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. Â There's parking on the street (which is where I have parked) but apparently there is more parking in the back. Â It is a small place but it's comfortable and cozy inside. Â 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. Â It was listed in the large plate section but a large plate it was not. Â Tasty - you bet! Â But large no. Â Especially in comparison to pork chop and risotto my friend ordered. Â $3 more expensive but it was easily twice as much food. Â I tasted her pork chop and risotto and it was delicious. Â I definitely want to go back and order it for myself.
The second time I went was for brunch. Â Oh... I could not make up my mind for anything! Â I ended up getting the 3 egg omelet and grits. Â It was indeed delicious again! Â They had a special though of a biscuit and gravy plate. Â You know my friend got those and it looked uber yummy so now I have to go back and get that! Â We also ordered a side of the 3 potato hashbrowns and it was not your traditional hashbrowns. Â They were more just like 3 different kinds of potatoes in a bowl. Â They were tasty but not the kind of hashbrowns I was looking for in a brunch. Â A side at lunch or dinner? Â 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.
This adorable neighborhood cafe is the cafe every neighborhood should have. Especially at brunchtime. Or at wine time, I imagine.
The service was so.damned.friendly for brunch. It's a small venue, so the staff let us know there would be a bit of a wait. We shared the little waiting area with some charming older ladies, who were on a double date with their husbands. It was kinda rainy and the husbands dropped them off first before they parked the car. Gentlemen, take note.
I ordered the three-potato hash with gold, purple and sweet potato, peppers, jalapenos, onions and goat cheese. Also, fried eggs on top. It was spicy, tasty, starchy, eggy... exactly what I was in the mood for. It was delicious enough that I can't even remember what my fiance ordered.
It's a wine bar, but they also offer a full set of Bloody Marys, spiked coffee drinks, cocktails and margaritas. Also... four kinds of Russians (not just the white ones!).
Thanks for a lovely morning, 116!
This place was fantastic. Honestly, we were looking for Cafe Strudel and found that it had moved locations. Just FYI, it moved about two blocks down, well within walking distance.
Anyway, I had the special for the day: BBQ Chicken and red onion pizza. My fiance had their special: three potato hash browns with stuff French bread (peanut butter, plantains, and choco chips). The total bill was $16. Very good service, nice ambiance, and the potato hash browns are probably the best home fried potatoes I've ever had. We're so glad we found this place.
You know how you drive by a place all the time on your way to everywhere else, and you look over, see it and think, "That looks like a cute spot," and you keep on driving? 116 looks like that kind of place. I was passing through town myself when a couple of friends lulled me into what seriously looks like a hole-in-the-wall.
And you know what they say about gettin' your eat on in the hole-in-the-wall ...
And if you don't know what they say then I suggest you go and grub on the Grilled NC Berkshire Pork Chop.
"P" is for pork chop and perfection. (I am a terrible food photographer, but y'all 'twas scrumdiddlyumptious.) The accompanying Greek orzo pasta salad was fresh and light, and overall the plate made for a filling and tantalizingly tasty combination. You know it's good when someone else at your table keeps one eye on your plate the whole time they're eating their food! That is not at all a cheap shot to the chimichurri tasting plate, but it's just what it says--a taste. The pork chop is perfectly portioned and righteously grilled.
My friends and I shared the spinach and artichoke dip. It was warm and rich and plentiful, a great setup for a filling, but not too full meal.
Marvelously attentive and courteous staff; artsy-neat decor in a sweet 'n small intimate setting (just a few tables in this spot); interesting variety on a menu that uses fresh and local (and delicious) fare. A bit bummed I didn't enjoy a cup of coffee, but the sangria hit the sweet spot :)
If you keep driving by this place you're missing out on good people and great food (at really great prices, too)! Stop going for the same ol', same ol' and try something new--116's staff won't disappoint!
The things that I like about this place (have now dined/drank twice, both times outside) is that I can walk up after walking my dog (ok, carrying) on the riverwalk, sit down and enjoy a glass of wine and munch - dog in tow. They even brought him a water bowl. There are very few places in Columbia that are dog friendly, so this stands out to me. Service has been good each time. It's a cool spot. I love the state street crowd. I understand that many do not, but I "grew up" sitting at Courtyard (old name, same location) drinking coffee and "discussing philosophy."
The things that I do not like about this place is that they food was not memorable. I have heard that their brunch is much better; however I'm not sure that I will give it a chance after the two times that I have eaten dinner here. The wine list was also not memorable considering it is a wine bar. The first time I visited, I would have loved to sit inside, but they had live music that night which was way too loud for the small space.
All in all, I will probably return for brunch and a follow up review.
I think this place is very good. Their sweet potatoe pancakes, cinnamon rolls, and everything else are fantastic. They don't scrimp on coffee, even if you get something fancy, and they have a bar you can grab a drink at while you wait for your table. If you are looking for parking, they have a lot directly behind the restaurant. Prices are reasonable, and it's busy without being too loud to carry on a conversation. I would definitely check this place out if you are looking for fresh, tasty breakfast food. Waits can be around 20-30 minutes on weekends though, so if you are starving, come early.
Review Source:Times I've been here: 20+
116 is one of the best little hole-in-wall coffeshop / bar joints in the city. Â Just over the river off Gervais, don't miss it. Â Competent service, $3 sangria at happy hour (unf) *excellent* espresso - one of the few places in the city that gets it right - and solid, well made food. Â The food portions are 'small' (read: reasonable), and the specials change often. Â The coffee itself is good, but not standout. Â 116 is the only place in town I've found that makes good alcoholic coffee beverages.
You should try: Lamb hot dogs, mussels, anything with chorizo, the strip steak, any pizza that sounds good. Â Tabasco shrimp and grits. Â Cheese plate. You can't go wrong anywhere but that's what I usually find myself gravitating towards.
What could improve? Â There's only one bathroom, which seems occupied far too often, and the beer selection should ditch the mass market crap and embrace more local beer; South Carolina has lots. Â They don't server PB&J here, so why the Coors? Â I'd also like to see more whiskey behind the bar, but to be fair, this is a White Russian / wine sort of joint.
So, FIVE STARS... really? Â Yeah, sure. Â I'm librul that way. Â Columbia has so few bright spots that the ones that stand out need the attention. Â I will continue to enjoy 116 and throw 'em my money.
Did not even know about this place until I tried it for brunch today. Â Be prepared to wait if you're coming on a Sunday, but that being said, it was worth the wait. Â It's packed for a reason! Â The chili rubbed sirloin was amazing, as was the ensalata served with tuna. Â I love that they use locally sourced ingredients. Â Service was good and the decor is really cute. Â I hope more places like this open on State St, because it really is a good location.
Review Source:Went here for espresso on a Saturday night and was not overly impressed by the quality of the coffee. The barista was unfamiliar with the techniques of pulling a shot and my boyfriend and I had very different cups of espresso even though they were made by the same barista. For a store that emphasizes espresso in its name, I would have expected a bit more quality in such product.
Review Source:Expert and excellent throughout. This is my second visit here and I have been pleased with decor, lighting, wine choices--and recommendations, today the Tempranillo Anciano from Spain--and last but foremost, the food and service! Â Noise level a little high but it was a Friday night and tastefully exposed brick walls that add to ambience tend to be a little echoey. Highly recommended and fairly priced.
Review Source:I have been to 116 SEVERAL times since my original review. Â I've been there for dessert, brunch and dinner, and the place is consistently good with service and quality of food. Â I have had wine, dessert, cava, brunch items, apps, entrees, pretty much every variation on the menu, and I am without fail, ALWAYS happy with the food on my plate and the service I've received. Â Some favorites include their veggie ratatouille, their goat cheese dip (heads up, it's seasonal), their coffee (I think I had four cups the last time I was there for brunch!), and all of their desserts. Whoever is running 116 is doing a phenomenal job. Â I especially appreciate the use of fresh and local ingredients, it definitely translates well in the food, and they have yet to miss the mark. Â If you haven't been to 116, I highly, highly recommend giving this place a shot, you will not leave disappointed, they deserve to be in the restaurant business and they KNOW what they're doing!
Review Source:116 is not simply a restaurant, it's not just a cozy bistro tucked in a familiar warm happy place at the corner of State and Meeting Streets. It doesn't simply contain a happy group of epicureans who are overjoyed to deliver their wares to both wide-eyed newcomers and longtime friends.
And it sure as heck ain't just an Espresso and Wine bar.
Generations ago, talented chefs would open their homes to both travelers and neighbors. This being a regular activity for them, they would often either grow their own food or collaborate with a few local farmers who offered the best quality options. With these ingredients, they created culinary masterpieces which complemented their highly-creative beverage offerings.
It wasn't done because market research showed that this would lead to higher profit margins. It wasn't because they wanted to win any national awards. It wasn't because they expected the folks from Stouffer's to show up one day and offer to license their recipes.
It was because they didn't know any better.
Run by a couple of Ryans (Whitaker - chef and owner, Ditman - cocktail crafter and longtime family friend), 116 is not a cause, it is an effect. The cocktails are beyond creative, they are inspired by the tastes of a well-traveled, well-educated functioning alcoholic. Whitaker, who was slated to be an engineer or doctor or some other allegedly "higher" pursuit, instead found a path which allowed him to explore his true joy - being complimented daily and fully deserving it (while also being given a constant excuse to eat, drink, and be merry).
Odds are, if you step into your average nightclub, approach the bar, and order a "Chioggia Beet American Harvest Cocktail", you'll be quickly escorted out by security and asked to never return. However, this is just one of the many custom cocktails designed by folks who have nothing better to do than figure out how to get drunk off of beets.
Next time you're ordering the "seasoned" grilled chicken at your nearby chain grubbery, be sure to ask if they're using "North African" spices, or see if you can get a Chili Coffee rub on your steak. When the server explodes, flinging button-ized messages of "If God didn't want us to eat bacon, why did he make it out of bacon." and "ask me about our Chicken Chili Flingers" throughout the room, just tell 'em to cook your steak well done and reconstitute it with your tears as you think of the meal that could have been.
"Oh, well that steak's gotta be expensive!", you say, and you'd be right... but only if this were 1934. $10 is pretty damned cheap for a specialized culinary masterpiece and you know it.
Frankly, I've worked in food and beverage for years, I've seen the margins and food costs and etc. etc. and I have NO idea how they do it. These are no fools, they've got to be making enough to at least get by, but with $3 sangria/wine/draft beer specials during happy hour, $7 shrimp and grits during their Sunday Brunch, and a whopping $5.50 for a pizza (of course, they NAIL you on the toppings - .75/ea for Capicolla Ham, Chorizo Sausage, Portabello Mushrooms, etc), I just don't see how they do it. Every morning after I go there, I double-check my bank account just to make sure the $100+ meal and beverages I've just consumed didn't put me over my limit, only to find that I spent $30.
$30 by myself? Well, I've been known to 'enjoy' their drink specials a bit much, and as a beer man, I'll tell you that this "Espresso and Wine bar" sells itself short on the name. Sadly "Beer Bar" doesn't sound as classy, but their selection is extensive, and far from pedestrian (yet they're cool enough not to give you stinkeye if you order a Bud Light... they may, however, offer for you to taste an alternative).
After an appetizer, dinner, a 'few' drinks and a well-deserved generous tip, you'll eventually manage to force yourself out the door only to long for the cozy and warm speakeasy atmosphere, the inspired and devoted servants, the "this is so much better than a gin & tonic" libations, and the truly unmatched dining experience. The good news? They're open Tuesday through Sunday and they're always happy to see you come back and assuage yourself of the burden of having to dine anywhere else.
Cute & quaint... In a hipster/ artsy area of Columbia, if there is such a thing. They were having a special & the glass of wine I ordered was only $3! I ordered a watermelon/ feta/ pesto salad, which sounds odd, but it was soooo good. I'm going to try to recreate it at home. It was definitely the best part of my dining experience. I also had the mussels, which were decent but I've had better. The bartender was super friendly, & even gave me tips on other area restaurants. I got to 116 around 6ish on a weekday & the place was slow, but was full once I left. Get there early, because this place is pretty small and fills up quickly.
Review Source:Have been going to 116 since soon after it opened. Wonderful, creative specials each night. Never disappointed with any of the standard menu items. Menu changes frequently and Ryan W (the owner/chef) uses lots of fresh, local ingredients to come up with the daily specials. Prices are extremely reasonable.
Have moved away for a while but still try to get to 116 every time we are in town. Had not been there for about 3 months and when we were there recently the bartender and server both remembered our drink preferences and things we like on the menu! Did I mention that Ryan D. is probably one of the best bartenders in Columbia?? My wife likes to just let him make up new drinks for her.
@116 should be right there on your list with Motor Supply, Mo Mo's, and Gervais & Vine for must-frequent places in Columbia!
So the Census guy frowned at me when I tried to put down @116 as my religion, because if I could, I would spend every sunday brunch here. Â
I had the hashbrowns and eggs. Â No, they're not like Waffle House hashbrowns (although those are tasty), these use potatoes so obscure you'll be the envy of all 13 hipsters in Columbia. Â And they're delicious, with some peppers and cheese in there and... oh I have to stop. Â
Normally, food this good is accompanied by a massage and a corkage fee, but here it's so ridiculously relatively cheap that it's almost insulting. Â You can get a full gourmet brunch and coffee for around $10. Napolean never had it this good. Â
Portions are just right, as in you won't walk out with that mixture of satiety, regret and shame you get from eating breakfast at the Shoney's buffet. Â But if you routinely duck and/or turn sideways through doorways, you might want to double up on your order.
Decor is great. Â Not sure why Captain Prudington below docked a star for it, the place is fine and has art 'n old crap on the wall. Â What more do you want? Window treatments aren't on the menu.
Oh, and this place has the gastronomical balls to wrap stuff in a bacon and charge a lot for it. Â They get away with it. Â We're talking bacon-wrapped prunes stuffed to the (proverbial prune) teeth with jalapeno cream cheese. Â It works. Â I'm salivating just thinking about it and I no longer fear becoming old.
Do it. Go eat there. Â You'll love it. Â And I say this just from going to brunch. I'm sure dinner rocks too. Â Actually, second thought, hold back a bit, it's crowded enough and I don't like waiting.
Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda~
This is a place that seems to be on the edge of greatness! It has all the makings of being a great little dive-diner. The location is cool- "Vista West"? Just a little on the rough side? I can buy in to that. The Menu seems very good. I love the Cuban/Spanish spice touch, with the flank steak and empanadas! I love the whole spicy beef and potatoes feel, with no french fries! Garlic-Bleu cheese mashed potatoes Yes! The portion could of been a little bigger :)
I ordered the Coffee Spiced Flank Steak: Tender Choice Flank Steak Coated with our Spicy Chili Coffee Rub and served with Garlic Mashed Potatoes 9.00$
This entree was very good. The steak was very flavorful, very tender, ordered medium rare and it came out just right! Maybe a little piece of flat bread / pizza bread would of been good with it?
This is on the Sunday brunch menu: Steak and Eggs: Ancho Chili Rubbed Sirloin Steak with Two Eggs and Toast. This sounds so good -it should be on the menu ALL the time-with a nice cold one! Diner food YEAH! Â with the mashed potatoes! OH well, thinking out loud... They have a lot of cool stuff on the menu.
The service was great! Our server, Lizzie? was very attentive and hospitable
The only con- "The place could of been a little neater"?? That was one comment from someone in our foursome.
I will definitely go back. I want to try a Cuban Empanada!
@116 is a wine and espresso bar located conveniently next to cafe strudel on state street. parking is all along the street. currently they offer breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as a sunday brunch. starting july 2010 though, they will only have dinner service but will be starting a saturday brunch. closed on mondays though.
coffee/espresso menu is reminiscent of cool beans by the USC campus as i believe the owner of @116 previously owned cool beans.
worth a visit!
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