Bistro on the Boulevard
1085 D Lake Murray Blvd Irmo, South Carolina 29063; 803-369-1332
Bistro on the Boulevard welcomes you to the perfect atmosphere for all occasions. Enjoy a bottle of wine, personalized martini, or a favorite beer. Dine inside or on the gorgeous patio. Bring your friends and family to enjoy one of the many delectable menu options that are guaranteed to make you come back again and again. Chef Kevin Schwab is a Texas native and just the description of his dishes will have your mouth watering. The local favorite is the Bayou Chicken Pasta, penne pasta smothered in blackened chicken, sausage, roasted red peppers and Cajun tomato cream sauce. But don’t miss the Voodoo Skillet tossed with blackened Angus filet tips, gulf shrimp, Andouille sausage, onion, red peppers and a horseradish sauce. Bistro offers more than just a great meal; they have live entertainment that is good for your soul.
Columbo’s, at the Doubletree by Hilton
2100 Bush River Road, Columbia, South Carolina 29210; 803-744-2200
When you’re a full-service restaurant in a popular, high-end hotel with the largest ballroom just minutes from bustling downtown Columbia, there’s no scrimping on service, quality or flavor. And when you dine at Columbo’s, at the Doubletree by Hilton, on Bush River Road, you’re likely to forget you are in a hotel. Chef Eric Crissey has created an international blend of flavors that suit the most discerning palate. Traditional southern flavors such as Fried Green Tomatoes and plump crispy Fried Shrimp complement evolved blends such as the meat-lovers Philly Steak Eggrolls or the vegan Black Bean Burger with Mango Salsa are all plentiful appetizers that eat like full meals. The mouth-watering temptations continue with a Pasta Jambalaya, a unique take on a vodka pasta perfected with Cajun seasoning, or an apple- bourbon-brined smoked chicken topped with pimento cheese, or the perfectly grilled Porterhouse Steak served with White Truffle Parmesan Mashed Potatoes. Each dish offers locally sourced ingredients for a truly fresh dining experience. Columbo’s, at the Doubletree by Hilton, features a fully stocked bar and special occasion dining opportunities. Don’t think of it as a “restaurant at a hotel,” think of it as a hotel at a “world-class fine dining restaurant.”
Griffin Chophouse
924 E Main St, Lexington, South Carolina 29072; (803) 957-0863
Griffin Chophouse is a classic steakhouse and barbecue joint. The new eatery’s menu offers a variety of different steaks (some beef-tallow-aged), burgers and smoked meats. The first bite of their Brisket Candy (burnt ends) is a delightful shock to your system; smoky, tender and flavorful with just enough fattiness to take it over the moon. The Chophouse also offers Butcher Blocks, a collection of three steaks or five barbecued meats accompanied by multiple sides. Henry Griffin, owner and chef is a longtime Columbia favorite. Throughout his career, Griffin has concentrated on serving the most fresh, local ingredients by partnering with area farms. His unique and creative daily specials are a definite must-try at Griffin Chophouse. If you can’t wait to eat again, pop into The Royal Butcher located next door and owned by the chef. The spinach, goat cheese, Parmesan stuffed pork tenderloin is superb.
Alodia’s Cucina Italiana
101 West Main Street, Lexington, South Carolina 29072; 803-781-9814
Chef: Jon Cooper
Chef: Jon Cooper
This authentic home style Italian restaurant has two locations in the region, in Irmo and Lexington. It’s been written many times, how food brings families together and nothing paints a more accurate picture than a dining experience at Alodia’s Cucina Italiana. From the moment you walk in the door you’re greeted by friendly staff, to the smells wafting from the kitchen, to the gleam in your server’s eye when they tell you the daily specials- Alodia’s is offering you more than dinner. They’re offering you a trip to Italy free of the hassle of travel. Named after owner Adam Huneau’s great grandmother, the skillfully crafted dishes are taken from the pages of her recipe book. Each made-from-scratch entrée is inspired by the family lineage and prepared with the best quality ingredients with the pastas handcrafted with love by “Mama Nanette.” From classic favorites like Shrimp Scampi, Veal Marsala and their sumptuous Eggplant Parmigiana, to the newer favorites, like Mushroom Crespelle or Tuna Carpaccio, there’s plenty on the menu to get your mouth watering. The exquisitely stocked bar features exclusives wines, local craft beers and hand-made cocktails.
Figaro the Dining Room
1117 Boyce Street, Newberry, South Carolina 29108; 803-276-0101
Fine dining with an eclectic southern twist. Figaro the Dining Room is located in historic downtown Newberry, SC, just a few doors down from the Newberry Opera House. The restaurant is a hidden gem tucked inside a historic bank building where the vault is now the impressive wine cellar. Menu highlights include the bacon-wrapped scallops, crispy fried green tomatoes and chef John Worthington’s latest special, the Cuban swordfish with red risotto and yellow pepper rouille.
Juniper
640 E. Main Street, Ridge Spring, South Carolina 29129; 803-685-7547
When Juniper opened in Ridge Spring, word spread in regional and national culinary media outlets. Juniper is in a small town, but it seems huge in coolness, with its ’50s-looking tables and chairs, wooden floors, large showcase windows and flowers in Ball canning jars. Ridge Spring is in Saluda County and southwest of Columbia. Owners Brandon and Jeanne Velie opened Juniper in an old building on East Main Street that had been an auto parts store, a hardware store, a florist shop and an antique store in the past. Chef Brandon incorporates the bounty of the area in memorable meals that have attracted national culinary raves. Try the Juniper burger with Yon Angus beef, Pimento Cheese, a fried green tomato and smoked Barbeque bacon mayo and the Juniper Corn Chowder…it’s not just a soup, it’s become a trending topic in the food world, with some calling it an obsession.
RF’s Corner Grill
712 West Main Street, Lexington, South Carolina 29072; 803-490-7800
A “modern classic” menu with touches of Eastern influence and favorites like Duck Fat Fries, tacos and more, RF’s Grill is all about the flavor. This hidden gem tucked away on West Main Street in Lexington will wow your taste buds. Try the Moroccan lamb special or the steak medallions with sautéed mushrooms and peppers and shrimp served on a bed of Cajun angel hair pasta. The most popular day to stop in is on Thursdays, Burger Day. Veteran restauranteur/Chef Arif Rizvi owns several restaurants in the area and has an ardent following.