158 replies to this topic

[TheSuperPope]

I think the one in five points is Al-Amir's... I love the Mediteranian Tea place in five points, their humice is amazing

[emerging.me]

Speaking of Middle Eastern...I have to recommend Eli's -- it's in a little house-turned-restaurant on St. Andrews Rd.

[shahram72]

I am middle eastern, and would love to try some of these restaurants out. I knew about Al Amir, but have not gone there yet because I have a 1 year old son. I'll go there next time it is a special occaision.

[waccamatt]

As far as Middle Eastern food is concerned I would rank Al Amir number one, Eli's a close number 2 and Mediterranean Tea Room a close number 3. Al Amir is not an Indian restaurant as earlier stated, it is a Middle Eastern restaurant. India Pavilion is the Indian restaurant in Five Points. While neither Middle Eastern nor Indian, I would highly recommend Baan Sawaan, IMO the best Thai restaurant in town. It is located on Devine Street in Five Points. Boy am I hungry now!

[TheCarolinaKing]

Hello all!  I just joined , but I've been reader for a while.  I would really like to see Columbia get a P. F. Changs, Houstons, Grand Lux Cafe, and definatley a Sonny's.

[krazeeboi]

Glad to have you aboard!

[waccamatt]

TheCarolinaKing, on Jan 6 2006, 02:16 PM, said:

Hello all!  I just joined , but I've been reader for a while.  I would really like to see Columbia get a P. F. Changs, Houstons, Grand Lux Cafe, and definatley a Sonny's.

Welcome, CK. If you like PF Changs I think you would like Miyo's and M Cafe (same owners). There are 4 around town, I think.

[TheCarolinaKing]

waccamatt, on Jan 6 2006, 08:28 PM, said:

Welcome, CK. If you like PF Changs I think you would like Miyo's and M Cafe (same owners). There are 4 around town, I think.

Yeah, I love Miyo's and M Cafe'.  I actually eat there about once a week.  I have eaten at many of the great locally owned restaraunts, but IMO they should advertise more.  Many people who visit, have relocated to, and some that are even natives of Columbia don't know about the great eating locations here.  Places like P.F. Changs are nationally known, and tend to be synonymous with popular cities, so when people see them they usually direct there attention there.  By adding more advertisement for our great local places, more people will be drawn to them to discover what they have to offer.  I think the Village would benefit from a Miyo's or M Cafe.      Some other spots that I enjoy are:  Motor Supply Co., Pasta Fresca, Myers BBQ, Birds on a Wire, Tiffany's, Meritage (when it was open...please come back!), Travinia, and many others.  And it must be said that I love Carrabbas!  (Yeah its a chain, but its a great one)!

[The_sandlapper]

I agree I love Carrabas!

[Charleston native]

The_sandlapper, on Jan 10 2006, 05:16 PM, said:

I agree I love Carrabas!

Cola has impressed me with having TWO Carrabbas. My wife and I love the Italian there, though some local Italian places in Chas are far superior. I'm thankful that we live 5 minutes from the one in NE!  

[The_sandlapper]

Well it's hard to beat out Charleston's dinning scene. It's pretty much on par with cities New York, Chicago, D.C., etc.. But thanks for the good words!

Edited by The_sandlapper, 10 January 2006 - 04:38 PM.

[krazeeboi]

I have yet to eat at Carrabbas. I've been meaning to do the one in Charlotte for some time now. Maybe this weekend...

[Temeteron]

Carraba's? haha thats funny...Santorini Grill is much better on hardscrabble....real Greeks.....and the bread is amazing!  not a chain by the way

[waccamatt]

Temeteron, on Jan 10 2006, 07:38 PM, said:

Carraba's? haha thats funny...Santorini Grill is much better on hardscrabble....real Greeks.....and the bread is amazing!  not a chain by the way

I agree, Santorini Grill is awesome.

[The_sandlapper]

Yeah, but Tem I thought you like national chains, ie P.F. Changs and such?   By the way I haven't eaten at Santorini Grill, but if it's better than Carrabas then I'm gonna do some damage!

Edited by The_sandlapper, 10 January 2006 - 08:58 PM.

[waccamatt]

The_sandlapper, on Jan 10 2006, 09:57 PM, said:

Yeah, but Tem I thought you like national chains, ie P.F. Changs and such?   By the way I haven't eaten at Santorini Grill, but if it's better than Carrabas then I'm gonna do some damage!

Sandy, it's a real treat in an unexpected place. It is a little bit more pricy than Carrabba's, but worth it.

[Temeteron]

With clothes im all about chains....but with food i can go either or....i mean come on now....authentic mexican(especially Casa Linda and Don Pedros) is waaay better than Taco Bell or jack in the box.....and Zorba's and Santorini kills Showmars(in CLT) or Olive Garden/Carabba's.....and of course there are pizza places that are independantly owned that taste way better than pizza hut or domino's....and Chinese as well....Chen's on Two notch tastes better to me than PF Chang's....there is something about the sauce and/or oils that give it a big difference....PF Chang's is very gasy the one time i went....maybe i just didnt get the right meal...i dono...by the way.....my uncle owns Santorini    and no that wasn't a biased opinion i made about it...the food is outstanding! It really is lol

Edited by Temeteron, 11 January 2006 - 12:05 AM.

[HAMMETTM]

Never been to PF Chang's, but after looking at their webiste I found that SC and Miss. are the only southern state that do not have one. I feel left out

[Charleston native]

The_sandlapper, on Jan 10 2006, 05:38 PM, said:

Well it's hard to beat out Charleston's dinning scene. It's pretty much on par with cities New York, Chicago, D.C., etc.. But thanks for the good words!

No problem man!   Actually, my wife and I ate at Santorini's for the first time 2 weeks ago, and it was excellent. This place mixes Greek and Italian, and they do it rather well. I don't know if it is better than Carrabba's, but it definitely is on the same level. Their bread and oil with the herbs was outstanding! This is the kind of local restaurant Cola needs to promote and have more of.

Tem, your uncle has done a great job.  

[Temeteron]

Charleston native, on Jan 11 2006, 04:53 PM, said:

No problem man!   Actually, my wife and I ate at Santorini's for the first time 2 weeks ago, and it was excellent. This place mixes Greek and Italian, and they do it rather well. I don't know if it is better than Carrabba's, but it definitely is on the same level. Their bread and oil with the herbs was outstanding! This is the kind of local restaurant Cola needs to promote and have more of.

Tem, your uncle has done a great job.  

Thank you

HAMMETTM, on Jan 11 2006, 10:41 AM, said:

Never been to PF Chang's, but after looking at their webiste I found that SC and Miss. are the only southern state that do not have one. I feel left out

Mississippi and SC are usually always the ones that are left out on alot of things....