Ive eaten at California Dreaming in ATL, good choice once again!!! Lots to choose from when I returned! The food atmosphere was the best ever, great ambiance. Presentation of the food was Excellent. A host of items on the menu, offering something for the whole family. The shop is both clean and tidy, having plenty seating. The hostess/ waitress was attentive at all times. Staff members there greeted us in/ out when we left. The food was more than filling, loved all the dishes thus far. I know I'll certainly be returning soon and would recommend this facility. My husband and I loved this place!!! The bar service was Excellent, I tried the Chocolatini, hands down the best!!!! Come early to combat parking issue and waiting.
(5)
Michelle G.
So this restaurant was the second suggestion from our sales rep at Sprint. My husband and I are here in Columbia SC for work and we are taking suggestions from every one we meet. This place hands down is fantastic. The building is a fabulous old train station. The outside is gorgeous and so is the inside. Our waitress was Anna and she was this cute bubbly girl that knew the history of this restaurant. She gave me recommendations for dinner and I wasn't disappointed with them at all. I had the Rosemary and Thyme crusted Salmon with creamed spinach. The salmon was cooked to perfection. Nice and pink and just the right tenderness. The crust on the salmon was perfect and not overly spiced so you could still taste the salmon flavor. The creamed spinach was amazing and cheesy. My husband had the Ribeye. OMG!!! You could cut it with a butter knife. Great deep flavor with a nice char that gave it a bit of a crunch. We ordered the brownie for desert on Anna's recommendation. I'm sure we won't be disappointed. If your ever in the area you must stop in here.
(5)
Jermaine.M C.
Food was so good and the bread and salad was fresh and hot. Prime rib was very juicy and where can you get a pitcher of Long Island for 15.00. You must try this place if your in Columbia sc area!
(5)
Elliot M.
Amazing food! Should have cost more for what it is, lol. Excellent service. Thanks Jeremy, you are a great, hard working server with a great attitude. Great ambience.
(5)
Toni P.
Fresh food, good service. Fresh soft croissants served with dinner entrees. She Crab soup creamy and perfectly seasoned. The salads were all crisp and freshly prepared. This is a big restaurant inside old train station. Prices reasonable.
(4)
'Danny S.
In town for business, asked the locals what was good and many people praised California Dreaming. I decided to go try it out. The location/decor is just absolutely beautiful but that's pretty much where all the excitement ended. I'm not sure if they are trying to do fine dining but I would call this a SLIGHT step above casual dining. Menu has items such as filet mignon and prime rib but it also has super random things like wings and nachos. Someone there was talking about a Long Island pitcher for $15?.. Wtf. Also huge turn off, for such a beautiful restaurant it was being ran by staff that probably use to work at Denny's. The whole staff was all 18-21 year olds wearing crocs, also had to put up with my bartender bitching to her co workers how much her manager is a piece of sh*t and she always gets stuck with the worst shifts. The food for the most part was mediocre. The soup was good but my entree, a prime rib sandwich was super over cooked and a bit soggy.
(3)
Megan B.
I went here for lunch with my sister. It was very spacious inside and it was packed. My sister got chicken Palermo pasta and liked it well enough. I got the Caesar salad with fried oysters. We were both disappointed with the oysters. The breading was extremely bland. The croissant however was amazing! This place is average in my opinion. However, the prices are a little high for what you are getting.
(3)
Howard K.
This place is definitely one of the best places to eat in Columbia. They also have a great location on the water in Charleston. Right off the bat, I have to say that the only negative (as some have said here as well) is that it's a little pricey for what you get. They also do not take reservations (I think you can call ahead and say you have a big group coming and they set it up for you) and will generally not seat you until your entire party arrives. I've had just about everything on the menu over the many years I've lived in Columbia. Their salads are fantastic and you can't go wrong with any of them. I especially like the Cali Dreaming Salad with everything, as well as the Broiled Breast of Chicken Salad. The best appetizer they have is the Tijuana Wings (they're huge and crispy) as well as the spinach and artichoke nacho dish coming in close second. Their she-crab soup is fantastic as well (comparable to many she-crab soups you'll find in Charleston). The ribs are ok; I had them once and they were pretty dry. I love all of their steaks, especially the prime rib. For dessert, their NY cheesecake is huge and we usually like to get one slice for 2 people (more than enough) and their coffee is actually really good. The atmosphere is great. It's an old passenger train station with very high ceilings and is very nice. Some have said it gets loud here, which it does, but what restaurant doesn't when it's the lunch hour or dinner time? Quick tip: if you're alone or with up to four people and there is any wait, look at the seating in the bar area. They have tons of booths and the service is just as quick and nice up there as it is in the regular restaurant area. There have been countless times where my wife and I will go with my in-laws or friends and there's a 15 minute wait, but the bar area has plenty of seating (and is sometimes even quieter than the regular seating areas).
(4)
Taylor S.
This place has a great environment! It was an old train stop station. The croissants are excellent! The salads are excellent too! I had the filet and it was very good and the service was fast as well. It was a great experience.
(4)
Adam B. J.
California Dreaming. I've eaten here all my life. When I was young this was were we went for special occasions. Went here for 8th grade night, the day I graduated high school, and for a couple first dates. Still always great. Love the house salad (no egg for me) and/or the nachos (i prefer the bbq chicken but the wife loves traditional) for starters. For entrees I either go to my childhood favorite chicken tenders (they have tarragon in the batter... SO GOOD), the marinated sirloin, or the Knob Hill Chicken. All are spectacular as are their sandwich offerings. Service is always good.
(4)
Ashley A.
We recently took a weekend trip to Columbia and were told to definitely go to California Dreamin' and we were so glad we did!!!! This place is amazing!!! It is huge! There were so many people and we only had to wait about 10 minutes for a table! Once we saw how crowded it was, we were sure it would take forever to get our food, but we were wrong! The service was awesome, the food was absolutely amazing, and the atmosphere was perfect. It did not feel cramped or crowded at all. I wish we had gone the first night of our trip so we could have gone twice before leaving! This will definitely be our go to place in Columbia!!!!
(5)
Bonnie C.
Turned a bad outting into an enjoyable afternoon! Food, service and atmosphere made for a delightful lunch and turned,around my day! Shrimp BLTwrap was tasty and plentiful. HOUSE wine acceptable. My guest had enough flounder for 2 extra take home meals!
(5)
Hilary O.
Great location with convenient parking - spacious so prefect for business lunches or group dinners. Fried crab bites were a nice App, but not as meaty as I would have expected. The Flounder entree and Seafood pasta were both PHENOMENAL. Decent service for a large bar/restaurant. Tv's if you're trying to catch a game. Free wi-fi. I went at lunch, but it seems like the kind of place that really gets jamming at dinner or on the weekends.
(3)
Ashley S.
I came here for dinner with my sister, and I thought this place was great! It has the feel of an upscale restaurant, but the prices are reasonable. The place is beautiful -- it's in a former train station with high ceilings and a huge dining area. We came the day after Thanksgiving, so I was looking forward to detox with a salad. I ordered the salmon salad, and it was tasty, although I thought the salmon was a little too "blackened" around the edges. I ordered it with their blue cheese dressing which was delicious. My sister got the ribs and added fried shrimp to her meal (she was still in holiday over-eating mode). She loved the ribs and shrimp and had a ton of leftovers to take home because the portion was huge. Definitely don't skip the honey-glazed croissants! We got them as an appetizer, and they are amazing. They were brought to our table still very warm and fresh out of the oven and drizzled with a slight touch of honey. If you get a salad, you will get one with your meal, so you wouldn't have to order them unless you want more than one (I ate 3!). I would come back here just for the croissants!
(4)
Kiev R.
I make it a point to visit California Dreaming every time I'm in the area for a visit; it's become a tradition. Heading there on a Sunday afternoon proved to be a decision that half of Columbia apparently also decided to make, so it was crowded! Still, the wait was less than 10 minutes which proved rather impressive. It's rare to come across an establishment who's food you haven't seen duplicated by others in some form or fashion, but California Dreaming is that place. I always order the baked potato soup and the California Dreaming house salad and I am never disappointed with that decision. I'm not exactly sure what kind of dressing their house dressing actually is, but who cares! It's that delicious. And those croissants?!? Don't judge me when you see me hogging an entire plate! The staff here is always super friendly (southern hospitality at it's finest) and the service is impeccable. These are the reasons why California Dreaming will always be on my to-do list when I'm in Columbia.
(4)
Sarah W.
California Dreaming has the best salads and buttered croissants and the service was good. I had the caesar salad when I had lunch here while going through Columbia on a road trip. To some extent I was reminded of the Cheesecake Factory. I also gave in and got the brownie with a Hershey bar melting on top of it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.
(5)
Paul S.
The sweet tea was the best thing I had. I ordered the chicken parmesan and it was soupy. It was so soupy that the burnt breading on the chicken was mushy. The. Shrimp San Francisco was over buttered and super garlicky and super soupy. But the waitress was super nice.
(1)
Bubba Y.
Came in tonight with a group of 13. Had previous reservation, restaurant had been "highly recommended" by a coworker. Sad. Nice building. And noisy as all get out. Limited menu, most of their pastas use penne? I ordered the fish of the day, tuna, served blackened with sauteed spinach on the side. Got maybe two forkfuls of spinach and a way overdone piece of tuna. Many of us had only half eaten meals when our dishes were cleared. Just blah. The enthusiasm and graciousness of our server is the only thing that prevented this from being a one-star review. Won't come back. And, by the way, what does /anything/ in this restaurant have to do with California? Here's a hint: NOTHING.
(2)
Erin N.
Just returned from my first visit to California Dreaming. I made a reservation for a group of 20 and there ended up being 25. The waitstaff were incredible about accommodating us. The food was excellent. I got the California Dreaming Salad. It was VERY good, and the croissants were heavenly. I would recommend this place for a group for sure. Just make sure you make a reservation. This place was packed at 1:30. A+!
(5)
Barrett G.
from my 4 or 5 visits, and experience, the food that I have had, now, I have ordered over and over because I have enjoyed it so much. I have not tried anything but the huge House Salad with house dressing and the bar b que nachos. together they are fantastic. the service has always been great. I never have to wait for a full up on my drink. the only complaint I will ever give is on the parking lot. I have never had an experience where I could just drive in and park. it feels like there is always some drama with trying to find a parking space. it has more to do with the popularity of the chain. the lay out of the parking lot is annoying. it's not a reason to avoid. find a parking space, go in and order. it's terrific.
(4)
Robin R.
I was on a business trip to Columbia last week, and went to California Dreaming on my last day in town. If I had been there sooner, I would have eaten there more than just the once! I had the She Crab soup, which was great, and the Broiled Salmon Salad (mixed greens, hearts of palm, fresh mushrooms, scallions and chopped tomatoes, as well as the Salmon) and not only was it tasty and well prepared, the portion sizes were huge. I also tried a taste of their Chicken Strips and it was well done too. Also, don't miss out on the honey glazed Croissants. I had one with the Salad, and it was wonderful - very light and fluffy, with a light honey glaze that really hit the spot. Really, all the food on the menu looked great, and a friend who lives in town told me that they had never had any complaints about any meal there. I really liked the location in the old Train station and all the woodwork, the large windows and lighting made the place feel warm and inviting. It was a setting that would have equally suited a far more expensive restaurant. Service was fast, and attentive, prices were very reasonable, and the location was beautiful. I admit that I got there in the mid afternoon, so had missed the lunch rush, which I am told can pack the place, but when we got there the parking was fine, and even though they had a good amount of people there, the place seemed roomy enough to serve many more. I will definitely be back on any future trips I make to Columbia!
(4)
Demetril O.
What can I say about this place other than amazing. Amazing food, amazing building, and amazing staff. If you are looking for a very nice place to have a special meal, look no further.
(5)
James L.
Love it foods always great servers always happy. Great building and a nice atmosphere would recommend
(5)
Tina M.
Wait staff was amazing. Respectful, attentive, fast, and professional. A member of our party sent something back and they didn't blink an eye and had another item out with in 5 minutes. Flounder was amazing!
(4)
Mike G.
Well, after a co-worker recommended this spot to me, I decided to scoop up the misses and try it out. Hoping for the best from the positive reviews we'd already seen, and now received from a co-worker. Before you read on, the place didn't blow my socks off... but wasn't a total disappointment either. I'd actually return for more, so if you're curious why - there's more to read! My girl and I selected this was our Saturday evening dinner spot while we were already out and about in the Columbia area. Again, after having it recommended, and then seeing their menu options throught their website... we felt this was a spot we should give a shot! Arriving, it was a bit crowded and parking was a bit difficult. In fact, that would be the biggest complaint about the location/experience. It's not that parking was limited (that's fine) it's the design of the parking lot. Making it very difficult to really maneuver in the crowded space and get into/out of spots that are open. Once we got past that portion, it was indoors where we were seated quickly. The dinning area is nice, but not over the top. I'd say very business casual feel to it. The bar area was elevated a bit, and also a nice area. It was a bit noisy due to conversations everywhere, but not so bad that you couldn't hear the conversation at your own table. After a quick glance through the menu we decided to go with Fried Crab claws as the appetizer, both of us had a house salad, she went with the prime rib and garlic mash potatoes, while I had the ribs and house made fries. The crab claws were tasty, meatier than expected actually from past experienced from other locations. And could have almost been a meal in themselves!! The breading on them crumbled easily, but again, still very tasty. The house salad itself, was nothing over the top. More than enough to eat and all fresh/tasty... however the kicker.... (pause for dramatic effect)... the salads came with their sweet glazed and homemade crescent rolls which were amazing!! And by amazing I mean I actually had to fly home, slap my momma, and fly back to finish my meal. I wanted these with every meal I'd ever had or will ever have again. Thankfully, we learned for our follow up visit, these are an appetizer option. So, we'll be back!! Okay, back on point. Her prime rib was really good as well. Very well made, cooked to order, tender and juicy. Lots of flavor and exactly what we expected/wanted. However, the garlic mash potatoes seemed to be more garlic and less potato... she ended up snacking on a few of my fries. Which... were very good. They may not have been hand cut, but were still very tasty and nice large steak fries. Very good! And the ribs aren't too bad either. Definitely not the best I've had... a bit on the dry side, which their bbq sauce helped with and brought up the flavor profile. Still, a little juicer rib would have really made it all that much better. I saw a steak and shrimp option that I plan to return for, as well as 23 orders of the Crescent rolls appetizers! So this is a scheduled return visit I look forward too, but hoping for better parking - and dodging the garlic mash.
(4)
Jodie J.
Great dining atmosphere. Friendly service but didn't take our orders right. Steak overcooked. Plating and quality are more or less like what a diner can provide while price and quantity are like what a fine dinning restaurant will offer.
(2)
Rebecca A.
One thing cool about California Dreaming is the menu has something for everyone. We started out with the peel and eat shrimp, Tijuana chicken wings, and a plate of croissants drizzled with honey. The shrimp was nothing to write home about, but, oh my goodness, the wings were crispy on the outside and succulent/tender on the inside. I loved that the wings were not breaded. Definitely a "must have" for future visits. I ordered the California Dreaming Salad. Loved how the cheese was shaved rather than shredded. The nuts and bacon added great flavor and texture. Hot bacon dressing topped off the salad. Yum, I would order this again in a heartbeat. The restaurant is located in a cool building. My only complaint about the ambience is that the music was a bit loud and a hindrance to conversation for a larger group. Service was attentive, and over all the meal was a good value for what we ordered.
(4)
Shane R.
What Charlotte peeps remember Manzetti's at South Park? It was an awesome tavern style restaurant with an open kitchen that closed in early 2010. Manzetti's was a favorite of mine and I was very sad to learn that they had closed. It was owned by the same company as California Dreaming (which has apparently demised or converted all prior Manzetti's locations). Prior to living in Charlotte I use to travel to the area often on business. I'd hit Manzetti's at least once each trip and a coworker clued me in on California Dreaming when she recognized some of the trademarks used across the sister chains; including the hot signature buttered croissants. It wasn't long after that, I happened across my first California Dreaming location. I made it a point to stop and grab a bite. I wasn't disappointed! CD offers options to suit everyone with a full bar and, of course, the amazing hot buttered croissants. I've never had bad service, although this particular visit provided us with a clearly inexperienced server. All good though. He'll learn with time. The food has never been sub par. I highly recommend the creamed spinach as a side. The ribs are fall off the bone good and can easily be eaten with a fork. You cannot go wrong with a steak either. The wife is a fan of the baked potato soup and the prime rib. The salads are always fresh. The bartenders have also never let me down. The place is always clean and welcoming as well. A specific tip for this location...watch your step when coming and going at the front entrance. Some steep steps make it tricky....especially for those who have downed a few drinks from the bar. I'll definitely be back whenever I'm in the area. California Dreaming will keep Manzetti's alive for me!
(4)
Grace M.
The food here is great! I love their glazed croissants, house salad, and pasta dishes. The service is really good as well. Sometimes it's a little slow, but what restaurant isn't during the lunch and dinner rush? The ambience is nice and it has a pretty decent view of campus if that's what you're looking for.
(4)
Alicia S.
My favorite restaurant in Columbia. You will never be disappointed by the food and they have several options.
(4)
Katie M.
I threw up at this restaurant cause the pasta I ate was too incredibly rich but they had mouthwash in the bathroom so it was okay!!!!!
(3)
Don S.
beautiful space, nice warm bread, everything else is mediocre
(3)
CC W.
From the outside this place looks fancy schmancy. And on the inside as well. Its such a large establishment this would be a great place for big groups or parties but the atmosphere is intimate enough for two. Very romantic, low-lit ambience. The prices are very affordable and the menu has a lot to offer. I had a few bites of my friends BBQ Chicken Nachos (AMAZING!!!), and I'm not even a big fan of BBQ. My entree of Fried Shrimp Po Boy was very satisfying. The bread was a little too crunchy and I had to let it soften with the filling. My girlfriend had the Turkey Burger and said it could have been better. The turkey was a little over cooked. Those things aside, this is a great place to enjoy while in Columbia!
(4)
Meredith S.
$1.95 well gin and tonics. That's all I have to say. $1.95 cocktails. Are you kidding?! I mean, if you love your top shelf alcohol maybe not, but to me, they taste the same buuuuut save me $5? Yes please! Paired with the enormous California Dreaming salad (it might be huge, but I eat the whole thing in about 15 minutes or less) and a croissant, it might just be the best night of your life. I know it was for me every time I ate it. I've also had their onion loaf (kinda weird) and seafood nachos, but nothing.... let me say it again... nothing compares to the California Dreaming salad. Yum Yum Yum. The only question is when California Dreaming will expand out of the Southeast and into Indiana. I'll be waiting for you :)
(4)
Emily D.
I give them props for their excellent re-use of a very cool historic building, and their tasty warm croissants. And that's the end of that. I went in with a large group - we had reservations and they're built to handle it, so no excuses for taking them by surprise. I ordered the ONLY vegetarian item on the menu, the Hot Vegetable Salad. It sounded pretty tasty, but had no protein. What it had were cold canned mushrooms and pickled green beans and artichoke hearts on ice burg lettuce floating in approximately half a cup of balsamic vinaigrette. Had the description mentioned there would be dressing, I would have gotten it on the side, but alas I did not have that luxury. So I sat awkwardly next to not my boss, but my division director at this retirement thing trying to fish out some of the scant non-ice burg lettuce bits out of my dressing soup. My friend who sat next to me had the same. She ordered hers without mushrooms, but wasn't too upset when it showed up with them anyway because there were only about five in there and I gladly took them. Anyway, fast forward two hours later and we were both running to the toilet. My bill for that disgusting and unfilling salad and an unsweet iced tea ran $16 (with the mandatory 20% tip). Next time my office goes there for a retirement party (or for any reason ever), I'll save the money and my GI tract and just call in sick preemptively.
(2)
Megan M.
I live in North Carolina and was down visiting family for the weekend. My last day visiting we all went to eat here for lunch. I was expecting it to be packed, which it was, however we had a very short wait. From walking in the look and feel of the place is just amusing. The style they kept when renovating this place fits so well. The cleanliness of the place and bathrooms was very much to my liking. Our waitress (I forgot her name) but she was definitely on top of her game and super friendly. We ordered appetizers and our meals at the same time. And I must say I was impressed. Our appetizers came out fairly quickly and tasted amazing. Once we were done with our appetizer yummy spinach dip with chips), I would say we waited maybe 5-10 minutes before our main meals came out. Just enough time in between to let the appetizers settle. I believe I ordered the California Dream Salad?!?! Not sure but it was huge and OMG freaking good. My kids got the chicken strips kids meals and the strips were amazing as well. And the bonus for my kids dessert already came with their meal - a scoop of vanilla ice cream:). I shared a cheesecake slice with a family member. It was a huge slice and Mmmmmmm melted in your mouth. My most definitely favorite Restuarant in South Carolina!!! We will be returning each time I visit;) The only negative thing I can say is I wish the parking lot was bigger. However with the Restuarant being located smack dab in the middle of the city, I don't think even if the Restuarant wanted to expand they could.
(5)
April C.
Of course, we all go for the croissants. I actually forget how good they are until I take that first bite: fluffy-cloud soft, melts in our mouth, and slightly sweet. Seriously perfect. The food is good, as always. I ordered the turkey burger with cheese and a side of fries. The burger was substantial and piled high with fresh toppings. The fries are so good, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and perfectly seasoned. Our waitress was on top of those water refills like her life depended on it, which was well appreciated. All in all, a great experience!
(4)
Jerry T.
This is a chain, but you would not know it if you were unfamiliar with the brand. This location was built into a renovated train depot, and is a gorgeous building. I had the chicken Parmesan, which was ok. The presentation was nice but it was very bland. My date had the baked cheese ravioli, which was a much better dish. It's basically a plate of cheese ravioli covered in a heavy garlic, cheese and cream sauce which is then baked with a few herbs until the light cheese coating is browned. Apparently the most popular item is the ribs, which seemed out of place on the menu. The service was excellent at every turn. We had a round of drinks at the bar while we were waiting on our table, and the bartender was very attentive. He even made an off-menu concoction for one of the girls which was very tasty. Our server for dinner was also great. While I don't think that you will find any surprises on the menu, I do believe that the food is a good value. I also think that the ambiance would be hard to match at this price-point.
(4)
Karen S.
I have been to California Dreaming several times since I have moved to Columbia, and I have always enjoyed my experience at the retsaurant. I do like the layout of the restaurant - which a prrvious yelper mentioned it was an old train station. A group of us went to the restaurant on a Friday evening for a friend's birthday and were seated almost immendiately (only downside is that the msjority of the party needed to be present before they would seat us). Our waitress was freindly and attentitive to our group. For being a (busy) Friday evening - and somewhat of a big group - our order came out within a good amount of time. Menu is your typical American fare (anything from burgers and salads to chicken and steaks). Only complaint is the pricing. Wound up paying $25+ for a piece og frilled chicken and soft drink (the $25 included a tip due to amount in our party - but tip itself was not that big).
(4)
Adam L.
Great ambiance and food is very good. Menu could be a little more extensive and it can be pricey for some items. Service was good and its hard to find an atmosphere like a restored train station! I would defiantly recommend
(5)
Trish B.
Came here for a light dinner. Nachos were great, potato soup was amazing. The atmosphere is nice, unique building and very close to where I was staying. I'd recommend it if you want something different.
(4)
Marty S.
Went for a last-minute date one night, and left feeling inspired to write the following haiku: A bad Cali dream... Seafood nachos gave him the runs... My friend was sad then. -M.S. The honey croissants are magical, though. Just no seafood nachos in our future ever again.
(2)
Johnnie M.
Food was great she crab soup is a must have. Alan a the waitress will get confused if you don't talk slow and confirm what you ordered but the kitchen did a good job recovering for her mistakes.
(4)
Dana C.
We had a crowd of 11 people and although we had to wait a while it was worth it. They have bacon flavored salad dressing omg it was so good! My whole family really enjoyed the atmosphere and scenery. Very kid friendly! Thanks
(4)
Nancy B.
Absolutely wonderful seafood nachos. This dish can be shared by 2 people easy......layers of chip with a white cream sauce with lobster with a few capers and red onions then mounded with salmon and shrimp. This would be a great dish to share and it is satisfying and reasonable. The regular beef and cheese nachos are great to. Plus you get a great atmosphere. Anytime i eat there I feel like I am giving myself a special treat. Enjoy
(5)
K K.
Beautiful restaurant ...renovated train station. Instead of the usual bread sticks or rolls you get at other restaurants, they have the best croissants you've ever tasted. Small menu but lots of variety. I recommend a seafood item as they come with a salad. Only disappointment was the Sangria...wasn't quite the right mix. Restaurant a bit dark but the candles create a glowing atmosphere. Would go again but maybe as a date not a family dining.
(3)
Crystal C.
Housed in a refurbished train station, loaded with wood, tin, marble.., it has quite the atmosphere. Outdoor seating overlooking train tracks kind of makes one reminiscent of what it looked like in its heydey. This place has been a staple of living in Columbia for as long as I can remember with consistency in the good service and the good food.
(4)
Josh H.
I've eaten here twice, and the food has admittedly been pretty good/decent both times. I especially enjoyed the chicken fingers the first time I ate here for lunch. They're a little different from what I'm used to. I definitely recommend them when having lunch here. The last time I ate here, though, I had the ribeye, and to be honest it sort of underwhelmed me. Apart from not being overly flavorful, it seemed a little overcooked for medium rare to me. Don't get me wrong --it wasn't bad-- but the waiter even commented that my date's steak looked pinker than mine and she had ordered medium and I had ordered medium rare. He offered to bring me another steak, but it wasn't worth the trouble in my mind as what I had in front of me was admittedly still a decent steak. I saw some other dishes other people were eating nearby, and they all looked good. Their salads are also very good. Overall, not a bad experience, but I'll probably go elsewhere for steak in the future.
(3)
Lauren F.
Good service. Good food, but nothing special. It's really dark. The bartenders are great though, and willing to come up with stuff to suit your tastes.
(3)
Katie H.
Very busy on a Saturday night, but the place is huge, so they managed to seat us in a reasonable amount of time even though we were unable to place a reservation when we called ahead. Never having been there, I had several questions for the waitress about the menu, but every time I received an answer to one, she would run off before I could get another word out. She does, however, get major bonus points for providing the table with a sample of the she crab soup after sensing her attempt to describe it was falling flat. It didn't help that we had to shout at one another (this place is loud!). One of my fellow diners decided against ordering the soup based on the sample, but I thought it was excellent, albeit rich, and found it to be the best part of our meal. Lots of crab in every bite! All of my party had dined here on previous occasions, and they deemed the basket of sweet croissants and spinach/cheese nachos worth ordering. The croissants were fine, though I would have preferred them with a bit more of the honey sauce to dip them in rather than just the provided drizzle. I didn't realize they come with every salad or I would have deemed the extra basket unnecessary. It seems like the type of thing they should give you for free when you sit down, not the type of thing for which you'd feel the need to place an order and pay excess. The nachos, which seemed to be a table favorite, were rather underwhelming in my opinion. I didn't care for the gritty yellow corn chips and the spinach concoction on top lacked much flavor. We shared the chicken finger appetizer (6), which had a fish & chips type fluffy batter and came with a sweet mustard bbq sauce which received mixed reactions. The caesar salad was heavily dressed and tangy. Other salads were ordered and seemingly enjoyed. The prime rib (which it's important to note when ordering that they undercook, so adjust your preference accordingly) was satisfying, though unremarkable. The garlic mashed potatoes were delicious. Overall everything was fine, not much regional flare or many distinctive dishes, more or less the type of thing you can get anywhere.
(3)
Dione M.
Used to work at California Dreaming back in my younger days and recently came back into town for a quick visit. Can I just say that I still love this place. The food is excellent, the proportions are plentiful, and the service is always good. The croissants are one of a kind and the house salad is a must try. Best of all the location is in an old train station that is very iconic and beautiful!
(4)
Bernicemina M.
I don't think the reviews for this place give it much credit. I really didn't think it was that bad. The service was great, especially for a party of 13. Their bread is fresh and they have a great selection of wine. The portions, in my opinion, were perfectly sized. I wasn't even finished eating my salad (which came with my entree) when my plate came out. I can't remember the steak I got but it was juicy and really flavorful. There was a lot of people dining in when our family went. The setting was very pretty and you could never tell that the old building used to be an old railroad warehouse. Unique, indeed.
(4)
Erica A.
My previous review was really "meh," but when my daughter and I were invited to California Dreaming for a friend's birthday, we went because we love our friends. One of the young girls in our party is gluten-intolerant, meaning she'll get sick if she eats anything with wheat. Our server was very helpful when we asked how we could ensure she could have a great meal, and with his help she picked out the shrimp kid's meal, substituting grilled shrimp for shrimp that was breaded and fried. Unfortunately, and indeed DANGEROUSLY, the kitchen paid no attention to the modification, and her meal came out with breaded shrimp. The server who brought the plates wasn't our waiter, and was not apologetic about the error. (Also, I was surprised that they didn't even offer to leave the plate to see if somebody else at the table wanted to eat it. When a restaurant brings you the wrong plate of food, they shouldn't take it back and then serve it to somebody else; either they did that, or they threw it out. Either way, not cool.) They also left cheese off another girl's burger, showing that carelessness with customization isn't unusual. Please be extremely cautious if you or your guests have any food allergies or sensitivities, and check your plate thoroughly to make sure any custom requests (such as, "no nuts") are adhered to!
(1)
Ann C.
Yum! Salad with house dressing and bread are amazing. My pasta was good, too, but not as good as the salad. Pretty cool drink menu although I didn't try one. I would definitely come back!
(4)
Bien T.
WOW, the inside restaurant looks fabulous. It is much bigger than I thought. You dont have to order a lot, just a big salad is enough to make you stuff. I love this place a lot.
(4)
Westwood D.
First, parking was a nightmare as the lot was full. This place was just way too crowded both inside and out. With reservations, we still waited over 30 minutes. The bar was alright and the bartender was friendly and polite. Had one drink waiting for dinner. Ordered the she-crab soup and the California Dreaming salad. The salad was just a big salad, nothing special. I have no idea why everyone thinks their salads are so special. The dressing was also nothing special. The she-crab soup was served to me not even luke-warm. That just ruined it for me. On the way out, the waiting area was just jam-packed so we could not even leave, as there was a huge crowd blocking the door. I have no idea why so many people were attracted to this place.
(1)
Chef R.
This is a follow up review. Last October the wife and I had a really crapy night at California Dreaming. The GM sent me s letter with a fifty dollar gift certificate and asked us to come back. We dined there Friday night, the food and service were spot on. Very good show! The food was tasty hot and accurate. A complete turn around from last visit! I was pretty hard on them recently maybe it helped. Keep up the work guys.
(3)
Gena D.
In a really cool historic building Located near the University. Great atmosphere laid back California dreams salad was very flavorful and just the right amount. Highly recommend for family and special gatherings
(4)
Joseph P.
This is a rework of a Train Depot that has decent food and good service at fairly high prices. Large enough to handle our group of 11 easily after an afternoon graduation. The experience was pleasant, with fairly good food but mediocre value, as most featured items are $20-28, though these include a great salad. Pastas and Salads are more like $12-18 a-la-carte. "Sticky Croissants" are a nice touch, but a little too sweet. Service was very competent and professional. As noted, parking can be very difficult, as the lot was almost full when the restaurant was half empty.
(3)
Jordan S.
Located in a renovated train station which was originally constructed in 1902, the architecture of the facilitty is beautiful inside and out. Take a look at those beautiful thick wooden ceilings! The second floor of the train station was removed, so ceilings are at least 30 feet high. There's room for hundreds of guests, dim lighting, and linen clothed tables. It's a beautiul place all around. Open up the menu, and it feels more like a casual eatery. Sandwiches, burgers, steaks, chicken, ribs...typical American stuff. Prices are not half bad, the most expensive item on the menu is a $25.50 filet mignon. My wife had the shrimp San Francisco which was shrimp sauteed with garlic, butter, mushrooms, and white wine, served over angel hair...delicious., I had the dreaming chicken sandwhich, which had all of the right ingredients, but came out very bland. Service was excellent. Our original table had a slight smell of old cheese, our waiter happily moved us after serving drinks and appetizers. Our new waitress was just as pleasant. We took our time and had a great meal. Their website claims that they are the most popular restaurant in Columbia. This may be true, but is likely due to the large size and the safe and familiar menu.
(3)
Kyle D.
We were told they were famous for their salads. Sadly the salad was good, but not great. Now, the fried blue crab legs were tremendous!
(3)
roger s.
At least you have to go for the croissants drizzled with honey. This should be a stop as much as the Cafe De Mundo in N ew Orleans. These are better then biegnets by far. Crab loaded she crab soup with sherry. The oysters were great. I loved mine anyway but I get deep fried when available. The breading was light. Ive had better Ceasar salad and dressing in fact I make a better one. Overall I would come back and you just have to have the croissants.
(5)
Tristan S.
Very large. Concistantly good. The crescent rolls make you want to run home, grab a tube of Pillsbury crescent rolls, bake 'em and drizzle honey and butter on them all, to be eaten at one sitting... Maybe not the wisest choice, but certainly understandable after these delicious rolls. The ubiquitous house salad, chicken, and ribs are all very good. I still don't know where the name came from... Dreaming of getting away on the nearby train tracks...?
(3)
Ellisa V.
The quality of the food was severely lacking considering the price of the food. The best part of our meal was the house salad to accompany it, but even that was drenched in dressing. The long island ice tea was far too citrus-y and we felt as if there was no alcohol in the drink. The onion loaf was good, but even then, we've experienced better onion ring type appetizers else where. The service was great, but once again, you'd expect great service for these type of prices. Personally, it seems like California Dreaming cares more about the atmosphere and decorations than they do about the food. If dark lighting and fancy decor is what you like, then eat here. If great food is what you're looking for, go elsewhere.
Loved this place. The food was better than I expected. As is the case so often most of the "gathering places" have so-so food, but make up for it through an active bar. This was a very nice surprise. I will come back on my next trip through town. Already looking forward to it.
(5)
Miriam A.
Beautiful building, excellent service, boring food. Being from California and in need of a good entree salad, I decided to check this place out. My party and I had two salads and an appetizer. The onion ring loaf was bland (how do the onions lose their zing?) and both salads were boring. I expected more interesting, or at least fresher, greens. Then the salads were drenched in dressing and covered in meat. There weren't many interesting options on the menu, sounding like chain restaurant fare from the 90's. But most of all, it was just bland. The absolute best part was the honey croissant, which is worth going in to get a basket of those and some tea and watch the trains.
(2)
Kathy P.
Enjoyed great service and good food.
(4)
Bob H.
Do you like extremely dark lit restaurant where you can barely see the food? If so, come here. Don't get me wrong, the food is great, we'll actually it's like going to Applebees to be honest. I think it's that dark lit atmosphere where you can bring your girlfriend if you want some candle lit dinner. So here comes the my honest review. Service? Superb, the waiter, a girl, was nice, friendly, and there when we needed it. Food? Great food, maybe better if I could see it. Atmosphere? Like I said before, extremely dark, you may as well go in with night vision goggles. We heard people singing happy birthday at least 8 times the time we were there. Not a bad thing, but apparently that's where people go to celebrate their b-days. Anyways, I give it a 3 out of 5 because I won't be going there again. I'm not hard to please, while the service is A+++++ with never ending plus signs, the food isn't all it comes out to be and it's dark. But of course I leave that up to you to decide.
(3)
Jason R.
Great building, decent food (big servings), great service, reasonable prices, big parking lot, bad name (-1). Dig it.
(4)
Janet E.
The Chicken Parmesan was good but just a tad bland. Very moist and tender Excellent coffee. I wish I would have gotten a side salad since none came with it.
(3)
Jack T.
After reading the mixed reviews for this restaurant on Yelp, my wife and I decided to try it out. The restaurant itself was pretty neat, as it is a re-purposed old train station. The environment was a bit loud, but that may or may not be a negative point depending on the person visiting the restaurant and/or the situation (e.g., party vs. romantic evening). The only reason that I gave this place even two stars was for the restaurant/environment itself. In all, the food was pretty horrible. We started out with the traditional nachos, which were of Applebee's/TGIFriday's quality...not bad but not great either. The real disappointment came when we received our entrees. I ordered the prime rib sandwich and my wife got the marinated chicken entree with green beans. My wife's chicken tasted like they just took a piece of chicken, heated it up, and put it on the plate. They call it "marinated chicken," but what did they marinate it in? Water? My wife had to practically coat it in salt and pepper to make it taste bearable. My prime rib sandwich was perhaps the blandest thing I have ever eaten. When I read "prime rib sandwich", I was expecting a sandwich dripping with awesome prime rib flavor. Instead, I got something that tasted like 3 day old roast beef. Dipping the sandwich in the au jus provided just made it taste like wet 3 day old roast beef. Long story short, we probably wouldn't come back here unless it was for a couple of beers and appetizers. It would be a nice place to drink, not so much to eat a decent meal.
(2)
Matt M.
I have been to california dreaming a couple times and it has always been good. The food is always cheap and filling. The service has been good but there is normally a line so expect a little bit of a wait during the normal eating times.
(5)
Steven H.
I had Sunday brunch there today. The building is INCREDIBLE. BEAUITFUL. The compliments stop there. The food was bad. I had a marinated and grilled chicken breast that tasted like they had simply dumped a bunch of soy onto it. No flavor other than salty/sodium. The steamed vegetables with the dish were steamed beyond recognition and seemed more like they had been boiled. The bloody mary was average. The service needed vast improvement. One of my companions ordered a sirloin and received a filet, which wasn't even cooked properly. No apology from the wait person.....they treated us as though we were bothering them. Will not go back.
(1)
Nakiba B.
I went here for my first date with my boyfriend. He was coming in from out of town but ended up arriving a bit later than planned. We wanted a nice place that would still be serving food after 9pm and I had been to this location before but just for their salad. I had heard good things about their food, so I figured this would be a good place for us to just talk and get to know each other better. Totally not what I expected..... First thing I noticed when we walked in was the noise level and how busy it still was, but I guess I should have expected that considering it was a Saturday evening and my first visit had been on a weekday...that was the least of my issues. The issues came when it took forever for a waitress to take our order and when she finally did, we had to wait a long time before we actually got our food. You'd think with it taking as long as it did for our food to arrive that it would have been prepared well. I don't know if it was because of the time that they were rushing to prepare everything or if they had just gotten lazy but the food was not all that great. I ordered a chicken wrap but it seemed more like all I had was lettuce wrapped in a tortilla..there was almost NO meat in the thing. My boyfriend ordered the chicken parm and said he did not like it at all. He said the chicken was good but the pasta was gross. To top it off, when we finally were able to get our waitress to come back to the table to ask for "to go" boxes and our check, she came back with only one box when clearly we needed two, so we had to wait another 10 mins for the other one. If I do go back, I think I'll stick to the salad and croissants and go during the daytime on a weekday to avoid all the loud people. Other than that, I love the lighting of the building itself and the setting.
(2)
David T.
Asked at our hotel for a place to grab a quick bite, didn't want anything too fancy. This place definitely fit the bill. I ordered the shrimp san francisco, which is shrimp with garlic and mushrooms in a white wine and butter sauce over angel hair pasta. It came with a pretty big salad to start. Both the salad and the entree were very good. The service was polite and efficient, though a bit cold. No complaints here though, definitely worth a visit.
(3)
Kate M.
I came here with some coworkers and I guess I ordered the wrong thing, I dunno. I had the grilled salmon salad and didn't like it. The fish tasted kind of off. The roll was good. The others at my table seemed to really enjoy their meals, including the salad-hater who was eating a salad. Granted, that salad was covered in bacon and cheese. Aside from that I really can't remember much about the hour of my life I spent here, so I'll take that to mean this place was pretty bland. If someone dragged me back here I'd get something else, but I probably wouldn't return of my own volition.
It looks better on the inside then out. Busy around lunch and dinner but if you go for brunch dont worry about making a reservation. i had the pasta with shrimp it was very good. they have buttery crossant that are to die for but you only get one and the rest you have to pay for. it might be a good thing cuz that is all that i would have eaten. my husband got ribs and said they were good. It is a little pricy for what you get but a good place to go for an anniversary or something like that.
(4)
Carol Y.
Can't beat the soup and salad.. croissants that melt in your mouth. Also they have great drink specials on their well drinks. $1.95! Also they have great steaks. Dinner for two with a couple of rounds of drinks for under $50 is a good value for me.
(4)
Caroline C.
California Dreaming Salad w/ a croissant is my favorite!!!! Definitely worth the trip for it. : ) Join their email list on their website and get a free appetizer coupon!
(4)
Nicholas K.
I've got to bump this one up a star because I went there the other day and actually had some pretty good chicken wings and creamed spinach. A family get-together drove me to this previously derided spot and i must say i was a little bit surprised to find that the quality of food isn't that bad and the prices for the non-entree type dishes were o.k. for my budget. But really, even in Columbia, you can better spend your restaurant dollar. What irked me the most was the service. Granted, i was in a big party, but there was hardly anyone in our waiter's section and I think I got maybe one refill of my water in the entire 3 hours we were there. So, after gulping down some hot wings and drinking my lady's and my Mother-in-law's water, I was still thirsty and had no relief. For all the airs the wait staff puts on with their smart outfits and not one but two hostesses, I'd have to say this was one of the worst service experiences I have received in Columbia. But what else can you expect from a middling tired old chain restaurant?
(2)
Katie M.
This place is great for groups and special occasions- count on it to be packed on football weekends, graduation and parents weekend. It has reasonable prices and is definitely a treat for college kids looking to get away from campus (especially cause parent usually foot the bill!!)
(4)
Greg T.
Meh. Crowded and noisy. Getting seated is an ordeal. Food's OK.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
WanderLustinDani P.
Ive eaten at California Dreaming in ATL, good choice once again!!! Lots to choose from when I returned! The food atmosphere was the best ever, great ambiance. Presentation of the food was Excellent. A host of items on the menu, offering something for the whole family. The shop is both clean and tidy, having plenty seating. The hostess/ waitress was attentive at all times. Staff members there greeted us in/ out when we left. The food was more than filling, loved all the dishes thus far. I know I'll certainly be returning soon and would recommend this facility. My husband and I loved this place!!! The bar service was Excellent, I tried the Chocolatini, hands down the best!!!! Come early to combat parking issue and waiting.
(5)Michelle G.
So this restaurant was the second suggestion from our sales rep at Sprint. My husband and I are here in Columbia SC for work and we are taking suggestions from every one we meet. This place hands down is fantastic. The building is a fabulous old train station. The outside is gorgeous and so is the inside. Our waitress was Anna and she was this cute bubbly girl that knew the history of this restaurant. She gave me recommendations for dinner and I wasn't disappointed with them at all. I had the Rosemary and Thyme crusted Salmon with creamed spinach. The salmon was cooked to perfection. Nice and pink and just the right tenderness. The crust on the salmon was perfect and not overly spiced so you could still taste the salmon flavor. The creamed spinach was amazing and cheesy. My husband had the Ribeye. OMG!!! You could cut it with a butter knife. Great deep flavor with a nice char that gave it a bit of a crunch. We ordered the brownie for desert on Anna's recommendation. I'm sure we won't be disappointed. If your ever in the area you must stop in here.
(5)Jermaine.M C.
Food was so good and the bread and salad was fresh and hot. Prime rib was very juicy and where can you get a pitcher of Long Island for 15.00. You must try this place if your in Columbia sc area!
(5)Elliot M.
Amazing food! Should have cost more for what it is, lol. Excellent service. Thanks Jeremy, you are a great, hard working server with a great attitude. Great ambience.
(5)Toni P.
Fresh food, good service. Fresh soft croissants served with dinner entrees. She Crab soup creamy and perfectly seasoned. The salads were all crisp and freshly prepared. This is a big restaurant inside old train station. Prices reasonable.
(4)'Danny S.
In town for business, asked the locals what was good and many people praised California Dreaming. I decided to go try it out. The location/decor is just absolutely beautiful but that's pretty much where all the excitement ended. I'm not sure if they are trying to do fine dining but I would call this a SLIGHT step above casual dining. Menu has items such as filet mignon and prime rib but it also has super random things like wings and nachos. Someone there was talking about a Long Island pitcher for $15?.. Wtf. Also huge turn off, for such a beautiful restaurant it was being ran by staff that probably use to work at Denny's. The whole staff was all 18-21 year olds wearing crocs, also had to put up with my bartender bitching to her co workers how much her manager is a piece of sh*t and she always gets stuck with the worst shifts. The food for the most part was mediocre. The soup was good but my entree, a prime rib sandwich was super over cooked and a bit soggy.
(3)Megan B.
I went here for lunch with my sister. It was very spacious inside and it was packed. My sister got chicken Palermo pasta and liked it well enough. I got the Caesar salad with fried oysters. We were both disappointed with the oysters. The breading was extremely bland. The croissant however was amazing! This place is average in my opinion. However, the prices are a little high for what you are getting.
(3)Howard K.
This place is definitely one of the best places to eat in Columbia. They also have a great location on the water in Charleston. Right off the bat, I have to say that the only negative (as some have said here as well) is that it's a little pricey for what you get. They also do not take reservations (I think you can call ahead and say you have a big group coming and they set it up for you) and will generally not seat you until your entire party arrives. I've had just about everything on the menu over the many years I've lived in Columbia. Their salads are fantastic and you can't go wrong with any of them. I especially like the Cali Dreaming Salad with everything, as well as the Broiled Breast of Chicken Salad. The best appetizer they have is the Tijuana Wings (they're huge and crispy) as well as the spinach and artichoke nacho dish coming in close second. Their she-crab soup is fantastic as well (comparable to many she-crab soups you'll find in Charleston). The ribs are ok; I had them once and they were pretty dry. I love all of their steaks, especially the prime rib. For dessert, their NY cheesecake is huge and we usually like to get one slice for 2 people (more than enough) and their coffee is actually really good. The atmosphere is great. It's an old passenger train station with very high ceilings and is very nice. Some have said it gets loud here, which it does, but what restaurant doesn't when it's the lunch hour or dinner time? Quick tip: if you're alone or with up to four people and there is any wait, look at the seating in the bar area. They have tons of booths and the service is just as quick and nice up there as it is in the regular restaurant area. There have been countless times where my wife and I will go with my in-laws or friends and there's a 15 minute wait, but the bar area has plenty of seating (and is sometimes even quieter than the regular seating areas).
(4)Taylor S.
This place has a great environment! It was an old train stop station. The croissants are excellent! The salads are excellent too! I had the filet and it was very good and the service was fast as well. It was a great experience.
(4)Adam B. J.
California Dreaming. I've eaten here all my life. When I was young this was were we went for special occasions. Went here for 8th grade night, the day I graduated high school, and for a couple first dates. Still always great. Love the house salad (no egg for me) and/or the nachos (i prefer the bbq chicken but the wife loves traditional) for starters. For entrees I either go to my childhood favorite chicken tenders (they have tarragon in the batter... SO GOOD), the marinated sirloin, or the Knob Hill Chicken. All are spectacular as are their sandwich offerings. Service is always good.
(4)Ashley A.
We recently took a weekend trip to Columbia and were told to definitely go to California Dreamin' and we were so glad we did!!!! This place is amazing!!! It is huge! There were so many people and we only had to wait about 10 minutes for a table! Once we saw how crowded it was, we were sure it would take forever to get our food, but we were wrong! The service was awesome, the food was absolutely amazing, and the atmosphere was perfect. It did not feel cramped or crowded at all. I wish we had gone the first night of our trip so we could have gone twice before leaving! This will definitely be our go to place in Columbia!!!!
(5)Bonnie C.
Turned a bad outting into an enjoyable afternoon! Food, service and atmosphere made for a delightful lunch and turned,around my day! Shrimp BLTwrap was tasty and plentiful. HOUSE wine acceptable. My guest had enough flounder for 2 extra take home meals!
(5)Hilary O.
Great location with convenient parking - spacious so prefect for business lunches or group dinners. Fried crab bites were a nice App, but not as meaty as I would have expected. The Flounder entree and Seafood pasta were both PHENOMENAL. Decent service for a large bar/restaurant. Tv's if you're trying to catch a game. Free wi-fi. I went at lunch, but it seems like the kind of place that really gets jamming at dinner or on the weekends.
(3)Ashley S.
I came here for dinner with my sister, and I thought this place was great! It has the feel of an upscale restaurant, but the prices are reasonable. The place is beautiful -- it's in a former train station with high ceilings and a huge dining area. We came the day after Thanksgiving, so I was looking forward to detox with a salad. I ordered the salmon salad, and it was tasty, although I thought the salmon was a little too "blackened" around the edges. I ordered it with their blue cheese dressing which was delicious. My sister got the ribs and added fried shrimp to her meal (she was still in holiday over-eating mode). She loved the ribs and shrimp and had a ton of leftovers to take home because the portion was huge. Definitely don't skip the honey-glazed croissants! We got them as an appetizer, and they are amazing. They were brought to our table still very warm and fresh out of the oven and drizzled with a slight touch of honey. If you get a salad, you will get one with your meal, so you wouldn't have to order them unless you want more than one (I ate 3!). I would come back here just for the croissants!
(4)Kiev R.
I make it a point to visit California Dreaming every time I'm in the area for a visit; it's become a tradition. Heading there on a Sunday afternoon proved to be a decision that half of Columbia apparently also decided to make, so it was crowded! Still, the wait was less than 10 minutes which proved rather impressive. It's rare to come across an establishment who's food you haven't seen duplicated by others in some form or fashion, but California Dreaming is that place. I always order the baked potato soup and the California Dreaming house salad and I am never disappointed with that decision. I'm not exactly sure what kind of dressing their house dressing actually is, but who cares! It's that delicious. And those croissants?!? Don't judge me when you see me hogging an entire plate! The staff here is always super friendly (southern hospitality at it's finest) and the service is impeccable. These are the reasons why California Dreaming will always be on my to-do list when I'm in Columbia.
(4)Sarah W.
California Dreaming has the best salads and buttered croissants and the service was good. I had the caesar salad when I had lunch here while going through Columbia on a road trip. To some extent I was reminded of the Cheesecake Factory. I also gave in and got the brownie with a Hershey bar melting on top of it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.
(5)Paul S.
The sweet tea was the best thing I had. I ordered the chicken parmesan and it was soupy. It was so soupy that the burnt breading on the chicken was mushy. The. Shrimp San Francisco was over buttered and super garlicky and super soupy. But the waitress was super nice.
(1)Bubba Y.
Came in tonight with a group of 13. Had previous reservation, restaurant had been "highly recommended" by a coworker. Sad. Nice building. And noisy as all get out. Limited menu, most of their pastas use penne? I ordered the fish of the day, tuna, served blackened with sauteed spinach on the side. Got maybe two forkfuls of spinach and a way overdone piece of tuna. Many of us had only half eaten meals when our dishes were cleared. Just blah. The enthusiasm and graciousness of our server is the only thing that prevented this from being a one-star review. Won't come back. And, by the way, what does /anything/ in this restaurant have to do with California? Here's a hint: NOTHING.
(2)Erin N.
Just returned from my first visit to California Dreaming. I made a reservation for a group of 20 and there ended up being 25. The waitstaff were incredible about accommodating us. The food was excellent. I got the California Dreaming Salad. It was VERY good, and the croissants were heavenly. I would recommend this place for a group for sure. Just make sure you make a reservation. This place was packed at 1:30. A+!
(5)Barrett G.
from my 4 or 5 visits, and experience, the food that I have had, now, I have ordered over and over because I have enjoyed it so much. I have not tried anything but the huge House Salad with house dressing and the bar b que nachos. together they are fantastic. the service has always been great. I never have to wait for a full up on my drink. the only complaint I will ever give is on the parking lot. I have never had an experience where I could just drive in and park. it feels like there is always some drama with trying to find a parking space. it has more to do with the popularity of the chain. the lay out of the parking lot is annoying. it's not a reason to avoid. find a parking space, go in and order. it's terrific.
(4)Robin R.
I was on a business trip to Columbia last week, and went to California Dreaming on my last day in town. If I had been there sooner, I would have eaten there more than just the once! I had the She Crab soup, which was great, and the Broiled Salmon Salad (mixed greens, hearts of palm, fresh mushrooms, scallions and chopped tomatoes, as well as the Salmon) and not only was it tasty and well prepared, the portion sizes were huge. I also tried a taste of their Chicken Strips and it was well done too. Also, don't miss out on the honey glazed Croissants. I had one with the Salad, and it was wonderful - very light and fluffy, with a light honey glaze that really hit the spot. Really, all the food on the menu looked great, and a friend who lives in town told me that they had never had any complaints about any meal there. I really liked the location in the old Train station and all the woodwork, the large windows and lighting made the place feel warm and inviting. It was a setting that would have equally suited a far more expensive restaurant. Service was fast, and attentive, prices were very reasonable, and the location was beautiful. I admit that I got there in the mid afternoon, so had missed the lunch rush, which I am told can pack the place, but when we got there the parking was fine, and even though they had a good amount of people there, the place seemed roomy enough to serve many more. I will definitely be back on any future trips I make to Columbia!
(4)Demetril O.
What can I say about this place other than amazing. Amazing food, amazing building, and amazing staff. If you are looking for a very nice place to have a special meal, look no further.
(5)James L.
Love it foods always great servers always happy. Great building and a nice atmosphere would recommend
(5)Tina M.
Wait staff was amazing. Respectful, attentive, fast, and professional. A member of our party sent something back and they didn't blink an eye and had another item out with in 5 minutes. Flounder was amazing!
(4)Mike G.
Well, after a co-worker recommended this spot to me, I decided to scoop up the misses and try it out. Hoping for the best from the positive reviews we'd already seen, and now received from a co-worker. Before you read on, the place didn't blow my socks off... but wasn't a total disappointment either. I'd actually return for more, so if you're curious why - there's more to read! My girl and I selected this was our Saturday evening dinner spot while we were already out and about in the Columbia area. Again, after having it recommended, and then seeing their menu options throught their website... we felt this was a spot we should give a shot! Arriving, it was a bit crowded and parking was a bit difficult. In fact, that would be the biggest complaint about the location/experience. It's not that parking was limited (that's fine) it's the design of the parking lot. Making it very difficult to really maneuver in the crowded space and get into/out of spots that are open. Once we got past that portion, it was indoors where we were seated quickly. The dinning area is nice, but not over the top. I'd say very business casual feel to it. The bar area was elevated a bit, and also a nice area. It was a bit noisy due to conversations everywhere, but not so bad that you couldn't hear the conversation at your own table. After a quick glance through the menu we decided to go with Fried Crab claws as the appetizer, both of us had a house salad, she went with the prime rib and garlic mash potatoes, while I had the ribs and house made fries. The crab claws were tasty, meatier than expected actually from past experienced from other locations. And could have almost been a meal in themselves!! The breading on them crumbled easily, but again, still very tasty. The house salad itself, was nothing over the top. More than enough to eat and all fresh/tasty... however the kicker.... (pause for dramatic effect)... the salads came with their sweet glazed and homemade crescent rolls which were amazing!! And by amazing I mean I actually had to fly home, slap my momma, and fly back to finish my meal. I wanted these with every meal I'd ever had or will ever have again. Thankfully, we learned for our follow up visit, these are an appetizer option. So, we'll be back!! Okay, back on point. Her prime rib was really good as well. Very well made, cooked to order, tender and juicy. Lots of flavor and exactly what we expected/wanted. However, the garlic mash potatoes seemed to be more garlic and less potato... she ended up snacking on a few of my fries. Which... were very good. They may not have been hand cut, but were still very tasty and nice large steak fries. Very good! And the ribs aren't too bad either. Definitely not the best I've had... a bit on the dry side, which their bbq sauce helped with and brought up the flavor profile. Still, a little juicer rib would have really made it all that much better. I saw a steak and shrimp option that I plan to return for, as well as 23 orders of the Crescent rolls appetizers! So this is a scheduled return visit I look forward too, but hoping for better parking - and dodging the garlic mash.
(4)Jodie J.
Great dining atmosphere. Friendly service but didn't take our orders right. Steak overcooked. Plating and quality are more or less like what a diner can provide while price and quantity are like what a fine dinning restaurant will offer.
(2)Rebecca A.
One thing cool about California Dreaming is the menu has something for everyone. We started out with the peel and eat shrimp, Tijuana chicken wings, and a plate of croissants drizzled with honey. The shrimp was nothing to write home about, but, oh my goodness, the wings were crispy on the outside and succulent/tender on the inside. I loved that the wings were not breaded. Definitely a "must have" for future visits. I ordered the California Dreaming Salad. Loved how the cheese was shaved rather than shredded. The nuts and bacon added great flavor and texture. Hot bacon dressing topped off the salad. Yum, I would order this again in a heartbeat. The restaurant is located in a cool building. My only complaint about the ambience is that the music was a bit loud and a hindrance to conversation for a larger group. Service was attentive, and over all the meal was a good value for what we ordered.
(4)Shane R.
What Charlotte peeps remember Manzetti's at South Park? It was an awesome tavern style restaurant with an open kitchen that closed in early 2010. Manzetti's was a favorite of mine and I was very sad to learn that they had closed. It was owned by the same company as California Dreaming (which has apparently demised or converted all prior Manzetti's locations). Prior to living in Charlotte I use to travel to the area often on business. I'd hit Manzetti's at least once each trip and a coworker clued me in on California Dreaming when she recognized some of the trademarks used across the sister chains; including the hot signature buttered croissants. It wasn't long after that, I happened across my first California Dreaming location. I made it a point to stop and grab a bite. I wasn't disappointed! CD offers options to suit everyone with a full bar and, of course, the amazing hot buttered croissants. I've never had bad service, although this particular visit provided us with a clearly inexperienced server. All good though. He'll learn with time. The food has never been sub par. I highly recommend the creamed spinach as a side. The ribs are fall off the bone good and can easily be eaten with a fork. You cannot go wrong with a steak either. The wife is a fan of the baked potato soup and the prime rib. The salads are always fresh. The bartenders have also never let me down. The place is always clean and welcoming as well. A specific tip for this location...watch your step when coming and going at the front entrance. Some steep steps make it tricky....especially for those who have downed a few drinks from the bar. I'll definitely be back whenever I'm in the area. California Dreaming will keep Manzetti's alive for me!
(4)Grace M.
The food here is great! I love their glazed croissants, house salad, and pasta dishes. The service is really good as well. Sometimes it's a little slow, but what restaurant isn't during the lunch and dinner rush? The ambience is nice and it has a pretty decent view of campus if that's what you're looking for.
(4)Alicia S.
My favorite restaurant in Columbia. You will never be disappointed by the food and they have several options.
(4)Katie M.
I threw up at this restaurant cause the pasta I ate was too incredibly rich but they had mouthwash in the bathroom so it was okay!!!!!
(3)Don S.
beautiful space, nice warm bread, everything else is mediocre
(3)CC W.
From the outside this place looks fancy schmancy. And on the inside as well. Its such a large establishment this would be a great place for big groups or parties but the atmosphere is intimate enough for two. Very romantic, low-lit ambience. The prices are very affordable and the menu has a lot to offer. I had a few bites of my friends BBQ Chicken Nachos (AMAZING!!!), and I'm not even a big fan of BBQ. My entree of Fried Shrimp Po Boy was very satisfying. The bread was a little too crunchy and I had to let it soften with the filling. My girlfriend had the Turkey Burger and said it could have been better. The turkey was a little over cooked. Those things aside, this is a great place to enjoy while in Columbia!
(4)Meredith S.
$1.95 well gin and tonics. That's all I have to say. $1.95 cocktails. Are you kidding?! I mean, if you love your top shelf alcohol maybe not, but to me, they taste the same buuuuut save me $5? Yes please! Paired with the enormous California Dreaming salad (it might be huge, but I eat the whole thing in about 15 minutes or less) and a croissant, it might just be the best night of your life. I know it was for me every time I ate it. I've also had their onion loaf (kinda weird) and seafood nachos, but nothing.... let me say it again... nothing compares to the California Dreaming salad. Yum Yum Yum. The only question is when California Dreaming will expand out of the Southeast and into Indiana. I'll be waiting for you :)
(4)Emily D.
I give them props for their excellent re-use of a very cool historic building, and their tasty warm croissants. And that's the end of that. I went in with a large group - we had reservations and they're built to handle it, so no excuses for taking them by surprise. I ordered the ONLY vegetarian item on the menu, the Hot Vegetable Salad. It sounded pretty tasty, but had no protein. What it had were cold canned mushrooms and pickled green beans and artichoke hearts on ice burg lettuce floating in approximately half a cup of balsamic vinaigrette. Had the description mentioned there would be dressing, I would have gotten it on the side, but alas I did not have that luxury. So I sat awkwardly next to not my boss, but my division director at this retirement thing trying to fish out some of the scant non-ice burg lettuce bits out of my dressing soup. My friend who sat next to me had the same. She ordered hers without mushrooms, but wasn't too upset when it showed up with them anyway because there were only about five in there and I gladly took them. Anyway, fast forward two hours later and we were both running to the toilet. My bill for that disgusting and unfilling salad and an unsweet iced tea ran $16 (with the mandatory 20% tip). Next time my office goes there for a retirement party (or for any reason ever), I'll save the money and my GI tract and just call in sick preemptively.
(2)Megan M.
I live in North Carolina and was down visiting family for the weekend. My last day visiting we all went to eat here for lunch. I was expecting it to be packed, which it was, however we had a very short wait. From walking in the look and feel of the place is just amusing. The style they kept when renovating this place fits so well. The cleanliness of the place and bathrooms was very much to my liking. Our waitress (I forgot her name) but she was definitely on top of her game and super friendly. We ordered appetizers and our meals at the same time. And I must say I was impressed. Our appetizers came out fairly quickly and tasted amazing. Once we were done with our appetizer yummy spinach dip with chips), I would say we waited maybe 5-10 minutes before our main meals came out. Just enough time in between to let the appetizers settle. I believe I ordered the California Dream Salad?!?! Not sure but it was huge and OMG freaking good. My kids got the chicken strips kids meals and the strips were amazing as well. And the bonus for my kids dessert already came with their meal - a scoop of vanilla ice cream:). I shared a cheesecake slice with a family member. It was a huge slice and Mmmmmmm melted in your mouth. My most definitely favorite Restuarant in South Carolina!!! We will be returning each time I visit;) The only negative thing I can say is I wish the parking lot was bigger. However with the Restuarant being located smack dab in the middle of the city, I don't think even if the Restuarant wanted to expand they could.
(5)April C.
Of course, we all go for the croissants. I actually forget how good they are until I take that first bite: fluffy-cloud soft, melts in our mouth, and slightly sweet. Seriously perfect. The food is good, as always. I ordered the turkey burger with cheese and a side of fries. The burger was substantial and piled high with fresh toppings. The fries are so good, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and perfectly seasoned. Our waitress was on top of those water refills like her life depended on it, which was well appreciated. All in all, a great experience!
(4)Jerry T.
This is a chain, but you would not know it if you were unfamiliar with the brand. This location was built into a renovated train depot, and is a gorgeous building. I had the chicken Parmesan, which was ok. The presentation was nice but it was very bland. My date had the baked cheese ravioli, which was a much better dish. It's basically a plate of cheese ravioli covered in a heavy garlic, cheese and cream sauce which is then baked with a few herbs until the light cheese coating is browned. Apparently the most popular item is the ribs, which seemed out of place on the menu. The service was excellent at every turn. We had a round of drinks at the bar while we were waiting on our table, and the bartender was very attentive. He even made an off-menu concoction for one of the girls which was very tasty. Our server for dinner was also great. While I don't think that you will find any surprises on the menu, I do believe that the food is a good value. I also think that the ambiance would be hard to match at this price-point.
(4)Karen S.
I have been to California Dreaming several times since I have moved to Columbia, and I have always enjoyed my experience at the retsaurant. I do like the layout of the restaurant - which a prrvious yelper mentioned it was an old train station. A group of us went to the restaurant on a Friday evening for a friend's birthday and were seated almost immendiately (only downside is that the msjority of the party needed to be present before they would seat us). Our waitress was freindly and attentitive to our group. For being a (busy) Friday evening - and somewhat of a big group - our order came out within a good amount of time. Menu is your typical American fare (anything from burgers and salads to chicken and steaks). Only complaint is the pricing. Wound up paying $25+ for a piece og frilled chicken and soft drink (the $25 included a tip due to amount in our party - but tip itself was not that big).
(4)Adam L.
Great ambiance and food is very good. Menu could be a little more extensive and it can be pricey for some items. Service was good and its hard to find an atmosphere like a restored train station! I would defiantly recommend
(5)Trish B.
Came here for a light dinner. Nachos were great, potato soup was amazing. The atmosphere is nice, unique building and very close to where I was staying. I'd recommend it if you want something different.
(4)Marty S.
Went for a last-minute date one night, and left feeling inspired to write the following haiku: A bad Cali dream... Seafood nachos gave him the runs... My friend was sad then. -M.S. The honey croissants are magical, though. Just no seafood nachos in our future ever again.
(2)Johnnie M.
Food was great she crab soup is a must have. Alan a the waitress will get confused if you don't talk slow and confirm what you ordered but the kitchen did a good job recovering for her mistakes.
(4)Dana C.
We had a crowd of 11 people and although we had to wait a while it was worth it. They have bacon flavored salad dressing omg it was so good! My whole family really enjoyed the atmosphere and scenery. Very kid friendly! Thanks
(4)Nancy B.
Absolutely wonderful seafood nachos. This dish can be shared by 2 people easy......layers of chip with a white cream sauce with lobster with a few capers and red onions then mounded with salmon and shrimp. This would be a great dish to share and it is satisfying and reasonable. The regular beef and cheese nachos are great to. Plus you get a great atmosphere. Anytime i eat there I feel like I am giving myself a special treat. Enjoy
(5)K K.
Beautiful restaurant ...renovated train station. Instead of the usual bread sticks or rolls you get at other restaurants, they have the best croissants you've ever tasted. Small menu but lots of variety. I recommend a seafood item as they come with a salad. Only disappointment was the Sangria...wasn't quite the right mix. Restaurant a bit dark but the candles create a glowing atmosphere. Would go again but maybe as a date not a family dining.
(3)Crystal C.
Housed in a refurbished train station, loaded with wood, tin, marble.., it has quite the atmosphere. Outdoor seating overlooking train tracks kind of makes one reminiscent of what it looked like in its heydey. This place has been a staple of living in Columbia for as long as I can remember with consistency in the good service and the good food.
(4)Josh H.
I've eaten here twice, and the food has admittedly been pretty good/decent both times. I especially enjoyed the chicken fingers the first time I ate here for lunch. They're a little different from what I'm used to. I definitely recommend them when having lunch here. The last time I ate here, though, I had the ribeye, and to be honest it sort of underwhelmed me. Apart from not being overly flavorful, it seemed a little overcooked for medium rare to me. Don't get me wrong --it wasn't bad-- but the waiter even commented that my date's steak looked pinker than mine and she had ordered medium and I had ordered medium rare. He offered to bring me another steak, but it wasn't worth the trouble in my mind as what I had in front of me was admittedly still a decent steak. I saw some other dishes other people were eating nearby, and they all looked good. Their salads are also very good. Overall, not a bad experience, but I'll probably go elsewhere for steak in the future.
(3)Lauren F.
Good service. Good food, but nothing special. It's really dark. The bartenders are great though, and willing to come up with stuff to suit your tastes.
(3)Katie H.
Very busy on a Saturday night, but the place is huge, so they managed to seat us in a reasonable amount of time even though we were unable to place a reservation when we called ahead. Never having been there, I had several questions for the waitress about the menu, but every time I received an answer to one, she would run off before I could get another word out. She does, however, get major bonus points for providing the table with a sample of the she crab soup after sensing her attempt to describe it was falling flat. It didn't help that we had to shout at one another (this place is loud!). One of my fellow diners decided against ordering the soup based on the sample, but I thought it was excellent, albeit rich, and found it to be the best part of our meal. Lots of crab in every bite! All of my party had dined here on previous occasions, and they deemed the basket of sweet croissants and spinach/cheese nachos worth ordering. The croissants were fine, though I would have preferred them with a bit more of the honey sauce to dip them in rather than just the provided drizzle. I didn't realize they come with every salad or I would have deemed the extra basket unnecessary. It seems like the type of thing they should give you for free when you sit down, not the type of thing for which you'd feel the need to place an order and pay excess. The nachos, which seemed to be a table favorite, were rather underwhelming in my opinion. I didn't care for the gritty yellow corn chips and the spinach concoction on top lacked much flavor. We shared the chicken finger appetizer (6), which had a fish & chips type fluffy batter and came with a sweet mustard bbq sauce which received mixed reactions. The caesar salad was heavily dressed and tangy. Other salads were ordered and seemingly enjoyed. The prime rib (which it's important to note when ordering that they undercook, so adjust your preference accordingly) was satisfying, though unremarkable. The garlic mashed potatoes were delicious. Overall everything was fine, not much regional flare or many distinctive dishes, more or less the type of thing you can get anywhere.
(3)Dione M.
Used to work at California Dreaming back in my younger days and recently came back into town for a quick visit. Can I just say that I still love this place. The food is excellent, the proportions are plentiful, and the service is always good. The croissants are one of a kind and the house salad is a must try. Best of all the location is in an old train station that is very iconic and beautiful!
(4)Bernicemina M.
I don't think the reviews for this place give it much credit. I really didn't think it was that bad. The service was great, especially for a party of 13. Their bread is fresh and they have a great selection of wine. The portions, in my opinion, were perfectly sized. I wasn't even finished eating my salad (which came with my entree) when my plate came out. I can't remember the steak I got but it was juicy and really flavorful. There was a lot of people dining in when our family went. The setting was very pretty and you could never tell that the old building used to be an old railroad warehouse. Unique, indeed.
(4)Erica A.
My previous review was really "meh," but when my daughter and I were invited to California Dreaming for a friend's birthday, we went because we love our friends. One of the young girls in our party is gluten-intolerant, meaning she'll get sick if she eats anything with wheat. Our server was very helpful when we asked how we could ensure she could have a great meal, and with his help she picked out the shrimp kid's meal, substituting grilled shrimp for shrimp that was breaded and fried. Unfortunately, and indeed DANGEROUSLY, the kitchen paid no attention to the modification, and her meal came out with breaded shrimp. The server who brought the plates wasn't our waiter, and was not apologetic about the error. (Also, I was surprised that they didn't even offer to leave the plate to see if somebody else at the table wanted to eat it. When a restaurant brings you the wrong plate of food, they shouldn't take it back and then serve it to somebody else; either they did that, or they threw it out. Either way, not cool.) They also left cheese off another girl's burger, showing that carelessness with customization isn't unusual. Please be extremely cautious if you or your guests have any food allergies or sensitivities, and check your plate thoroughly to make sure any custom requests (such as, "no nuts") are adhered to!
(1)Ann C.
Yum! Salad with house dressing and bread are amazing. My pasta was good, too, but not as good as the salad. Pretty cool drink menu although I didn't try one. I would definitely come back!
(4)Bien T.
WOW, the inside restaurant looks fabulous. It is much bigger than I thought. You dont have to order a lot, just a big salad is enough to make you stuff. I love this place a lot.
(4)Westwood D.
First, parking was a nightmare as the lot was full. This place was just way too crowded both inside and out. With reservations, we still waited over 30 minutes. The bar was alright and the bartender was friendly and polite. Had one drink waiting for dinner. Ordered the she-crab soup and the California Dreaming salad. The salad was just a big salad, nothing special. I have no idea why everyone thinks their salads are so special. The dressing was also nothing special. The she-crab soup was served to me not even luke-warm. That just ruined it for me. On the way out, the waiting area was just jam-packed so we could not even leave, as there was a huge crowd blocking the door. I have no idea why so many people were attracted to this place.
(1)Chef R.
This is a follow up review. Last October the wife and I had a really crapy night at California Dreaming. The GM sent me s letter with a fifty dollar gift certificate and asked us to come back. We dined there Friday night, the food and service were spot on. Very good show! The food was tasty hot and accurate. A complete turn around from last visit! I was pretty hard on them recently maybe it helped. Keep up the work guys.
(3)Gena D.
In a really cool historic building Located near the University. Great atmosphere laid back California dreams salad was very flavorful and just the right amount. Highly recommend for family and special gatherings
(4)Joseph P.
This is a rework of a Train Depot that has decent food and good service at fairly high prices. Large enough to handle our group of 11 easily after an afternoon graduation. The experience was pleasant, with fairly good food but mediocre value, as most featured items are $20-28, though these include a great salad. Pastas and Salads are more like $12-18 a-la-carte. "Sticky Croissants" are a nice touch, but a little too sweet. Service was very competent and professional. As noted, parking can be very difficult, as the lot was almost full when the restaurant was half empty.
(3)Jordan S.
Located in a renovated train station which was originally constructed in 1902, the architecture of the facilitty is beautiful inside and out. Take a look at those beautiful thick wooden ceilings! The second floor of the train station was removed, so ceilings are at least 30 feet high. There's room for hundreds of guests, dim lighting, and linen clothed tables. It's a beautiul place all around. Open up the menu, and it feels more like a casual eatery. Sandwiches, burgers, steaks, chicken, ribs...typical American stuff. Prices are not half bad, the most expensive item on the menu is a $25.50 filet mignon. My wife had the shrimp San Francisco which was shrimp sauteed with garlic, butter, mushrooms, and white wine, served over angel hair...delicious., I had the dreaming chicken sandwhich, which had all of the right ingredients, but came out very bland. Service was excellent. Our original table had a slight smell of old cheese, our waiter happily moved us after serving drinks and appetizers. Our new waitress was just as pleasant. We took our time and had a great meal. Their website claims that they are the most popular restaurant in Columbia. This may be true, but is likely due to the large size and the safe and familiar menu.
(3)Kyle D.
We were told they were famous for their salads. Sadly the salad was good, but not great. Now, the fried blue crab legs were tremendous!
(3)roger s.
At least you have to go for the croissants drizzled with honey. This should be a stop as much as the Cafe De Mundo in N ew Orleans. These are better then biegnets by far. Crab loaded she crab soup with sherry. The oysters were great. I loved mine anyway but I get deep fried when available. The breading was light. Ive had better Ceasar salad and dressing in fact I make a better one. Overall I would come back and you just have to have the croissants.
(5)Tristan S.
Very large. Concistantly good. The crescent rolls make you want to run home, grab a tube of Pillsbury crescent rolls, bake 'em and drizzle honey and butter on them all, to be eaten at one sitting... Maybe not the wisest choice, but certainly understandable after these delicious rolls. The ubiquitous house salad, chicken, and ribs are all very good. I still don't know where the name came from... Dreaming of getting away on the nearby train tracks...?
(3)Ellisa V.
The quality of the food was severely lacking considering the price of the food. The best part of our meal was the house salad to accompany it, but even that was drenched in dressing. The long island ice tea was far too citrus-y and we felt as if there was no alcohol in the drink. The onion loaf was good, but even then, we've experienced better onion ring type appetizers else where. The service was great, but once again, you'd expect great service for these type of prices. Personally, it seems like California Dreaming cares more about the atmosphere and decorations than they do about the food. If dark lighting and fancy decor is what you like, then eat here. If great food is what you're looking for, go elsewhere.
(2)Jennifer M.
Most delicious place in Columbia!
(5)Sharp H.
Usually stop here when I'm going through Columbia en route to or from Charleston. It's perfectly serviceable for that; most of what they offer is typical American food, burgers and fried or grilled chicken which usually hits the spot. The servings are a little big, though, so don't try to order a salad and an entrée. It's also pretty pricey for the area. So if you want cheaper, less typical options, you can probably rustle something else up nearby that'd be a little more attractive. The building it's in is a grand old place, and there's a lot of different seating options, from more intimate booths to a bar and more open solarium-like rooms toward the back. However, around lunchtime it's always pretty crowded. Even if you don't have to wait, almost all the tables are gonna be full. Also once I saw George Clooney eating here, so if you're looking for one of the few (only?) places in Columbia that can boast that, this is the spot for you.
(3)Mitch R.
Loved this place. The food was better than I expected. As is the case so often most of the "gathering places" have so-so food, but make up for it through an active bar. This was a very nice surprise. I will come back on my next trip through town. Already looking forward to it.
(5)Miriam A.
Beautiful building, excellent service, boring food. Being from California and in need of a good entree salad, I decided to check this place out. My party and I had two salads and an appetizer. The onion ring loaf was bland (how do the onions lose their zing?) and both salads were boring. I expected more interesting, or at least fresher, greens. Then the salads were drenched in dressing and covered in meat. There weren't many interesting options on the menu, sounding like chain restaurant fare from the 90's. But most of all, it was just bland. The absolute best part was the honey croissant, which is worth going in to get a basket of those and some tea and watch the trains.
(2)Kathy P.
Enjoyed great service and good food.
(4)Bob H.
Do you like extremely dark lit restaurant where you can barely see the food? If so, come here. Don't get me wrong, the food is great, we'll actually it's like going to Applebees to be honest. I think it's that dark lit atmosphere where you can bring your girlfriend if you want some candle lit dinner. So here comes the my honest review. Service? Superb, the waiter, a girl, was nice, friendly, and there when we needed it. Food? Great food, maybe better if I could see it. Atmosphere? Like I said before, extremely dark, you may as well go in with night vision goggles. We heard people singing happy birthday at least 8 times the time we were there. Not a bad thing, but apparently that's where people go to celebrate their b-days. Anyways, I give it a 3 out of 5 because I won't be going there again. I'm not hard to please, while the service is A+++++ with never ending plus signs, the food isn't all it comes out to be and it's dark. But of course I leave that up to you to decide.
(3)Jason R.
Great building, decent food (big servings), great service, reasonable prices, big parking lot, bad name (-1). Dig it.
(4)Janet E.
The Chicken Parmesan was good but just a tad bland. Very moist and tender Excellent coffee. I wish I would have gotten a side salad since none came with it.
(3)Jack T.
After reading the mixed reviews for this restaurant on Yelp, my wife and I decided to try it out. The restaurant itself was pretty neat, as it is a re-purposed old train station. The environment was a bit loud, but that may or may not be a negative point depending on the person visiting the restaurant and/or the situation (e.g., party vs. romantic evening). The only reason that I gave this place even two stars was for the restaurant/environment itself. In all, the food was pretty horrible. We started out with the traditional nachos, which were of Applebee's/TGIFriday's quality...not bad but not great either. The real disappointment came when we received our entrees. I ordered the prime rib sandwich and my wife got the marinated chicken entree with green beans. My wife's chicken tasted like they just took a piece of chicken, heated it up, and put it on the plate. They call it "marinated chicken," but what did they marinate it in? Water? My wife had to practically coat it in salt and pepper to make it taste bearable. My prime rib sandwich was perhaps the blandest thing I have ever eaten. When I read "prime rib sandwich", I was expecting a sandwich dripping with awesome prime rib flavor. Instead, I got something that tasted like 3 day old roast beef. Dipping the sandwich in the au jus provided just made it taste like wet 3 day old roast beef. Long story short, we probably wouldn't come back here unless it was for a couple of beers and appetizers. It would be a nice place to drink, not so much to eat a decent meal.
(2)Matt M.
I have been to california dreaming a couple times and it has always been good. The food is always cheap and filling. The service has been good but there is normally a line so expect a little bit of a wait during the normal eating times.
(5)Steven H.
I had Sunday brunch there today. The building is INCREDIBLE. BEAUITFUL. The compliments stop there. The food was bad. I had a marinated and grilled chicken breast that tasted like they had simply dumped a bunch of soy onto it. No flavor other than salty/sodium. The steamed vegetables with the dish were steamed beyond recognition and seemed more like they had been boiled. The bloody mary was average. The service needed vast improvement. One of my companions ordered a sirloin and received a filet, which wasn't even cooked properly. No apology from the wait person.....they treated us as though we were bothering them. Will not go back.
(1)Nakiba B.
I went here for my first date with my boyfriend. He was coming in from out of town but ended up arriving a bit later than planned. We wanted a nice place that would still be serving food after 9pm and I had been to this location before but just for their salad. I had heard good things about their food, so I figured this would be a good place for us to just talk and get to know each other better. Totally not what I expected..... First thing I noticed when we walked in was the noise level and how busy it still was, but I guess I should have expected that considering it was a Saturday evening and my first visit had been on a weekday...that was the least of my issues. The issues came when it took forever for a waitress to take our order and when she finally did, we had to wait a long time before we actually got our food. You'd think with it taking as long as it did for our food to arrive that it would have been prepared well. I don't know if it was because of the time that they were rushing to prepare everything or if they had just gotten lazy but the food was not all that great. I ordered a chicken wrap but it seemed more like all I had was lettuce wrapped in a tortilla..there was almost NO meat in the thing. My boyfriend ordered the chicken parm and said he did not like it at all. He said the chicken was good but the pasta was gross. To top it off, when we finally were able to get our waitress to come back to the table to ask for "to go" boxes and our check, she came back with only one box when clearly we needed two, so we had to wait another 10 mins for the other one. If I do go back, I think I'll stick to the salad and croissants and go during the daytime on a weekday to avoid all the loud people. Other than that, I love the lighting of the building itself and the setting.
(2)David T.
Asked at our hotel for a place to grab a quick bite, didn't want anything too fancy. This place definitely fit the bill. I ordered the shrimp san francisco, which is shrimp with garlic and mushrooms in a white wine and butter sauce over angel hair pasta. It came with a pretty big salad to start. Both the salad and the entree were very good. The service was polite and efficient, though a bit cold. No complaints here though, definitely worth a visit.
(3)Kate M.
I came here with some coworkers and I guess I ordered the wrong thing, I dunno. I had the grilled salmon salad and didn't like it. The fish tasted kind of off. The roll was good. The others at my table seemed to really enjoy their meals, including the salad-hater who was eating a salad. Granted, that salad was covered in bacon and cheese. Aside from that I really can't remember much about the hour of my life I spent here, so I'll take that to mean this place was pretty bland. If someone dragged me back here I'd get something else, but I probably wouldn't return of my own volition.
(2)Jaime N.
I've eaten here twice, and, in both cases, the salad was delicious and was the highlight of the meal. In one case, I got an entrée salad (dressing on the side), and in the other case, I had a few bites from someone else's pre-dinner salad. The appetizer (onion loaf) and main dishes (so forgettable that I don't even remember what we ordered) were mediocre at best. Although our server was great, the LONG wait and relatively high prices were major downsides. I probably won't go back.
(2)Brittany and Tim L.
It looks better on the inside then out. Busy around lunch and dinner but if you go for brunch dont worry about making a reservation. i had the pasta with shrimp it was very good. they have buttery crossant that are to die for but you only get one and the rest you have to pay for. it might be a good thing cuz that is all that i would have eaten. my husband got ribs and said they were good. It is a little pricy for what you get but a good place to go for an anniversary or something like that.
(4)Carol Y.
Can't beat the soup and salad.. croissants that melt in your mouth. Also they have great drink specials on their well drinks. $1.95! Also they have great steaks. Dinner for two with a couple of rounds of drinks for under $50 is a good value for me.
(4)Caroline C.
California Dreaming Salad w/ a croissant is my favorite!!!! Definitely worth the trip for it. : ) Join their email list on their website and get a free appetizer coupon!
(4)Nicholas K.
I've got to bump this one up a star because I went there the other day and actually had some pretty good chicken wings and creamed spinach. A family get-together drove me to this previously derided spot and i must say i was a little bit surprised to find that the quality of food isn't that bad and the prices for the non-entree type dishes were o.k. for my budget. But really, even in Columbia, you can better spend your restaurant dollar. What irked me the most was the service. Granted, i was in a big party, but there was hardly anyone in our waiter's section and I think I got maybe one refill of my water in the entire 3 hours we were there. So, after gulping down some hot wings and drinking my lady's and my Mother-in-law's water, I was still thirsty and had no relief. For all the airs the wait staff puts on with their smart outfits and not one but two hostesses, I'd have to say this was one of the worst service experiences I have received in Columbia. But what else can you expect from a middling tired old chain restaurant?
(2)Katie M.
This place is great for groups and special occasions- count on it to be packed on football weekends, graduation and parents weekend. It has reasonable prices and is definitely a treat for college kids looking to get away from campus (especially cause parent usually foot the bill!!)
(4)Greg T.
Meh. Crowded and noisy. Getting seated is an ordeal. Food's OK.
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