Shannon J
Came here in a Friday evening for dinner portion had reservations and were seated promptly. Before even deciding on drinks, we ordered the whipped feta. Over the next 30 minutes, I watched several tables being sat, ordering, and receiving their appetizers, and still hadn’t gotten ours. I finally flagged down the waitress to ask about it and it was clear she didn’t recall that we had ordered it. But rather than accept blame and apologize, she blamed the kitchen. Oddly enough, within the next 3 minutes, our food appeared, entrees AND appetizer. The whipped feta was very good, as expected. My table mate enjoyed his salmon, but I felt the gnudi was underwhelming and lacked flavor. The brisket and sauce were good, but the dumplings themselves were tasteless. I had two glasses of wine. The first was not good at all – the Austrian Weninger Ponzichter. The second was much better and paired well with the brisket – the Cru Monplaisir Bordeaux. Dessert was the dark chocolate cremeaux, which was delicious. All in all, it was a mixed bag. Clearly I didn’t have the same experience as so many others, so maybe it was an off night. I did enjoy the atmosphere, and the gratuities included philosophy, so I’d be tempted to give it another try.
… moreEssence Sweet
We celebrated our wedding anniversary at City Grit, and it was truly a phenomenal experience. From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel incredibly welcome and special. They even gave us a personalized card signed by each team member, which was such a thoughtful touch. We also had the pleasure of meeting the chef and one of the managers,Dalton, who made us feel right at home.
The wine selection was excellent, and the staff took the time to share upcoming events, adding an extra layer of excitement to our visit. Overall, City Grit turned our anniversary celebration into a truly memorable occasion. Highly recommend it!
… moreWendy Favila
Came here with family for dinner and we were blown away by how good everything was. I loved the scenery and the music they played. They played Bad Bunny all night but at a low enough volume that it never felt overpowering, just a great vibe.
We ordered appetizers, main dinner, and dessert. For apps, we had the whipped feta, which was very delicious with a smooth texture. Our waitress accidentally brought us two when we only ordered one, and when we mentioned it right away, they let us keep it, which was very generous. We also had the patatas bravas, perfectly golden and not too oily. So good.
For the main course, we all ordered something different. The white bolognese, the gnudi, and the La Bella Farm moulard duck breast. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and interesting. I was especially impressed with the gnudi. I had never had anything like it before.
Oh and I cannot forget dessert. I am not entirely sure what everything was called, but one had strawberries and was the perfect blend of sweet and sour, super refreshing. We also had a dark chocolate pistachio dessert that had hints of basil, almost a pudding like dark chocolate texture with pistachios. Absolutely delicious.
The staff is super friendly here. Our waitress spoke Spanish to us and treated us like friends. It was a unique experience and something really special to have in Columbia. I would 1000 percent come back.
… moreSanela Suhopoljac
City Grit always finds a way to make every visit feel special. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with the warmest smile at the front desk, always dressed to impress in the cutest outfits that instantly set the mood. As you’re walked to your table, you pass the open kitchen, catching a glimpse (and a whiff!) of where all the magic happens. Then you’re seated at the perfect little table, softly lit by a tiny lamp that makes everything feel romantic, cozy, and just yours. It’s like being at your own private dinner, tucked away from the world but still surrounded by that buzz of good energy. We’re regulars, so Dalton usually already knows what we’ll love, he always has a drink or two in mind before we even open the menu. It’s that personal touch that makes the service feel effortless and genuine every single time. From the conversations that flow easily, to the food that never misses, to the atmosphere that makes you want to stay a little longer, City Grit has mastered the art of making every night in Columbia feel like your best one yet.
… moreJessica Chiu
After hearing so many great things about City Grit, we’re so glad we finally made it, and it absolutely lived up to the hype! It’s everything we’ve been looking for in a great restaurant. Alisa and the entire team made us feel so welcomed, and the food was amazing. The ambiance was warm and inviting, which made the whole experience even better. Can’t wait to come back for movie nights and Sunday brunches!
… moreAbby Anderson
I hope that someone reads this on Nov 1 of any year. We ordered the half serving for a Thanksgiving meal to go.
The instructions were so easy and the flavors were unmatched. It was a wonderful Thanksgiving meal without all the work. The pies, the sides, the turkey….no notes.
Thank you!!! Highly recommend!
… moreBenjamin Powell
Amazing food. The high points were the sourdough and onion butter, short ribs with polenta, and bombas dessert. The mushroom pasta was a little lacking. The service was behind tonight but still friendly and professional.
… moreDan Smitley
From the moment we stepped into the doors (without reservations) the service was exceptional. Probably helps that gratuity is built into the pricing and they pay their staff a livable wage.
Google says this is an American diner but I certainly see the Spanish influence throughout the menu. The two tapas we got were probably the highlight of the meal. The roasted potatoes and whipped feta were great. Their Moscato was perfect for my wife who loves sweet wine.
The hot plates didn’t hit the mark for us. They weren’t bad, just a bit off. The gnudi was very tomato forward and the brisket took over the dish. The scallops were perfectly cooked but the sauce they come in left the dish feeling heavier and saltier than I was hoping
We were so glad to have stumbled on to this place and would absolutely recommend it to others!
… morejulia gometz
This is a fantastic restaurant!! I came to Columbia from New York City to visit my mom. She wanted to try a new spot so I consulted Google. City Grit was recommended. My mom has lived here for 40 years. She had never been to City Grit but had heard good things. Well- she loved it so much! Said it was the best restaurant in Columbia! I also thought it was amazing. The menu itself is creative and different. We shared 3 plates and a dessert among three of us. The bread is homemade and delicious. The service is incredible! Dalton was our server and we wished he could have sat down to join us!!! The ambiance is also warm and cozy with a great design. Exposed brick and lighting. Can’t wait to go back. A very special place in Columbia.
… moreJoe Moody
Absolutely A+ experience at City Grit!
From start to finish, the service was outstanding. I was running late and really appreciated the great communication via text message—such a thoughtful and professional touch. Once we arrived, the staff was incredibly knowledgeable about both the food and the wine, which made the entire experience even better.
The recommendations were spot-on, and even though they don’t sell tequila, I had a genuinely informative and pleasant conversation about it with one of the staff members. That level of engagement and hospitality really stood out.
Great service, great communication, and a knowledgeable, friendly team. We will definitely be back. Highly recommend! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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