116 Espresso and Wine Bar

Hands down, this is the best food in Columbia and the perfect spot for a date night. Service is great, the bartender is excellent, and they consistently have delicious specials. Great menu options for vegetarians, poultry eaters, and red meat eaters alike.

Compared with other upscale restaurants in Columbia, this place doesn't wear out your wallet too much. I've never felt like I overpaid when I went here.

I've been to 116 twice and both times I've seen other people's dishes and said "Oh... I'm coming back for that!"

116 is a little place right over the Gervais St. bridge.  There's parking on the street (which is where I have parked) but apparently there is more parking in the back.  It is a small place but it's comfortable and cozy inside.  The staff has been friendly and attentive on both of my visits. It is a smidge loud from the conversations going on around you but it's well worth dealing with for the food.

The first time I went for dinner and I ordered the Chimichurri Tasting Plate which consisted of 3 skewers (1 BBQ Shrimp, 1 Piri Piri Chicken and 1 spice rubbed steak) and it was served with plantains and a cilantro dipping sauce.  It was listed in the large plate section but a large plate it was not.  Tasty - you bet!  But large no.  Especially in comparison to pork chop and risotto my friend ordered.  $3 more expensive but it was easily twice as much food.  I tasted her pork chop and risotto and it was delicious.  I definitely want to go back and order it for myself.

The second time I went was for brunch.  Oh... I could not make up my mind for anything!  I ended up getting the 3 egg omelet and grits.  It was indeed delicious again!  They had a special though of a biscuit and gravy plate.  You know my friend got those and it looked uber yummy so now I have to go back and get that!  We also ordered a side of the 3 potato hashbrowns and it was not your traditional hashbrowns.  They were more just like 3 different kinds of potatoes in a bowl.  They were tasty but not the kind of hashbrowns I was looking for in a brunch.  A side at lunch or dinner?  Bring them on!

116 keeps drawing me back in and everything I've had there has been tasty so it's sure to not disappoint but for me... the grass is always greener on someone else's plate.

A very charming and well-run bistro featuring a creative and eclectic menu and nice wine selection. Excellent service and ambiance in a clean, cozy atmosphere. Columbia needs more fine eateries like this.