Need Reccos for downtown Columbia SC next weekend

[PDeveaux]

We're going to be in downtown Columbia next Saturday night. I need ideas for an interesting restaurant with good food - not necessarily fancy, but not a chain. We'll probably be eating dinner prior to the 7:30 p.m. show we're attending. Any ideas??

[Rand]

Food related, but not a restaurant or eatery, is Anson Mills off Gervais Street; their products are so amazing I can hardly even type this post without drooling. I found their rice grits to be beyond exceptional. If you can buy any of their products while in Columbia, for Pete's sake do so (their mill location doesn't sell retail, however).

http://www.ansonmills.com

[amwill214]

My wife and I just ate at the Blue Marlin down in the Vista. It was a Saturday night and it was pretty fun. A good mix of younger and older folks. I was wearing a t-shirt and jeans and didn't feel out of place. I enjoyed the fried green tomatoes and my meal was the Shrimp and Grits. It was pretty good. Really nice ceilings.

[Culinary Adventurer]

You won't go wrong with Motor Supply.

[hungryphillip]

has the service gotten better at Motor Supply? I seem to remember it being exceptionally lacking, but the food was phenomenal.

[waitress]

I was very excited about this post, so I opened up and I had already decided on Motor Supply- but I thought maybe I should read it, glad to see that it was on the list.. Thai Lotus peaked my interest so I searched it on the internet to see if I could find any other info. here is the gem that I found.

I alway eat at thai lotus because that many menu for choose. pad thai and sushi are delicious. this restaurant is clean and food are decorate beautiful, waiter are friendly if her not busy.

I hope when I go her not busy.

[peppa57]

i have to agree with thai lotus, i'm so glad someone else loves that place as much as i do. Also try Bawn Swaan, it's right outside 5 points going up devine street. Really good thai restaurtant locally owned with a garden and sun room to dine in.

[atruebluedevil]

Let me also throw in a suggestion for Thai Lotus - it really is great. We eat there far too much and if you want it really really spicy, they will fix you right up. Soups are awesome. The lunch buffet is also a bargain. Baan Sawaan is also good if you want to stay near 5 points, but it's a little pricer and doesn't have near the variety. However, it has more of an intimate feel. You can't go wrong with either one.

[atruebluedevil]

Motor Supply Co. or Gervais and Vine - both in the Vista area. Gervais and Vine has tapas, Motor has a menu that changes daily with all kinds of good things. Both have great wine lists. Garibaldi's or Mr. Friendly's are also good choices.

[cayetano]

i recommend hampton street vineyard. gervais and wine is good for a group interested in sharing tapas. really my favorite restaurant in columbia is thai lotus (i think it may be one of my favorite thai restaurants ever...although this is not downtown). some of the korean restaurants in columbia are great but lacking in ambiance.

[sumrgrl]

Mr. Friendly's in 5 Points or Motor Supply in the Vista. they both serve creative and ever-changing menues. Both are delicious!