list of local restaurants, visit free-times.com/restaurants.

Summer 2016 | free-times.com/restaurants

EVENTS O

K, you’re in town, now where’s the action?

For comprehensive events coverage on a week-to-week basis, pick up a copy of Free Times at one of hundreds of locations throughout the city. But to get you started, we’ve compiled some of the major concerts, exhibitions and other cultural highlights of what’s happening between now and May, when the next Bites & Sights hits the streets. Dates are subject to change. For more information, please contact the specific venue or organization.

For more things to do, go to free-times.com/ events.

ONGOING The Flick

trustus.org

May 20-June 4. In this play, three underpaid employees at a run-down movie theater in central Massachusetts mop the floors and attend to one of the last 35-millimeter film projectors in the state.

Five After Five

Miss SC Pageant 2015

Through Oct. 27. Free, outdoor local concert series at the fountain in Five Points on select Thursdays. Features local food vendors, arts & crafts, local brews and entertainment for the kids.

June 21-25. Competition to see who will be Miss South Carolina and Miss South Carolina Teen.

More info at miss-sc.org.

JUNE

June 26. Fireworks. Inside a church. No kidding.

H.E.R.O. Dance Benefit

JULY

fivepointscolumbia.com

thetownship.org

June 4. Columbia Music Festival Association and Gary Sinise Foundation present mixedrepertoire performance to honor soldiers and veterans.

City of Columbia Summer Movie Series June 3-29. Free weekly outdoor screenings at Riverfront Park will include titles such as Frozen, Inside Out, Minions and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Tour of Homes

columbiabuilders.com

June 4-19. Showcases five communities and more than 50 homes spanning every price range.

Conductors Institute of South Carolina music.sc.edu

June 5-18. Top young conductors come to the University of South Carolina to hone their craft. You can watch them for free.

The Commedia Hansel & Gretel

columbiachildrenstheatre.com

Daufuskie Memories

June 10-19. Kid-friendly production of the classic tale.

May 27-Aug. 7. In more than 60 photos taken between 1977 and 1982, Jeanne MoutoussamyAshe captures the lives of African-Americans on South Carolina’s Daufuskie Island.

Southern Guitar Festival

columbiamuseum.org

RACE: Are We So Different? scmuseum.org

Opens June 4. A cultural and scientific look at race throughout history and the reasons we should celebrate our differences.

Rhythm on the River

rhythmontheriversc.com

Through June 11. Weekly Saturday concert series at the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheatre.

Blooming Butterflies edventure.org

Through October. 2,500 square feet filled with dozens of species of trees and plants to showcase the lifespan of butterflies native to South Carolina.

southernguitarfest.com

June 11-12. This festival provides listeners with an excellent opportunity to hear classical guitarists, and offers guitarists masterclasses, lectures and an international competition.

Southeastern Piano Festival sepf.music.sc.edu/

June 12-19. Popular and highly regarded annual festival featuring top young pianists and accomplished guest artists.

Held at the USC School of Music.

Drift Jam Festival driftjam.com

June 11. A floating music festival on Lake Murray. Yes, that means a floating stage, and you watch from your boat.

Columbia Fashion Week columbiafashionweek.com

June 21-25. Designers and enthusiasts gather for a week of fashion-related events.

thetownship.org

Carolina Celebration of Liberty fbccola.com

American Idiot trustus.org

July 1-30. Punk-rock opera originated by Green Day was a critical smash on Broadway.

Now it comes to Trustus Theatre.

Fourth of July Celebration on Lake Murray lakemurraycountry.com

July 2. A daylong celebration starting with the annual boat parade at noon and ending with a fireworks show at dark.

Lexington County Peach Festival

lexingtoncountypeachfestival.com

July 4. Held in Gilbert Community Park, you’ll not only get to eat lots of peaches, you’ll also get to eat barbecue and see a tractor show.

Jammin’ in July

historic-camden.net

July 11. This is the 20th anniversary of this annual music festival. Held in Camden, Jammin’ in July presents a variety of rock, blues, bluegrass, folk and Americana.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid towntheatre.com

July 15-31. Kid-friendly show about an ocean dweller who wants to be where the people are.

Tasty Tomato Festival tastytomatofestival.com

July 16. A great local festival that offers tomatoes in all of their possible incarnations, along with bands, other food vendors and more. Presented

by Sustainable Midlands at City Roots in Rosewood.

Carolina Bridal Showcase

AUGUST Brew at the Zoo

riverbankszoo.org

Aug. 5. Combine community enthusiasm for the zoo with community enthusiasm for beer, and you get one of the most successful parties of the year.

SC Black Pride

southcarolinablackpride.com

Aug. 18-21. Focuses on raising awareness of and sensitivity to issues facing the AfricanAmerican LGBT community.

Anatomy of a Hug trustus.org

Aug. 19-27. Winner of Trustus Theatre’s Playwrights’ Festival.

Main Street Latin Festival mainstreetlatinfestival.com

Aug. 22. Showcases the culture and vitality of Columbia’s Latin community with a wide variety of Hispanic food, art, dance and music.

SEPTEMBER SC Pride 2016

Main Street, downtown Columbia scpride.org

Sept. 3. The South Carolina Pride Movement is a statewide organization dedicated to celebrating, advocating, educating and supporting the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities of South Carolina; the festival offers music, art, parties, parades and more.

Columbia Greek Festival

columbiasgreekfestival.com

Sept. 15-18. The Greek Festival is Columbia at its best — multicultural, culinary diversity and family friendly fun. Plus: baklava!

Jubilee: Festival of Heritage Mann-Simons Cottage, historiccolumbia.org

Sept. 17. Features hands-on demonstrations from skilled artists and craftsmen and vendors with African-influenced and traditional merchandise.

Music ranges from African drumming to R&B, jazz and gospel.

columbiabride.com/ bridal-shows.html

Fall Carolina Bridal Showcase

July 17. Dresses! Flowers!

Caterers! Photographers! If it has anything to do with planning your wedding, you’ll find it here.

Sept. 18. Even more table settings! Even more dresses!

Even more flowers!

bridecitybridalshows.com

Irmo Okra Strut

irmookrastrut.com

Sept. 23-24. Music, food, games and a freaking okra parade.

Praise be to Irmo.

Carrie Underwood

coloniallifearena.com

Sept. 24. Modern country star plays in Columbia.

free-times.com/events | Summer 2016

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ATTRACTIONS Downtown USC South Main

C

Robert Mills House PHOTO COURTESY HISTORIC COLUMBIA

C

olumbia is full of history — and historical attractions. The Articles of Secession were signed here, and Gen. Sherman occupied the city at the end of the Civil War. Even the Publix in the Vista carries a whiff of Civil War history, occupying a building that once printed Confederate currency and later housed the state liquor dispensary.

But it’s not just war sites that you need to see: Statewide, South Carolina has 1,300 sites on the National Register of Historic Places.

The city has several notable historic homes, including the Robert Mills House & Gardens (Mills was an architect who designed the Washington Monument), the MannSimons Site (an important center of the AfricanAmerican community) and the Woodrow Wilson Family Home (the only presidential site in the state and the only museum in the country dedicated to the history of the Reconstruction era).

Columbia also has an often-overlooked civil

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rights history that includes three major Supreme Court rulings. Signs along Main Street commemorate key local events and people.

Our attractions aren’t all ancient, either. See, for example, the monument to Hootie & the Blowfish in Five Points.

Columbia’s biggest attraction is the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, which draws approximately 1 million visitors per year. Opened in 1974, the zoo occupies 170 acres along the Lower Saluda River and houses more than 2,000 animals in natural habitat exhibits; 70 of those acres are devoted to Riverbanks Botanical Garden, which features woodlands, gardens, historic

ATTRACTIONS

ruins, plant collections, a visitor facility and the brandnew Waterfall Junction, a three-acre play area for children.

Other top destinations in the city include the South Carolina State Museum (with a planetarium, observatory and 4D theater), EdVenture Children’s Museum, Congaree National Park, the Columbia Museum of Art, Three Rivers Greenway, Colonial Life Arena, the Township Auditorium and more.

For a list of upcoming events, see the calendar on page 20 or visit free-times.com/events.

olumbia’s Main Street is booming these days.

The Hub at Columbia has brought a major influx of young residents to the area. Restaurants such as The Oak Table, Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse, Good Life Café, Michael’s, Cantina 76 and The Epicurean by AlAmir have given Main Street a big daytime boost. The Soda City farmers market is bustling on Saturday mornings. Columbia’s home of independent film, the Nickelodeon Theatre, is on the 1600 block of Main Street. Drip Coffee services downtown dwellers’ caffeine addictions and provides a great meeting spot. The Whig is one of the hippest bars in town. And the Columbia Museum of Art, long the area’s cultural anchor, provides a steady stream of exhibitions and events. Bottom line: Things are happening downtown.

Just south of the State House is a string of establishments catering largely to university types and state employees. Among the options within a few-block radius: Turkish food; coffee; sandwiches; frozen yogurt; hot dogs; ice cream; bagels and locally brewed beers at Hunter-Gatherer.

African-American History Monument

State House grounds, east side The backstory of this monument goes back to 1994, when state Sen. John Courson put forward a grand bargain that would link removing the Confederate Flag from the State House dome (but keeping it on State House grounds) with creating an African-American history monument. That initial proposal didn’t pass, but eventually a compromise came together.

Dedicated in 2001, this 12-panel sculpture represents key aspects of the African-American experience.

Busted Plug Plaza

1400 Block of Taylor St. It’s a giant metallic fire hydrant.

What else can we say?

Summer 2016 | free-times.com/events

BIG & BOLD Selections from the Collection May 27 – October 23, 2016 In this entertaining new show, we invite you to enjoy outsized art.

Daufuskie Memories May 27 – August 7, 2016

Presented by

In the early 1980s, Daufuskie Island stood alone as the last South Carolina sea island untouched by the outside world.

In the early 1980s, Daufuskie Island stood alone as the last South Carolina sea island untouched by the outside world.

EYES

ON

THE

EDGE

J Henry Fair Photographs the Carolina Coast August 19 – October 23, 2016 These dramatic, large-scale photographs teeter between abstractions and high-resolution imagery of the land.

1515 Main Street in Columbia, SC • 803-799-2810 • columbiamuseum.org Top: Sam Gilliam, American, born 1933. Cape II (detail), 1970. Acrylic on canvas. Gift of Ed McGowin. Middle: Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, American, born 1951. Blossum (detail), 1980. Gelatin silver print. Gift of the artist to the CMA. Bottom: J Henry Fair, Inlet at Edisto Beach (detail), 2015. Color photograph, 50 x 70 in. Courtesy of the artist.

free-times.com/restaurants | Summer 2016

| freetimes

21

ATTRACTIONS Columbia Museum of Art

Main and Hampton streets, 803-799-2810, columbiamuseum.org Exhibitions! Concerts! Beer! The museum’s traveling exhibitions span the full range of art history, while its permanent collection emphasizes European fine and decorative arts. Of course, the art is always a key draw when you’re talking about an art museum, but there are also a ton of other events happening here: the young adult-oriented Arts & Draughts series, the acclaimed Chamber on Main series, plus lots of lectures, films and more.

Elmwood Cemetery

501 Elmwood Ave. OK, so maybe hanging out in a cemetery isn’t your idea of fun. But this cemetery is full of history — and Civil War history in particular. Established in 1854, Elmwood Cemetery covers 168 acres and includes an area dedicated to Confederate soldiers. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

Nickelodeon Theater PHOTO BY JONATHAN SHARPE

Finlay Park

Mann-Simons Cottage

930 Laurel St., 803-545-3100 Truth be told, Finlay Park (opened in 1991) has seen better days. Nonetheless, it can still be a good place for a walk amid the hustle of downtown. It could also get a boost soon as the city is considering major renovation plans. Also hosts occasional concerts and festivals. Located behind the Assembly Street post office.

Governor’s Mansion

800 Richland St., 803-737-1710 scgovernorsmansion.org Built in 1855 as a residence for officers of the Arsenal Military Academy, Gen. Sherman’s troops spared the building at the end of the Civil War and it became the official Governor’s Mansion in 1868.

Hampton-Preston Mansion 1615 Blanding St., 803-252-7742 historiccolumbia.org Built in 1818, the HamptonPreston Mansion opened for tours in 1970; its rooms reflect the Federal period to the early postbellum years.

Koger Center

1051 Greene St., 803-777-7500 koger.sc.edu The Koger Center is operated

by USC and has served as Columbia’s primary facility for the performing arts since 1989. Hosts the Broadway in Columbia series, South Carolina Philharmonic concerts, ballet performances and more. Seats just over 2,000.

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1403 Richland St., 803-252-7742 historiccolumbia.org One of only a few houses in South Carolina owned by free blacks in antebellum days and preserved as a historic house museum. Celia Mann and her descendants owned the house from the mid-19th century until 1970. The house serves as the focal point for the annual Jubilee Festival.

McKissick Museum

USC Horseshoe, 803-777-7251 www.cas.sc.edu/mcks Offers exhibits relating to the cultural, political and natural history of South Carolina and the southeastern United States.

Modjeska Monteith Simkins House

2025 Marion St. Built between 1890 and 1895, this one-story cottage was the home of Modjeska Simkins, a leader in South Carolina’s civil rights movement and the first woman to serve as state secretary of the state NAACP. At a time when African-Americans could not stay at city hotels, Simkins’ home offered a gathering space and lodging for many civil rights figures, including Thurgood Marshall.

Nickelodeon Theatre

1607 Main St., 803-254-8234 nickelodeon.org Specializing in foreign and independent films, the Nickelodeon moved into the spot of the former Fox Theatre

ATTRACTIONS

on Main Street in 2012 and opened a second screen last year. Also presents the popular multidisciplinary Indie Grits festival.

Palmetto Trail

palmettoconservation.org Conceived in 1994 as a statewide series of linked trails, the Palmetto Trail features 350 miles of completed paths thus far. In the Midlands, the Capital City Passage is an urban section of the trail going from Riverfront Park to Fort Jackson.

Randolph Cemetery

Elmwood Ave. at I-26 historicrandolphcemetery.org Founded on land purchased from Elmwood Cemetery in 1872, Randolph Cemetery is the first cemetery established specifically for Columbia’s black community.

Prior to the cemetery’s founding, African-Americans were buried along with poor whites near the river in a potter’s field. But in 1871, 19 local black leaders came together to establish a respectable place for burial for African-Americans; it is named in honor of Senator Benjamin Franklin Randolph.

Riverbanks Zoo & Botanical Garden

I-126 at Greystone Blvd., 803-779-8717 riverbanks.org From reptiles to birds and everything in between, Riverbanks Zoo is by far Columbia’s biggest tourism draw. Home to more than 2,000 animals and a 70-acre botanical garden, Riverbanks also sports a zipline canopy tour, a ropes

course and hosts popular annual events such as Boo at the Zoo, Brew at the Zoo and Lights Before Christmas. New in 2016: a sea lion exhibit opening in June, and the three-acre Waterfall Junction, a play area for kids open now.

Robert Mills House and Garden

1616 Blanding St., 803-252-7742 historiccolumbia.org The Robert Mills House is best known for its namesake architect, who also designed the Washington Monument. Open for tours, it is one of only five National Historic Landmarks in the city.

South Carolina State House

Main Street at Gervais Street scstatehouse.net More than 50 years after its original inception in 1851, architect Charles C. Wilson finally completed the building, calling it “one of the most notable buildings of the world.” Others disagreed, with one legislative observer calling the dome “nothing short of a miserable fraud.” Now you can gape at the expanse of lawn on the north side where the Confederate flag flew until July of 2015. Call 803-7342430 or visit scstatehouse.net for tour information.

Seibels House

1601 Richland St., 803-252-7742 historiccolumbia.org Built in the late 18th century, the Seibels House now serves as the

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ATTRACTIONS Historic Columbia Foundation office and is a popular spot for weddings. Historic Columbia was chartered in 1961 to prevent the loss of the Robert Mills House and now is involved in many aspects of historic preservation in Columbia.

Spirit Communications Park

columbiafireflies.com 803-726-4487 Spirit Communications Park is the anchor of the Commons at BullStreet development and the home of Columbia’s new minor league baseball team, the Columbia Fireflies. It’s also a multi-use entertainment venue that hosts various events.

Soda City Market

1500 Block of Main Street sodacitysc.com Held every Saturday morning, the Soda City market offers sustainably produced meat and produce, as well as fresh bakery items, crafts and other locally produced goods.

Sylvan Building

1500 Main St. Where’s the Sylvan Building?

Just look for that old clock at the corner of Main and Hampton streets. Built between 1868 and 1870, The Sylvan Building was the first large building constructed in Columbia after Union soldiers burned the city on Feb. 17, 1865. Now listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Tapp’s Arts Center

portions of the Greenway are already popular for walking and running, and the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheatre hosts outdoor concerts and more.

Township Auditorium

1703 Taylor St., thetownship.org First opened in 1930, the 3,000-plus-seat Township Auditorium has hosted such artists as Elvis Presley, Duke Ellington, Pink Floyd, The Clash and Bob Dylan. Reopened in 2010 after a $12 million facelift, the Township brings everything from R&B, country, rock and EDM acts to wrestling, comedy and dance.

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral & Cemetery

1100 Sumter St. Originally dedicated in 1814, Trinity Episcopal grew into a new building in 1847, one designed

by Edward Brickell White and modeled after York Cathedral in England. Today, it’s one of the 20 largest Episcopal churches in the country. Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice James F. Byrnes and six governors are buried in its cemetery.

Tunnelvision

Taylor and Marion streets A 1975 wall mural of a road running through a tunnel, Tunnelvision is an iconic piece of local public art. Don’t drive by this thing when you’re stoned unless you feel like totaling your car.

USC Horseshoe

644 Main St., 803-988-0013 tappsartscenter.com Tapp’s Arts Center officially opened in 2011 and has become a focal point of Main Street’s art scene. Presents visual arts exhibitions and offers artist studios. Also hosts a range of concerts, comedy shows, film screenings and other artsrelated events and is available for rentals.

900 Block of Sumter St., 803-777-8161 Little do most of the frolicking young college students on the gorgeous USC Horseshoe know — or care, probably — that Robert Mills, the nation’s first federal architect, designed several buildings there, as well as the Maxcy Monument, named for the first president of the college, Jonathan Maxcy.

Town Theatre

Woodrow Wilson Family Home

1012 Sumter St., 803-799-2510 towntheatre.com Built in 1924, Town Theatre is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is the oldest continuously operating community theater building in the country; presents familyfriendly musicals and other productions.

Three Rivers Greenway

riveralliance.org, 803-765-2200 Designated in 2013 as a National Recreation Trail, the Three Rivers Greenway provides several miles of linked riverside pathways in Columbia, Cayce and West Columbia. The completed Cayce and West Columbia

Vista Riverfront State Street Vista West

Just across the Gervais Street bridge sits an eclectic mix of nightspots, galleries, gift shops, restaurants and antique shops, many of them on State Street in West Columbia.

T

Adluh Flour Mill

his converted warehouse district is largely known for its many dining and nightlife options and art galleries, but it also sports some key attractions such as the Colonial Life Arena, EdVenture Children’s Museum and the South Carolina State Museum, as well as a theater and a grocery store (converted from a former Confederate printing plant).

Home to such popular annual events as Vista Lights (a holiday season kick-off party) and Artista Vista (a three-day gallery crawl in the spring), the Vista also has an increasing number of residential options. On the third Thursday of every month, the area also holds the Vista Nights art crawl.

804 Gervais St., 800-692-3584 adluh.com The neon Adluh Flour sign in the heart of the Vista points to a cultural icon of Columbia.

Founded in 1900, Adluh is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Flour and cornmeal products sold on-site.

The Big Apple

1000 Hampton St., 803-518-6147 bigappledance.com A debate still rages as to whether the phrase “The Big Apple” came to New York City from jazz or from horse racing (a 1930s N.Y.C. sports column was called “Around the Big Apple”).

For Columbia’s sake, let’s go with the jazz theory: Once a local synagogue, The Big Apple later was turned into a juke joint where, in 1936, AfricanAmericans invented a new dance,

“...make no Doubt we shall carry this post...”

The History and Archaeology of Fort Motte See Revolutionary War artifacts including weapon fragments, ammunition, pottery, buttons, coins, arrowheads, and more on display now.

1705 Hampton St., 803-252-7742 woodrowwilsonhome.com The Wilson family moved to Columbia in 1870, moved into the home in 1872 and left two years later following a dispute between Wilson’s father and the Presbyterian Theological Seminary where he taught. After years of renovations, the home re-opened in February 2014, focusing on Reconstruction-era history.

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.. ..

From the original painting by Mort Kunstler, The Capture of Fort Motte ©1976 Mort Kunstler, Inc. www.mkunstler.com

SC Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum www.crr.sc.gov 803-737-8095

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ATTRACTIONS the Big Apple. Now popular for weddings, receptions and dance events.

Colonial Life Arena

801 Lincoln St. Charge by phone: 1-877-489-2849 General Info: 803-576-9200 coloniallifearena.com The 18,000-seat Colonial Life Arena is the largest arena in South Carolina, hosting major concert and entertainment acts and serving as the home for USC men’s and women’s basketball.

Columbia Marionette Theater

401 Laurel St., 803-252-7366 cmtpuppet.org Located near Riverfront Park, the Columbia Marionette Theater was founded in 1988 and presents children’s productions ranging from traditional fairy tales to educational shows. In 2009, founder Allie Scollon received a top national puppetry award.

EdVenture Children’s Museum

211 Gervais St., 803-779-3100 edventure.org The South’s largest children’s museum, with more than 70,000 square feet of cool stuff to keep the kids occupied.

Riverfront Park

Laurel at Huger Street, 803-545-3100, columbiasc.net Separating the Historic Columbia Canal and the Congaree River, Riverfront Park is a popular jogging and walking trail encompassing 167 acres just west of Huger Street. Mostly reopened, but small sections remain closed following the October 2015 flood.

South Carolina State Confederate Relic Room & Museum

301 Gervais St., 803-737-8095 www.crr.sc.gov The Confederate Relic Room actually has much more than Civil War memorabilia, with artifacts dating from the Revolutionary War to World War II. Located in the former mill that also houses the South Carolina State Museum.

South Carolina State Museum

301 Gervais St., 803-898-4921 southcarolinastatemuseum.org The State Museum opened a major expansion space in 2014 featuring an observatory, planetarium and 4D theater.

Housed in the historic Columbia Mill building (built in 1893), the South Carolina State Museum has permanent and rotating exhibitions covering South Carolina’s cultural history, natural

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history, science, technology and art. The museum also brings in non-South Carolina-related blockbuster exhibitions.

Three Rivers Greenway

riveralliance.org, 803-765-2200 The completed portions of the Greenway are popular for walking and running, and the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheatre hosts outdoor concerts and more.

Trustus Theatre

520 Lady St., 803-254-9732 trustus.org A popular and well established theater in the Vista, Trustus offers contemporary works alongside popular musicals and mainstream plays.

Five Points Rosewood Olympia Southeast

F

ive Points is a college student’s playground, but it’s also much more.

Home to the annual St. Pat’s festival — which draws thousands of music fans and partiers every year — Five Points offers an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants and bars where you’ll find everything from coffee, hip clothes, books and records to deli sandwiches, burritos, ice cream and more. And with the coveted tree-lined bungalows of Shandon just up the street, Five Points and Devine Street also have options for the post-college crowd, including numerous locally owned clothing stores and other retail spots.

Not far away in Rosewood, you’ll find a burgeoning residential and retail area anchored by Publix and sprinkled with eclectic spots to grab a drink such as The Kraken, Cock ‘N’ Bull Pub and Rockaway Athletic Club. Rosewood has its own signature events, too, among them the Rosewood Crawfish Festival and the Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival.

Over in the historic mill village of Olympia, you’ll find a dynamic community space at 701 Whaley — which houses the 701 Center for Contemporary Art and hosts numerous local events — and Carolina Stadium, home of

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Riverfront Park PHOTO BY AUSTIN PRICE the Gamecock baseball team.

Olympia’s big annual events are Olympia Fest and the Quarry Crusher Run.

701 Center for Contemporary Art

701 Whaley St., 803-779-4571 701cca.org Opened in the fall of 2008, the 701 Center for Contemporary Art is an integral part of the local arts scene, hosting cutting-edge visual arts exhibitions, artist talks and more.

Carolina Stadium

431 Williams St. Home stadium of the two-time national champion Gamecocks men’s baseball team, this 9,000-seat stadium is a bang-up place to watch the Gamecocks.

Recently named the best college baseball stadium in America.

City Roots

1005 Airport Blvd., 803-254-2302 cityroots.org In the heart of lower Rosewood, City Roots is a working urban farm, with classes, volunteer opportunities, parties and other events. Visit the chickens, feel the warm compost, check out the tilapia pond and the two greenhouses, pick some strawberries — it’s all educational, and the produce is delicious.

Congaree National Park

nps.gov/cong, 803-776-4396 No, Congaree National Park is not in Rosewood, but if you head out Rosewood Drive to Bluff Road and keep going for 18 miles, you’re there. This 22,000acre park boasts the largest old-growth, floodplain forest

on the continent. It’s also an International Biosphere Reserve, a Globally Important Bird Area and a National Natural Landmark.

Activities include hiking, boating, camping, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, nature walks and more.

Located in Hopkins, southeast of Columbia (S.C. 48 from Bluff Rd. or exit 5 off I-77).

Five Points Fountain

Harden Street and Saluda Avenue The Five Points Fountain is a nice place to hang out with your coffee or lunch; it’s also ground zero for numerous events, including the Five Points After Five concert series, which presents local and regional bands on an outdoor stage.

Five Points Retail Five Points is for strolling, dining and shopping. Retail options are wide, encompassing everything from unique gifts at Portfolio Art Gallery or Finleaf Gallery to hip clothing at Sid and Nancy and skateboards at BlueTile. When night falls, there are plenty of places to get your groove on, too (see Nightlife).

Hootie Monument Remember that band with the song “Hold My Hand” that came out in the mid-’90s and sold an ungodly number of records?

Those guys were from Columbia.

Head to Santee Avenue, look at the big metal sculpture and read all about the many musical exploits of Hootie & The Blowfish.

Shops on Devine Just up the hill from Five Points on Devine Street are a string of high-quality, locally owned shops. From craft beer at Craft

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ATTRACTIONS & Draft to ultra-cool furniture at Bohemian Home and high-end fashion at Pout and Brittons, Devine Street merchants specialize in some of the most unique and eclectic offerings in the city.

South Carolina Military Museum

1225 Bluff Road, 803-806-4440 scmilitarymuseum.com Dedicated to honoring South Carolina’s National Guard and its citizen soldiers throughout history, from the late 17th century to the wars of the 21st century.

Williams-Brice Stadium

1125 George Rogers Blvd., 803-777-4271 uscsports.cstv.com Situated close to both Rosewood and Olympia, Williams-Brice Stadium is party central during USC football season, with fans spilling into both Five Points and the Vista after games. Since being built in 1934, WilliamsBrice has served as the site of lots of drunken football revelry, as well as hosting Pope John Paul II, the Rolling Stones, U2, Kenny Chesney and then-U.S. Sen. Barack Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign.

Northeast Forest Acres Fort Jackson Blythewood Camden

H

ome to the wonderful Sesquicentennial State Park, the Northeast also sports the 600-acre Sandhill Research and Education Center, the annual Sparkleberry Country Fair, the enormous Village at Sandhill retail complex (and in it, the popular Plex Indoor Sports), the expansive Lake Carolina residential development, several golf courses and farmers markets, and topnotch schools that keep residents coming. Just a few miles away in Camden is the Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site, which commemorates the 1780 Battle of Camden.

Camden Archives & Museum

cityofcamden.org 1314 Broad St., 803-425-6050 Offers genealogical research facilities and maintains a diverse collection to aid visitors in their

Williams-Brice Stadium PHOTO BY JOHN CARLOS research. Collects material pertaining to the north-central section of South Carolina formerly recognized as the old Camden District.

Columbia Children’s Theatre

3400 Forest Dr., 803-691-4548 columbiachildrenstheatre.com A nonprofit, professional theater offering educational and entertainment opportunities to children and families.

Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County

810 Lyttleton St., Camden, 803-425-7676 fineartscenter.org Presents community-oriented theater, music, dance and exhibitions, as well as the annual Carolina Downhome Blues Festival.

Goodale State Park

650 Park Rd. (Camden), 803-432-2772 southcarolinaparks.com Cypress trees, a pond, fishing, picnic spots, kayaking and canoeing all make this a popular spot to visit.

Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site

historic-camden.net We’ll spare you the suspense: The Americans got their asses handed to them at the 1780 Battle of Camden. Some 233 years later, though, we’re over it. Hosts a Battle of Camden Remembrance Day each August, Revolutionary War Field Days each November and other events throughout the year.

free-times.com/events | Summer 2016

Lake Wateree

Winnsboro, 803-482-6401 southcarolinaparks.com Hosts fishing tournaments and offers a publicly accessible boat ramp, tackle shop and refueling dock.

Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden

145 Broad Acres Rd. (Bishopville) pearlfryar.com A true South Carolina icon, Pearl Fryar has made his incredible topiary garden his life’s work — and invited the public to see it.

Sandhills Farmers Market

900 Clemson Rd., 803-788-5700 sandhillsfarmersmarket.com Open each Tuesday from 2 to 7 p.m. through Nov. 22. Farmers from around the region bring fresh local produce, meat, fish, eggs, butter, milk, cheese, honey, plants, flowers, shrubs and baked goods. Across from the Village at Sandhill.

Sandhill Research and Education Center

900 Clemson Rd., 803-788-5700 Agricultural research facility and nature preserve on 600 acres.

Wildlife is abundant; guests are advised to stay on designated trails.

Sesquicentennial State Park

9564 Two Notch Rd., 803-788-2706 southcarolinaparks.com This 1,419-acre park features a 30-acre lake surrounded by trails, picnic areas and campsites.

Also offers boating, fishing,

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swimming, meeting facilities and trails. Trails include a 6.1-mile mountain bike trail, a 1.9-mile nature trail, and a 3.5mile walking and jogging trail.

Located 13 miles northeast of Columbia on Two Notch Road.

South Carolina Railroad Museum

110 Industrial Park Rd. (Winnsboro), 803-712-4135, scrm.org Everybody loves trains, right?

Take an hour-long ride, stroll through historic train cars and check out the hats, whistles and other train paraphernalia in the gift shop.

U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum

4442 Jackson Blvd., 803-751-7419 jackson.armylive.dodlive.mil/ post/museum Commemorates Fort Jackson’s prominent role in training American soldiers by acquiring and exhibiting artifacts dating to the fort’s founding in 1917. Public access is limited; call ahead for details.

Village at Sandhill

481 Town Center Pl., 803-419-0235 villageatsandhill.com Located off I-20 (Exit 80, Clemson Road), the Village at Sandhill is a testament to the growth of Columbia’s Northeast region. Primarily a massive retail development, the Village at Sandhill also boasts a movie theater, numerous dining options and community events, including outdoor concerts.

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ATTRACTIONS Lake Murray Lexington Harbison/Irmo West Columbia Cayce

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or visitors to the area, the key draw in this part of town is Lake Murray, a 50,000-acre man-made lake with 650 miles of shoreline.

Lake Murray offers a wide range of seasonal recreation options — including sailing, fishing (especially striped bass), camping and hiking — and a huge Fourth of July fireworks display (held the Saturday before the holiday).

Public access is limited to the few parks and marinas scattered around the lake, so keep that in mind as you make your plans.

There’s more to the area than the lake, however. Among your options: Saluda Shoals Park, which features a wetlands preserve; Harbison State Forest, a great place to bike; and Seven Oaks Park, with a full-service recreation complex.

If you’re looking for cultural offerings, among your options are the Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra and the Chapin Theatre Company, which has been serving the area for more than 25 years. For Columbians from all areas of town, the Columbiana Centre Mall and its surrounding big-name retailers make it a necessary stop. Good schools and neighborhoods round out the package for residents.

Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center

1120 Fort Congaree Tr., 803-227-3030 cayce.lexingtoncountytennis.com A massive and well-kept modern tennis complex hosting tournaments and offering yearround lessons. Also has a gym.

Chapin Theatre Company

PO Box 360, Chapin, 803-240-8544 chapintheatre.org What originated informally in the late ‘70s as a few friends staging no-frills plays has become a staple of Lexington County’s cultural life.

Shows at Harbison Theatre.

Riverwalk, this monument marks the site of earthworks built during the Civil War by more than 750 enslaved African-Americans.

Parking at Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center.

Congaree Riverwalk

241 Gibson Rd., 803-359-1027 scgreatoutdoors.com These 15 acres in the Town of Lexington offer walking trails, kayaking, picnic tables and a scenic overlook.

riveralliance.org, 803-765-2200 We’re still waiting for Columbia to finish its portion of the Three Rivers Greenway, but most of the Lexington County sections are already done. The completed Cayce and West Columbia portions of the Greenway are popular for walking and running, and the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheatre hosts outdoor concerts and more.

A few sections remain closed because of damage from the October 2015 flood.

Harbison State Forest

Crooked Creek Park

Harbison Theatre

1098 Old Lexington Highway (Chapin), 345-6181, icrc.net “Crooked Creek” makes this park sound like it’s a dirt path next to a trickle of water. Actually, it’s got a 53,000-square-foot community center with a full gym and racquetball courts, along with tennis courts, athletics fields, picnic areas and walking trails.

Dreher Island State Recreation Area

state.sc.us/forest/refharb.htm 803-896-8890 If you didn’t know it was there, you’d never expect to find 2,177 acres of forest along the sprawling mess that is Broad River Road.

But there it is — one of the largest public green spaces inside the city limits of a metropolitan area in the eastern United States. Features more than 16 miles of roads and trails (popular for biking) and a canoe landing.

7300 College St., Irmo Info: 803-407-5003, Tickets: 803-407-5011 harbisontheatre.org The 400-seat Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College presents a high-quality and eclectic array of performing arts events that diversify Midlands Tech’s offerings and strengthen its relationship with the local community. Also serves as a rental facility for local arts organizations.

3677 State Park Rd., Exit 91 off I-26, 803-364-4152 southcarolinaparks.com Located 30 miles northwest of Columbia in Prosperity, the Dreher Island recreation area consists of three islands encompassing 12 miles of shoreline on Lake Murray.

Especially popular for fishing and boating (Lake Murray is a top destination for striped and largemouth bass), Dreher Island also offers lakefront camping, cabin and villa rentals, water skiing and picnicking.

Lake Murray

First Responders Wall of Remembrance

205 W. Main St., Lexington scremembers911.com Dedicated in 2008, this memorial to 9/11 was made from steel from Ground Zero in New York City.

lmso.org Think there’s no culture when you get outside downtown?

Think again. Led by artistic director Einar Anderson, the Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra was conceived in 2001 and held its first concert in 2004.

Frankie’s Fun Park

Lexington County Museum

140 Parkridge Dr., 803-781-2342 frankiesfunpark.com Kids’ stuff? Hardly. This Harbisonarea entertainment center packs three go-kart tracks, three 18-hole mini-golf courses, batting cages, bumper boats, an arcade, a 5,000-square foot multi-tiered laser tag arena and an super-tall drop zone that says “In your face, gravity!” into 14 acres filled with fun for all ages. What, do you hate fun or something?

Congaree Creek Earthworks Monument Situated along the Timmerman Trail portion of the Cayce

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Gibson Pond

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lakemurraycountry.com, lakemurray.com Located a few miles northwest of downtown Columbia, Lake Murray is a 50,000-acre lake offering boating, camping and other recreational activities. Lakemurraycountry.com lists public access points, as well as marinas and landing spots. Good striped bass fishing during the season.

Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra

tastings and tours. Great spot for parties and weddings, too.

Peachtree Rock Nature Preserve

scgreatoutdoors.com/ park-peachtree.html, 803-254-9046 Sadly, the geological wonder known as Peachtree Rock — a triangularshaped top-heavy sandstone formation that had stood on its pointed base for millions of years — fell in December 2013, likely due to rain and years of vandalism.

The good news? You can see the formation lying on its side, as well as Little Peachtree Rock and the rest of this beautiful 460-acre preserve, which has the only waterfall in the coastal plain. Located off S.C. 6 in southern Lexington County near Swansea.

Riverbanks Zoo & Botanical Garden

riverbanks.org If you live downtown, you’ll likely enter the zoo from its Greystone Blvd. entrance off I-26. But if you live west of the Congaree River, you can enter from Sunset Boulevard (Highway 378) in West Columbia. This entrance will take you right to the zoo’s beautiful 70-acre botanical garden.

Saluda Shoals Park

icrc.net, 803-731-5208, 213-2050 (weekend) Situated on 270 acres downstream from the Lake Murray Dam, Saluda Shoals features a popular water park, an environmental education center, canoe trips, nature hikes, biking trails, fishing spots, picnic shelters, art exhibits, summer camps, health and wellness programs, meeting facilities and more. Good trout fishing if you like to wade.

Seven Oaks Park

200 Leisure Ln., 803-772-3336 icrc.net Built in 1973 and located in the St. Andrews area, Seven Oaks Park is a full-service recreation complex offering fitness, athletics and cultural arts programs. Features a dance studio, art gallery, picnic areas, tennis courts, walking trails and more.

U.S. Highway 378 and Fox St. Lexington, 803-359-8369 facebook. comlexingtoncountymuseum Founded in 1970, the museum complex encompasses seven acres and features 36 historic structures focusing on the early history of Lexington County, from 1770 until the Civil War.

State Farmers Market

Mercer House Estate Winery

Village Square Theatre

397 Walter Rawl Rd., Lexington mercerhouseestatewinery.com Vineyard and winery specializing in muscadine grapes, offering

Exit 115 off I-26 scstatefarmersmarket.com Relocated to Lexington County from Richland in 2010, the South Carolina State Farmers Market has a lot more space than it used to — space for vendors, shoppers and parking. Open Mon-Sat 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sun noon to 6 p.m.

105 Caughman Rd., Lexington, 803-359-1436, villagesquaretheatre.com Community theater from the Lexington County Arts Association.

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NIGHTLIFE Blue.

721A Lady St., 803-251-4447 blueinthevista.org Blue, a tapas bar and cocktail lounge, features Columbia’s only ice bar. Cozy late-night spot as well.

Capital Club

1002 Gervais St., 803-256-6464 The oldest gay bar in the state is a private club that’s also welcoming to people of other stripes.

Carolina Ale House

708 Lady St., 803-227-7150 carolinaalehouse.com Southeastern grille-and-grog chain offers good eats, a good beer selection and plenty of televised sports. Features a rooftop bar and plenty of fun drink specials.

Empire Supper Club Charleston’s Secret Guest at Art Bar PHOTO BY THOMAS HAMMOND

S

o you’ve worked your way through all the daytime attractions and restaurants that you can handle — what now?

Drinking, of course.

And Columbia’s got you covered in pretty much every regard. Whether it be a laid-back spot to catch the game, a swank watering hole where the bartenders mix up invigorating cocktails or a hip place to dance, this famously hot town counters its climate with a bevy of options to quench your thirst. See free-times.com for more nightlife listings and coverage.

Downtown Main Street South Main USC North Main Bourbon

1214 Main St., 803-403-1404 bourboncolumbia.com Serves higher-end Cajun-Creole cuisine along with a diverse selection of classy cocktails. And, true to its name, the bar boasts an expansive whiskey selection.

Le Café Jazz

930 Laurel St., 803-400-1879 skpfoundationlecafejazz.webs.com You want jazz? Stop by this jazz club in Finlay Park on Friday or Saturday night.

The Cigar Box

1639 Main St., 803-252-0084 thecigarboxsc.com Relaxing lounge for cigar smokers with HD TVs, pool room and walk-in humidor. Craft beer available to purchase. Sister location on Rosewood Drive offers a similar experience, but isn’t open as late.

Hunter-Gatherer

900 Main St., 803-748-0540 huntergathererbrewery.com More than a longstanding spot for local brews, H-G boasts awesome bartenders, scrumptious entrées and an excellent liquor selection.

free-times.com/music | Summer 2016

Sheraton Rooftop Lounge 1400 Main St., 803-988-1400 With a fine panoramic view of the city, the Sheraton’s hip Rooftop Lounge offers a classy clientele, fine libations and desserts.

Sheraton Vault Martini Bar 1400 Main St., 803-988-1400 Nestled within the bank’s original safe, the Vault Martini Bar is a popular hotspot for those who insist upon their martinis stirred, not shaken, and with a twist of sophistication.

Vino Garage

2327 Main St., 803-834-3392 This Earlewood wine and beer shop also hosts a lot of tastings of hard-to-come-by wines and beers.

The Whig

1200 Main St., 803-931-8852 thewhig.org The cozy subterranean vibe is great. So are the cheap-taco Tuesdays and well curated $3 pint night on Wednesdays. Still has that rad jukebox.

The Vista Art Bar

1211 Park St.,803- 929-0198 artbarsc.com Art Bar’s working on its third decade now, but it’s still the same eclectic, non-corporate nightspot it’s always been. Cool but never pretentious with a nice stage and frequent live music, mostly of the rock variety.

NIGHTLIFE

920 Lady St., 803-638-4942 empire-sc.com Party like it’s 1928 and you’re not about to lose all your money in the stock crash. Restaurant and bar features staff decked out in their best flapper-and-gangster gear, and period-appropriate entertainment.

Flying Saucer

931 Senate St., 803-933-9997 beerknurd.com If you love beer, you’ve been to Flying Saucer. (You’re probably already a Beer Knurd, too.) If you love beer but haven’t been to Flying Saucer, you’re missing out on a hundreds-deep beer list stocked with beers you’ve never heard of, and beers you’ve only heard about in legend.

Gervais & Vine

620A Gervais St., 803-799-8463 gervine.com Gervais & Vine offers a sophisticated yet approachable atmosphere for its exquisite Southern fusion tapas. Its extensive wine selection separates it from most of Columbia’s metropolitan haunts, and the diversity and daring of the menu make it hard to dislike.

Jonez

1004 Gervais St., 803-834-4434 Jonezofcolumbia.com Weekly live entertainment spanning jazz R&B, fusion, latin, blues and more delivered in a laid-back and sophisticated atmosphere.

Moriarty’s Irish pub

901-B Gervais St., 803-888-6462 facebook.com/moriartyspubsc Owner James Pickle, formerly of Uncle Louie’s and other Columbia establishments, opened this pub in the space once occupied by

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NIGHTLIFE the Vista location of Wild Hare Sports Bar. 32 beers on tap.

Kaminsky’s

930 Gervais St., 803-550-9979 kaminskys.com Popular Charleston dessert bar arrives in Columbia complete with multiple sweet martinis, alcoholic milkshakes and coffee drinks — all available late into the night.

Kelly’s

1001 Washington St., 803-254-4464 If this converted fire station reminds you of Five Points, it’s probably because its owners cut their teeth working for places like Group Therapy and Jungle Jim’s. These Gamecock fans host regular acoustic performances in addition to karaoke and open mic contests.

Liberty Tap Room

828 Gervais St., 803-461-4677 libertytaproom.com Whether you’re after a nice meal or just a tasty drink, you’ll find much to enjoy here considering the much-acclaimed menu and massive beer list, which offers 75 tap and bottle varieties to choose from.

Music Farm

1022A Senate St. musicfarm.com Charleston’s famed music venue has a sister venue in Columbia, bringing the city an essential large-scale rock club, a home for a diverse array of trendy touring acts.

The Oyster Bar

1123 Park St., 803-799-4484 oysterbarcolumbia.com Serves up Gulf oysters, steamed and raw. The dressed-down atmosphere, excellent service and better-than-average beer selection will keep you coming back. Best of all? They shuck, you eat.

Pearlz

936 Gervais St., 803-661-7741 pearlzoysterbar.com Pearlz specializes in all oysters, but its hip ambience and signature martinis also make it a hotspot for Columbia’s young, urban professional crowd. Plus, its upstairs lounge is a hotbed for local jazz.

PT’s 1109

1109 Assembly St., 803-253-8900 You could live your whole life in Columbia and not know this gay bar exists, and, frankly, its regulars probably wouldn’t mind all that much. Conversely, this haunt is a treasure to the folks who frequent it.

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SakiTumi

807 Gervais St., 803-931-0700 sakifresh.com Don’t miss this hip sushi bar just because it’s down an alley.

Its signature cocktails feature muddled mint leaves, cucumbers, blueberries and more. Four flatscreen TVs. too.

Social

918 Gervais St., 803-603-4313 socialcolumbiasc.com A hot Vista night spot, Social gets weird on the weekends, hosting all manner of events at which to get turnt — soundtracking it with some nationally respected EDM talents.

Also hosts frequent salsa nights and live rock bands on the patio.

Thirsty Fellow

621 Gadsden St., 803-799-1311 thirstyfellow.com Super-popular spot serving up eclectic, delicious pizzas (and much more) and offering a full bar.

Tin Roof

1022 Senate St., 803-771-1558 tinroofcolumbia.com A favorite bar for everyone from USC students to young professionals. Its calling cards: live music, good food and a laid-back atmosphere. Open for lunch, happy hour, dinner and into the night.

Tsunami

700-C Gervais St., 803-312-9911 tsunamicompany.com Tsunami’s elegant, contemporary atmosphere and ample seating area complement its extensive sake, wine and beer selection.

Uncle Fester’s

522 Devine St., 803-748-9897 While most of the Soda City’s bars are closing up shop on Sunday morning, this watering hole between Palmetto Pig and Todd & Moore keeps the party going. Always packed with a diverse clientele.

Uncle Louie’s

1125 Park St., 803-933-9833 Its no-frills, no-nonsense attitude has endeared this unassuming watering hole to a loyal legion of regulars, but there’s always room for more.

Wet Willie’s

800 Gervais St., 803-779-5650 wetwillies.com How can you not love a bar that specializes in frozen daiquiris with names ranging from Strawberry and Mango to White Russian, Weak Willie and Shock Treatment? Currently closed for renovations.

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Wild Wing Café

729 Lady St., 803-252-9464 wildwingcafe.com Sure, Wild Wing Café has sandwiches, salads and soup, but the obvious draw is its 33 flavors of wings. If you can’t decide on one, get the sampler platter.

Also boasts a ton of TVs, a party atmosphere and a steady stream of regional rock bands.

The Woody

808 Lady St., 803-779-9663 Who hangs out at The Woody?

Well — everyone. Whether you want to show off your shag skills, or try out the whip and the naenae, it’s the place to be.

World of Beer

902F Gervais St., 803-509-6020 worldofbeer.com Lagers and porters and stouts (and pales and ales and bocks), oh my! World of Beer offers more than 500 beers, stocking something for aficionados and neophytes alike. Wine and cigars, too, plus live music on the weekends. The suds bring the masses in, but the living-room atmosphere keeps ‘em coming back.

spot. The adjoining Breakers Live is a dedicated live music venue.

Carolina Pour House

800 Harden St., 803-932-3033 Next to the always overflowing Group Therapy, The Pour House has a good drink selection at prices that won’t send you to the poor house.

CJ’s

749 Saluda Ave., 803-748-8694 cjsfivepoints.com Its retractable exterior wall opens to reveal the Five Points fountain plaza, thus making CJ’s a great spot for taking in this colorful corner of Columbia.

Cock N’ Bull Pub

326 S. Edisto Ave., 803-251-4474 As British as you’ll get in Rosewood. Popular and laidback, this neighborhood favorite has a small but stellar beer menu, and lots of soccer on TV.

The Cotton Gin

632 Harden St., 803-569-6966 In the space once occupied by Red Hot Tomatoes, this bar’s mission is “celebrating the Roaring ‘20s in style.”

Five Points Devine Street Rosewood Olympia

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The Attic

Craft and Draft

711 Harden St., 803-533-7030 twitter.com/cover3SC The Cover 3 is a defensive scheme in football with three deep coverage zones covered by two cornerbacks and one safety.

It’s also a bar in Five Points.

638 Harden St. 803-521-0046 Located above Pinch on Harden St. Five Points’ only rooftop bar with over 25 craft beers.

Bar None

620 Harden St., 803-254-3354 Open from happy hour until sunrise, Bar None is the last refuge of the late-night lush and the service-industry worker. Try the smoked wings, when they’re available.

The Bird Dog

715 Harden St., 803-799-0611 It’s called The Bird Dog, ostensibly, because hanging on its walls, right next to mounted deer heads, are soft-hued paintings of hunting dogs staring pensively — tentatively, even, waiting for their prey to emerge — into wooded lakes. If that sounds like the setup for a Southern bar, well, it is: Drinks, often cheap and big, are served in Mason jars.

Breakers

801 Harden St., 803-771-6360 breakersbarandgrill.com Outdoor patio offers an ideal Five Points people-watching

2706 Devine St., 803-764-2575 craftanddraftbeer.com Craft beer is booming, and Craft and Draft is on it. Grab a sixpack, pick up a growler or take a seat at the bar.

Delaney’s

741 Saluda Ave., 803-779-2345 facebook.com/ DelaneysMusicPub Of course this Irish pub has Guinness, but it also has quite an assortment of classy imports and plenty of good ol’ Irish grub.

Personable staff, live music and a vibrant atmosphere round out the package.

Foxfield Bar & Grille

406 Howard St., 803-728-0420 facebook.com/foxfieldbar Cozy Rosewood neighborhood spot offers a reliable selection of beers and spirits at affordable prices, plus frequent live music.

Group Therapy

2107 Greene St., 803-256-1203 grouptherapybar.com Columbia’s quintessential college bar, with cheap drinks, loud music and an outdoor oasis to

Summer 2016 | free-times.com/music

NIGHTLIFE escape the crowd. Group wrote the book on college partying in Columbia.

Henry’s

2865 Devine St., 803-708-4705 henrysgrillandbar.com Henry’s champions the traditional neighborhood bar — and, equally importantly, brings terrific bar food. Comfortable and classy.

The Hookah Spot

617 Harden St., 803-661-8337 facebook.com/hookahspot5pts Grab a couch, sidle up to a hookah and get your smoke on.

Jake’s

2112 Devine St., 803-708-4788 jakesofcolumbia.com Friendly Five Points institution with craft beer, live music, televised sports, multiple bar stations and locally sourced food.

The Kraken Gastropub

2910 Rosewood Dr., 803-955-7408 The Kraken has a great draft beer selection and signature beer-based cocktails along with a swanky menu and cozy-cool vibe.

Latitude 22

636 Harden St. facebook.com/ lattitude22colasc Upscale nautical theme with daily drink specials and breezy good times.

Lucky’s

2100 Devine St., 803-929-1118 For the Vista experience in Five Points, Lucky’s is your place — good wine and beer selection and an outdoor patio.

Moosehead Saloon

2020 Devine St., 803-708-4984 facebook.com/ MooseheadSaloon Rock meets Western atmosphere. Drink specials.

Nicky’s Pizza

2123 Greene St., 803-748-9661 Need a slice to fuel another late night in Five Points? Drop by Nicky’s. Grab a beer while you’re there, too.

Nightcaps

2722 Devine St., 803-771-6575 An out-of-the-way place with respect to Five Points, Nightcaps has a pool table, a big-screen television, comfy lounge chairs and a good late-night atmosphere. A popular haven for those not ready to let the night end.

Pavlov’s

2000B Greene St. pavlovsofcolumbia.com Tucked behind the Salty Nut, Pavlov’s is a long-time stomping

ground of college revelers and serves as hallowed ground for many in the fraternity and sorority circles.

Pawleys Front Porch

827 Harden St., 803-771-8001 pawleysfrontporch.com Primarily known for its behemoth and fantastic specialty burgers, but it also caters to a late-night crowd on weekends. Especially good for game days, as it shows football games on its huge screen on its deck.

Pinch

640 Harden St., 803-708-6838 Pinch offers Vista atmosphere at Five Points prices. On-tap beers are rotated frequently, and frequently feature high-class offerings.

Publick House

2307 Devine St., 803-256-2625 publick-house.com Exceptional beer selection, challenging trivia, hip music selection, über-friendly staff, good burgers and the best raw fries around.

TLC Sports Bar and Grill

936 S. Stadium Rd., 803-251-3087 This ultimate Gamecock bar is located within a stone’s throw of Williams-Brice.

Village Idiot

2009 Devine St., 803-252-8646 villageidiotpizza.com Columbia’s quintessential college-town pizza joint in a pub atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to enjoy delicious fare, cold beer, wallet-friendly weekly specials and a heaping helping of revelry. Serving New York-style pizza since 1990.

Yesterdays Restaurant and Tavern

2030 Devine St., 803-799-0196 yesterdayssc.com Good food, above-average beer and liquor selection. Bar in the back has its own entrance on Devine Street. A veritable Columbia landmark since 1978.

State Street Vista West West Columbia Cayce @116 Espresso & Wine Bar

116 State St., 803-791-5663 116state.com A coffee shop that serves gourmet food and booze? Be still our beating hearts! Dig those specialty cocktails; also serves an extensive assortment of wines.

Small, but cozy. A good date spot.

Calloway’s Bar & Grill

2410 Augusta Rd., 803-926-1199 callowaysbarandgrill.com Pool tables, big-screen TVs and food: What more do you want from a sports bar?

New Brookland Tavern

122 State St., 803-791-4413 newbrooklandtavern.com New Brookland Tavern is Columbia’s most storied rock club, but it’s a damn fine bar, too, offering a fine array of specials and a bar stocked with much

Publico Kitchen & Tap

2013 Greene St., 803-661-9043 publicokitchenandtap.com A diverse array of gourmet tacos highlights the food menu at this intentionally hip new hangout that also boasts an expansive tap selection.

Rockaway Athletic Club

2719 Rosewood Dr., 803-256-1075 Exquisite burgers, low-key atmosphere and a nice, amply stocked bar. Plus, lots of sports on TV and a corner nook with arcade games.

Salty Nut Café

902 - B Gervais St | Columbia, SC | 803.888.6462

2000 Greene St., 803-256-4611 saltynut.com Varied menu includes everything from hearty salads to tasty cheeseburgers. Comfortable setting … so comfortable, in fact, that you can throw your peanut shells on the floor.

Speakeasy

711 Saluda Ave., 803-255-0869 facebook.com/Speakeasy5Pts Home to live jazz several nights of the week, Delaney’s classy, hip younger sibling also boasts a fine liquor selection, great beers and a top-notch staff, as well as fine cigars and comfy leather couches. Also hosts the Science Café series.

› FULL MENU DAILY UNTIL 1AM › THE BEST BURGER IN COLUMBIA › DOZENS OF TVS COVERING EVERY SPORTS PACKAGE

The Thirsty Parrot

734 Harden St., 803-708-4768 Like Jimmy Buffett? You’ll most likely dig this place, which offers fine burgers and spirits in an easygoing atmosphere.

free-times.com/music | Summer 2016

“Come at once, if convenient. If inconvenient, come all the same!”

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NIGHTLIFE more than Pabst Blue Ribbon served up by friendly staff.

Platinum West

1995 Old Dunbar Rd., 803-794-6277 theplatinumplus.com Exactly like Platinum Plus, but in West Columbia (i.e., the ladies have no shirts on.)

Rooster’s Den

1215 Augusta Rd., 803-794-8200 A members-only bar in Triangle City.

The Skyline Club

100 Lee St., 803-822-8608 skylinefunclub.com Where do you go in Columbia if you want to do the Boot-Scootin’ Boogie? This line-dancing bar near the airport, that’s where.

State Street Pub

136 State St., 803-796-2006 An across-the-bridge institution, State Street Pub wins its crowd with pool, cheap beer, sports and plenty of charm. Loads of beers on tap. You’ll need to be a member, but you should be.

Northeast Forest Acres Ft. Jackson Blythewood Camden Ale House Lounge

12 Tommy Circle, 803-771-0161 An off-the-beaten-path hole-inthe-wall not without its charms.

Comedy House

2768 Decker Blvd., 803-798-9898 comedyhouse.us Regional and national comedy acts stopping by regularly. Offers a full menu with steak, shrimp, chicken, burgers, sandwiches and appetizers.

The Mousetrap

2711 Middleburg Dr., 803-799-2120 One of this town’s hidden gems, the bar is located beneath an office building in Middleburg Park.

Pizza Joint

3246 Forest Dr., 803-454-1743 thepizzajoint.net Come for the pizza, stay for the impressive beer selection — especially enjoyable during the $3 slice and pint night each Tuesday.

Off the Rail

10327 Two Notch Rd., 803-708-4817 Nightly shot specials.

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Polliwog’s

10005 Two Notch Rd., 803-736-5775 polliwogsc.com This state-of-the-art sports bar offers an attractive selection of viewing and dining possibilities.

Salud!

1101 Broad St., 803-425-4850 aludmexicankitchen.com Taqueria and tequila lounge is the place to catch live jazz in Camden.

Solstice Kitchen & Wine Bar

841-4 Sparkleberry Ln., 803-788-6966 solsticekitchen.com Named Best Neighborhood Bar in northeast Columbia by readers in the 2013 Best of Columbia poll, and for good reason: It’s a great place to relax with a fancy cocktail.

Tsubaki

224 10 O’Neil Ct., 803-736-7474 Love karaoke? You’ll love Tsubaki, where the karaoke is as authentically Japanese as nextdoor Inakaya’s sushi.

Venue on Broad

1020 Broad St., 803-713-8333 venueonbroad.com This laid-back venue is the place to catch live music in Kershaw County, offering everything from singer-songwriters to popular local and regional rock acts.

Wild Wing Café

480 Town Center Place, Ste. 2; 803-865-3365, wildwingcafe.com Sure, Wild Wing Café has sandwiches, salads and soup, but the obvious draw is its 33 flavors of wings. If you can’t decide on one, get the sampler platter.

Also boasts a ton of TVs, a party atmosphere and a steady stream of regional rock bands.

Harbison/Irmo Lake Murray Lexington St. Andrews British Bulldog Pub

1220 E10 Bowers Pkwy., 803-227-8918 thebritishbulldogpub.com A British pub in the middle of Irmo’s urban sprawl? Rad. A dinner menu of traditional U.K. cuisine is augmented with specials on Guinness and Irish whiskeys, but the Bulldog doesn’t forget us Yanks, offering basketball (and soccer, too) on big-screen televisions and multiple, cold domestics.

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Carolina Ale House

277 Columbiana Dr., 803-407-6996 carolinaalehouse.com Southeastern chain grille-andgrog offers good eats, a good beer selection and plenty of televised sports.

Carolina Wings & Rib House

105 Northpoint Dr., 803-356-6244 carolinawings.com What can we say about this Columbia institution? They carry a good selection of bottled beers, and the assortment of buffalo wing flavors is enticing, too.

Copper River Grill

1230 B8 Bower Parkway, 803-749-4647 copperrivergrill.com Copper River Grill is a destination drinking spot for the entire Irmo/ St. Andrews area. A super-large bar area means you’ll always have someplace to sit, but it still gets crowded the later the night progresses.

Goodfellas Grill & Bar

7608 U.S. 378., 803-951-4663 Classic Southern food and a laid-back atmosphere define this Lexington bar.

Halftime Sports Cantina

5122 Bush River Rd., 803-213-1000 This cantina offers plenty of sports, plenty of beer and plenty of pretty standard bar food.

Hemingway’s

7467 St. Andrews Rd., 803-749-6020 hemingwaysmusicpub.com A sports bar, a great restaurant and a nice little music club all rolled into one.

Keg Cowboy

108 E. Main St., 803-937-2337 kegcowboy.com A retail store, yes, but one with its own craft beer tavern — with some seriously adventurous stuff — and its own outdoor garden.

Lovely.

Liberty on the Lake

1602 Marina Rd., 803-667-9715 libertytaproom.com Offers all the accoutrements of Liberty’s downtown drinkery with the added scenery of Lake Murray. Forty-eight beers on tap.

Main Street Steakhouse and Bar

McCary’s Sports Bar

851 Bush River Rd., 803-551-5680 Typically places high in the annual Best of Columbia poll, and for good reason: good selection, good atmosphere.

Platinum Plus

362 Jacob Rd., 803-731-0555 theplatinumplus.com Good (or bad): The girls at Platinum Plus take their clothes off. Better (or worse): Platinum Plus serves booze.

Schooners

6226 Bush River Rd., 803-661-6138 schoonersbarandgrill.com On the eastern shores of Lake Murray by the confluence of Bush River Road, North Lake Drive and Lake Murray Boulevard, Schooners is a simple unassuming bar and grill, offering daily specials, cheap wings, televisions and live music.

Tipsy Toad Tavern

103 Beaufort St., 803-932-4470 thetipsytoad.com The Tipsy Toad brings a good beer selection and Vista-style atmosphere to the lake area.

Tsunami

1290 Bower Pkwy., 803-407-3873 tsunamicompany.com Like its sister Vista location, Tsunami’s elegant, contemporary atmosphere and ample seating area complement its extensive sake, wine and beer selection.

Wild Wing Café

1150 Bower Pkwy., 803-749-9464 wildwingcafe.com Sure, Wild Wing Café has sandwiches, salads and soup, but the obvious draw is its 33 flavors of wings. If you can’t decide on one, get the sampler platter.

Also boasts a ton of TVs, a party atmosphere and a steady stream of regional rock bands.

Wings ‘n’ Ale

154 Ellis Ave., 803-359-4475 wingsaleoflexington.com Specializing in wings, beer and pool, Wings ‘n’ Ale has an ample supply of all three. If you’re looking for a place where the odds of getting a table are better than making a masse shot, this is it. Classic and modern rock flows as freely as the brew. Not your khaki and button-down crowd.

131 E. Main St., 803-808-5886 This steakhouse and hangout replaced the little Greek restaurant that previously held this space. Like its predecessor, it frequently hosts live music.

Summer 2016 | free-times.com/music

SO MANY WAYS TO SAY DELICIOUS

THE VISTA 828 Gervais St

LAKE MURRAY 1602 Marina Rd

HARBISON AREA 410 Columbiana Dr

THE VISTA 936 Gervais St

THE VISTA 930 Gervais St

TBonz Foundation Inc., is the non-profit sector of HHG. It is the lifeline between successful business & community partnership. Since we first opened our doors, in 1985, â&#x20AC;&#x153;giving backâ&#x20AC;? has been a big part of our culture. The foundation is funded by a percentage of all gross sales, not just net profits from each restaurant. Inherent to the philosophy of our foundation, is the belief & practice of active participation as well as passive contributions. They are used for the betterment of the communities through donations to various charities, service projects and deserving individuals. We are acutely aware that we are only as good as what we return to our communities that nurture us.

hghosp.com free-times.com/restaurants | Summer 2016

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Summer 2016 | free-times.com/restaurants