Serenity Restaurant & Lounge
Very’s
Mon-Sun 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m
If you find yourself up north — like, north of Killian Road — check out Serenity, which serves robust breakfasts and a daily meat-and-three-style special.
Delicious Philly cheesesteaks, plus old-school Northeastern cuisine from Italian subs and lasagnas to pizzas. ¢-$.
Northeast: 301 Rice Way Dr., 736-8228
The Southern Skillet
West Columbia-Cayce: 1213 Sunset Blvd., 834-6297 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-8:30 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Northeast: 6729 Two Notch Rd., 788-6254
Vista Bar and Grill
Vista: 1301 Assembly St., 251-0255 Mon-Tue 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Wed-Thu 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Offers a lunch buffet and Southern favorite specials like pot roast, fried chicken, chicken & dumplings, fried pork chops and a slew of sides. ¢
Downtown lunch and dinner spot focusing on burgers, barbecue and chicken sandwiches, all-beef hot dogs, salads and wings. Also offers a bar and features live music, DJs and Latino dancing on occasion. ¢.
Tony’s
What-A-Burger
Mon-Fri 5:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Fried pork chops, fried chicken, gizzards, okra, pot roast, apple cobbler. Hearty breakfasts, too. ¢.
Serving Columbia “good ol’ fashioned” burgers since 1953. Continuing a 50-year tradition, all food is cooked to order. Other selections include fried chicken, barbecue, chicken tenders, corn dogs and a variety of salads and milkshakes. ¢.
Garners Ferry/Southeast: 3055 Bluff Rd., 776-3261
Utopia Food & Spirits
Rosewood: 3830-A Rosewood Dr., 782-8522 Mon-Sat 11:30 a.m.-midnight
Eclectic neighborhood bar and eatery located in the Jim Casey’s complex. Menu heavy on salads and sandwiches plus appetizing daily specials. Live music Wednesdays through Saturdays. ¢.
Vella’s Restaurant & Tavern
West Columbia/Cayce: 829 Knox Abbott Dr., 796-4629 Mon-Thu and Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Harbison/Irmo: 912 Chapin Rd., 941-7113 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m
Family friendly neighborhood restaurant in the classic tradition — simple, great food and a cheerful staff that treats customers as, well, family. Menu focuses on steaks and ribs, wings, sandwiches and house specials. ¢-$.
West Columbia/Cayce: 804 Meeting St., 794-1929
Wild Hare Sports Café
Harbison/Irmo: 5122 Old Bush River Rd., 213-1000 Lexington: 5474 Augusta Rd., 951-1916 The Vista: 902 Gervais St., 929-0374 Mon-Sun 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Mouth-watering lunch specials accent a menu that is complemented by gut-busting appetizers such as the potato cakes and chili cheese fries. Come hungry, because the portions are aplenty. If you’re looking for something lighter, the Firecracker Shrimp Salad is a signature dish. wildharesportscafe.com. ¢.
Yesterdays Restaurant and Tavern
Five Points: 2030 Devine St., 799-0196 Sun-Thu 11:15 a.m.-midnight; Fri-Sat 11:15 a.m.-1 a.m. (Bar open until 2 a.m.)
A Columbia landmark since 1978, people flock here not just for a glimpse of a guy in a bathtub
but also to throw back some suds while filling up on the heartiest fare in town, including Meatloaf, Broiled Salmon or Lowcountry Shrimp and Grits and, of course, Confederate Fried Steak. Just about everything comes with veggies, too, unless you’re ordering late-night, when the sides scale back to slaw and fries and cold draught beer. yesterdayssc.com. ¢.
Asian Antai Asian Dining
Lexington: 5084 Sunset Blvd. (McCauley Square), 356-0062 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Boasting a “comfortable atmosphere, gourmet dishes and the highest standards of service,” Antai specializes in both Chinese and Japanese fare. Sushi is on the menu as well as traditional Asian soups and appetizers, chicken, meat and seafood dishes. Strong vegetarian menu and house favorites that include Black Bean Scallops, Beijing Duck and Honey Walnut Shrimp. antaiasiandining.com. $.
M Café
Downtown: 1417 Sumter St., 779-5788 Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat 5-10 p.m.
This Asian grill is one of downtown’s hotspots, and for good reason. Choose from standard Chinese stir fry dishes, including vegetarian options, or reasonably priced grilled items like salmon or flank steak, which come with a healthful salad plus a choice of white rice, brown rice or steamed noodles. From the owners of Miyo’s. Also features a sushi bar. miyos.com. ¢-$$.
M Vista
Vista: 701-C Lady St., 255-8884 Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat 4:30 p.m.- 11 p.m.; Sun 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Just like the other Miyo’s and M Cafe locations, M Vista features upscale Chinese cuisine and sushi with a twist: M Vista focuses on healthy ingredients and portions and cooks with organic ingredients. Besides stir-fries, noodle soups and
special sushi rolls, there’s a well-stocked bar. Yum! miyos.com. ¢-$.
Mayflower
St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 1420-10 Colonial Life Blvd., 798-4888 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat 4-11 p.m.; Sun noon-10 p.m.
A self-described Oriental grill, Mayflower specializes in a variety of foods prepared with a Chinese flair. The seafood is its strength, but it also offers an ambitious menu including steak, pork chops, chicken and sushi. The most popular item is the Queenstown Chicken, deep-fried with a sweetand-sour sauce. $.
Miyo’s
Downtown: 922 S. Main St., 779-6496 Mon-Fri 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat 5-10 p.m.
Harbison/Irmo: 1220 E-2 Bower Pkwy., 781-7788 Sun-Thu 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Northeast: 3250 Forest Dr. Ste. B, 743-9996 Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Sun 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Northeast: 715 Fashion Dr., Ste. 1, Village at Sandhills, 788-8878 Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Sun 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Winner of many Best of Columbia awards for its Shanghai and Szechwan cuisine. Features both traditional and innovative dishes served in a comfortable, elegant atmosphere. Also features a sushi bar. miyos.com. ¢-$$.
Red Bowl Asian Bistro
Northeast: 481-11 Town Center Place , 462-9991 Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 11:30-10 p.m.
Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and Thai cuisine. House specialities include Spicy Orange Peel Chicken, Seafood Double Pan and Spicy Thai Green Curry Chicken. Full sushi bar and gluten-free menu available on request. redbowltegacay.com. $.
2011
RUNNER-UP
2011
RUNNER-UP
10 freetimes | bites&sights
Spring 2012 | free-times.com