Schiano’s
Northeast: 10120 Two Notch Rd., 788-7808 Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Serving specialty pizzas for meat, veggie, pepperoni and sausage lovers and more. Calzones and stromboli round out the menu alongside sandwich selections and traditional Italian dishes like mussels marinara and eggplant parmigiana. ¢-$.
Tony’s Pizzalicious
West Columbia/Cayce: 975 Knox Abbott Dr., 794-5469 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Opened in 1967 and formerly called simply Tony’s Pizza, this joint has served generations of Lexington County residents. Offers pastas, calzones, pizza, salads and sandwiches, plus Italian-American faves like eggplant parmigiana and baked spaghetti.
Valentina’s Greek and Italian Cuisine
Blythewood: 135 Blythewood Rd., 754-0444
Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Offering NY style hand-tossed pizza by the pie or slice for lunch, dinner and delivery, the Village Idiot is a favored spot for USC students. Other featured menu items include sandwiches (Jersey Cheesesteak), wings, calzones and stromboles, pasta (Baked Ziti), salads and wings. villageidiotpizza.com. ¢.
Za’s Brick Oven Pizza
Shandon: 2930 Devine St., 771-7334 Mon-Wed 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Thu-Sat 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sun-Wed 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Thu-Sat 11:30 a.m.-3:30 a.m.
Just as the name implies, these guys are all about doing subs and pizza the right way. Huge meatball sandwiches and homemade pizza sauces are just two of the many reasons to give them a try. Daily lunch specials, express pick-up and personal and corporate catering available. ¢.
Authentic, gourmet New York-style pizzas in thin and Sicilian varieties sold by the slice or pie. Also serves calzones, Philly cheesesteaks, hoagies, Italian sandwiches, wings, salads and more. Every Tuesday is Movie Night, where Pop’s screens new releases at 7 and 9 p.m. on its plasma-screen TVs. ¢-$.
Northeast: 8604 Farrow Rd., 462-1776
Pizzeria Uno Chicago Grill Lexington: 5304 Sunset Blvd., 359-3888
Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-12 a.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Based in Boston and patterned after the famous Pizzeria Uno in Chicago, the Uno Chicago Grill chain is famous for its deep-dish pizzas. You also can get thin crust as well as seafood, chicken, steak and salad platters. unos.com. $.
Five Points: 707 Harden St., 540-7677
Ray’s Pizzeria and Ice Cream Shoppe
Locally owned and operated, Za’s open-faced kitchen and energetic staff delivers more than a dozen signature pizzas as well as soups, salads, sandwiches, pastas and nightly specials. Specialty pies include the Shrimp Pesto Za, Chicken Teriyaki Za, Zeus Za and Smoked Salmon Za. The Cali salad comes with mandarin oranges, bell peppers, red onions, mushrooms, pine nuts, grape tomatoes, goat cheese, blackened sushi-grade tuna and a balsamic vinaigrette. zasbrickovenpizza.com. ¢-$.
Zeus Pizza
West Columbia/Cayce: 224 Knox Abbott Dr., 936-0033 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
Lexington: 5140-E Sunset Blvd., 951-0051 Mon-Thurs 4:30-8 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30-9 p.m.
Like the name says, Ray’s serves up pizza — both a Neapolitan thin-crust version and a Sicilian thickcrust version — and ice cream. It also serves up Italian favorites like eggplant parmigiana and cannoli. ¢-$
Formerly one of several independent Tony’s Pizzas in the area, this Cayce eatery is now Zeus Pizza, which boasts homemade pizza crusts, Italian and Greek favorites, burgers, wings, plus delivery and a catering menu.
Seafood Blue Marlin
The Vista: 1200 Lincoln St., 799-3838 Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5-10 p.m.; Fri 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-11 p.m.; Sat 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
2011
2011
Harbor Inn Seafood
Lexington: 411 W. Main St., 359-2979 Northeast: 7375 Two Notch Rd., 462-3498 Sun, Tue-Thu 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 1904 Broad River Rd., 772-7811 West Columbia-Cayce: 1000 Knox Abbott Dr., 791-5700 Mon-Thu 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Fri-Sun 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Expansive menu features expansive portions of all manner of fried and broiled seafood. Daily specials, platters, steaks and sandwiches round out the menu with an emphasis on freshness. Hearty, affordable lunch specials on weekdays. $.
Oyster Bar
The Vista: 1123 Park St., 799-4484 Mon-Wed 4-10 p.m.; Thu-Sat 4-11 p.m. (bar open later)
A true, old-fashioned oyster bar, and the Vista’s first. Sit at the bar and let your server shuck you some steamed or raw Gulf oysters. Also serves steamed shrimp and scallops, plus shrimp and grits, crab legs and side dishes. ¢-$.
Pearlz Oyster Bar
The Vista: 936 Gervais St., 661-7741 Daily 4 p.m.-close
A Charleston-based chain, Pearlz offers raw and cooked oysters and an array of other Lowcountry and American seafood favorites, from oyster po’boys to New England lobster rolls. Burgers and salads are available for the non-seafood-loving.
Steakhouse Arizona Steakhouse
Northeast: 150 Forum Drive , 865-1001 Mon 11:30-9 p.m.; Tue-Thu 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Offers a variety of salads, steaks, burgers, chicken and fish, ranging from prime rib to ahi tuna encrusted in pepper and sesame seeds. Moderately priced dishes and wine list heavy on California wines. The babyback ribs are a generous portion slathered in a rich tomato-based barbecue sauce. traviniaitaliankitchen.com. $.
Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse Downtown: 1508 Main St., 728-0887
Mon-Sun 4-10 p.m.; Sunday brunch noon-9 p.m.
Specializing in creative seafood dishes with a decidedly Lowcountry flair, Blue Marlin also serves hand-cut steaks and prime rib. Shrimp and Grits is a top seller, with the grits coming from right across the street at Adluh Flour. Don’t overlook other tasty options such as the Crispy Firecracker Flounder served with a jalapeño salsa. Private dining facilities now available. bluemarlincolumbia.com. $.
It’s a simple proposition, really: You slap down some money, visit the enormous salad bar, and then partake in the neverending parade of sizzling grilled meats being carried around the dining room. With cuts as diverse as filet mignon, chicken wing, pork sausage, lamb shoulder and beef picanha — a special Brazilian cut — there’s something to please everyone among the 30 cuts available. $$
Bonefish Grill
Harbison/Irmo: 171 Harbison Blvd., 732-2482 The Vista: 902-A Gervais St., 254-5100
Forest Acres: 4708 Forest Dr., 787-6200 Harbison/Irmo: 1260 Bower Pkwy., 407-1599 Mon-Thu 4-10:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 4-11:30 p.m.; Sun 4-10 p.m.
Based out of St. Petersburg, Fla., Bonefish Grill
48 freetimes | bites&sights
If you want great seafood in a laid-back, casual atmosphere reminiscent of the beach, go to Gilligan’s. Just across from the dam at Lake Murray, Gilligan’s outdoor deck attracts a fun and festive crowd. Known for their oysters and popcorn shrimp, Gilligan’s also offers a wide selection of seafood combos, salads, starters, raw bar options and dinner specials. gilligans.net. $
Ocean View Seafood Restaurant
Forest Acres: 4517 Forest Dr., 787-5005
Pop’s NY Pizza
Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Village Idiot
Mon-Fri 4 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sat-Sun 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m. Sunday brunch 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Delivery: 11:30 a.m.-midnight
Pizza Pro & Sub City
Lexington: 938 N. Lake Dr., 808-2244
Located next to the IGA in Blythewood, this family joint offers the usual subs, stromboli and pizza, but also serves up a wide variety of Italian and Greek fare, as well as prime rib and good burgers. Beer and wine are available. ¢-$.
Five Points: 2009 Devine St., 252-8646
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Gilligan’s Steamer & Raw Bar
Your favorite seafood platters come fried or broiled, with familiar sides like hush puppies and slaw. The Land and Sea special pairs a crab legs with a ribeye, and the Specialty of the House mixes fried flounder, deviled crab, shrimp, oysters and stuffed clams. Lunch and express menus available. harborinnseafood.com. ¢.
Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Pizza Man
specializes in offering the freshest seafood possible and boasts an oak-burning grill and a wide range of sauces. Pasta, chicken, pork and steak dishes round out the menu to suit varied tastes. Although reservations aren’t required, they are recommended, especially on weekends. bonefishgrill.com. ¢-$.
Longhorn Steakhouse
Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
“Beef,” that great embodiment of the man’s man, Robert Mitchum, once famously decreed, “It’s
Spring 2012 | free-times.com