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CAYCE / WEST COLUMBIA. Known as a special occasion hotspot, Al's Upstairs does everything right, from its tuxedo-clad servers to its fantastic skyline view to its classic (mostly) Italian cuisine. Begin with a Caesar salad, crab-stuffed mushrooms or fried green tomatoes topped with gorgonzola and red pepper coulis. Follow with chicken parmigiana, veal saltimbocca or mustard-crusted rack of lamb. The second-floor restaurant is extremely popular for romantic occasions (think Valentine's Day, prom night), so plan accordingly!
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Baan Sawan
2135 Devine St, Columbia, SC 29205 · 803-252-8992
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FIVE POINTS. Another Five Points surprise, Baan Sawan serves Columbia's best Thai and is nice enough for a date or a special occasion, too. Despite the cuisine's (not entirely deserved) reputation for tongue-scorching spiciness, you'll find the kitchen here able to customize most any dish to your taste, from the aforementioned heat at level five to bright but mild-mannered at level one. Expect multi-layered flavors combining lime juice, lemongrass, coconut milk, peanuts, ginger, cilantro and garlic. Lots of vegetarian options.
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SHANDON / ROSEWOOD. Long considered one of Columbia's top tables, Dianne's admirably maintains its contemporary, upscale ambience and varied menu, making it a popular destination for local deal-makers. Start with an antipasto platter for two, and then enjoy linguine with clam sauce, fettuccine Alfredo, or eggplant parmesan. Try trout picatta, chicken cacciatore or crab-stuffed filet mignon as your main course. Movers and shakers gather in the lounge (which features live music nightly) to see and be seen.
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FIVE POINTS. Five Points might not come immediately to mind for old-school fine dining, but that's exactly what you'll find at Garibaldi's. Expect classic Italian dishes, careful service, and an elegant Art Deco setting complete with jazzy background music – it's ideal for business dinners or dates. The regular menu includes tasty and traditional pastas, seafood, beef and chicken, but the daily specials are usually a step up and worth exploring. Great wine list, too.
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THE VISTA. Gervais & Vine is a trendy spot offering dozens of by-the-glass wines, a broad array of beers, and a fine selection of single malts and other liquors. Satiate hunger with a few of the 30 or so hot and cold tapas, such as seared scallops, petite filet mignon with feta and balsamic reduction, grilled sausage, Spanish asparagus, bruschetta, spiced almonds, marinated manchego, olives, or smoked salmon with dill cream cheese and capers. Or try a stone-baked gourmet pizza instead.
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Inakaya
224 O'Neil Ct, Columbia, SC 29223 · 803-669-2626
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COLUMBIA NORTHEAST. Although it's a much favored spot for sushi, Inakaya has a full menu of Japanese dishes that can accommodate just about any taste preference. They even offer a children's menu. Along with stellar sushi, the restaurant offers a vast menu of starters such as Nameko Oroshi (grated radish with salmon roe) and Kamonasu (deep fried eggplant, shrimp and vegetables with a sweet sauce), great noodle dishes, and teriyaki. There are also "boats," shareable platters of tempura, dumplings, sushi, chilled crab, and so forth, designed for two to four people.
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Miyo's
Click here to show all locations.
922 S Main St, Columbia, SC 29201 · 803-779-6496
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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA. A small local chain, Miyo's takes a broad approach, offering dishes from all over the Asian continent. Numerous dishes represent the various regions of China, especially Szechuan, plus Malaysian curries, Japanese udon noodle soups, and the like. There are plenty of vegetarian options, and you can even create your own plate from a selection of about twenty vegetables and half a dozen proteins. Each location has its own personality and serves a slightly different menu, but they're all equally good.
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THE VISTA. Chef-owner Fulvio Valsecchi's Northern Italian cuisine has reached near-legendary status in the Midlands. The classic atmosphere augments selections such as smoked mountain trout, Italian sausage with polenta and marinara, gnocchi with your choice of sauce, seasonally changing risottos, and roasted veal chops stuffed with prosciutto and fontina. Making a selection from the award-winning wine list may be a tad daunting, but servers are well-versed and willing to help.
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Saky
4963 Ft Jackson Blvd, Columbia, SC 29209 · 803-787-5307
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FT JACKSON / EAST COLUMBIA. Since the mid-1970s, there has been a Japanese restaurant at this location. It changed management (and names) a few years back, but continues to serve what many consider Columbia's best sushi. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but it's cozy and appealing once you enter. You'll find a great selection of sushi, both traditional and more new-fangled varieties, plus a handful of cooked dishes like udon noodles and teriyaki chicken, and bento boxes. Off the beaten path, but well worth seeking out.
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Tsunami
700 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201 · 803-312-9911
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THE VISTA. Tsunami is a classy and welcome addition to The Vista. The decor is fashionably sleek and contemporary, with pendant lighting, original artwork, and lots of shiny surfaces. Sushi is a major draw, but there are plenty of options if you prefer cooked food, from teppan yaki steak, shrimp or chicken to tempura veggies to udon noodle bowls. Great drink specials and a lively atmosphere keep the place busy well into the early morning hours.
Looking for a restaurant? We've explored the options, checked with critics, and pounded the pavement to offer only the best. Recommendations come complete with contact information and a brief description highlighting the important features of the restaurant. Fit our choices to your mood, or let us guide your tastes. You'll likely find a few places that not even locals know about.
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