I remember when this was John Paul's, which was excellent. Colas keeps that tradition with excellent service, super clean and tastefully simple appearance and food that justifies the cost. We sat at the bar, due to reservations booking the place out. No matter though, they brought place settings for us to use and served us like anyone. The procession of dinner was coconut shrimp, then Tilapia in a cream base. The shrimp was served with two glazes. A sweet sauce of I know not what and a citrus base. The shrimp were large enough to order only that for dinner if just for one, however, it's date night so we split a serving of Tilapia. They breaded that in house, just before cooking it. It was a great experience. To save time (was attending a show just afterwards) had dessert there instead of Nonnahs (personal fav). Good decision too, the coffee ice cream was very good. All around good decision. Have some cash though, reasonable price for the quality still isn't cheap!
(5)
Michael N.
Service was friendly and attentive at the bar. It was my third time dining here and third time ordering the flash fried Flounder. It's outstanding I'm only rating this experience three stars (avg) because (1) the toasted bread slices that accompanied the fresh Mussel appetizer were placed in the dish subsequently the toast was so soggy it was unpleasant (2) a warm or cold moist towel provided with the Mussels would have been really helpful as they were super messy (3) no bread or roll was served with the wonderful Flounder so I ordered a roll. It was served half frozen half soggy and so rubbery I took one bit and spit it out and (4) the lemon wedge was so tiny for this massive whole fish dish.
(3)
Mark S.
This place is great, I had the Blueberry Mojito (recommended) while I debated on dinner-and cleared mi head from class....... (Mandy) made several recommendations but I settled for the Shrimp n Grits..... Great choice; deliciously cooked- chased it with a Strawberry-Lime Mojito.......
(5)
Sebastian W.
Ordered Lobster tail, shrimp & mussels on the menu. Everything tasted wonderful. Although the portion was kind of small for the price. The service was great. Friendly staff. The restaurant is very clean. Overall it was great.
(4)
WanderLustinDani P.
Cola's was a great choice, lots of history at this place! Large servings of food, I loved the old feel and the brick walls. Had to try the orange soda in a bottle.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!!!
(4)
Rob K.
Shrimp n grits are exceptional. No need to go any further. You can't miss on this entree. Do yourself a favor.
(4)
Andrea R.
Dined here on Saturday with six other friends. Despite having reservations we waited about 10 minutes for a table. We ordered a few bottles of wine and I had the crab tomato soup, it was delicious. Plenty of crab lumps and the flavor was great. We also shared the Lady plate that came with fried green beans with an Asian dipping sauce, YUM. For dinner I ordered the shrimp succotash that was delicious! It was really creamy and came with plenty of shrimp. My husband ordered the snapper and he loved it. Overall dinner was great, service was great and it was a fun evening.
(3)
Wendi G.
Fabulous meal with co-workers on a Tuesday evening. Service was good and the food quite tasty. Started with the crispy sesame asparagus which was downright delicious. For my entree I had a spectacular tuna special. Others had the crispy flounder and said it was tasty. A very good dining experience.
(4)
Simon T.
Unseasoned, fatty, Gristly steak. Shocked for that price. Giant echo room.
(2)
Gail K.
Had a delicious salmon sandwich earlier in the week at Cola's. Wanted to order the tune but the price was pretty steep. I had a ahi tuna sandwich at Liberty's today and it was reasonable at $10.95. I know Cola's could do something in the same price range!
(4)
Emily E.
I like when they open this place up to the breeze but the food has never impressed me that much. The prices are somewhat high for the portion size and it just isn't unique enough for me to give it more stars. I've been three times hoping I'd find something amazing, but no such luck.
(3)
Duane T.
Excellent food. High quality waitstaff. For this scale of restaurant I usually go for seafood and wasn't disappointed. Probably the best swordfish dish I've ever had and the compliments were delicious as well. Cola's is definitely on my fine dining list for columbia. Plenty of street parking at dinner hours is an added bonus.
(4)
Karen S.
From the exterior of this restaurant, you would think the place was run down inside, but the interior is nice and inviting - and very spacious. Good for small or big parties. I was wavering on how to rate (mostly on price for what you get), but the god thing is the prices you see on the menu includes tax (but still may be overpriced for what you get unless the meats are of a higher quality than you can get elsewhere) but does not include a salad. You do get "bread", but it seems to be a large roll sliced in fours t be shared among party (you do get several depending on group size). Was worried since the person making our reservation said that there was a big group coming in a half hour after we were to arrive thinking food would be slow after we ordered, but our dishes came out about 15 minutes after we placed our order - including an order that was placed about 5 minutes after the rest of our group. Our waiter was attentive - refilling beverages and offering to take group shots for our group.
(3)
Adam B. J.
This was our fourth time coming to Colas. It has always been good, but this experience was great! Our service tonight was 7 out of 5 stars! The first time we dined at Colas we had happy hour'd else where so we ordered the pulled pork egg rolls served with yellow mustard bbq sauce and slaw. This was the best example of southern meets chic. Hit the nail on the head. The bbq sauce was on point, the slaw was like your mom's, and the egg roll paper just somehow completes it. My wife and I shared the Wagyu Burger that night and it was great. The second and third time we visited Colas I had the trout entree (and more pork egg rolls). The trout was so good I got it the next time we came. Tonight my wife and I started with the bloody mary oysters (1/2 dozen) - amazing-, and the night's special of local Certified SC Grown fried okra with goat cheese? Yes goat cheese and it was spectacular. (Almost got more pork egg rolls... Probably would have if the okra didn't sound so good). For entrees I got the nights special of Wild Caught (never frozen) Sockeye Salmon with a "Summer Succotash." Was unbelievable! Wife got the bone-in pork chop with a brussel sprout hash... yes, AMAZING! We split a bottle of Louis Latour Pinot Nior, for a perfect date night. Again service tonight was STELLAR. Great meal. Great experience. Cola is lucky to have Colas.!
(5)
Jamie V.
After making the choice to go out for some "quick drinks" with my friends, we decided to make a night of it and enjoy some food as well. Let me just tell you, I'm glad we did. Since we went for the drinks at first, let me start there. One look at the cocktail and special board and you'll already have a tough time deciding. I was torn between the "Raspberry Lemonade," the "Orange Fashioned" and the "Blood Orange Martini." After a careful consultation with the bartender (who was HILARIOUS), we decided it would be in my best interest to go with the Blood Orange Martini. Once I got, I couldn't thank her enough. Then...we got the menus. So much for "just getting apps." I ended up ordering the shrimp dumplings and the Thai Beef and Shrimp Salad. When I say that there was an explosion of flavor, I'm not joking. Absolutely fantastic. The salad was the perfect light dinner to go along with appetizer. While not the cheapest place in town, you definitely get what you pay for.
Great service and food right at the bar. Not cheap but you get what you pay for. Food was delicious!
(4)
Taylor S.
I would have rated this place a 5 star because everything was phenomenal, except what I got. I got the rubbed chicken and it was good except there was way too much spice, I had to rub most of it off. My sister and my boyfriends' meals were delicious. My boyfriend got the shrimp penne and my sister got the sea food platter. They both loved theirs! Bread was given out before the meal which you don't really find at many places in columbia. The Mac and cheese I got with my meal was excellent though. I highly recommend this place, but I would recommend not getting the rubbed chicken here. Other than that the food here is excellent!
(4)
Steven U.
I am from the New York area and am accustomed to fine dining My schedule in Columbia doesn't allow me to eat at good restaurants often Last Saturday night I went to Cola needed to get away from the fast food habit This restaurant was excellent and was as good as anything from the New York area I was pleasantly surprised. Decor was nice and private Sat a alone in a private quite area Ordered the Cola salad with chick peas and vegetables Fresh and tasty Then the short ribs with grits and a side order of grilled asparagus. Finished off with ice cream in a walnut crusted pastry holder superb!! The waitress was a delight and super professional Excellent restaurant will certainly return
(4)
Mark S. I.
Ok, so I've got some love here for Cola's. Great food - pro waitstaff - cool environs. Everything we had on the menu was super tasty and they did a great job of taking care of us. Must try: spiced chicken, shrimp 'n grits, crab cakes.
(5)
Ashley S.
I really like this place. My sister, her boyfriend, and I came here for dinner on a Saturday night. We didn't have a reservation, so we were quoted a 30-45 min wait but thankfully didn't end up waiting that long because there was a cancelled reservation. It took me a long time to decide on what I wanted because all of the seafood options sounded so good. I actually didn't have to narrow it down to one dish in the end because they have these "platters" which are a combination of 3 different appetizers which are the size of an entree. I picked the Gervais platter, which has scallops, oysters Rockefeller, and fried okra. Everything was so delicious! They gave me 3 large scallops that were cooked perfectly next to polenta fries. The fries were a little bland on their own, but they had a spicy sauce on them which made them tasty. The oysters were very cheesy and delicious, and the okra was crispy and awesome. My sister had the spice rubbed chicken. At first, she wasn't a fan because there was so much spice caked on the chicken. But once she scraped off most of the excess spice, she really liked the meat. Her dish came with sides of mac and cheese and collard greens, which I gladly helped her eat. Her boyfriend ordered the shrimp penne. I had a taste, and the sauce was excellent. All in all, we had a great dinner here. It's definitely an upscale place and a little pricier than I expected but well worth it. It would be great to come here in the summer when they have the windows open! I also agree with all the great things my sister, Taylor S, says about this place :)
(4)
Jeff N.
This was our first time. The atmosphere was great. They have these roll up doors o when the weather is nice you feel a little like you are outside. The food was great......the owner use to own Garibaldi's in Columbia, so they have the signature Apricot Flounder. The food is really good and the staff were friendly. I will definitely go back.
(5)
Kevin B.
Really wish I could give it 4.5 stars because it deserves it. Beautiful place! As soon as you walk in you realize you're in for a treat. Some might say its kinda loud in there but I say loud is in some cases a sign of a good restaurant(due to crowd noise of course). It was a beautiful night out and they had the doors up which let in some October night air which was a definite bonus. Service was fantastic! Our waiter was very attentive but would never hover if we were in midconversation or interrupt. We started with the beef carpaccio app along with the scallops app. Both were flawless as were our entrees. I had the almond crusted tilapia with the pecan butter sweet potato and shrimp, best tilapia I've ever had and the sweet potato was up there too! She had the 8oz Filet and despite my meal being wonderful I was still somehow jealous of hers. It was prepared perfectly which isn't easy to do especially the type of cut that it was(Barrell cut). Overall very very pleasant experience. Will certainly go back.
(4)
Mike M.
Met up with some friends here and had a great time. The food was decent - but the service was great and our table was ready fairly quickly.
(4)
Ron V.
Went to Cola's on 1/3 and was really impressed. I'd hesitated going for some time due to the prices and some other reviews, but we decided to try it. The atmosphere is very nice and the service was great. Our whole experience was good, from making the reservation to the final meal. There were four of us and we ordered the Grilled swordfish wiith andouille grits, two small Maine lobster tails with risotto cake, trout, and scallops. Everyone was satisfied with their entrees. I'd ordered the Grilled swordfish with grits. I'm not a huge fan of grits unless they have andouille or tasso with them...these said andouille. So I asked for some tasso cream gravy and the waitress suggested I get it on the side so it didn't interfere with the dish the way they prepped it. She was totally right. When it was served it had the andouille and a nice sauce around the plate. I immediately knew I didn't neet the tasso cream gravy. It seems like everyone else was dunking their meals into the tasso cream gravy (scallops, bread,) and really enjoying it. Next time we said we'd try the shrimp and grits with the tasso cream gravy! Can't wait to go back and try it. The only thing that was below average was the Lobster tails. I guess we're used to Lobster with drawn butter. These were served without any butter and my wife said they were too dry....should've asked for something on the side I guess. They also were very small, but I guess this should be expected for 2 Lobster tails for $30. Wine selection was good, water was constantly refilled, waitress was knowledgeable and at one point the manager came by our table and asked if everything was okay. She said she had heard a comment or something that made her think we were dissatisfied with our meal. Not sure where she got that from but we were more than satisfied with everything. But it's good to see that the management at least acknowledges concerns at tables. One of us ordered the cinnamon bread pudding for dessert. I'm a big bread pudding fan but wasn't that impressed with this one. Our neighbors did like it and had half of it boxed up to take home. Highly recommend Cola's and am looking forward to going back soon. It won't be every other week due to the prices, but we have put it on our list of one of our favorites in Columbia.
(5)
F. Chandler W.
This place is top notch. It is a very fun atmosphere and the food is off the charts. It's not for the frugal but it makes for a great night out. First of all- ask for the waitress Shawn. Trust me. She is the best waitress you'll ever have; so much attention to detail. The goat cheese fried okra is quite light yet flavorful. My girlfriend got the 16 oz strip and ordered it medium rare. It literally is a side of beef the size of a brick and it was coked perfectly; with blue cheese melted on top. I, myself, got the bouillabaisse. I just want a quart of the stock and drink it. It was tremendous. I have also had the short ribs and pork loin in the past and both are winners. The bouillabaisse is my favorite though. You can also get a decent bottle of wine for under $35. Bathrooms are private and spotless. Eat here.
(5)
Chris S.
Walked in on a Saturday at 5:30pm without a reservation and they were kind enough to work in a table for two. Joshua was our server and he was knowledgable and helpful throughout our evening and made me feel right at home. I always enjoy their BBQ egg rolls (sounds strange, just try it) and placed an appetizer order of those along with an appetizer of seared scallops and fried polenta. The egg rolls were savory as always and my friend enjoyed the scallops so much (they really are tasty) he decided to order the entree version for his meal. I had the 16oz New York strip with gorgonzola. It was paired with roasted mushrooms and creamed spinach. Only two things would have my experience a perfect five stars; 1/3 of my steak was fat and gristle and the creamed spinach was undesirable and lacked anything unique. The ambiance is delightful and the staff could not be more friendly and professional. I enjoy coming here and will be back!
(4)
Matt H.
Something new to note: Cola's is now open for lunch. This is the first time they've done this. I have friends that wait there, and was told their goal is to have people in and out in under an hour. Since they are located in the BID (Business Improvement District) I had a heads up on when they were officially opening for lunch. We were the 2nd table to ever be served lunch :) there should be some yelp award for that. ;) At any rate, the quality of food was as always on point. I couldn't bring myself to go from a 5 to a 4.... But if I did, it would have only Ben based on price. See pictures for menu and what we ordered, and even my timer from the time we sat down until the time we got our credit card back :) Service as always was great (and we had a waiter that I didn't know, so no preferential treatment at all). If you like dirty martini's, I suggest a Tito's with Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives.
(5)
Donnie S.
Our friends bday dinner was amazing. We're visiting from Charleston and after reading the reviews here we decided this place would be perfect--and it was! Shawn was our waitress and was sort of spastic but very thorough and attentive. Our drinks and apps were fantastic (recommends the blood orange martini). Entrees were exceptional!! (Recommends the braised short ribs-- port sauce was interesting... Sweet, what do you expect, right?!) we had no room for dessert tho!! I highly recommend this place! We're very critique-y restaurant people and very culinary inclined; this place was fabulous!! Thanks Cola's for the great experience.
(4)
tony T.
What a nice surprise! Fish stew as an appetizer special was delicious - shrimp, white fish and good stock...yummy! House salad and chicken milanese was out of this world with linguine and mixed veggies. Cooked to perfection the pasta and lightly breaded chicken and veggies was worth every bite. Colleague had tilapia which was also scrumptious! While I had a nice sonoma cabernet, wanted to have the option of a draft beer which they don't have as everything is in a bottle..:'( No room for dessert but the choices looked great. Service was very good as waiter was introducing a new waiter in training who was very attentive...both of them did a great job. The trip down from New York was worth it and will be our first stop next time here. Well done Dustyn!
(4)
Lana O.
I would have given it 3 stars, but there were several things from Cola's getting even that paltry rating. The good: this space is really cool! I have driven by it several times and I didn't realize it was a "nice" restaurant. I love the huge windows that they open up to make it feel very airy and outdoorsy. Parts of my food were good, I enjoyed my scallops and shoestring potatoes. I also appreciated that when I asked for a gluten free item, the server could confirm that the scallop entree was gluten free, and they made the hollendaise in house. The bad: the wait was outrageous. The server, while friendly, and good about refilling water, didn't get our entrees out to us until at least 45 minutes of waiting. Which to me is really unacceptable when the place is half empty. The ugly: my asparagus tasted beyond not fresh, it may have been, dare I say it....canned?! The short and sweet of it: head on over to the bar for a drink, but if you are looking for an exceptional dinner you may find yourself underwhelmed and overpaying if you choose to eat here.
(2)
Grace M.
Definitely a little more casual than Garabaldi's (same owners), I think this place is great. Their crispy flounder is one of my favorite dishes and I love their cocktails. When it's really nice out, they open the garage style doors, so it is as if you're eating outside. I recommend either getting their early or making a reservation on the weekends.
(4)
RodneyVanessa H.
Always enjoy the atmosphere of the warehouses that are now restaurants. I enjoyed grilled vegetables, portions are enough that our daughter took home some of her fish. If my husband had his way his steak would barely touch heat so when he told our server to bring his NY strip to him as rare as legal, she did. He was very satisfied. Among us we shared the cheesecake, brownies with coffee ice cream & cinnamon bread pudding. Do make reservations. A $5 parking lot (not garage) is level and puts you just steps from entrance, you do have some street parking.
(5)
Ann Marie D.
We chose to dine here before a recent concert. The staff asked when we arrived if we were headed to the show. They wanted to make sure they were able to get us in and out. We had a table by the retractable windows facing Assembly street near the bar. The ambiance was upbeat and perfect for a Friday night. Our server was great. Checking on some menu items with the chef as I have food allergies. We ordered 1. Burger- it was amazing. Delicious fries to boot. 2. Grilled Pork Tenderloin- very good, great presentation. 3. Beef Short Ribs- Again, delicious. 4. Toffee Cheesecake- it was so good! 5. Chocolate Torte- not too dense, really excellent. We really had an all around great experience. Food, Ambiance and Service. I'd highly recommend dining at Cola's.
(5)
Edwin C.
Excellent food and superior bar drinks. The staff worked hard under a very competent manager. All around great experience.
(5)
Ken J.
Wagyu burger. What can I say. The brioche bun while great. The brioche was not sturdy enough for the serious juice! Had a perfectly cooked burger, a little under seasoned. And the shoestring fries were plentiful and VERY hard to stop eating. The wait staff was great. All in all a repeat. I would simply skip buns all together.
(4)
Dre D.
Had a wonderful experience at Colas to celebrate a friend's birthday. The service was exceptional and the food was delightful. The atmosphere was tranquil and inviting. This was my first time at Colas but it won't be the last. I can't wait till my next visit.
(4)
Gretchen K.
Both my meal and my husband's were delicious. But I want to emphasize how good the bread was that we shared. Not sweet, just delicious texture and delicate herbs, served with a good quality butter.
(4)
Jessica D.
I absolutely love this place! I always get the almond-crusted tilapia with a substitute of their homemade Mac and cheese on the side. Their Mac and cheese is absolutely killer! I always have to get it! I love their strawberry mojito and their wine selections are amazing! The servers are always polite and knowledgeable. The only bad time I've had is when they were out of mussels and the bartender was not notified and after my date received his food did the bartender find out they were not able to make my food. The management handled it great from there. This is my boyfriend and I's go to place for a nice date!
(5)
Jacob C.
Came on a Wednesday night, was seated right away because the place was quite empty. They had the giant windows open, which created a nice breeze and the restaurant itself is gorgeous. However I was blown away by the prices and lack of pizzazz on the menu. Nothing stood out to me, nothing made me say "wow that sounds fantastic". I can get steak and potato anywhere, the prices and lack of creativity made it seem a bit pretentious. So I ended up spending more time trying to figure out which protein came with the most sides. I ended up with the cedar plank salmon. When it came out, again I was taken aback at how small my portion was. To make matters worse it was presented on a very large plate, making it seem even smaller. But, the saving grace is that the salmon was good. It was moist, with perfect texture and had a very nice sweetness to it. The sides seemed to be more of a garnish, since I did not get many. The salmon saved my review from being lower than three stars. Sure it was not anywhere near large enough for me, but it was great.
(3)
Eater Of Food S.
Beautiful building and decor but the food was overpriced and just average. The fries were the best and who wants to spend $25 for fries. So don't come here for a memorable meal. Boring food for the price. Our party was 10 people and they absolutely would not seat us with 9 people there. A single mom was running late and we had to stand at the bar for 20' till she got there. Not a good way to start our meal. Our waiter was good but overwhelmed and very slow until some other tables left then we got good service. So very disappointed in the food but the decor saved it a star.
(2)
dee l.
Excellent experience! Mahi Mahi was cooked perfectly, the sides were exceptional and the Cola Cosmo was the best ever. The server was attentive and the food came out quickly.another great restaurant in Columbia!
(5)
Mande B.
I am in love with this restaurant. We dined on a Monday night and I had to come back for seconds the next evening as well! The shrimp and grits are a MUST, the scallop appetizer was also finger-licking-good :)
(5)
Mackenzie J.
The atmosphere is great. Unique older building, restored. I have always experienced great service and tasty food! My boyfriend and I have been a handful of times and have never been disappointed. Appetizers: lobster mac and cheese and the mussells. The romain wedge salad is by far my favorite! The Shrimp and Grits are rather tasty! Our last meal, we shared, was the 16 oz ribeye, with sauteed mushrooms!! Absolutely to die for! Make sure you get a side of collard greens, definitley my favorite side item! I would recommend this place for any of my close friends or family!
(4)
Dave L.
Whole Crispy Flounder, Lobster Mac and Cheese, Good Wine List, and Great Service! Met a client here for dinner and though I read many mixed reviews I was surprised and impressed. We met at the bar where the bartender was attentive and professional. Next was our meal. Nice booth, though a table would have been better with again, great service. The Whole Crispy Flounder was a suggestion of one of my clients. Gave it a shot and was glad I did! Now this would not be listed as a Healthy Cooked Fish by no means, but darn it was great! Finish one whole side and boom! Turn it over and eat again! Would I return? Yes!
(4)
Jay C.
It has taken over two hours to get our food. Service is horrible. Food is pretty good, but not worth the wait.
(2)
Keith K.
Cola's is a curious place... someone is finally doing something about the old John Paul's Armadillo Oil building and has sunk a lot of money into it. I am glad for this; the space is large and needed to be reoccupied. Sadly, the ownership forgot to spend money where it really counts: On the food. I'll keep it fairly short - I would be quite surprised if Colas lasted a year. The food isn't "bad", but when judged against food at the same price point, it can't stand up to restaurants like Motor Supply (which is just across the street) or Saluda's a few miles away. Paying $23 for around 6 ounces of cedar-plank't salmon that is overplanked (is that a word? It should be) and potatoes strikes me as rather silly. The lobster mac & cheese was overly salty and runny and boring; the blackberry crisp shake sounded good on paper but was slightly sour and thin, think the consistency of a lassi. Sigh. One bright spot: The pork shank was large and tender and was quite tasty, but for the price, it had better be. I say 'was', because it seems to have disappeared from the current menu, alas. The atmosphere is dim and cold, full of hard surfaces, and therefore somewhat loud - generally uninviting. The service was mediocre, neither awful nor particularly attentive. Again, that's fine for 5 Guys, but when paying a (steep) price premium, I look for better. The beer list is short, boring, and overpriced: $6.50 for a Bell's Oberon, which is a $9.99 six-pack. One yawns while wondering why. Oh, and the cocktails? Skip 'em, unless you go in for cheap flavored vodka mixed with (other thing). At $10 a pop, get the aforementioned Bell's 6 pack in your system beforehand, or save your money for a nearby bar with real cocktail service, you'll thank yourself. Overall: Colas is Not Terrible, but also Not Exactly Good. With restaurants nearby that offer better food and drinks and service for at or below the price, why choose Colas? I still haven't been able to figure the answer to this question, and when I do, I'll probably revise my review.
(2)
Bryan M.
Popped into Columbia last night for work and a friend recommended Cola's restaurant to me - and it didn't disappoint. Great atmosphere, great service, big wine and cocktail selection, very good food. Solid experience from start to finish. I had the filet which was cooked perfectly - no complaints. I also tried the BBQ pork spring rolls and hummus trip - again, both very good. Highly recommend Cola's if you are visiting Columbia.
(4)
Abe L.
Went last night 2 1/2 years later and it still is very amateurish. The prices are professional. But what do the people of columbia know. Behind the times. The filet was cold and looked like a lump of coal , raw onion rings, i guess the chef has dyslexia..When you go out to dinner with somebody no body wants to eat while the other waits for there food to come out again...... We will not try it any more, it just not worth it.
(1)
May C.
Slightly overpriced for what you get. The presentation of the plates are great, but the taste was below our expectations. We ordered the snapfish off the menu and seared scallops ...all in all, the food could have been much better. However, the blueberry mojito is to die for!
(3)
Rob C.
I have lived in Columbia all my life and haven't had a better meal from anywhere else. This place is pretty pricey but its definitely worth it if you want something new and refreshing to put on your palette...very impressed.
(5)
Morgan R.
I recently had to move from Boston to Columbia SC....a nightmare for a foodie like myself. Colas is by far my favorite restaurant in Columbia. My husband and I have been a handful of times and have never been disappointed with our meals. The food is excellent and displayed in great fashion. The service is outstanding! Every single time out server has been amazing, literally! The staff here is very knowledgable about the menu and are always trying to accommodate your every need. The only negative I have is that they used to have this pesto shrimp pasta dish on the menu and they no longer have it. That dish was amazinggg and I could eat it every day. Definitely go check this place out, hands down one of the best in Columbia!
(5)
Gunnar P.
Had dinner with a small party. Nice atmosphere. Menu had good variety and food was very good. Waiter took pride in knowing the menu and gave great descriptions. Nice bar with great wine selection. Service was a bit slow but acceptable. That was the only reason I didn't give it a 5 star rating.
(4)
TheHungryDad Jeff C.
This is definitely one of those restaurants I regret not visiting sooner!! From the outside you almost have no idea it is a restaurant. I honestly thought it was an old abandoned building at with an old advertising art on the outside... then thought it was probably just a bar. It was not till I happened on it here on YELP that realized it was a super nice, white-table cloth restaurant and wine bar. Took a group of out-of-towners there and the food was all spectacular. Most of our party got seafood (Tilapia, Tuna, Salmon, or Shrimp and grits) and one of them got Chicken. Every thing was prepared wonderfully. Vegetables were wonderful as were the hummus and asparagus appetizers we ordered. All the bread and deserts are made fresh there in their in-house bakery. We did not try wine but they had an enormous wall, floor to ceiling, full of wines to choose from. I honestly can't wait to go back there with my wife for a romantic dinner.
(5)
Denise K C.
Colas has been open for almost 1 month. I've been anxious to try it but it has been packed on the weekends. That tells you something. It is a Tuesday night and it's pouring down rain with lightning and hail; a great night to try Colas. We were right. Try it during the week. We tried the Applewood Smoked Bacon wrapped Polenta. Delicious starter. We ordered the Crabcakes with Corn Salsa - 2 cakes with lots of crabmeat. It came with French Fries maybe you could swap out for a different side. We tried the Lamb Burger it was really delicious with a great combination of seasonings. Lastly, we ordered the Tilapia which was very good but you will want to order a side. We finished dinner with the Coconut Layer Cake - wow! Just try it. Love the decor. But the acoustics are loud. This is a great addition to Columbia, the menu isn't like anything else here.
(5)
Snave N.
Stopped for dinner on a Monday night. Shrimp and grits were excellent as was the oyster chowder (though it could have used a tad more oyster). Nice place.
(4)
Meagan C.
I don't know why this place has such few stars. We had a reservation at 8pm on Saturday night, and the place was packed! So glad we called ahead. Ambiance was very nice, and the hostess was very polite, even though we were about 20min early. Our server was also very nice and attentive, and made great recommendations on food. The inventive cocktails were a rare find in Columbia - we had their Strawberry Lime Mojito, and my bf tried their jalapeno oyster shooter (which packs quite the kick!). We started with the Shrimp Dumplings, which were very good. Great dipping sauce with an orange-zest like flavor. Food came out quickly, no problems there. For entrees, my bf order the flounder - absolutely amazing!! Great crisp and a wonderful sweet chili sauce. I had the crab cakes, which were also very nice - lots of flavor without being dry! I did not think the price point that bad, for the quality of the food. We just moved to the area, and are glad to have found Cola's, especially after some other places recommended in town with the same price point were a bit of a let down.
(5)
S W.
It is exceptional... Exceptionally expensive, exceptionally ordinary menu, exceptionally well plated and cooked, exceptionally warehouse ambiance, and exceptionally slow service for a mostly empty dining room. Similar to Garibaldis but with a bar-n-grill vibe.
(3)
Christa C.
We had dinner there again last night...I'd give it a 3.5 star rating if possible. The food was good (not great) overall...service was ok. Our poor waitress was working her butt off and clearly spread to thin. She did a wonderful job, and we know that the delays and little glitches weren't her fault. One con: the noise level is deafening when full on a Saturday night. One pro: fun, lively atmosphere that will bring us back. Oh, and the lobster Mac appetizer and crab cake entree are pretty great. Skip the polenta fries and some of the blander pasta options. Wine trumps cocktails here too.
(3)
Ashley P.
Went to Cola's for my boyfriends work Christmas party. The food was amazing. I ordered the filet and my steak was cooked perfectly! The wait staff was very knowledgeable and helpful. Next time we are in Columbia we will be back!
(5)
Bryan G.
Ordered the salmon and shrimp special and it came out in 4 min. Salmon was completely raw! I love sushi but for a "grilled" piece this was almost frozen in the middle. Waiter sent it back and it came back looking like it was in the microwave and had 2 less shrimp!? Went from 4 shrimp to 2... Did the cook get hungry. Will never return
(2)
Lisa M.
Service gets 4,stars. Would give 5 but really cleaning and bussing a nearby table with a spray bottle of heavily scented cleaner? Food was good but a bit overpriced for this market. Wouldn't be my first choice for a fine dining experience.
(3)
Jessica B.
ZERO complaints. My boyfriend and I went for our anniversary and loved every second of it. First we sat at the bar and the amazing Alison made us each an amazing martini with fresh squeezed juice. we ate dinner and Mandy our server was sweet, knowledgable and pleasant. We had apps, salads, entrees and dessert. Each course was well prepared, fairly priced and delicious. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
(5)
Julie R.
We went to Colas for the first time with a group of five. My reservation was for four so we started out our visit at the bar waiting for a table. I started out with a jalepeno oyster shot that was so spicy I almost wanted to cry! Ouch...After about 20 minutes of waiting, our group was getting antsy and we were about to go ask about our table when we see the hostess heading our way to finally seat us! When we finally get seated we ordered three appetizers which all ended up being great! We ordered the BBQ springrolls, the hummus trio and the shrimp dumplings. The BBQ eggrolls were the favorite and they came with this amazing mustardy BBQ sauce I wanted to dip my whole meal in. After appetizers our group ordered shrimp and grits (to die for), crab cakes (lots of crab), pork tenderloin (didn't try), spiced chicken (ehhh..ok), and a lamb burger (told it was good). Then as no dinner out is complete without dessert, we ordered bread pudding, hazelnut mousse and the chocolate brownie which came with homemade coffee icecream. I know this sounds gluttonous but we did have Five people!! The best dessert was by far the bread pudding..OMG It was delicious. It came out with a vanilla icing drizzle and it didn't have raisins (which I hate). Also notable was their strawberry basil mojito. It was the best I have ever had! So overall I give Colas an A! Definitely try it out but be prepared to spend some moolah...yumminess like this doesn't come cheap!
(4)
Chauncey J.
Decided to give this place a try despite bad reviews and mixed feedback. We waited nearly an hour for our food to come out & when it finally did 2 of the entrees weren't what we ordered. Server acknowledged the mistake but at this point we were all starving & didn't want to wait for 2 new entrees to be prepared. The owner did acknowledge the long wait but never stopped back by to check on us. A small gesture such as a round of drinks, dessert, or even some accommodation for the 2 entrees that were wrong could have saved this experience but no attempt was made. I approached the manager upon leaving to share my comments & concerns. Yet another opportunity to try & improve this dining experience which fell on deaf ears. Prices are to high for the lack of service & mediocre food. A restaurant group that is this well established should know better instead of operating like it's amateur hour. I won't return nor will the 5 other people we dined with. Shelf life of this place won't last long.
(1)
Noel H.
Atmosphere was comfortable. Hostesses were positive and accommodating when I rejected the first table. We did not have to wait long to be greeted by our server who was pleasant and adequate throughout our meal. Our wine selections were modest in price for the Vista area. In fact, my after dinner brandy was very low priced compared to what I normally pay. Our appetizer, scallops, was on the cold side of warm. The main entre for us both was the menu offered salmon which was served very quickly, hot and tasty. We were extremely pleased with this meal. The only negative was the lukewarm, old coffee served to us with after dinner. An alert manager noticed that I was setting the coffee cup to the side and immediately checked to see if everything was ok. I described the coffee. She immediately replied "I am sorry"! "I will get you two cups from a fresh pot". Which she did and this coffee was Great! We enjoyed our first visit to Cola's and we look forward to returning soon!
(4)
Kimberly N.
I have been anticipating the opening of this restaurant for over a year for two reasons: as an architect, I was intrigued by the exterior renovations and wanted to see the finished interior, and as a foodie, I was desperate for some new food in Columbia. First, I love what they did with the outside of the old John Paul's. Assembly Street is in desperate need of character and, well, green stuff. I'm also glad they incorporated a garage door to open the restaurant for al fresco dining without infringing on the narrow sidewalk. That being said, I believe most of the interior renovations were reserved for the kitchen (which I know was probably pricey), because the dining area and bar could have been a bit more compelling--I'm hoping they'll continue to spice up the interiors with more colors, textures, and better-placed lighting (our table was very dim). We also had our feet splashed with water from the sous chef watering the herbs outside the window we were sitting near. It wasn't a big deal--at least for me in my sandals--and being more outgoing than my husband, I waved it off when I spoke to the managers, not realizing that the water had stained my husband's leather shoes. Regardless, for such a weird mishap, and in spite of my non-chalance, I expected our dessert (or SOMETHING) to be comp'd. Nope--didn't happen. Second, and probably more important, is the start of the meal. We started with the lobster mac n' cheese appetizer, which wasn't quite as cheesy as I might have liked, but the pasta was al dente and there were generous chunks of lobster. Problems started with our drink orders. I ordered a gin lemonade, which I believe had cucumber and Hendrick's, and was pretty good, but my husband stuck with his normal scotch (on the rocks, with a splash of water). His glass never should have made it past the bar, because the highball was full to the brim with ice and water which completely drowned his $15 scotch. I was kind of shocked that the bartender was able to accomplish my muddled cocktail, but not a simple scotch and water--a fundamental that all "fine-casual" dining bartenders should know. Third, my husband ordered braised pork shank with root vegetables and mashed potatoes. His meal was melt-off-the-bone good. I ordered the lamb meatball with potato dumplings. I was expecting perhaps knodel or gnocchi with a savory and moist meatball. The dumplings were more like coquettes, but not lightly fried, and a bit too starchy and raw tasting. They were bland--some egg, flour, and salt would have greatly improved their texture. The meatball was far too lean, leaving it dry. I'd suggest sticking with ground chuck or introducing some fat to the lamb for texture and flavor. The tomato sauce was good. Portion sizes were acceptable, leaving us with enough food for another meal. We couldn't decide between the s'mores mousse and berry milkshake, so we got both. Both were pretty good, but I'd suggest picking just one and splitting it. We suffered from sugar overload by the end of our meal. The reason, though, that I give this restaurant 2 out of 5 stars, is that I just don't think the food or ambiance quite stacks up to other restaurants in Columbia, or at least exceeds any of them. The quality of the menu items was inconsistent, in spite of what we ended up paying for the meal. Cola's is going to be one of those restaurants for me that was an okay dining experience that I don't plan on repeating; it's not something I'll ever be in the mood for--Cola's lacks the character in a restaurant that keeps me coming back. If you haven't tried it yet, go for it. I won't be surprised if you have a much better experience that we did--I'd chalk that up, again, to inconsistency.
(2)
Catherine T.
Since moving to Columbia I've heard nothing but extremely mixed reviews on Colas, so obviously I had to see for myself. My overall impression: Good food, but overpriced. I went for dinner on a week night and had no issue walking right in. The space is huge and the atmosphere is nice. They have a nice drink menu, but $10 for a martini isn't something I'm used to in Columbia. That's Atlanta or Charleston pricing. Next time I'll stick with beer. To start, we had the bloody mary fried oysters - good, but not great. I wouldn't order them again, and I love oysters. I had the special entree which was a Parmesan encrusted pork chop and it was to die for. I really enjoyed it. This was the best part of the meal (luckily) The food was definitely good, however it wasn't amazing. The prices are on the level of Oak Table, and I just didn't feel like the experience was the same. I think for a "casual fine dining" restaurant in Columbia, $10 for a drink is just insane.
(3)
Laura H.
Really loved the food! Had scallop app (a little salty), oyster app (not chewy at all) , trout with potato hash(yum), and crispy flounder (this place is sister restaurant of Garabaldi's). Service was a little slow but we weren't in a rush. Give this place a try!
(5)
Anne S.
I wish the food had as much personality as the building itself. I had the trout and found it to be ok, but rather bland. The prices do not match the spices. Super high prices for very little flavor. A disappointment.
(2)
H C.
great food, pricey, wait time was a bit longer than average
(4)
F. Chandler W.
This place is top notch. It is a very fun atmosphere and the food is off the charts. It's not for the frugal but it makes for a great night out. First of all- ask for the waitress Shawn. Trust me. She is the best waitress you'll ever have; so much attention to detail. The goat cheese fried okra is quite light yet flavorful. My girlfriend got the 16 oz strip and ordered it medium rare. It literally is a side of beef the size of a brick and it was coked perfectly; with blue cheese melted on top. I, myself, got the bouillabaisse. I just want a quart of the stock and drink it. It was tremendous. I have also had the short ribs and pork loin in the past and both are winners. The bouillabaisse is my favorite though. You can also get a decent bottle of wine for under $35. Bathrooms are private and spotless. Eat here.
(5)
Chris S.
Walked in on a Saturday at 5:30pm without a reservation and they were kind enough to work in a table for two. Joshua was our server and he was knowledgable and helpful throughout our evening and made me feel right at home. I always enjoy their BBQ egg rolls (sounds strange, just try it) and placed an appetizer order of those along with an appetizer of seared scallops and fried polenta. The egg rolls were savory as always and my friend enjoyed the scallops so much (they really are tasty) he decided to order the entree version for his meal. I had the 16oz New York strip with gorgonzola. It was paired with roasted mushrooms and creamed spinach. Only two things would have my experience a perfect five stars; 1/3 of my steak was fat and gristle and the creamed spinach was undesirable and lacked anything unique. The ambiance is delightful and the staff could not be more friendly and professional. I enjoy coming here and will be back!
(4)
Matt H.
Something new to note: Cola's is now open for lunch. This is the first time they've done this. I have friends that wait there, and was told their goal is to have people in and out in under an hour. Since they are located in the BID (Business Improvement District) I had a heads up on when they were officially opening for lunch. We were the 2nd table to ever be served lunch :) there should be some yelp award for that. ;) At any rate, the quality of food was as always on point. I couldn't bring myself to go from a 5 to a 4.... But if I did, it would have only Ben based on price. See pictures for menu and what we ordered, and even my timer from the time we sat down until the time we got our credit card back :) Service as always was great (and we had a waiter that I didn't know, so no preferential treatment at all). If you like dirty martini's, I suggest a Tito's with Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives.
(5)
RodneyVanessa H.
Always enjoy the atmosphere of the warehouses that are now restaurants. I enjoyed grilled vegetables, portions are enough that our daughter took home some of her fish. If my husband had his way his steak would barely touch heat so when he told our server to bring his NY strip to him as rare as legal, she did. He was very satisfied. Among us we shared the cheesecake, brownies with coffee ice cream & cinnamon bread pudding. Do make reservations. A $5 parking lot (not garage) is level and puts you just steps from entrance, you do have some street parking.
(5)
Michael P.
I remember when this was John Paul's, which was excellent. Colas keeps that tradition with excellent service, super clean and tastefully simple appearance and food that justifies the cost. We sat at the bar, due to reservations booking the place out. No matter though, they brought place settings for us to use and served us like anyone. The procession of dinner was coconut shrimp, then Tilapia in a cream base. The shrimp was served with two glazes. A sweet sauce of I know not what and a citrus base. The shrimp were large enough to order only that for dinner if just for one, however, it's date night so we split a serving of Tilapia. They breaded that in house, just before cooking it. It was a great experience. To save time (was attending a show just afterwards) had dessert there instead of Nonnahs (personal fav). Good decision too, the coffee ice cream was very good. All around good decision. Have some cash though, reasonable price for the quality still isn't cheap!
(5)
Michael N.
Service was friendly and attentive at the bar. It was my third time dining here and third time ordering the flash fried Flounder. It's outstanding I'm only rating this experience three stars (avg) because (1) the toasted bread slices that accompanied the fresh Mussel appetizer were placed in the dish subsequently the toast was so soggy it was unpleasant (2) a warm or cold moist towel provided with the Mussels would have been really helpful as they were super messy (3) no bread or roll was served with the wonderful Flounder so I ordered a roll. It was served half frozen half soggy and so rubbery I took one bit and spit it out and (4) the lemon wedge was so tiny for this massive whole fish dish.
(3)
Mark S.
This place is great, I had the Blueberry Mojito (recommended) while I debated on dinner-and cleared mi head from class....... (Mandy) made several recommendations but I settled for the Shrimp n Grits..... Great choice; deliciously cooked- chased it with a Strawberry-Lime Mojito.......
Ordered Lobster tail, shrimp & mussels on the menu. Everything tasted wonderful. Although the portion was kind of small for the price. The service was great. Friendly staff. The restaurant is very clean. Overall it was great.
Great service and food right at the bar. Not cheap but you get what you pay for. Food was delicious!
(4)
Ann Marie D.
We chose to dine here before a recent concert. The staff asked when we arrived if we were headed to the show. They wanted to make sure they were able to get us in and out. We had a table by the retractable windows facing Assembly street near the bar. The ambiance was upbeat and perfect for a Friday night. Our server was great. Checking on some menu items with the chef as I have food allergies. We ordered 1. Burger- it was amazing. Delicious fries to boot. 2. Grilled Pork Tenderloin- very good, great presentation. 3. Beef Short Ribs- Again, delicious. 4. Toffee Cheesecake- it was so good! 5. Chocolate Torte- not too dense, really excellent. We really had an all around great experience. Food, Ambiance and Service. I'd highly recommend dining at Cola's.
(5)
Taylor S.
I would have rated this place a 5 star because everything was phenomenal, except what I got. I got the rubbed chicken and it was good except there was way too much spice, I had to rub most of it off. My sister and my boyfriends' meals were delicious. My boyfriend got the shrimp penne and my sister got the sea food platter. They both loved theirs! Bread was given out before the meal which you don't really find at many places in columbia. The Mac and cheese I got with my meal was excellent though. I highly recommend this place, but I would recommend not getting the rubbed chicken here. Other than that the food here is excellent!
(4)
Steven U.
I am from the New York area and am accustomed to fine dining My schedule in Columbia doesn't allow me to eat at good restaurants often Last Saturday night I went to Cola needed to get away from the fast food habit This restaurant was excellent and was as good as anything from the New York area I was pleasantly surprised. Decor was nice and private Sat a alone in a private quite area Ordered the Cola salad with chick peas and vegetables Fresh and tasty Then the short ribs with grits and a side order of grilled asparagus. Finished off with ice cream in a walnut crusted pastry holder superb!! The waitress was a delight and super professional Excellent restaurant will certainly return
(4)
Mark S. I.
Ok, so I've got some love here for Cola's. Great food - pro waitstaff - cool environs. Everything we had on the menu was super tasty and they did a great job of taking care of us. Must try: spiced chicken, shrimp 'n grits, crab cakes.
(5)
Ashley S.
I really like this place. My sister, her boyfriend, and I came here for dinner on a Saturday night. We didn't have a reservation, so we were quoted a 30-45 min wait but thankfully didn't end up waiting that long because there was a cancelled reservation. It took me a long time to decide on what I wanted because all of the seafood options sounded so good. I actually didn't have to narrow it down to one dish in the end because they have these "platters" which are a combination of 3 different appetizers which are the size of an entree. I picked the Gervais platter, which has scallops, oysters Rockefeller, and fried okra. Everything was so delicious! They gave me 3 large scallops that were cooked perfectly next to polenta fries. The fries were a little bland on their own, but they had a spicy sauce on them which made them tasty. The oysters were very cheesy and delicious, and the okra was crispy and awesome. My sister had the spice rubbed chicken. At first, she wasn't a fan because there was so much spice caked on the chicken. But once she scraped off most of the excess spice, she really liked the meat. Her dish came with sides of mac and cheese and collard greens, which I gladly helped her eat. Her boyfriend ordered the shrimp penne. I had a taste, and the sauce was excellent. All in all, we had a great dinner here. It's definitely an upscale place and a little pricier than I expected but well worth it. It would be great to come here in the summer when they have the windows open! I also agree with all the great things my sister, Taylor S, says about this place :)
(4)
Jeff N.
This was our first time. The atmosphere was great. They have these roll up doors o when the weather is nice you feel a little like you are outside. The food was great......the owner use to own Garibaldi's in Columbia, so they have the signature Apricot Flounder. The food is really good and the staff were friendly. I will definitely go back.
(5)
Edwin C.
Excellent food and superior bar drinks. The staff worked hard under a very competent manager. All around great experience.
(5)
WanderLustinDani P.
Cola's was a great choice, lots of history at this place! Large servings of food, I loved the old feel and the brick walls. Had to try the orange soda in a bottle.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!!!
(4)
Rob K.
Shrimp n grits are exceptional. No need to go any further. You can't miss on this entree. Do yourself a favor.
(4)
Denise K C.
Colas has been open for almost 1 month. I've been anxious to try it but it has been packed on the weekends. That tells you something. It is a Tuesday night and it's pouring down rain with lightning and hail; a great night to try Colas. We were right. Try it during the week. We tried the Applewood Smoked Bacon wrapped Polenta. Delicious starter. We ordered the Crabcakes with Corn Salsa - 2 cakes with lots of crabmeat. It came with French Fries maybe you could swap out for a different side. We tried the Lamb Burger it was really delicious with a great combination of seasonings. Lastly, we ordered the Tilapia which was very good but you will want to order a side. We finished dinner with the Coconut Layer Cake - wow! Just try it. Love the decor. But the acoustics are loud. This is a great addition to Columbia, the menu isn't like anything else here.
(5)
Snave N.
Stopped for dinner on a Monday night. Shrimp and grits were excellent as was the oyster chowder (though it could have used a tad more oyster). Nice place.
(4)
Mackenzie J.
The atmosphere is great. Unique older building, restored. I have always experienced great service and tasty food! My boyfriend and I have been a handful of times and have never been disappointed. Appetizers: lobster mac and cheese and the mussells. The romain wedge salad is by far my favorite! The Shrimp and Grits are rather tasty! Our last meal, we shared, was the 16 oz ribeye, with sauteed mushrooms!! Absolutely to die for! Make sure you get a side of collard greens, definitley my favorite side item! I would recommend this place for any of my close friends or family!
(4)
Meagan C.
I don't know why this place has such few stars. We had a reservation at 8pm on Saturday night, and the place was packed! So glad we called ahead. Ambiance was very nice, and the hostess was very polite, even though we were about 20min early. Our server was also very nice and attentive, and made great recommendations on food. The inventive cocktails were a rare find in Columbia - we had their Strawberry Lime Mojito, and my bf tried their jalapeno oyster shooter (which packs quite the kick!). We started with the Shrimp Dumplings, which were very good. Great dipping sauce with an orange-zest like flavor. Food came out quickly, no problems there. For entrees, my bf order the flounder - absolutely amazing!! Great crisp and a wonderful sweet chili sauce. I had the crab cakes, which were also very nice - lots of flavor without being dry! I did not think the price point that bad, for the quality of the food. We just moved to the area, and are glad to have found Cola's, especially after some other places recommended in town with the same price point were a bit of a let down.
(5)
S W.
It is exceptional... Exceptionally expensive, exceptionally ordinary menu, exceptionally well plated and cooked, exceptionally warehouse ambiance, and exceptionally slow service for a mostly empty dining room. Similar to Garibaldis but with a bar-n-grill vibe.
(3)
Ashley P.
Went to Cola's for my boyfriends work Christmas party. The food was amazing. I ordered the filet and my steak was cooked perfectly! The wait staff was very knowledgeable and helpful. Next time we are in Columbia we will be back!
(5)
Andrea R.
Dined here on Saturday with six other friends. Despite having reservations we waited about 10 minutes for a table. We ordered a few bottles of wine and I had the crab tomato soup, it was delicious. Plenty of crab lumps and the flavor was great. We also shared the Lady plate that came with fried green beans with an Asian dipping sauce, YUM. For dinner I ordered the shrimp succotash that was delicious! It was really creamy and came with plenty of shrimp. My husband ordered the snapper and he loved it. Overall dinner was great, service was great and it was a fun evening.
(3)
Kimberly N.
I have been anticipating the opening of this restaurant for over a year for two reasons: as an architect, I was intrigued by the exterior renovations and wanted to see the finished interior, and as a foodie, I was desperate for some new food in Columbia. First, I love what they did with the outside of the old John Paul's. Assembly Street is in desperate need of character and, well, green stuff. I'm also glad they incorporated a garage door to open the restaurant for al fresco dining without infringing on the narrow sidewalk. That being said, I believe most of the interior renovations were reserved for the kitchen (which I know was probably pricey), because the dining area and bar could have been a bit more compelling--I'm hoping they'll continue to spice up the interiors with more colors, textures, and better-placed lighting (our table was very dim). We also had our feet splashed with water from the sous chef watering the herbs outside the window we were sitting near. It wasn't a big deal--at least for me in my sandals--and being more outgoing than my husband, I waved it off when I spoke to the managers, not realizing that the water had stained my husband's leather shoes. Regardless, for such a weird mishap, and in spite of my non-chalance, I expected our dessert (or SOMETHING) to be comp'd. Nope--didn't happen. Second, and probably more important, is the start of the meal. We started with the lobster mac n' cheese appetizer, which wasn't quite as cheesy as I might have liked, but the pasta was al dente and there were generous chunks of lobster. Problems started with our drink orders. I ordered a gin lemonade, which I believe had cucumber and Hendrick's, and was pretty good, but my husband stuck with his normal scotch (on the rocks, with a splash of water). His glass never should have made it past the bar, because the highball was full to the brim with ice and water which completely drowned his $15 scotch. I was kind of shocked that the bartender was able to accomplish my muddled cocktail, but not a simple scotch and water--a fundamental that all "fine-casual" dining bartenders should know. Third, my husband ordered braised pork shank with root vegetables and mashed potatoes. His meal was melt-off-the-bone good. I ordered the lamb meatball with potato dumplings. I was expecting perhaps knodel or gnocchi with a savory and moist meatball. The dumplings were more like coquettes, but not lightly fried, and a bit too starchy and raw tasting. They were bland--some egg, flour, and salt would have greatly improved their texture. The meatball was far too lean, leaving it dry. I'd suggest sticking with ground chuck or introducing some fat to the lamb for texture and flavor. The tomato sauce was good. Portion sizes were acceptable, leaving us with enough food for another meal. We couldn't decide between the s'mores mousse and berry milkshake, so we got both. Both were pretty good, but I'd suggest picking just one and splitting it. We suffered from sugar overload by the end of our meal. The reason, though, that I give this restaurant 2 out of 5 stars, is that I just don't think the food or ambiance quite stacks up to other restaurants in Columbia, or at least exceeds any of them. The quality of the menu items was inconsistent, in spite of what we ended up paying for the meal. Cola's is going to be one of those restaurants for me that was an okay dining experience that I don't plan on repeating; it's not something I'll ever be in the mood for--Cola's lacks the character in a restaurant that keeps me coming back. If you haven't tried it yet, go for it. I won't be surprised if you have a much better experience that we did--I'd chalk that up, again, to inconsistency.
(2)
Wendi G.
Fabulous meal with co-workers on a Tuesday evening. Service was good and the food quite tasty. Started with the crispy sesame asparagus which was downright delicious. For my entree I had a spectacular tuna special. Others had the crispy flounder and said it was tasty. A very good dining experience.
(4)
Simon T.
Unseasoned, fatty, Gristly steak. Shocked for that price. Giant echo room.
(2)
Julie R.
We went to Colas for the first time with a group of five. My reservation was for four so we started out our visit at the bar waiting for a table. I started out with a jalepeno oyster shot that was so spicy I almost wanted to cry! Ouch...After about 20 minutes of waiting, our group was getting antsy and we were about to go ask about our table when we see the hostess heading our way to finally seat us! When we finally get seated we ordered three appetizers which all ended up being great! We ordered the BBQ springrolls, the hummus trio and the shrimp dumplings. The BBQ eggrolls were the favorite and they came with this amazing mustardy BBQ sauce I wanted to dip my whole meal in. After appetizers our group ordered shrimp and grits (to die for), crab cakes (lots of crab), pork tenderloin (didn't try), spiced chicken (ehhh..ok), and a lamb burger (told it was good). Then as no dinner out is complete without dessert, we ordered bread pudding, hazelnut mousse and the chocolate brownie which came with homemade coffee icecream. I know this sounds gluttonous but we did have Five people!! The best dessert was by far the bread pudding..OMG It was delicious. It came out with a vanilla icing drizzle and it didn't have raisins (which I hate). Also notable was their strawberry basil mojito. It was the best I have ever had! So overall I give Colas an A! Definitely try it out but be prepared to spend some moolah...yumminess like this doesn't come cheap!
(4)
Chauncey J.
Decided to give this place a try despite bad reviews and mixed feedback. We waited nearly an hour for our food to come out & when it finally did 2 of the entrees weren't what we ordered. Server acknowledged the mistake but at this point we were all starving & didn't want to wait for 2 new entrees to be prepared. The owner did acknowledge the long wait but never stopped back by to check on us. A small gesture such as a round of drinks, dessert, or even some accommodation for the 2 entrees that were wrong could have saved this experience but no attempt was made. I approached the manager upon leaving to share my comments & concerns. Yet another opportunity to try & improve this dining experience which fell on deaf ears. Prices are to high for the lack of service & mediocre food. A restaurant group that is this well established should know better instead of operating like it's amateur hour. I won't return nor will the 5 other people we dined with. Shelf life of this place won't last long.
(1)
Laura H.
Really loved the food! Had scallop app (a little salty), oyster app (not chewy at all) , trout with potato hash(yum), and crispy flounder (this place is sister restaurant of Garabaldi's). Service was a little slow but we weren't in a rush. Give this place a try!
(5)
Anne S.
I wish the food had as much personality as the building itself. I had the trout and found it to be ok, but rather bland. The prices do not match the spices. Super high prices for very little flavor. A disappointment.
(2)
H C.
great food, pricey, wait time was a bit longer than average
(4)
Noel H.
Atmosphere was comfortable. Hostesses were positive and accommodating when I rejected the first table. We did not have to wait long to be greeted by our server who was pleasant and adequate throughout our meal. Our wine selections were modest in price for the Vista area. In fact, my after dinner brandy was very low priced compared to what I normally pay. Our appetizer, scallops, was on the cold side of warm. The main entre for us both was the menu offered salmon which was served very quickly, hot and tasty. We were extremely pleased with this meal. The only negative was the lukewarm, old coffee served to us with after dinner. An alert manager noticed that I was setting the coffee cup to the side and immediately checked to see if everything was ok. I described the coffee. She immediately replied "I am sorry"! "I will get you two cups from a fresh pot". Which she did and this coffee was Great! We enjoyed our first visit to Cola's and we look forward to returning soon!
(4)
Gail K.
Had a delicious salmon sandwich earlier in the week at Cola's. Wanted to order the tune but the price was pretty steep. I had a ahi tuna sandwich at Liberty's today and it was reasonable at $10.95. I know Cola's could do something in the same price range!
(4)
Emily E.
I like when they open this place up to the breeze but the food has never impressed me that much. The prices are somewhat high for the portion size and it just isn't unique enough for me to give it more stars. I've been three times hoping I'd find something amazing, but no such luck.
(3)
Duane T.
Excellent food. High quality waitstaff. For this scale of restaurant I usually go for seafood and wasn't disappointed. Probably the best swordfish dish I've ever had and the compliments were delicious as well. Cola's is definitely on my fine dining list for columbia. Plenty of street parking at dinner hours is an added bonus.
(4)
Karen S.
From the exterior of this restaurant, you would think the place was run down inside, but the interior is nice and inviting - and very spacious. Good for small or big parties. I was wavering on how to rate (mostly on price for what you get), but the god thing is the prices you see on the menu includes tax (but still may be overpriced for what you get unless the meats are of a higher quality than you can get elsewhere) but does not include a salad. You do get "bread", but it seems to be a large roll sliced in fours t be shared among party (you do get several depending on group size). Was worried since the person making our reservation said that there was a big group coming in a half hour after we were to arrive thinking food would be slow after we ordered, but our dishes came out about 15 minutes after we placed our order - including an order that was placed about 5 minutes after the rest of our group. Our waiter was attentive - refilling beverages and offering to take group shots for our group.
(3)
Adam B. J.
This was our fourth time coming to Colas. It has always been good, but this experience was great! Our service tonight was 7 out of 5 stars! The first time we dined at Colas we had happy hour'd else where so we ordered the pulled pork egg rolls served with yellow mustard bbq sauce and slaw. This was the best example of southern meets chic. Hit the nail on the head. The bbq sauce was on point, the slaw was like your mom's, and the egg roll paper just somehow completes it. My wife and I shared the Wagyu Burger that night and it was great. The second and third time we visited Colas I had the trout entree (and more pork egg rolls). The trout was so good I got it the next time we came. Tonight my wife and I started with the bloody mary oysters (1/2 dozen) - amazing-, and the night's special of local Certified SC Grown fried okra with goat cheese? Yes goat cheese and it was spectacular. (Almost got more pork egg rolls... Probably would have if the okra didn't sound so good). For entrees I got the nights special of Wild Caught (never frozen) Sockeye Salmon with a "Summer Succotash." Was unbelievable! Wife got the bone-in pork chop with a brussel sprout hash... yes, AMAZING! We split a bottle of Louis Latour Pinot Nior, for a perfect date night. Again service tonight was STELLAR. Great meal. Great experience. Cola is lucky to have Colas.!
(5)
Grace M.
Definitely a little more casual than Garabaldi's (same owners), I think this place is great. Their crispy flounder is one of my favorite dishes and I love their cocktails. When it's really nice out, they open the garage style doors, so it is as if you're eating outside. I recommend either getting their early or making a reservation on the weekends.
(4)
Jamie V.
After making the choice to go out for some "quick drinks" with my friends, we decided to make a night of it and enjoy some food as well. Let me just tell you, I'm glad we did. Since we went for the drinks at first, let me start there. One look at the cocktail and special board and you'll already have a tough time deciding. I was torn between the "Raspberry Lemonade," the "Orange Fashioned" and the "Blood Orange Martini." After a careful consultation with the bartender (who was HILARIOUS), we decided it would be in my best interest to go with the Blood Orange Martini. Once I got, I couldn't thank her enough. Then...we got the menus. So much for "just getting apps." I ended up ordering the shrimp dumplings and the Thai Beef and Shrimp Salad. When I say that there was an explosion of flavor, I'm not joking. Absolutely fantastic. The salad was the perfect light dinner to go along with appetizer. While not the cheapest place in town, you definitely get what you pay for.
(5)
Donnie S.
Our friends bday dinner was amazing. We're visiting from Charleston and after reading the reviews here we decided this place would be perfect--and it was! Shawn was our waitress and was sort of spastic but very thorough and attentive. Our drinks and apps were fantastic (recommends the blood orange martini). Entrees were exceptional!! (Recommends the braised short ribs-- port sauce was interesting... Sweet, what do you expect, right?!) we had no room for dessert tho!! I highly recommend this place! We're very critique-y restaurant people and very culinary inclined; this place was fabulous!! Thanks Cola's for the great experience.
(4)
tony T.
What a nice surprise! Fish stew as an appetizer special was delicious - shrimp, white fish and good stock...yummy! House salad and chicken milanese was out of this world with linguine and mixed veggies. Cooked to perfection the pasta and lightly breaded chicken and veggies was worth every bite. Colleague had tilapia which was also scrumptious! While I had a nice sonoma cabernet, wanted to have the option of a draft beer which they don't have as everything is in a bottle..:'( No room for dessert but the choices looked great. Service was very good as waiter was introducing a new waiter in training who was very attentive...both of them did a great job. The trip down from New York was worth it and will be our first stop next time here. Well done Dustyn!
(4)
Dave L.
Whole Crispy Flounder, Lobster Mac and Cheese, Good Wine List, and Great Service! Met a client here for dinner and though I read many mixed reviews I was surprised and impressed. We met at the bar where the bartender was attentive and professional. Next was our meal. Nice booth, though a table would have been better with again, great service. The Whole Crispy Flounder was a suggestion of one of my clients. Gave it a shot and was glad I did! Now this would not be listed as a Healthy Cooked Fish by no means, but darn it was great! Finish one whole side and boom! Turn it over and eat again! Would I return? Yes!
(4)
Lana O.
I would have given it 3 stars, but there were several things from Cola's getting even that paltry rating. The good: this space is really cool! I have driven by it several times and I didn't realize it was a "nice" restaurant. I love the huge windows that they open up to make it feel very airy and outdoorsy. Parts of my food were good, I enjoyed my scallops and shoestring potatoes. I also appreciated that when I asked for a gluten free item, the server could confirm that the scallop entree was gluten free, and they made the hollendaise in house. The bad: the wait was outrageous. The server, while friendly, and good about refilling water, didn't get our entrees out to us until at least 45 minutes of waiting. Which to me is really unacceptable when the place is half empty. The ugly: my asparagus tasted beyond not fresh, it may have been, dare I say it....canned?! The short and sweet of it: head on over to the bar for a drink, but if you are looking for an exceptional dinner you may find yourself underwhelmed and overpaying if you choose to eat here.
(2)
Kevin B.
Really wish I could give it 4.5 stars because it deserves it. Beautiful place! As soon as you walk in you realize you're in for a treat. Some might say its kinda loud in there but I say loud is in some cases a sign of a good restaurant(due to crowd noise of course). It was a beautiful night out and they had the doors up which let in some October night air which was a definite bonus. Service was fantastic! Our waiter was very attentive but would never hover if we were in midconversation or interrupt. We started with the beef carpaccio app along with the scallops app. Both were flawless as were our entrees. I had the almond crusted tilapia with the pecan butter sweet potato and shrimp, best tilapia I've ever had and the sweet potato was up there too! She had the 8oz Filet and despite my meal being wonderful I was still somehow jealous of hers. It was prepared perfectly which isn't easy to do especially the type of cut that it was(Barrell cut). Overall very very pleasant experience. Will certainly go back.
(4)
Mike M.
Met up with some friends here and had a great time. The food was decent - but the service was great and our table was ready fairly quickly.
(4)
Ron V.
Went to Cola's on 1/3 and was really impressed. I'd hesitated going for some time due to the prices and some other reviews, but we decided to try it. The atmosphere is very nice and the service was great. Our whole experience was good, from making the reservation to the final meal. There were four of us and we ordered the Grilled swordfish wiith andouille grits, two small Maine lobster tails with risotto cake, trout, and scallops. Everyone was satisfied with their entrees. I'd ordered the Grilled swordfish with grits. I'm not a huge fan of grits unless they have andouille or tasso with them...these said andouille. So I asked for some tasso cream gravy and the waitress suggested I get it on the side so it didn't interfere with the dish the way they prepped it. She was totally right. When it was served it had the andouille and a nice sauce around the plate. I immediately knew I didn't neet the tasso cream gravy. It seems like everyone else was dunking their meals into the tasso cream gravy (scallops, bread,) and really enjoying it. Next time we said we'd try the shrimp and grits with the tasso cream gravy! Can't wait to go back and try it. The only thing that was below average was the Lobster tails. I guess we're used to Lobster with drawn butter. These were served without any butter and my wife said they were too dry....should've asked for something on the side I guess. They also were very small, but I guess this should be expected for 2 Lobster tails for $30. Wine selection was good, water was constantly refilled, waitress was knowledgeable and at one point the manager came by our table and asked if everything was okay. She said she had heard a comment or something that made her think we were dissatisfied with our meal. Not sure where she got that from but we were more than satisfied with everything. But it's good to see that the management at least acknowledges concerns at tables. One of us ordered the cinnamon bread pudding for dessert. I'm a big bread pudding fan but wasn't that impressed with this one. Our neighbors did like it and had half of it boxed up to take home. Highly recommend Cola's and am looking forward to going back soon. It won't be every other week due to the prices, but we have put it on our list of one of our favorites in Columbia.
(5)
Bryan G.
Ordered the salmon and shrimp special and it came out in 4 min. Salmon was completely raw! I love sushi but for a "grilled" piece this was almost frozen in the middle. Waiter sent it back and it came back looking like it was in the microwave and had 2 less shrimp!? Went from 4 shrimp to 2... Did the cook get hungry. Will never return
(2)
Lisa M.
Service gets 4,stars. Would give 5 but really cleaning and bussing a nearby table with a spray bottle of heavily scented cleaner? Food was good but a bit overpriced for this market. Wouldn't be my first choice for a fine dining experience.
(3)
Jessica B.
ZERO complaints. My boyfriend and I went for our anniversary and loved every second of it. First we sat at the bar and the amazing Alison made us each an amazing martini with fresh squeezed juice. we ate dinner and Mandy our server was sweet, knowledgable and pleasant. We had apps, salads, entrees and dessert. Each course was well prepared, fairly priced and delicious. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
(5)
Gretchen K.
Both my meal and my husband's were delicious. But I want to emphasize how good the bread was that we shared. Not sweet, just delicious texture and delicate herbs, served with a good quality butter.
(4)
Catherine T.
Since moving to Columbia I've heard nothing but extremely mixed reviews on Colas, so obviously I had to see for myself. My overall impression: Good food, but overpriced. I went for dinner on a week night and had no issue walking right in. The space is huge and the atmosphere is nice. They have a nice drink menu, but $10 for a martini isn't something I'm used to in Columbia. That's Atlanta or Charleston pricing. Next time I'll stick with beer. To start, we had the bloody mary fried oysters - good, but not great. I wouldn't order them again, and I love oysters. I had the special entree which was a Parmesan encrusted pork chop and it was to die for. I really enjoyed it. This was the best part of the meal (luckily) The food was definitely good, however it wasn't amazing. The prices are on the level of Oak Table, and I just didn't feel like the experience was the same. I think for a "casual fine dining" restaurant in Columbia, $10 for a drink is just insane.
(3)
Jessica D.
I absolutely love this place! I always get the almond-crusted tilapia with a substitute of their homemade Mac and cheese on the side. Their Mac and cheese is absolutely killer! I always have to get it! I love their strawberry mojito and their wine selections are amazing! The servers are always polite and knowledgeable. The only bad time I've had is when they were out of mussels and the bartender was not notified and after my date received his food did the bartender find out they were not able to make my food. The management handled it great from there. This is my boyfriend and I's go to place for a nice date!
(5)
Ken J.
Wagyu burger. What can I say. The brioche bun while great. The brioche was not sturdy enough for the serious juice! Had a perfectly cooked burger, a little under seasoned. And the shoestring fries were plentiful and VERY hard to stop eating. The wait staff was great. All in all a repeat. I would simply skip buns all together.
(4)
Dre D.
Had a wonderful experience at Colas to celebrate a friend's birthday. The service was exceptional and the food was delightful. The atmosphere was tranquil and inviting. This was my first time at Colas but it won't be the last. I can't wait till my next visit.
(4)
Mande B.
I am in love with this restaurant. We dined on a Monday night and I had to come back for seconds the next evening as well! The shrimp and grits are a MUST, the scallop appetizer was also finger-licking-good :)
(5)
Rob C.
I have lived in Columbia all my life and haven't had a better meal from anywhere else. This place is pretty pricey but its definitely worth it if you want something new and refreshing to put on your palette...very impressed.
(5)
Jay C.
It has taken over two hours to get our food. Service is horrible. Food is pretty good, but not worth the wait.
(2)
Jacob C.
Came on a Wednesday night, was seated right away because the place was quite empty. They had the giant windows open, which created a nice breeze and the restaurant itself is gorgeous. However I was blown away by the prices and lack of pizzazz on the menu. Nothing stood out to me, nothing made me say "wow that sounds fantastic". I can get steak and potato anywhere, the prices and lack of creativity made it seem a bit pretentious. So I ended up spending more time trying to figure out which protein came with the most sides. I ended up with the cedar plank salmon. When it came out, again I was taken aback at how small my portion was. To make matters worse it was presented on a very large plate, making it seem even smaller. But, the saving grace is that the salmon was good. It was moist, with perfect texture and had a very nice sweetness to it. The sides seemed to be more of a garnish, since I did not get many. The salmon saved my review from being lower than three stars. Sure it was not anywhere near large enough for me, but it was great.
(3)
Eater Of Food S.
Beautiful building and decor but the food was overpriced and just average. The fries were the best and who wants to spend $25 for fries. So don't come here for a memorable meal. Boring food for the price. Our party was 10 people and they absolutely would not seat us with 9 people there. A single mom was running late and we had to stand at the bar for 20' till she got there. Not a good way to start our meal. Our waiter was good but overwhelmed and very slow until some other tables left then we got good service. So very disappointed in the food but the decor saved it a star.
(2)
dee l.
Excellent experience! Mahi Mahi was cooked perfectly, the sides were exceptional and the Cola Cosmo was the best ever. The server was attentive and the food came out quickly.another great restaurant in Columbia!
(5)
Keith K.
Cola's is a curious place... someone is finally doing something about the old John Paul's Armadillo Oil building and has sunk a lot of money into it. I am glad for this; the space is large and needed to be reoccupied. Sadly, the ownership forgot to spend money where it really counts: On the food. I'll keep it fairly short - I would be quite surprised if Colas lasted a year. The food isn't "bad", but when judged against food at the same price point, it can't stand up to restaurants like Motor Supply (which is just across the street) or Saluda's a few miles away. Paying $23 for around 6 ounces of cedar-plank't salmon that is overplanked (is that a word? It should be) and potatoes strikes me as rather silly. The lobster mac & cheese was overly salty and runny and boring; the blackberry crisp shake sounded good on paper but was slightly sour and thin, think the consistency of a lassi. Sigh. One bright spot: The pork shank was large and tender and was quite tasty, but for the price, it had better be. I say 'was', because it seems to have disappeared from the current menu, alas. The atmosphere is dim and cold, full of hard surfaces, and therefore somewhat loud - generally uninviting. The service was mediocre, neither awful nor particularly attentive. Again, that's fine for 5 Guys, but when paying a (steep) price premium, I look for better. The beer list is short, boring, and overpriced: $6.50 for a Bell's Oberon, which is a $9.99 six-pack. One yawns while wondering why. Oh, and the cocktails? Skip 'em, unless you go in for cheap flavored vodka mixed with (other thing). At $10 a pop, get the aforementioned Bell's 6 pack in your system beforehand, or save your money for a nearby bar with real cocktail service, you'll thank yourself. Overall: Colas is Not Terrible, but also Not Exactly Good. With restaurants nearby that offer better food and drinks and service for at or below the price, why choose Colas? I still haven't been able to figure the answer to this question, and when I do, I'll probably revise my review.
(2)
Bryan M.
Popped into Columbia last night for work and a friend recommended Cola's restaurant to me - and it didn't disappoint. Great atmosphere, great service, big wine and cocktail selection, very good food. Solid experience from start to finish. I had the filet which was cooked perfectly - no complaints. I also tried the BBQ pork spring rolls and hummus trip - again, both very good. Highly recommend Cola's if you are visiting Columbia.
(4)
Abe L.
Went last night 2 1/2 years later and it still is very amateurish. The prices are professional. But what do the people of columbia know. Behind the times. The filet was cold and looked like a lump of coal , raw onion rings, i guess the chef has dyslexia..When you go out to dinner with somebody no body wants to eat while the other waits for there food to come out again...... We will not try it any more, it just not worth it.
(1)
May C.
Slightly overpriced for what you get. The presentation of the plates are great, but the taste was below our expectations. We ordered the snapfish off the menu and seared scallops ...all in all, the food could have been much better. However, the blueberry mojito is to die for!
(3)
Morgan R.
I recently had to move from Boston to Columbia SC....a nightmare for a foodie like myself. Colas is by far my favorite restaurant in Columbia. My husband and I have been a handful of times and have never been disappointed with our meals. The food is excellent and displayed in great fashion. The service is outstanding! Every single time out server has been amazing, literally! The staff here is very knowledgable about the menu and are always trying to accommodate your every need. The only negative I have is that they used to have this pesto shrimp pasta dish on the menu and they no longer have it. That dish was amazinggg and I could eat it every day. Definitely go check this place out, hands down one of the best in Columbia!
(5)
Gunnar P.
Had dinner with a small party. Nice atmosphere. Menu had good variety and food was very good. Waiter took pride in knowing the menu and gave great descriptions. Nice bar with great wine selection. Service was a bit slow but acceptable. That was the only reason I didn't give it a 5 star rating.
(4)
TheHungryDad Jeff C.
This is definitely one of those restaurants I regret not visiting sooner!! From the outside you almost have no idea it is a restaurant. I honestly thought it was an old abandoned building at with an old advertising art on the outside... then thought it was probably just a bar. It was not till I happened on it here on YELP that realized it was a super nice, white-table cloth restaurant and wine bar. Took a group of out-of-towners there and the food was all spectacular. Most of our party got seafood (Tilapia, Tuna, Salmon, or Shrimp and grits) and one of them got Chicken. Every thing was prepared wonderfully. Vegetables were wonderful as were the hummus and asparagus appetizers we ordered. All the bread and deserts are made fresh there in their in-house bakery. We did not try wine but they had an enormous wall, floor to ceiling, full of wines to choose from. I honestly can't wait to go back there with my wife for a romantic dinner.
(5)
Christa C.
We had dinner there again last night...I'd give it a 3.5 star rating if possible. The food was good (not great) overall...service was ok. Our poor waitress was working her butt off and clearly spread to thin. She did a wonderful job, and we know that the delays and little glitches weren't her fault. One con: the noise level is deafening when full on a Saturday night. One pro: fun, lively atmosphere that will bring us back. Oh, and the lobster Mac appetizer and crab cake entree are pretty great. Skip the polenta fries and some of the blander pasta options. Wine trumps cocktails here too.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Upscale Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : No Best Nights : Mon, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Michael P.
I remember when this was John Paul's, which was excellent. Colas keeps that tradition with excellent service, super clean and tastefully simple appearance and food that justifies the cost. We sat at the bar, due to reservations booking the place out. No matter though, they brought place settings for us to use and served us like anyone. The procession of dinner was coconut shrimp, then Tilapia in a cream base. The shrimp was served with two glazes. A sweet sauce of I know not what and a citrus base. The shrimp were large enough to order only that for dinner if just for one, however, it's date night so we split a serving of Tilapia. They breaded that in house, just before cooking it. It was a great experience. To save time (was attending a show just afterwards) had dessert there instead of Nonnahs (personal fav). Good decision too, the coffee ice cream was very good. All around good decision. Have some cash though, reasonable price for the quality still isn't cheap!
(5)Michael N.
Service was friendly and attentive at the bar. It was my third time dining here and third time ordering the flash fried Flounder. It's outstanding I'm only rating this experience three stars (avg) because (1) the toasted bread slices that accompanied the fresh Mussel appetizer were placed in the dish subsequently the toast was so soggy it was unpleasant (2) a warm or cold moist towel provided with the Mussels would have been really helpful as they were super messy (3) no bread or roll was served with the wonderful Flounder so I ordered a roll. It was served half frozen half soggy and so rubbery I took one bit and spit it out and (4) the lemon wedge was so tiny for this massive whole fish dish.
(3)Mark S.
This place is great, I had the Blueberry Mojito (recommended) while I debated on dinner-and cleared mi head from class....... (Mandy) made several recommendations but I settled for the Shrimp n Grits..... Great choice; deliciously cooked- chased it with a Strawberry-Lime Mojito.......
(5)Sebastian W.
Ordered Lobster tail, shrimp & mussels on the menu. Everything tasted wonderful. Although the portion was kind of small for the price. The service was great. Friendly staff. The restaurant is very clean. Overall it was great.
(4)WanderLustinDani P.
Cola's was a great choice, lots of history at this place! Large servings of food, I loved the old feel and the brick walls. Had to try the orange soda in a bottle.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!!!
(4)Rob K.
Shrimp n grits are exceptional. No need to go any further. You can't miss on this entree. Do yourself a favor.
(4)Andrea R.
Dined here on Saturday with six other friends. Despite having reservations we waited about 10 minutes for a table. We ordered a few bottles of wine and I had the crab tomato soup, it was delicious. Plenty of crab lumps and the flavor was great. We also shared the Lady plate that came with fried green beans with an Asian dipping sauce, YUM. For dinner I ordered the shrimp succotash that was delicious! It was really creamy and came with plenty of shrimp. My husband ordered the snapper and he loved it. Overall dinner was great, service was great and it was a fun evening.
(3)Wendi G.
Fabulous meal with co-workers on a Tuesday evening. Service was good and the food quite tasty. Started with the crispy sesame asparagus which was downright delicious. For my entree I had a spectacular tuna special. Others had the crispy flounder and said it was tasty. A very good dining experience.
(4)Simon T.
Unseasoned, fatty, Gristly steak. Shocked for that price. Giant echo room.
(2)Gail K.
Had a delicious salmon sandwich earlier in the week at Cola's. Wanted to order the tune but the price was pretty steep. I had a ahi tuna sandwich at Liberty's today and it was reasonable at $10.95. I know Cola's could do something in the same price range!
(4)Emily E.
I like when they open this place up to the breeze but the food has never impressed me that much. The prices are somewhat high for the portion size and it just isn't unique enough for me to give it more stars. I've been three times hoping I'd find something amazing, but no such luck.
(3)Duane T.
Excellent food. High quality waitstaff. For this scale of restaurant I usually go for seafood and wasn't disappointed. Probably the best swordfish dish I've ever had and the compliments were delicious as well. Cola's is definitely on my fine dining list for columbia. Plenty of street parking at dinner hours is an added bonus.
(4)Karen S.
From the exterior of this restaurant, you would think the place was run down inside, but the interior is nice and inviting - and very spacious. Good for small or big parties. I was wavering on how to rate (mostly on price for what you get), but the god thing is the prices you see on the menu includes tax (but still may be overpriced for what you get unless the meats are of a higher quality than you can get elsewhere) but does not include a salad. You do get "bread", but it seems to be a large roll sliced in fours t be shared among party (you do get several depending on group size). Was worried since the person making our reservation said that there was a big group coming in a half hour after we were to arrive thinking food would be slow after we ordered, but our dishes came out about 15 minutes after we placed our order - including an order that was placed about 5 minutes after the rest of our group. Our waiter was attentive - refilling beverages and offering to take group shots for our group.
(3)Adam B. J.
This was our fourth time coming to Colas. It has always been good, but this experience was great! Our service tonight was 7 out of 5 stars! The first time we dined at Colas we had happy hour'd else where so we ordered the pulled pork egg rolls served with yellow mustard bbq sauce and slaw. This was the best example of southern meets chic. Hit the nail on the head. The bbq sauce was on point, the slaw was like your mom's, and the egg roll paper just somehow completes it. My wife and I shared the Wagyu Burger that night and it was great. The second and third time we visited Colas I had the trout entree (and more pork egg rolls). The trout was so good I got it the next time we came. Tonight my wife and I started with the bloody mary oysters (1/2 dozen) - amazing-, and the night's special of local Certified SC Grown fried okra with goat cheese? Yes goat cheese and it was spectacular. (Almost got more pork egg rolls... Probably would have if the okra didn't sound so good). For entrees I got the nights special of Wild Caught (never frozen) Sockeye Salmon with a "Summer Succotash." Was unbelievable! Wife got the bone-in pork chop with a brussel sprout hash... yes, AMAZING! We split a bottle of Louis Latour Pinot Nior, for a perfect date night. Again service tonight was STELLAR. Great meal. Great experience. Cola is lucky to have Colas.!
(5)Jamie V.
After making the choice to go out for some "quick drinks" with my friends, we decided to make a night of it and enjoy some food as well. Let me just tell you, I'm glad we did. Since we went for the drinks at first, let me start there. One look at the cocktail and special board and you'll already have a tough time deciding. I was torn between the "Raspberry Lemonade," the "Orange Fashioned" and the "Blood Orange Martini." After a careful consultation with the bartender (who was HILARIOUS), we decided it would be in my best interest to go with the Blood Orange Martini. Once I got, I couldn't thank her enough. Then...we got the menus. So much for "just getting apps." I ended up ordering the shrimp dumplings and the Thai Beef and Shrimp Salad. When I say that there was an explosion of flavor, I'm not joking. Absolutely fantastic. The salad was the perfect light dinner to go along with appetizer. While not the cheapest place in town, you definitely get what you pay for.
(5)Rick S.
I had Chicken Milanese (parmesan crusted chicken, garlic beurre blanc with linguine and vegetables - $16). The chicken is lightly breaded and fried. Beautifully cooked so that it was still tender and juicy. The garlic beurre blanc is a nice white sauce to go with the chicken. Served with pasta (butter & Parmesan) and green beans. It tasted marvelous although it's pretty rich. Lots of butter used throughout! I sat at the bar because it was an hour wait otherwise. Very fast service from the bartender. Made it a great meal without taking too long. Nice brick and glass interior. I'm guessing that at some point this was a garage of some kine because there are metal and glass garage doors at the front open to Main St. Overall a nice ambiance. Good food and atmosphere but that does come at a price! The appetizers are around $10 and most entrées are $20+ (the chicken I had was a notable exception). As long as you know that going in I think you'll have a very nice experience here.
(4)Lea L.
Like many other reviews our table of had mixed thoughts and a few issues. I love the decor and ambience and wish the retractable windows had been open. Darn weather. They describe themselves as "casual fine dining," which was the perfect setting for a laid back Saturday night. However, as I was grazing the drink and entree menu options I couldn't help but think how overpriced everything seemed to be especially compared to other area fine dining restaurants such as Saluda's and Mr. Friendly's. I have to mention our waiter who was a little...er...overzealous. She seemed to be overly enthusiastic to the point of awkward and charlatan and as soon as she spoke to other servers the charade quickly disappeared. We held back howls of laughter as she read off the specials list. Bless her heart. They have a decent beer menu with national and regional craft beers ($3-$8.25). For whatever reason, I was in the mood for a cocktail and settled for the Cola's Cosmo which set me back $10. Not bad, but if you haven't gathered I am not much of a martini drinker and I'm still scratching my head as to why I ordered it. My fault, 100%. For appetizers I had bites of the pulled pork BBQ egg rolls, shrimp dumplings, and calamari. Nothing stood out or impressed me and the calamari was less than impressive with only rings--no tentacles. For my entree I ordered a special, sesame encrusted tuna served with jasmine rise and sautéed bok choy. The tuna was cooked PERFECTLY. It was fresh, rare on the inside and a little firm on the outside. Absolutely my highlight of the night. The sides, however, were not very good. The bok choy was over salted and the the rice was dry and unflavorful. I couldn't finish either, what a disappointment. After dinner, we indulged in a few drinks. We ordered grey goose godiva chocolate martinis and could not taste either the chocolate or the godiva. Another at our table ordered a white russian and had a similar situation, way too much cream no liqueur. After discussing with a manager and sending drinks back we received new drinks and added nearly $30 to the menu having to pay for doubles. Yikes. Save your money and go to Mr. Friendly's.
(3)Lodovico O.
Great service and food right at the bar. Not cheap but you get what you pay for. Food was delicious!
(4)Taylor S.
I would have rated this place a 5 star because everything was phenomenal, except what I got. I got the rubbed chicken and it was good except there was way too much spice, I had to rub most of it off. My sister and my boyfriends' meals were delicious. My boyfriend got the shrimp penne and my sister got the sea food platter. They both loved theirs! Bread was given out before the meal which you don't really find at many places in columbia. The Mac and cheese I got with my meal was excellent though. I highly recommend this place, but I would recommend not getting the rubbed chicken here. Other than that the food here is excellent!
(4)Steven U.
I am from the New York area and am accustomed to fine dining My schedule in Columbia doesn't allow me to eat at good restaurants often Last Saturday night I went to Cola needed to get away from the fast food habit This restaurant was excellent and was as good as anything from the New York area I was pleasantly surprised. Decor was nice and private Sat a alone in a private quite area Ordered the Cola salad with chick peas and vegetables Fresh and tasty Then the short ribs with grits and a side order of grilled asparagus. Finished off with ice cream in a walnut crusted pastry holder superb!! The waitress was a delight and super professional Excellent restaurant will certainly return
(4)Mark S. I.
Ok, so I've got some love here for Cola's. Great food - pro waitstaff - cool environs. Everything we had on the menu was super tasty and they did a great job of taking care of us. Must try: spiced chicken, shrimp 'n grits, crab cakes.
(5)Ashley S.
I really like this place. My sister, her boyfriend, and I came here for dinner on a Saturday night. We didn't have a reservation, so we were quoted a 30-45 min wait but thankfully didn't end up waiting that long because there was a cancelled reservation. It took me a long time to decide on what I wanted because all of the seafood options sounded so good. I actually didn't have to narrow it down to one dish in the end because they have these "platters" which are a combination of 3 different appetizers which are the size of an entree. I picked the Gervais platter, which has scallops, oysters Rockefeller, and fried okra. Everything was so delicious! They gave me 3 large scallops that were cooked perfectly next to polenta fries. The fries were a little bland on their own, but they had a spicy sauce on them which made them tasty. The oysters were very cheesy and delicious, and the okra was crispy and awesome. My sister had the spice rubbed chicken. At first, she wasn't a fan because there was so much spice caked on the chicken. But once she scraped off most of the excess spice, she really liked the meat. Her dish came with sides of mac and cheese and collard greens, which I gladly helped her eat. Her boyfriend ordered the shrimp penne. I had a taste, and the sauce was excellent. All in all, we had a great dinner here. It's definitely an upscale place and a little pricier than I expected but well worth it. It would be great to come here in the summer when they have the windows open! I also agree with all the great things my sister, Taylor S, says about this place :)
(4)Jeff N.
This was our first time. The atmosphere was great. They have these roll up doors o when the weather is nice you feel a little like you are outside. The food was great......the owner use to own Garibaldi's in Columbia, so they have the signature Apricot Flounder. The food is really good and the staff were friendly. I will definitely go back.
(5)Kevin B.
Really wish I could give it 4.5 stars because it deserves it. Beautiful place! As soon as you walk in you realize you're in for a treat. Some might say its kinda loud in there but I say loud is in some cases a sign of a good restaurant(due to crowd noise of course). It was a beautiful night out and they had the doors up which let in some October night air which was a definite bonus. Service was fantastic! Our waiter was very attentive but would never hover if we were in midconversation or interrupt. We started with the beef carpaccio app along with the scallops app. Both were flawless as were our entrees. I had the almond crusted tilapia with the pecan butter sweet potato and shrimp, best tilapia I've ever had and the sweet potato was up there too! She had the 8oz Filet and despite my meal being wonderful I was still somehow jealous of hers. It was prepared perfectly which isn't easy to do especially the type of cut that it was(Barrell cut). Overall very very pleasant experience. Will certainly go back.
(4)Mike M.
Met up with some friends here and had a great time. The food was decent - but the service was great and our table was ready fairly quickly.
(4)Ron V.
Went to Cola's on 1/3 and was really impressed. I'd hesitated going for some time due to the prices and some other reviews, but we decided to try it. The atmosphere is very nice and the service was great. Our whole experience was good, from making the reservation to the final meal. There were four of us and we ordered the Grilled swordfish wiith andouille grits, two small Maine lobster tails with risotto cake, trout, and scallops. Everyone was satisfied with their entrees. I'd ordered the Grilled swordfish with grits. I'm not a huge fan of grits unless they have andouille or tasso with them...these said andouille. So I asked for some tasso cream gravy and the waitress suggested I get it on the side so it didn't interfere with the dish the way they prepped it. She was totally right. When it was served it had the andouille and a nice sauce around the plate. I immediately knew I didn't neet the tasso cream gravy. It seems like everyone else was dunking their meals into the tasso cream gravy (scallops, bread,) and really enjoying it. Next time we said we'd try the shrimp and grits with the tasso cream gravy! Can't wait to go back and try it. The only thing that was below average was the Lobster tails. I guess we're used to Lobster with drawn butter. These were served without any butter and my wife said they were too dry....should've asked for something on the side I guess. They also were very small, but I guess this should be expected for 2 Lobster tails for $30. Wine selection was good, water was constantly refilled, waitress was knowledgeable and at one point the manager came by our table and asked if everything was okay. She said she had heard a comment or something that made her think we were dissatisfied with our meal. Not sure where she got that from but we were more than satisfied with everything. But it's good to see that the management at least acknowledges concerns at tables. One of us ordered the cinnamon bread pudding for dessert. I'm a big bread pudding fan but wasn't that impressed with this one. Our neighbors did like it and had half of it boxed up to take home. Highly recommend Cola's and am looking forward to going back soon. It won't be every other week due to the prices, but we have put it on our list of one of our favorites in Columbia.
(5)F. Chandler W.
This place is top notch. It is a very fun atmosphere and the food is off the charts. It's not for the frugal but it makes for a great night out. First of all- ask for the waitress Shawn. Trust me. She is the best waitress you'll ever have; so much attention to detail. The goat cheese fried okra is quite light yet flavorful. My girlfriend got the 16 oz strip and ordered it medium rare. It literally is a side of beef the size of a brick and it was coked perfectly; with blue cheese melted on top. I, myself, got the bouillabaisse. I just want a quart of the stock and drink it. It was tremendous. I have also had the short ribs and pork loin in the past and both are winners. The bouillabaisse is my favorite though. You can also get a decent bottle of wine for under $35. Bathrooms are private and spotless. Eat here.
(5)Chris S.
Walked in on a Saturday at 5:30pm without a reservation and they were kind enough to work in a table for two. Joshua was our server and he was knowledgable and helpful throughout our evening and made me feel right at home. I always enjoy their BBQ egg rolls (sounds strange, just try it) and placed an appetizer order of those along with an appetizer of seared scallops and fried polenta. The egg rolls were savory as always and my friend enjoyed the scallops so much (they really are tasty) he decided to order the entree version for his meal. I had the 16oz New York strip with gorgonzola. It was paired with roasted mushrooms and creamed spinach. Only two things would have my experience a perfect five stars; 1/3 of my steak was fat and gristle and the creamed spinach was undesirable and lacked anything unique. The ambiance is delightful and the staff could not be more friendly and professional. I enjoy coming here and will be back!
(4)Matt H.
Something new to note: Cola's is now open for lunch. This is the first time they've done this. I have friends that wait there, and was told their goal is to have people in and out in under an hour. Since they are located in the BID (Business Improvement District) I had a heads up on when they were officially opening for lunch. We were the 2nd table to ever be served lunch :) there should be some yelp award for that. ;) At any rate, the quality of food was as always on point. I couldn't bring myself to go from a 5 to a 4.... But if I did, it would have only Ben based on price. See pictures for menu and what we ordered, and even my timer from the time we sat down until the time we got our credit card back :) Service as always was great (and we had a waiter that I didn't know, so no preferential treatment at all). If you like dirty martini's, I suggest a Tito's with Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives.
(5)Donnie S.
Our friends bday dinner was amazing. We're visiting from Charleston and after reading the reviews here we decided this place would be perfect--and it was! Shawn was our waitress and was sort of spastic but very thorough and attentive. Our drinks and apps were fantastic (recommends the blood orange martini). Entrees were exceptional!! (Recommends the braised short ribs-- port sauce was interesting... Sweet, what do you expect, right?!) we had no room for dessert tho!! I highly recommend this place! We're very critique-y restaurant people and very culinary inclined; this place was fabulous!! Thanks Cola's for the great experience.
(4)tony T.
What a nice surprise! Fish stew as an appetizer special was delicious - shrimp, white fish and good stock...yummy! House salad and chicken milanese was out of this world with linguine and mixed veggies. Cooked to perfection the pasta and lightly breaded chicken and veggies was worth every bite. Colleague had tilapia which was also scrumptious! While I had a nice sonoma cabernet, wanted to have the option of a draft beer which they don't have as everything is in a bottle..:'( No room for dessert but the choices looked great. Service was very good as waiter was introducing a new waiter in training who was very attentive...both of them did a great job. The trip down from New York was worth it and will be our first stop next time here. Well done Dustyn!
(4)Lana O.
I would have given it 3 stars, but there were several things from Cola's getting even that paltry rating. The good: this space is really cool! I have driven by it several times and I didn't realize it was a "nice" restaurant. I love the huge windows that they open up to make it feel very airy and outdoorsy. Parts of my food were good, I enjoyed my scallops and shoestring potatoes. I also appreciated that when I asked for a gluten free item, the server could confirm that the scallop entree was gluten free, and they made the hollendaise in house. The bad: the wait was outrageous. The server, while friendly, and good about refilling water, didn't get our entrees out to us until at least 45 minutes of waiting. Which to me is really unacceptable when the place is half empty. The ugly: my asparagus tasted beyond not fresh, it may have been, dare I say it....canned?! The short and sweet of it: head on over to the bar for a drink, but if you are looking for an exceptional dinner you may find yourself underwhelmed and overpaying if you choose to eat here.
(2)Grace M.
Definitely a little more casual than Garabaldi's (same owners), I think this place is great. Their crispy flounder is one of my favorite dishes and I love their cocktails. When it's really nice out, they open the garage style doors, so it is as if you're eating outside. I recommend either getting their early or making a reservation on the weekends.
(4)RodneyVanessa H.
Always enjoy the atmosphere of the warehouses that are now restaurants. I enjoyed grilled vegetables, portions are enough that our daughter took home some of her fish. If my husband had his way his steak would barely touch heat so when he told our server to bring his NY strip to him as rare as legal, she did. He was very satisfied. Among us we shared the cheesecake, brownies with coffee ice cream & cinnamon bread pudding. Do make reservations. A $5 parking lot (not garage) is level and puts you just steps from entrance, you do have some street parking.
(5)Ann Marie D.
We chose to dine here before a recent concert. The staff asked when we arrived if we were headed to the show. They wanted to make sure they were able to get us in and out. We had a table by the retractable windows facing Assembly street near the bar. The ambiance was upbeat and perfect for a Friday night. Our server was great. Checking on some menu items with the chef as I have food allergies. We ordered 1. Burger- it was amazing. Delicious fries to boot. 2. Grilled Pork Tenderloin- very good, great presentation. 3. Beef Short Ribs- Again, delicious. 4. Toffee Cheesecake- it was so good! 5. Chocolate Torte- not too dense, really excellent. We really had an all around great experience. Food, Ambiance and Service. I'd highly recommend dining at Cola's.
(5)Edwin C.
Excellent food and superior bar drinks. The staff worked hard under a very competent manager. All around great experience.
(5)Ken J.
Wagyu burger. What can I say. The brioche bun while great. The brioche was not sturdy enough for the serious juice! Had a perfectly cooked burger, a little under seasoned. And the shoestring fries were plentiful and VERY hard to stop eating. The wait staff was great. All in all a repeat. I would simply skip buns all together.
(4)Dre D.
Had a wonderful experience at Colas to celebrate a friend's birthday. The service was exceptional and the food was delightful. The atmosphere was tranquil and inviting. This was my first time at Colas but it won't be the last. I can't wait till my next visit.
(4)Gretchen K.
Both my meal and my husband's were delicious. But I want to emphasize how good the bread was that we shared. Not sweet, just delicious texture and delicate herbs, served with a good quality butter.
(4)Jessica D.
I absolutely love this place! I always get the almond-crusted tilapia with a substitute of their homemade Mac and cheese on the side. Their Mac and cheese is absolutely killer! I always have to get it! I love their strawberry mojito and their wine selections are amazing! The servers are always polite and knowledgeable. The only bad time I've had is when they were out of mussels and the bartender was not notified and after my date received his food did the bartender find out they were not able to make my food. The management handled it great from there. This is my boyfriend and I's go to place for a nice date!
(5)Jacob C.
Came on a Wednesday night, was seated right away because the place was quite empty. They had the giant windows open, which created a nice breeze and the restaurant itself is gorgeous. However I was blown away by the prices and lack of pizzazz on the menu. Nothing stood out to me, nothing made me say "wow that sounds fantastic". I can get steak and potato anywhere, the prices and lack of creativity made it seem a bit pretentious. So I ended up spending more time trying to figure out which protein came with the most sides. I ended up with the cedar plank salmon. When it came out, again I was taken aback at how small my portion was. To make matters worse it was presented on a very large plate, making it seem even smaller. But, the saving grace is that the salmon was good. It was moist, with perfect texture and had a very nice sweetness to it. The sides seemed to be more of a garnish, since I did not get many. The salmon saved my review from being lower than three stars. Sure it was not anywhere near large enough for me, but it was great.
(3)Eater Of Food S.
Beautiful building and decor but the food was overpriced and just average. The fries were the best and who wants to spend $25 for fries. So don't come here for a memorable meal. Boring food for the price. Our party was 10 people and they absolutely would not seat us with 9 people there. A single mom was running late and we had to stand at the bar for 20' till she got there. Not a good way to start our meal. Our waiter was good but overwhelmed and very slow until some other tables left then we got good service. So very disappointed in the food but the decor saved it a star.
(2)dee l.
Excellent experience! Mahi Mahi was cooked perfectly, the sides were exceptional and the Cola Cosmo was the best ever. The server was attentive and the food came out quickly.another great restaurant in Columbia!
(5)Mande B.
I am in love with this restaurant. We dined on a Monday night and I had to come back for seconds the next evening as well! The shrimp and grits are a MUST, the scallop appetizer was also finger-licking-good :)
(5)Mackenzie J.
The atmosphere is great. Unique older building, restored. I have always experienced great service and tasty food! My boyfriend and I have been a handful of times and have never been disappointed. Appetizers: lobster mac and cheese and the mussells. The romain wedge salad is by far my favorite! The Shrimp and Grits are rather tasty! Our last meal, we shared, was the 16 oz ribeye, with sauteed mushrooms!! Absolutely to die for! Make sure you get a side of collard greens, definitley my favorite side item! I would recommend this place for any of my close friends or family!
(4)Dave L.
Whole Crispy Flounder, Lobster Mac and Cheese, Good Wine List, and Great Service! Met a client here for dinner and though I read many mixed reviews I was surprised and impressed. We met at the bar where the bartender was attentive and professional. Next was our meal. Nice booth, though a table would have been better with again, great service. The Whole Crispy Flounder was a suggestion of one of my clients. Gave it a shot and was glad I did! Now this would not be listed as a Healthy Cooked Fish by no means, but darn it was great! Finish one whole side and boom! Turn it over and eat again! Would I return? Yes!
(4)Jay C.
It has taken over two hours to get our food. Service is horrible. Food is pretty good, but not worth the wait.
(2)Keith K.
Cola's is a curious place... someone is finally doing something about the old John Paul's Armadillo Oil building and has sunk a lot of money into it. I am glad for this; the space is large and needed to be reoccupied. Sadly, the ownership forgot to spend money where it really counts: On the food. I'll keep it fairly short - I would be quite surprised if Colas lasted a year. The food isn't "bad", but when judged against food at the same price point, it can't stand up to restaurants like Motor Supply (which is just across the street) or Saluda's a few miles away. Paying $23 for around 6 ounces of cedar-plank't salmon that is overplanked (is that a word? It should be) and potatoes strikes me as rather silly. The lobster mac & cheese was overly salty and runny and boring; the blackberry crisp shake sounded good on paper but was slightly sour and thin, think the consistency of a lassi. Sigh. One bright spot: The pork shank was large and tender and was quite tasty, but for the price, it had better be. I say 'was', because it seems to have disappeared from the current menu, alas. The atmosphere is dim and cold, full of hard surfaces, and therefore somewhat loud - generally uninviting. The service was mediocre, neither awful nor particularly attentive. Again, that's fine for 5 Guys, but when paying a (steep) price premium, I look for better. The beer list is short, boring, and overpriced: $6.50 for a Bell's Oberon, which is a $9.99 six-pack. One yawns while wondering why. Oh, and the cocktails? Skip 'em, unless you go in for cheap flavored vodka mixed with (other thing). At $10 a pop, get the aforementioned Bell's 6 pack in your system beforehand, or save your money for a nearby bar with real cocktail service, you'll thank yourself. Overall: Colas is Not Terrible, but also Not Exactly Good. With restaurants nearby that offer better food and drinks and service for at or below the price, why choose Colas? I still haven't been able to figure the answer to this question, and when I do, I'll probably revise my review.
(2)Bryan M.
Popped into Columbia last night for work and a friend recommended Cola's restaurant to me - and it didn't disappoint. Great atmosphere, great service, big wine and cocktail selection, very good food. Solid experience from start to finish. I had the filet which was cooked perfectly - no complaints. I also tried the BBQ pork spring rolls and hummus trip - again, both very good. Highly recommend Cola's if you are visiting Columbia.
(4)Abe L.
Went last night 2 1/2 years later and it still is very amateurish. The prices are professional. But what do the people of columbia know. Behind the times. The filet was cold and looked like a lump of coal , raw onion rings, i guess the chef has dyslexia..When you go out to dinner with somebody no body wants to eat while the other waits for there food to come out again...... We will not try it any more, it just not worth it.
(1)May C.
Slightly overpriced for what you get. The presentation of the plates are great, but the taste was below our expectations. We ordered the snapfish off the menu and seared scallops ...all in all, the food could have been much better. However, the blueberry mojito is to die for!
(3)Rob C.
I have lived in Columbia all my life and haven't had a better meal from anywhere else. This place is pretty pricey but its definitely worth it if you want something new and refreshing to put on your palette...very impressed.
(5)Morgan R.
I recently had to move from Boston to Columbia SC....a nightmare for a foodie like myself. Colas is by far my favorite restaurant in Columbia. My husband and I have been a handful of times and have never been disappointed with our meals. The food is excellent and displayed in great fashion. The service is outstanding! Every single time out server has been amazing, literally! The staff here is very knowledgable about the menu and are always trying to accommodate your every need. The only negative I have is that they used to have this pesto shrimp pasta dish on the menu and they no longer have it. That dish was amazinggg and I could eat it every day. Definitely go check this place out, hands down one of the best in Columbia!
(5)Gunnar P.
Had dinner with a small party. Nice atmosphere. Menu had good variety and food was very good. Waiter took pride in knowing the menu and gave great descriptions. Nice bar with great wine selection. Service was a bit slow but acceptable. That was the only reason I didn't give it a 5 star rating.
(4)TheHungryDad Jeff C.
This is definitely one of those restaurants I regret not visiting sooner!! From the outside you almost have no idea it is a restaurant. I honestly thought it was an old abandoned building at with an old advertising art on the outside... then thought it was probably just a bar. It was not till I happened on it here on YELP that realized it was a super nice, white-table cloth restaurant and wine bar. Took a group of out-of-towners there and the food was all spectacular. Most of our party got seafood (Tilapia, Tuna, Salmon, or Shrimp and grits) and one of them got Chicken. Every thing was prepared wonderfully. Vegetables were wonderful as were the hummus and asparagus appetizers we ordered. All the bread and deserts are made fresh there in their in-house bakery. We did not try wine but they had an enormous wall, floor to ceiling, full of wines to choose from. I honestly can't wait to go back there with my wife for a romantic dinner.
(5)Denise K C.
Colas has been open for almost 1 month. I've been anxious to try it but it has been packed on the weekends. That tells you something. It is a Tuesday night and it's pouring down rain with lightning and hail; a great night to try Colas. We were right. Try it during the week. We tried the Applewood Smoked Bacon wrapped Polenta. Delicious starter. We ordered the Crabcakes with Corn Salsa - 2 cakes with lots of crabmeat. It came with French Fries maybe you could swap out for a different side. We tried the Lamb Burger it was really delicious with a great combination of seasonings. Lastly, we ordered the Tilapia which was very good but you will want to order a side. We finished dinner with the Coconut Layer Cake - wow! Just try it. Love the decor. But the acoustics are loud. This is a great addition to Columbia, the menu isn't like anything else here.
(5)Snave N.
Stopped for dinner on a Monday night. Shrimp and grits were excellent as was the oyster chowder (though it could have used a tad more oyster). Nice place.
(4)Meagan C.
I don't know why this place has such few stars. We had a reservation at 8pm on Saturday night, and the place was packed! So glad we called ahead. Ambiance was very nice, and the hostess was very polite, even though we were about 20min early. Our server was also very nice and attentive, and made great recommendations on food. The inventive cocktails were a rare find in Columbia - we had their Strawberry Lime Mojito, and my bf tried their jalapeno oyster shooter (which packs quite the kick!). We started with the Shrimp Dumplings, which were very good. Great dipping sauce with an orange-zest like flavor. Food came out quickly, no problems there. For entrees, my bf order the flounder - absolutely amazing!! Great crisp and a wonderful sweet chili sauce. I had the crab cakes, which were also very nice - lots of flavor without being dry! I did not think the price point that bad, for the quality of the food. We just moved to the area, and are glad to have found Cola's, especially after some other places recommended in town with the same price point were a bit of a let down.
(5)S W.
It is exceptional... Exceptionally expensive, exceptionally ordinary menu, exceptionally well plated and cooked, exceptionally warehouse ambiance, and exceptionally slow service for a mostly empty dining room. Similar to Garibaldis but with a bar-n-grill vibe.
(3)Christa C.
We had dinner there again last night...I'd give it a 3.5 star rating if possible. The food was good (not great) overall...service was ok. Our poor waitress was working her butt off and clearly spread to thin. She did a wonderful job, and we know that the delays and little glitches weren't her fault. One con: the noise level is deafening when full on a Saturday night. One pro: fun, lively atmosphere that will bring us back. Oh, and the lobster Mac appetizer and crab cake entree are pretty great. Skip the polenta fries and some of the blander pasta options. Wine trumps cocktails here too.
(3)Ashley P.
Went to Cola's for my boyfriends work Christmas party. The food was amazing. I ordered the filet and my steak was cooked perfectly! The wait staff was very knowledgeable and helpful. Next time we are in Columbia we will be back!
(5)Bryan G.
Ordered the salmon and shrimp special and it came out in 4 min. Salmon was completely raw! I love sushi but for a "grilled" piece this was almost frozen in the middle. Waiter sent it back and it came back looking like it was in the microwave and had 2 less shrimp!? Went from 4 shrimp to 2... Did the cook get hungry. Will never return
(2)Lisa M.
Service gets 4,stars. Would give 5 but really cleaning and bussing a nearby table with a spray bottle of heavily scented cleaner? Food was good but a bit overpriced for this market. Wouldn't be my first choice for a fine dining experience.
(3)Jessica B.
ZERO complaints. My boyfriend and I went for our anniversary and loved every second of it. First we sat at the bar and the amazing Alison made us each an amazing martini with fresh squeezed juice. we ate dinner and Mandy our server was sweet, knowledgable and pleasant. We had apps, salads, entrees and dessert. Each course was well prepared, fairly priced and delicious. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
(5)Julie R.
We went to Colas for the first time with a group of five. My reservation was for four so we started out our visit at the bar waiting for a table. I started out with a jalepeno oyster shot that was so spicy I almost wanted to cry! Ouch...After about 20 minutes of waiting, our group was getting antsy and we were about to go ask about our table when we see the hostess heading our way to finally seat us! When we finally get seated we ordered three appetizers which all ended up being great! We ordered the BBQ springrolls, the hummus trio and the shrimp dumplings. The BBQ eggrolls were the favorite and they came with this amazing mustardy BBQ sauce I wanted to dip my whole meal in. After appetizers our group ordered shrimp and grits (to die for), crab cakes (lots of crab), pork tenderloin (didn't try), spiced chicken (ehhh..ok), and a lamb burger (told it was good). Then as no dinner out is complete without dessert, we ordered bread pudding, hazelnut mousse and the chocolate brownie which came with homemade coffee icecream. I know this sounds gluttonous but we did have Five people!! The best dessert was by far the bread pudding..OMG It was delicious. It came out with a vanilla icing drizzle and it didn't have raisins (which I hate). Also notable was their strawberry basil mojito. It was the best I have ever had! So overall I give Colas an A! Definitely try it out but be prepared to spend some moolah...yumminess like this doesn't come cheap!
(4)Chauncey J.
Decided to give this place a try despite bad reviews and mixed feedback. We waited nearly an hour for our food to come out & when it finally did 2 of the entrees weren't what we ordered. Server acknowledged the mistake but at this point we were all starving & didn't want to wait for 2 new entrees to be prepared. The owner did acknowledge the long wait but never stopped back by to check on us. A small gesture such as a round of drinks, dessert, or even some accommodation for the 2 entrees that were wrong could have saved this experience but no attempt was made. I approached the manager upon leaving to share my comments & concerns. Yet another opportunity to try & improve this dining experience which fell on deaf ears. Prices are to high for the lack of service & mediocre food. A restaurant group that is this well established should know better instead of operating like it's amateur hour. I won't return nor will the 5 other people we dined with. Shelf life of this place won't last long.
(1)Noel H.
Atmosphere was comfortable. Hostesses were positive and accommodating when I rejected the first table. We did not have to wait long to be greeted by our server who was pleasant and adequate throughout our meal. Our wine selections were modest in price for the Vista area. In fact, my after dinner brandy was very low priced compared to what I normally pay. Our appetizer, scallops, was on the cold side of warm. The main entre for us both was the menu offered salmon which was served very quickly, hot and tasty. We were extremely pleased with this meal. The only negative was the lukewarm, old coffee served to us with after dinner. An alert manager noticed that I was setting the coffee cup to the side and immediately checked to see if everything was ok. I described the coffee. She immediately replied "I am sorry"! "I will get you two cups from a fresh pot". Which she did and this coffee was Great! We enjoyed our first visit to Cola's and we look forward to returning soon!
(4)Kimberly N.
I have been anticipating the opening of this restaurant for over a year for two reasons: as an architect, I was intrigued by the exterior renovations and wanted to see the finished interior, and as a foodie, I was desperate for some new food in Columbia. First, I love what they did with the outside of the old John Paul's. Assembly Street is in desperate need of character and, well, green stuff. I'm also glad they incorporated a garage door to open the restaurant for al fresco dining without infringing on the narrow sidewalk. That being said, I believe most of the interior renovations were reserved for the kitchen (which I know was probably pricey), because the dining area and bar could have been a bit more compelling--I'm hoping they'll continue to spice up the interiors with more colors, textures, and better-placed lighting (our table was very dim). We also had our feet splashed with water from the sous chef watering the herbs outside the window we were sitting near. It wasn't a big deal--at least for me in my sandals--and being more outgoing than my husband, I waved it off when I spoke to the managers, not realizing that the water had stained my husband's leather shoes. Regardless, for such a weird mishap, and in spite of my non-chalance, I expected our dessert (or SOMETHING) to be comp'd. Nope--didn't happen. Second, and probably more important, is the start of the meal. We started with the lobster mac n' cheese appetizer, which wasn't quite as cheesy as I might have liked, but the pasta was al dente and there were generous chunks of lobster. Problems started with our drink orders. I ordered a gin lemonade, which I believe had cucumber and Hendrick's, and was pretty good, but my husband stuck with his normal scotch (on the rocks, with a splash of water). His glass never should have made it past the bar, because the highball was full to the brim with ice and water which completely drowned his $15 scotch. I was kind of shocked that the bartender was able to accomplish my muddled cocktail, but not a simple scotch and water--a fundamental that all "fine-casual" dining bartenders should know. Third, my husband ordered braised pork shank with root vegetables and mashed potatoes. His meal was melt-off-the-bone good. I ordered the lamb meatball with potato dumplings. I was expecting perhaps knodel or gnocchi with a savory and moist meatball. The dumplings were more like coquettes, but not lightly fried, and a bit too starchy and raw tasting. They were bland--some egg, flour, and salt would have greatly improved their texture. The meatball was far too lean, leaving it dry. I'd suggest sticking with ground chuck or introducing some fat to the lamb for texture and flavor. The tomato sauce was good. Portion sizes were acceptable, leaving us with enough food for another meal. We couldn't decide between the s'mores mousse and berry milkshake, so we got both. Both were pretty good, but I'd suggest picking just one and splitting it. We suffered from sugar overload by the end of our meal. The reason, though, that I give this restaurant 2 out of 5 stars, is that I just don't think the food or ambiance quite stacks up to other restaurants in Columbia, or at least exceeds any of them. The quality of the menu items was inconsistent, in spite of what we ended up paying for the meal. Cola's is going to be one of those restaurants for me that was an okay dining experience that I don't plan on repeating; it's not something I'll ever be in the mood for--Cola's lacks the character in a restaurant that keeps me coming back. If you haven't tried it yet, go for it. I won't be surprised if you have a much better experience that we did--I'd chalk that up, again, to inconsistency.
(2)Catherine T.
Since moving to Columbia I've heard nothing but extremely mixed reviews on Colas, so obviously I had to see for myself. My overall impression: Good food, but overpriced. I went for dinner on a week night and had no issue walking right in. The space is huge and the atmosphere is nice. They have a nice drink menu, but $10 for a martini isn't something I'm used to in Columbia. That's Atlanta or Charleston pricing. Next time I'll stick with beer. To start, we had the bloody mary fried oysters - good, but not great. I wouldn't order them again, and I love oysters. I had the special entree which was a Parmesan encrusted pork chop and it was to die for. I really enjoyed it. This was the best part of the meal (luckily) The food was definitely good, however it wasn't amazing. The prices are on the level of Oak Table, and I just didn't feel like the experience was the same. I think for a "casual fine dining" restaurant in Columbia, $10 for a drink is just insane.
(3)Laura H.
Really loved the food! Had scallop app (a little salty), oyster app (not chewy at all) , trout with potato hash(yum), and crispy flounder (this place is sister restaurant of Garabaldi's). Service was a little slow but we weren't in a rush. Give this place a try!
(5)Anne S.
I wish the food had as much personality as the building itself. I had the trout and found it to be ok, but rather bland. The prices do not match the spices. Super high prices for very little flavor. A disappointment.
(2)H C.
great food, pricey, wait time was a bit longer than average
(4)F. Chandler W.
This place is top notch. It is a very fun atmosphere and the food is off the charts. It's not for the frugal but it makes for a great night out. First of all- ask for the waitress Shawn. Trust me. She is the best waitress you'll ever have; so much attention to detail. The goat cheese fried okra is quite light yet flavorful. My girlfriend got the 16 oz strip and ordered it medium rare. It literally is a side of beef the size of a brick and it was coked perfectly; with blue cheese melted on top. I, myself, got the bouillabaisse. I just want a quart of the stock and drink it. It was tremendous. I have also had the short ribs and pork loin in the past and both are winners. The bouillabaisse is my favorite though. You can also get a decent bottle of wine for under $35. Bathrooms are private and spotless. Eat here.
(5)Chris S.
Walked in on a Saturday at 5:30pm without a reservation and they were kind enough to work in a table for two. Joshua was our server and he was knowledgable and helpful throughout our evening and made me feel right at home. I always enjoy their BBQ egg rolls (sounds strange, just try it) and placed an appetizer order of those along with an appetizer of seared scallops and fried polenta. The egg rolls were savory as always and my friend enjoyed the scallops so much (they really are tasty) he decided to order the entree version for his meal. I had the 16oz New York strip with gorgonzola. It was paired with roasted mushrooms and creamed spinach. Only two things would have my experience a perfect five stars; 1/3 of my steak was fat and gristle and the creamed spinach was undesirable and lacked anything unique. The ambiance is delightful and the staff could not be more friendly and professional. I enjoy coming here and will be back!
(4)Matt H.
Something new to note: Cola's is now open for lunch. This is the first time they've done this. I have friends that wait there, and was told their goal is to have people in and out in under an hour. Since they are located in the BID (Business Improvement District) I had a heads up on when they were officially opening for lunch. We were the 2nd table to ever be served lunch :) there should be some yelp award for that. ;) At any rate, the quality of food was as always on point. I couldn't bring myself to go from a 5 to a 4.... But if I did, it would have only Ben based on price. See pictures for menu and what we ordered, and even my timer from the time we sat down until the time we got our credit card back :) Service as always was great (and we had a waiter that I didn't know, so no preferential treatment at all). If you like dirty martini's, I suggest a Tito's with Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives.
(5)RodneyVanessa H.
Always enjoy the atmosphere of the warehouses that are now restaurants. I enjoyed grilled vegetables, portions are enough that our daughter took home some of her fish. If my husband had his way his steak would barely touch heat so when he told our server to bring his NY strip to him as rare as legal, she did. He was very satisfied. Among us we shared the cheesecake, brownies with coffee ice cream & cinnamon bread pudding. Do make reservations. A $5 parking lot (not garage) is level and puts you just steps from entrance, you do have some street parking.
(5)Michael P.
I remember when this was John Paul's, which was excellent. Colas keeps that tradition with excellent service, super clean and tastefully simple appearance and food that justifies the cost. We sat at the bar, due to reservations booking the place out. No matter though, they brought place settings for us to use and served us like anyone. The procession of dinner was coconut shrimp, then Tilapia in a cream base. The shrimp was served with two glazes. A sweet sauce of I know not what and a citrus base. The shrimp were large enough to order only that for dinner if just for one, however, it's date night so we split a serving of Tilapia. They breaded that in house, just before cooking it. It was a great experience. To save time (was attending a show just afterwards) had dessert there instead of Nonnahs (personal fav). Good decision too, the coffee ice cream was very good. All around good decision. Have some cash though, reasonable price for the quality still isn't cheap!
(5)Michael N.
Service was friendly and attentive at the bar. It was my third time dining here and third time ordering the flash fried Flounder. It's outstanding I'm only rating this experience three stars (avg) because (1) the toasted bread slices that accompanied the fresh Mussel appetizer were placed in the dish subsequently the toast was so soggy it was unpleasant (2) a warm or cold moist towel provided with the Mussels would have been really helpful as they were super messy (3) no bread or roll was served with the wonderful Flounder so I ordered a roll. It was served half frozen half soggy and so rubbery I took one bit and spit it out and (4) the lemon wedge was so tiny for this massive whole fish dish.
(3)Mark S.
This place is great, I had the Blueberry Mojito (recommended) while I debated on dinner-and cleared mi head from class....... (Mandy) made several recommendations but I settled for the Shrimp n Grits..... Great choice; deliciously cooked- chased it with a Strawberry-Lime Mojito.......
(5)Rick S.
I had Chicken Milanese (parmesan crusted chicken, garlic beurre blanc with linguine and vegetables - $16). The chicken is lightly breaded and fried. Beautifully cooked so that it was still tender and juicy. The garlic beurre blanc is a nice white sauce to go with the chicken. Served with pasta (butter & Parmesan) and green beans. It tasted marvelous although it's pretty rich. Lots of butter used throughout! I sat at the bar because it was an hour wait otherwise. Very fast service from the bartender. Made it a great meal without taking too long. Nice brick and glass interior. I'm guessing that at some point this was a garage of some kine because there are metal and glass garage doors at the front open to Main St. Overall a nice ambiance. Good food and atmosphere but that does come at a price! The appetizers are around $10 and most entrées are $20+ (the chicken I had was a notable exception). As long as you know that going in I think you'll have a very nice experience here.
(4)Sebastian W.
Ordered Lobster tail, shrimp & mussels on the menu. Everything tasted wonderful. Although the portion was kind of small for the price. The service was great. Friendly staff. The restaurant is very clean. Overall it was great.
(4)Lea L.
Like many other reviews our table of had mixed thoughts and a few issues. I love the decor and ambience and wish the retractable windows had been open. Darn weather. They describe themselves as "casual fine dining," which was the perfect setting for a laid back Saturday night. However, as I was grazing the drink and entree menu options I couldn't help but think how overpriced everything seemed to be especially compared to other area fine dining restaurants such as Saluda's and Mr. Friendly's. I have to mention our waiter who was a little...er...overzealous. She seemed to be overly enthusiastic to the point of awkward and charlatan and as soon as she spoke to other servers the charade quickly disappeared. We held back howls of laughter as she read off the specials list. Bless her heart. They have a decent beer menu with national and regional craft beers ($3-$8.25). For whatever reason, I was in the mood for a cocktail and settled for the Cola's Cosmo which set me back $10. Not bad, but if you haven't gathered I am not much of a martini drinker and I'm still scratching my head as to why I ordered it. My fault, 100%. For appetizers I had bites of the pulled pork BBQ egg rolls, shrimp dumplings, and calamari. Nothing stood out or impressed me and the calamari was less than impressive with only rings--no tentacles. For my entree I ordered a special, sesame encrusted tuna served with jasmine rise and sautéed bok choy. The tuna was cooked PERFECTLY. It was fresh, rare on the inside and a little firm on the outside. Absolutely my highlight of the night. The sides, however, were not very good. The bok choy was over salted and the the rice was dry and unflavorful. I couldn't finish either, what a disappointment. After dinner, we indulged in a few drinks. We ordered grey goose godiva chocolate martinis and could not taste either the chocolate or the godiva. Another at our table ordered a white russian and had a similar situation, way too much cream no liqueur. After discussing with a manager and sending drinks back we received new drinks and added nearly $30 to the menu having to pay for doubles. Yikes. Save your money and go to Mr. Friendly's.
(3)Lodovico O.
Great service and food right at the bar. Not cheap but you get what you pay for. Food was delicious!
(4)Ann Marie D.
We chose to dine here before a recent concert. The staff asked when we arrived if we were headed to the show. They wanted to make sure they were able to get us in and out. We had a table by the retractable windows facing Assembly street near the bar. The ambiance was upbeat and perfect for a Friday night. Our server was great. Checking on some menu items with the chef as I have food allergies. We ordered 1. Burger- it was amazing. Delicious fries to boot. 2. Grilled Pork Tenderloin- very good, great presentation. 3. Beef Short Ribs- Again, delicious. 4. Toffee Cheesecake- it was so good! 5. Chocolate Torte- not too dense, really excellent. We really had an all around great experience. Food, Ambiance and Service. I'd highly recommend dining at Cola's.
(5)Taylor S.
I would have rated this place a 5 star because everything was phenomenal, except what I got. I got the rubbed chicken and it was good except there was way too much spice, I had to rub most of it off. My sister and my boyfriends' meals were delicious. My boyfriend got the shrimp penne and my sister got the sea food platter. They both loved theirs! Bread was given out before the meal which you don't really find at many places in columbia. The Mac and cheese I got with my meal was excellent though. I highly recommend this place, but I would recommend not getting the rubbed chicken here. Other than that the food here is excellent!
(4)Steven U.
I am from the New York area and am accustomed to fine dining My schedule in Columbia doesn't allow me to eat at good restaurants often Last Saturday night I went to Cola needed to get away from the fast food habit This restaurant was excellent and was as good as anything from the New York area I was pleasantly surprised. Decor was nice and private Sat a alone in a private quite area Ordered the Cola salad with chick peas and vegetables Fresh and tasty Then the short ribs with grits and a side order of grilled asparagus. Finished off with ice cream in a walnut crusted pastry holder superb!! The waitress was a delight and super professional Excellent restaurant will certainly return
(4)Mark S. I.
Ok, so I've got some love here for Cola's. Great food - pro waitstaff - cool environs. Everything we had on the menu was super tasty and they did a great job of taking care of us. Must try: spiced chicken, shrimp 'n grits, crab cakes.
(5)Ashley S.
I really like this place. My sister, her boyfriend, and I came here for dinner on a Saturday night. We didn't have a reservation, so we were quoted a 30-45 min wait but thankfully didn't end up waiting that long because there was a cancelled reservation. It took me a long time to decide on what I wanted because all of the seafood options sounded so good. I actually didn't have to narrow it down to one dish in the end because they have these "platters" which are a combination of 3 different appetizers which are the size of an entree. I picked the Gervais platter, which has scallops, oysters Rockefeller, and fried okra. Everything was so delicious! They gave me 3 large scallops that were cooked perfectly next to polenta fries. The fries were a little bland on their own, but they had a spicy sauce on them which made them tasty. The oysters were very cheesy and delicious, and the okra was crispy and awesome. My sister had the spice rubbed chicken. At first, she wasn't a fan because there was so much spice caked on the chicken. But once she scraped off most of the excess spice, she really liked the meat. Her dish came with sides of mac and cheese and collard greens, which I gladly helped her eat. Her boyfriend ordered the shrimp penne. I had a taste, and the sauce was excellent. All in all, we had a great dinner here. It's definitely an upscale place and a little pricier than I expected but well worth it. It would be great to come here in the summer when they have the windows open! I also agree with all the great things my sister, Taylor S, says about this place :)
(4)Jeff N.
This was our first time. The atmosphere was great. They have these roll up doors o when the weather is nice you feel a little like you are outside. The food was great......the owner use to own Garibaldi's in Columbia, so they have the signature Apricot Flounder. The food is really good and the staff were friendly. I will definitely go back.
(5)Edwin C.
Excellent food and superior bar drinks. The staff worked hard under a very competent manager. All around great experience.
(5)WanderLustinDani P.
Cola's was a great choice, lots of history at this place! Large servings of food, I loved the old feel and the brick walls. Had to try the orange soda in a bottle.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!!!
(4)Rob K.
Shrimp n grits are exceptional. No need to go any further. You can't miss on this entree. Do yourself a favor.
(4)Denise K C.
Colas has been open for almost 1 month. I've been anxious to try it but it has been packed on the weekends. That tells you something. It is a Tuesday night and it's pouring down rain with lightning and hail; a great night to try Colas. We were right. Try it during the week. We tried the Applewood Smoked Bacon wrapped Polenta. Delicious starter. We ordered the Crabcakes with Corn Salsa - 2 cakes with lots of crabmeat. It came with French Fries maybe you could swap out for a different side. We tried the Lamb Burger it was really delicious with a great combination of seasonings. Lastly, we ordered the Tilapia which was very good but you will want to order a side. We finished dinner with the Coconut Layer Cake - wow! Just try it. Love the decor. But the acoustics are loud. This is a great addition to Columbia, the menu isn't like anything else here.
(5)Snave N.
Stopped for dinner on a Monday night. Shrimp and grits were excellent as was the oyster chowder (though it could have used a tad more oyster). Nice place.
(4)Mackenzie J.
The atmosphere is great. Unique older building, restored. I have always experienced great service and tasty food! My boyfriend and I have been a handful of times and have never been disappointed. Appetizers: lobster mac and cheese and the mussells. The romain wedge salad is by far my favorite! The Shrimp and Grits are rather tasty! Our last meal, we shared, was the 16 oz ribeye, with sauteed mushrooms!! Absolutely to die for! Make sure you get a side of collard greens, definitley my favorite side item! I would recommend this place for any of my close friends or family!
(4)Meagan C.
I don't know why this place has such few stars. We had a reservation at 8pm on Saturday night, and the place was packed! So glad we called ahead. Ambiance was very nice, and the hostess was very polite, even though we were about 20min early. Our server was also very nice and attentive, and made great recommendations on food. The inventive cocktails were a rare find in Columbia - we had their Strawberry Lime Mojito, and my bf tried their jalapeno oyster shooter (which packs quite the kick!). We started with the Shrimp Dumplings, which were very good. Great dipping sauce with an orange-zest like flavor. Food came out quickly, no problems there. For entrees, my bf order the flounder - absolutely amazing!! Great crisp and a wonderful sweet chili sauce. I had the crab cakes, which were also very nice - lots of flavor without being dry! I did not think the price point that bad, for the quality of the food. We just moved to the area, and are glad to have found Cola's, especially after some other places recommended in town with the same price point were a bit of a let down.
(5)S W.
It is exceptional... Exceptionally expensive, exceptionally ordinary menu, exceptionally well plated and cooked, exceptionally warehouse ambiance, and exceptionally slow service for a mostly empty dining room. Similar to Garibaldis but with a bar-n-grill vibe.
(3)Ashley P.
Went to Cola's for my boyfriends work Christmas party. The food was amazing. I ordered the filet and my steak was cooked perfectly! The wait staff was very knowledgeable and helpful. Next time we are in Columbia we will be back!
(5)Andrea R.
Dined here on Saturday with six other friends. Despite having reservations we waited about 10 minutes for a table. We ordered a few bottles of wine and I had the crab tomato soup, it was delicious. Plenty of crab lumps and the flavor was great. We also shared the Lady plate that came with fried green beans with an Asian dipping sauce, YUM. For dinner I ordered the shrimp succotash that was delicious! It was really creamy and came with plenty of shrimp. My husband ordered the snapper and he loved it. Overall dinner was great, service was great and it was a fun evening.
(3)Kimberly N.
I have been anticipating the opening of this restaurant for over a year for two reasons: as an architect, I was intrigued by the exterior renovations and wanted to see the finished interior, and as a foodie, I was desperate for some new food in Columbia. First, I love what they did with the outside of the old John Paul's. Assembly Street is in desperate need of character and, well, green stuff. I'm also glad they incorporated a garage door to open the restaurant for al fresco dining without infringing on the narrow sidewalk. That being said, I believe most of the interior renovations were reserved for the kitchen (which I know was probably pricey), because the dining area and bar could have been a bit more compelling--I'm hoping they'll continue to spice up the interiors with more colors, textures, and better-placed lighting (our table was very dim). We also had our feet splashed with water from the sous chef watering the herbs outside the window we were sitting near. It wasn't a big deal--at least for me in my sandals--and being more outgoing than my husband, I waved it off when I spoke to the managers, not realizing that the water had stained my husband's leather shoes. Regardless, for such a weird mishap, and in spite of my non-chalance, I expected our dessert (or SOMETHING) to be comp'd. Nope--didn't happen. Second, and probably more important, is the start of the meal. We started with the lobster mac n' cheese appetizer, which wasn't quite as cheesy as I might have liked, but the pasta was al dente and there were generous chunks of lobster. Problems started with our drink orders. I ordered a gin lemonade, which I believe had cucumber and Hendrick's, and was pretty good, but my husband stuck with his normal scotch (on the rocks, with a splash of water). His glass never should have made it past the bar, because the highball was full to the brim with ice and water which completely drowned his $15 scotch. I was kind of shocked that the bartender was able to accomplish my muddled cocktail, but not a simple scotch and water--a fundamental that all "fine-casual" dining bartenders should know. Third, my husband ordered braised pork shank with root vegetables and mashed potatoes. His meal was melt-off-the-bone good. I ordered the lamb meatball with potato dumplings. I was expecting perhaps knodel or gnocchi with a savory and moist meatball. The dumplings were more like coquettes, but not lightly fried, and a bit too starchy and raw tasting. They were bland--some egg, flour, and salt would have greatly improved their texture. The meatball was far too lean, leaving it dry. I'd suggest sticking with ground chuck or introducing some fat to the lamb for texture and flavor. The tomato sauce was good. Portion sizes were acceptable, leaving us with enough food for another meal. We couldn't decide between the s'mores mousse and berry milkshake, so we got both. Both were pretty good, but I'd suggest picking just one and splitting it. We suffered from sugar overload by the end of our meal. The reason, though, that I give this restaurant 2 out of 5 stars, is that I just don't think the food or ambiance quite stacks up to other restaurants in Columbia, or at least exceeds any of them. The quality of the menu items was inconsistent, in spite of what we ended up paying for the meal. Cola's is going to be one of those restaurants for me that was an okay dining experience that I don't plan on repeating; it's not something I'll ever be in the mood for--Cola's lacks the character in a restaurant that keeps me coming back. If you haven't tried it yet, go for it. I won't be surprised if you have a much better experience that we did--I'd chalk that up, again, to inconsistency.
(2)Wendi G.
Fabulous meal with co-workers on a Tuesday evening. Service was good and the food quite tasty. Started with the crispy sesame asparagus which was downright delicious. For my entree I had a spectacular tuna special. Others had the crispy flounder and said it was tasty. A very good dining experience.
(4)Simon T.
Unseasoned, fatty, Gristly steak. Shocked for that price. Giant echo room.
(2)Julie R.
We went to Colas for the first time with a group of five. My reservation was for four so we started out our visit at the bar waiting for a table. I started out with a jalepeno oyster shot that was so spicy I almost wanted to cry! Ouch...After about 20 minutes of waiting, our group was getting antsy and we were about to go ask about our table when we see the hostess heading our way to finally seat us! When we finally get seated we ordered three appetizers which all ended up being great! We ordered the BBQ springrolls, the hummus trio and the shrimp dumplings. The BBQ eggrolls were the favorite and they came with this amazing mustardy BBQ sauce I wanted to dip my whole meal in. After appetizers our group ordered shrimp and grits (to die for), crab cakes (lots of crab), pork tenderloin (didn't try), spiced chicken (ehhh..ok), and a lamb burger (told it was good). Then as no dinner out is complete without dessert, we ordered bread pudding, hazelnut mousse and the chocolate brownie which came with homemade coffee icecream. I know this sounds gluttonous but we did have Five people!! The best dessert was by far the bread pudding..OMG It was delicious. It came out with a vanilla icing drizzle and it didn't have raisins (which I hate). Also notable was their strawberry basil mojito. It was the best I have ever had! So overall I give Colas an A! Definitely try it out but be prepared to spend some moolah...yumminess like this doesn't come cheap!
(4)Chauncey J.
Decided to give this place a try despite bad reviews and mixed feedback. We waited nearly an hour for our food to come out & when it finally did 2 of the entrees weren't what we ordered. Server acknowledged the mistake but at this point we were all starving & didn't want to wait for 2 new entrees to be prepared. The owner did acknowledge the long wait but never stopped back by to check on us. A small gesture such as a round of drinks, dessert, or even some accommodation for the 2 entrees that were wrong could have saved this experience but no attempt was made. I approached the manager upon leaving to share my comments & concerns. Yet another opportunity to try & improve this dining experience which fell on deaf ears. Prices are to high for the lack of service & mediocre food. A restaurant group that is this well established should know better instead of operating like it's amateur hour. I won't return nor will the 5 other people we dined with. Shelf life of this place won't last long.
(1)Laura H.
Really loved the food! Had scallop app (a little salty), oyster app (not chewy at all) , trout with potato hash(yum), and crispy flounder (this place is sister restaurant of Garabaldi's). Service was a little slow but we weren't in a rush. Give this place a try!
(5)Anne S.
I wish the food had as much personality as the building itself. I had the trout and found it to be ok, but rather bland. The prices do not match the spices. Super high prices for very little flavor. A disappointment.
(2)H C.
great food, pricey, wait time was a bit longer than average
(4)Noel H.
Atmosphere was comfortable. Hostesses were positive and accommodating when I rejected the first table. We did not have to wait long to be greeted by our server who was pleasant and adequate throughout our meal. Our wine selections were modest in price for the Vista area. In fact, my after dinner brandy was very low priced compared to what I normally pay. Our appetizer, scallops, was on the cold side of warm. The main entre for us both was the menu offered salmon which was served very quickly, hot and tasty. We were extremely pleased with this meal. The only negative was the lukewarm, old coffee served to us with after dinner. An alert manager noticed that I was setting the coffee cup to the side and immediately checked to see if everything was ok. I described the coffee. She immediately replied "I am sorry"! "I will get you two cups from a fresh pot". Which she did and this coffee was Great! We enjoyed our first visit to Cola's and we look forward to returning soon!
(4)Gail K.
Had a delicious salmon sandwich earlier in the week at Cola's. Wanted to order the tune but the price was pretty steep. I had a ahi tuna sandwich at Liberty's today and it was reasonable at $10.95. I know Cola's could do something in the same price range!
(4)Emily E.
I like when they open this place up to the breeze but the food has never impressed me that much. The prices are somewhat high for the portion size and it just isn't unique enough for me to give it more stars. I've been three times hoping I'd find something amazing, but no such luck.
(3)Duane T.
Excellent food. High quality waitstaff. For this scale of restaurant I usually go for seafood and wasn't disappointed. Probably the best swordfish dish I've ever had and the compliments were delicious as well. Cola's is definitely on my fine dining list for columbia. Plenty of street parking at dinner hours is an added bonus.
(4)Karen S.
From the exterior of this restaurant, you would think the place was run down inside, but the interior is nice and inviting - and very spacious. Good for small or big parties. I was wavering on how to rate (mostly on price for what you get), but the god thing is the prices you see on the menu includes tax (but still may be overpriced for what you get unless the meats are of a higher quality than you can get elsewhere) but does not include a salad. You do get "bread", but it seems to be a large roll sliced in fours t be shared among party (you do get several depending on group size). Was worried since the person making our reservation said that there was a big group coming in a half hour after we were to arrive thinking food would be slow after we ordered, but our dishes came out about 15 minutes after we placed our order - including an order that was placed about 5 minutes after the rest of our group. Our waiter was attentive - refilling beverages and offering to take group shots for our group.
(3)Adam B. J.
This was our fourth time coming to Colas. It has always been good, but this experience was great! Our service tonight was 7 out of 5 stars! The first time we dined at Colas we had happy hour'd else where so we ordered the pulled pork egg rolls served with yellow mustard bbq sauce and slaw. This was the best example of southern meets chic. Hit the nail on the head. The bbq sauce was on point, the slaw was like your mom's, and the egg roll paper just somehow completes it. My wife and I shared the Wagyu Burger that night and it was great. The second and third time we visited Colas I had the trout entree (and more pork egg rolls). The trout was so good I got it the next time we came. Tonight my wife and I started with the bloody mary oysters (1/2 dozen) - amazing-, and the night's special of local Certified SC Grown fried okra with goat cheese? Yes goat cheese and it was spectacular. (Almost got more pork egg rolls... Probably would have if the okra didn't sound so good). For entrees I got the nights special of Wild Caught (never frozen) Sockeye Salmon with a "Summer Succotash." Was unbelievable! Wife got the bone-in pork chop with a brussel sprout hash... yes, AMAZING! We split a bottle of Louis Latour Pinot Nior, for a perfect date night. Again service tonight was STELLAR. Great meal. Great experience. Cola is lucky to have Colas.!
(5)Grace M.
Definitely a little more casual than Garabaldi's (same owners), I think this place is great. Their crispy flounder is one of my favorite dishes and I love their cocktails. When it's really nice out, they open the garage style doors, so it is as if you're eating outside. I recommend either getting their early or making a reservation on the weekends.
(4)Jamie V.
After making the choice to go out for some "quick drinks" with my friends, we decided to make a night of it and enjoy some food as well. Let me just tell you, I'm glad we did. Since we went for the drinks at first, let me start there. One look at the cocktail and special board and you'll already have a tough time deciding. I was torn between the "Raspberry Lemonade," the "Orange Fashioned" and the "Blood Orange Martini." After a careful consultation with the bartender (who was HILARIOUS), we decided it would be in my best interest to go with the Blood Orange Martini. Once I got, I couldn't thank her enough. Then...we got the menus. So much for "just getting apps." I ended up ordering the shrimp dumplings and the Thai Beef and Shrimp Salad. When I say that there was an explosion of flavor, I'm not joking. Absolutely fantastic. The salad was the perfect light dinner to go along with appetizer. While not the cheapest place in town, you definitely get what you pay for.
(5)Donnie S.
Our friends bday dinner was amazing. We're visiting from Charleston and after reading the reviews here we decided this place would be perfect--and it was! Shawn was our waitress and was sort of spastic but very thorough and attentive. Our drinks and apps were fantastic (recommends the blood orange martini). Entrees were exceptional!! (Recommends the braised short ribs-- port sauce was interesting... Sweet, what do you expect, right?!) we had no room for dessert tho!! I highly recommend this place! We're very critique-y restaurant people and very culinary inclined; this place was fabulous!! Thanks Cola's for the great experience.
(4)tony T.
What a nice surprise! Fish stew as an appetizer special was delicious - shrimp, white fish and good stock...yummy! House salad and chicken milanese was out of this world with linguine and mixed veggies. Cooked to perfection the pasta and lightly breaded chicken and veggies was worth every bite. Colleague had tilapia which was also scrumptious! While I had a nice sonoma cabernet, wanted to have the option of a draft beer which they don't have as everything is in a bottle..:'( No room for dessert but the choices looked great. Service was very good as waiter was introducing a new waiter in training who was very attentive...both of them did a great job. The trip down from New York was worth it and will be our first stop next time here. Well done Dustyn!
(4)Dave L.
Whole Crispy Flounder, Lobster Mac and Cheese, Good Wine List, and Great Service! Met a client here for dinner and though I read many mixed reviews I was surprised and impressed. We met at the bar where the bartender was attentive and professional. Next was our meal. Nice booth, though a table would have been better with again, great service. The Whole Crispy Flounder was a suggestion of one of my clients. Gave it a shot and was glad I did! Now this would not be listed as a Healthy Cooked Fish by no means, but darn it was great! Finish one whole side and boom! Turn it over and eat again! Would I return? Yes!
(4)Lana O.
I would have given it 3 stars, but there were several things from Cola's getting even that paltry rating. The good: this space is really cool! I have driven by it several times and I didn't realize it was a "nice" restaurant. I love the huge windows that they open up to make it feel very airy and outdoorsy. Parts of my food were good, I enjoyed my scallops and shoestring potatoes. I also appreciated that when I asked for a gluten free item, the server could confirm that the scallop entree was gluten free, and they made the hollendaise in house. The bad: the wait was outrageous. The server, while friendly, and good about refilling water, didn't get our entrees out to us until at least 45 minutes of waiting. Which to me is really unacceptable when the place is half empty. The ugly: my asparagus tasted beyond not fresh, it may have been, dare I say it....canned?! The short and sweet of it: head on over to the bar for a drink, but if you are looking for an exceptional dinner you may find yourself underwhelmed and overpaying if you choose to eat here.
(2)Kevin B.
Really wish I could give it 4.5 stars because it deserves it. Beautiful place! As soon as you walk in you realize you're in for a treat. Some might say its kinda loud in there but I say loud is in some cases a sign of a good restaurant(due to crowd noise of course). It was a beautiful night out and they had the doors up which let in some October night air which was a definite bonus. Service was fantastic! Our waiter was very attentive but would never hover if we were in midconversation or interrupt. We started with the beef carpaccio app along with the scallops app. Both were flawless as were our entrees. I had the almond crusted tilapia with the pecan butter sweet potato and shrimp, best tilapia I've ever had and the sweet potato was up there too! She had the 8oz Filet and despite my meal being wonderful I was still somehow jealous of hers. It was prepared perfectly which isn't easy to do especially the type of cut that it was(Barrell cut). Overall very very pleasant experience. Will certainly go back.
(4)Mike M.
Met up with some friends here and had a great time. The food was decent - but the service was great and our table was ready fairly quickly.
(4)Ron V.
Went to Cola's on 1/3 and was really impressed. I'd hesitated going for some time due to the prices and some other reviews, but we decided to try it. The atmosphere is very nice and the service was great. Our whole experience was good, from making the reservation to the final meal. There were four of us and we ordered the Grilled swordfish wiith andouille grits, two small Maine lobster tails with risotto cake, trout, and scallops. Everyone was satisfied with their entrees. I'd ordered the Grilled swordfish with grits. I'm not a huge fan of grits unless they have andouille or tasso with them...these said andouille. So I asked for some tasso cream gravy and the waitress suggested I get it on the side so it didn't interfere with the dish the way they prepped it. She was totally right. When it was served it had the andouille and a nice sauce around the plate. I immediately knew I didn't neet the tasso cream gravy. It seems like everyone else was dunking their meals into the tasso cream gravy (scallops, bread,) and really enjoying it. Next time we said we'd try the shrimp and grits with the tasso cream gravy! Can't wait to go back and try it. The only thing that was below average was the Lobster tails. I guess we're used to Lobster with drawn butter. These were served without any butter and my wife said they were too dry....should've asked for something on the side I guess. They also were very small, but I guess this should be expected for 2 Lobster tails for $30. Wine selection was good, water was constantly refilled, waitress was knowledgeable and at one point the manager came by our table and asked if everything was okay. She said she had heard a comment or something that made her think we were dissatisfied with our meal. Not sure where she got that from but we were more than satisfied with everything. But it's good to see that the management at least acknowledges concerns at tables. One of us ordered the cinnamon bread pudding for dessert. I'm a big bread pudding fan but wasn't that impressed with this one. Our neighbors did like it and had half of it boxed up to take home. Highly recommend Cola's and am looking forward to going back soon. It won't be every other week due to the prices, but we have put it on our list of one of our favorites in Columbia.
(5)Bryan G.
Ordered the salmon and shrimp special and it came out in 4 min. Salmon was completely raw! I love sushi but for a "grilled" piece this was almost frozen in the middle. Waiter sent it back and it came back looking like it was in the microwave and had 2 less shrimp!? Went from 4 shrimp to 2... Did the cook get hungry. Will never return
(2)Lisa M.
Service gets 4,stars. Would give 5 but really cleaning and bussing a nearby table with a spray bottle of heavily scented cleaner? Food was good but a bit overpriced for this market. Wouldn't be my first choice for a fine dining experience.
(3)Jessica B.
ZERO complaints. My boyfriend and I went for our anniversary and loved every second of it. First we sat at the bar and the amazing Alison made us each an amazing martini with fresh squeezed juice. we ate dinner and Mandy our server was sweet, knowledgable and pleasant. We had apps, salads, entrees and dessert. Each course was well prepared, fairly priced and delicious. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
(5)Gretchen K.
Both my meal and my husband's were delicious. But I want to emphasize how good the bread was that we shared. Not sweet, just delicious texture and delicate herbs, served with a good quality butter.
(4)Catherine T.
Since moving to Columbia I've heard nothing but extremely mixed reviews on Colas, so obviously I had to see for myself. My overall impression: Good food, but overpriced. I went for dinner on a week night and had no issue walking right in. The space is huge and the atmosphere is nice. They have a nice drink menu, but $10 for a martini isn't something I'm used to in Columbia. That's Atlanta or Charleston pricing. Next time I'll stick with beer. To start, we had the bloody mary fried oysters - good, but not great. I wouldn't order them again, and I love oysters. I had the special entree which was a Parmesan encrusted pork chop and it was to die for. I really enjoyed it. This was the best part of the meal (luckily) The food was definitely good, however it wasn't amazing. The prices are on the level of Oak Table, and I just didn't feel like the experience was the same. I think for a "casual fine dining" restaurant in Columbia, $10 for a drink is just insane.
(3)Jessica D.
I absolutely love this place! I always get the almond-crusted tilapia with a substitute of their homemade Mac and cheese on the side. Their Mac and cheese is absolutely killer! I always have to get it! I love their strawberry mojito and their wine selections are amazing! The servers are always polite and knowledgeable. The only bad time I've had is when they were out of mussels and the bartender was not notified and after my date received his food did the bartender find out they were not able to make my food. The management handled it great from there. This is my boyfriend and I's go to place for a nice date!
(5)Ken J.
Wagyu burger. What can I say. The brioche bun while great. The brioche was not sturdy enough for the serious juice! Had a perfectly cooked burger, a little under seasoned. And the shoestring fries were plentiful and VERY hard to stop eating. The wait staff was great. All in all a repeat. I would simply skip buns all together.
(4)Dre D.
Had a wonderful experience at Colas to celebrate a friend's birthday. The service was exceptional and the food was delightful. The atmosphere was tranquil and inviting. This was my first time at Colas but it won't be the last. I can't wait till my next visit.
(4)Mande B.
I am in love with this restaurant. We dined on a Monday night and I had to come back for seconds the next evening as well! The shrimp and grits are a MUST, the scallop appetizer was also finger-licking-good :)
(5)Rob C.
I have lived in Columbia all my life and haven't had a better meal from anywhere else. This place is pretty pricey but its definitely worth it if you want something new and refreshing to put on your palette...very impressed.
(5)Jay C.
It has taken over two hours to get our food. Service is horrible. Food is pretty good, but not worth the wait.
(2)Jacob C.
Came on a Wednesday night, was seated right away because the place was quite empty. They had the giant windows open, which created a nice breeze and the restaurant itself is gorgeous. However I was blown away by the prices and lack of pizzazz on the menu. Nothing stood out to me, nothing made me say "wow that sounds fantastic". I can get steak and potato anywhere, the prices and lack of creativity made it seem a bit pretentious. So I ended up spending more time trying to figure out which protein came with the most sides. I ended up with the cedar plank salmon. When it came out, again I was taken aback at how small my portion was. To make matters worse it was presented on a very large plate, making it seem even smaller. But, the saving grace is that the salmon was good. It was moist, with perfect texture and had a very nice sweetness to it. The sides seemed to be more of a garnish, since I did not get many. The salmon saved my review from being lower than three stars. Sure it was not anywhere near large enough for me, but it was great.
(3)Eater Of Food S.
Beautiful building and decor but the food was overpriced and just average. The fries were the best and who wants to spend $25 for fries. So don't come here for a memorable meal. Boring food for the price. Our party was 10 people and they absolutely would not seat us with 9 people there. A single mom was running late and we had to stand at the bar for 20' till she got there. Not a good way to start our meal. Our waiter was good but overwhelmed and very slow until some other tables left then we got good service. So very disappointed in the food but the decor saved it a star.
(2)dee l.
Excellent experience! Mahi Mahi was cooked perfectly, the sides were exceptional and the Cola Cosmo was the best ever. The server was attentive and the food came out quickly.another great restaurant in Columbia!
(5)Keith K.
Cola's is a curious place... someone is finally doing something about the old John Paul's Armadillo Oil building and has sunk a lot of money into it. I am glad for this; the space is large and needed to be reoccupied. Sadly, the ownership forgot to spend money where it really counts: On the food. I'll keep it fairly short - I would be quite surprised if Colas lasted a year. The food isn't "bad", but when judged against food at the same price point, it can't stand up to restaurants like Motor Supply (which is just across the street) or Saluda's a few miles away. Paying $23 for around 6 ounces of cedar-plank't salmon that is overplanked (is that a word? It should be) and potatoes strikes me as rather silly. The lobster mac & cheese was overly salty and runny and boring; the blackberry crisp shake sounded good on paper but was slightly sour and thin, think the consistency of a lassi. Sigh. One bright spot: The pork shank was large and tender and was quite tasty, but for the price, it had better be. I say 'was', because it seems to have disappeared from the current menu, alas. The atmosphere is dim and cold, full of hard surfaces, and therefore somewhat loud - generally uninviting. The service was mediocre, neither awful nor particularly attentive. Again, that's fine for 5 Guys, but when paying a (steep) price premium, I look for better. The beer list is short, boring, and overpriced: $6.50 for a Bell's Oberon, which is a $9.99 six-pack. One yawns while wondering why. Oh, and the cocktails? Skip 'em, unless you go in for cheap flavored vodka mixed with (other thing). At $10 a pop, get the aforementioned Bell's 6 pack in your system beforehand, or save your money for a nearby bar with real cocktail service, you'll thank yourself. Overall: Colas is Not Terrible, but also Not Exactly Good. With restaurants nearby that offer better food and drinks and service for at or below the price, why choose Colas? I still haven't been able to figure the answer to this question, and when I do, I'll probably revise my review.
(2)Bryan M.
Popped into Columbia last night for work and a friend recommended Cola's restaurant to me - and it didn't disappoint. Great atmosphere, great service, big wine and cocktail selection, very good food. Solid experience from start to finish. I had the filet which was cooked perfectly - no complaints. I also tried the BBQ pork spring rolls and hummus trip - again, both very good. Highly recommend Cola's if you are visiting Columbia.
(4)Abe L.
Went last night 2 1/2 years later and it still is very amateurish. The prices are professional. But what do the people of columbia know. Behind the times. The filet was cold and looked like a lump of coal , raw onion rings, i guess the chef has dyslexia..When you go out to dinner with somebody no body wants to eat while the other waits for there food to come out again...... We will not try it any more, it just not worth it.
(1)May C.
Slightly overpriced for what you get. The presentation of the plates are great, but the taste was below our expectations. We ordered the snapfish off the menu and seared scallops ...all in all, the food could have been much better. However, the blueberry mojito is to die for!
(3)Morgan R.
I recently had to move from Boston to Columbia SC....a nightmare for a foodie like myself. Colas is by far my favorite restaurant in Columbia. My husband and I have been a handful of times and have never been disappointed with our meals. The food is excellent and displayed in great fashion. The service is outstanding! Every single time out server has been amazing, literally! The staff here is very knowledgable about the menu and are always trying to accommodate your every need. The only negative I have is that they used to have this pesto shrimp pasta dish on the menu and they no longer have it. That dish was amazinggg and I could eat it every day. Definitely go check this place out, hands down one of the best in Columbia!
(5)Gunnar P.
Had dinner with a small party. Nice atmosphere. Menu had good variety and food was very good. Waiter took pride in knowing the menu and gave great descriptions. Nice bar with great wine selection. Service was a bit slow but acceptable. That was the only reason I didn't give it a 5 star rating.
(4)TheHungryDad Jeff C.
This is definitely one of those restaurants I regret not visiting sooner!! From the outside you almost have no idea it is a restaurant. I honestly thought it was an old abandoned building at with an old advertising art on the outside... then thought it was probably just a bar. It was not till I happened on it here on YELP that realized it was a super nice, white-table cloth restaurant and wine bar. Took a group of out-of-towners there and the food was all spectacular. Most of our party got seafood (Tilapia, Tuna, Salmon, or Shrimp and grits) and one of them got Chicken. Every thing was prepared wonderfully. Vegetables were wonderful as were the hummus and asparagus appetizers we ordered. All the bread and deserts are made fresh there in their in-house bakery. We did not try wine but they had an enormous wall, floor to ceiling, full of wines to choose from. I honestly can't wait to go back there with my wife for a romantic dinner.
(5)Christa C.
We had dinner there again last night...I'd give it a 3.5 star rating if possible. The food was good (not great) overall...service was ok. Our poor waitress was working her butt off and clearly spread to thin. She did a wonderful job, and we know that the delays and little glitches weren't her fault. One con: the noise level is deafening when full on a Saturday night. One pro: fun, lively atmosphere that will bring us back. Oh, and the lobster Mac appetizer and crab cake entree are pretty great. Skip the polenta fries and some of the blander pasta options. Wine trumps cocktails here too.
(3)