Piss Poor service! Well, a friend and I went on a Tuesday evening--not crowded--and sat at our table for about 7-10 mins. before we were addressed. Oh, sorry I had to grab a nearby waitress and ask which server had our table. Not to mention, before I went on my quest to find the server, there were 3 unoccupied servers standing at the bar. They could clearly see that we have not even been asked about receiving flipping water. Keep in mind this place is SMALL. So, of course everyone saw everything. The cooks (it's an open kitchen to the dining area) were also unoccupied and notice that we were not being served. Concluding, after we found out who the server was and spoke to her about the issue, she reported that she was unaware that she had our table--REALLY? The place isn't but so big. But even if that was the case, anyone could have found out something--it was completely obvious we were not being served. I would put my money elsewhere and that is exactly what we did.
(1)
Jarrett R.
This is a great place to eat. Although in a strip mall setting the ambiance inside is desirable. When I am in town, I try to eat here. The Tiramisu is scrumptious!
(3)
Laurie C.
Wonderful authentic Italian restaurant. The owner and his staff prepare everything with the best ingredients and love of great food. The specials are always great.
(5)
A C.
When you find something this good, your natural inclination is to keep it for yourself. But the right thing to do is share it. Alodia's is everything you want in a local Italian restaurant... Delicious food, friendly and knowledgeable staff who know when to be there and when not to interrupt, your favorite wine on the table. This is a place to enjoy a flavorful meal and conversation without being rushed.
(5)
Jason C.
I had the Tuna Capriccio and it was amazing. I eat seared tuna at least once a week, and this was the best I've ever had. The pine nut crust is a really great alternative to the typical toasted sesame seeds that most restaurants will use. Dinner was really great.
(5)
Karen S.
Great Italian eatery that is not your typical Olive Garden or Caraba's. It is located in a shopping center in almost the middle of nowhere, but be glad if you are able to find this place. I am not sure if it is family owned, but when you first walk in, there is pictures of what I believe to be a family. Great place i you are looking for somewhere intimate to go and eat. You have your typical Italian foods. I got the Chicken Picatta, and for the amount of food I got, I thought the price was a little pricey ($15), which did not include a side salad (which was another $3).
(4)
Vicki M.
Even on a very busy night, the food and level of service wasn't diminished. A special thank you to Dustin, our server. He was great and we would recommend him to anyone visiting this restaurant.
(5)
Donna C.
Truly exceptional Italian food! Numerous choices on the menu, super attentive staff. Shared appetizer and entree, cost was completely within reason. Only request, oil and vinegar served with the warm bread without asking. Comfortable seating, appropriate lighting.
(5)
Chris B.
We eat at a lot of Italian food ( who wouldn't, it's the best food ever).... Small little bar, kicked out great cocktails. I strongly recommend the Honeysuckle Mojito. Don't waste your time on the calamari appetizer but definitely get the Alodia's salad. Finished with the Tuscany chicken which was cooked perfect but a little bland. Lacks ambience but a good neighborhood Italian restaurant.
(3)
Craig C.
Good Italian food I guess for SC. I'm from NYC and maybe I'm a little too critical when it comes to authentic Italian. Will go back eventually and try something else.
(3)
James H.
Excellent service; well - presented, tasty dishes; good value for the dining dollar; dine here to make a good night even better.
(5)
Daniel B.
OMG AWESOME!!!! I wanted some good lasagna and I got more than I could eat! Top-notch service and the take-home even have a label with the dish, servers name and the date. How many places actually do that?!?!? So you know how old dishes in your refrigerator if it even makes it past 24 hours. Mine didn't!!!! I will be back for more while in the area!!!!
(5)
Dwayne A.
Our second day in town we stumbled across this gem. The servers were all friendly and attentive. We had fried mozzarella appetizer which was a delicious preview of the food to come. I had the lasagna which was a huge serving of noodles with tons of meat. My wife had the baked ziti with meatballs which was a perfect baked ziti with huge meatballs. We even got the ravioli for our daughter which didn't disappoint. We finished the meal off with tiramisu which was definitely fresh and very tasty. We will be back.
(5)
Ashley B.
Zero wait time - wait time would be an issue because the place is so awesome. Make reservations if you're coming at night - but we came at lunch at 11 AM and so thoroughly enjoyed the authentic, awesome service that we have made this one of our top picks for Italian food. The calamari was perfect, the fettuccine with chicken was perfect, the crepe with mushrooms was so awesome. I usually don't like Italian dressing but their Italian dressing is right on point. Finish up with a chocolate tiramisu and a coffee in this intimate atmosphere and enjoy some of the best Italian in Columbia South Carolina! Ciao Bella!!
(5)
Grace M.
This place is pretty good, as well as the service, and the food usually comes out within a reasonable amount of time. The restaurant is smaller than most, which is a good change from all the larger chain restaurants in the area.
(4)
Monet V.
Went for an early dinner since we needed to get back home to Charleston- it was fantastic! My boyfriend got a duck dish and I got baked ziti. Both dishes were wonderful! Loved the atmosphere and our waiter, Adam, was on it the whole time! Thank you Adam for the great service! Definitely recommend this restaurant if you like Italian food and great service!
(5)
Jeff N.
This is a great local Italian restaurant. The owner's mother cooks the pasta. This one of those places that all the locals know about and visit on a regular basis. We recently had their "dinner for 4" take out. We met friend at the pool with a bottle of wine and take out from Alodia's. It was great and made the dinner seem more special.
(4)
Matthew M.
Nice Italian place in an unassuming grocery store shopping center...who'd have thunk it? Nice lunch specials, great spaghetti sauce, though I've had better meatballs. Fried mozzarella appeared to be cut and battered in house. Worth the stop.
(4)
Little J.
We stopped by here while we were in the area because it had such good reviews. We were definitely not disappointed! We went for lunch and the food and dessert were delicious. I would definitely recommend it to anyone in the area.
(4)
David S.
Decent Italian food for the Irmo/Chapin area and the service is good as well. Good selection of dishes.
(4)
M D.
Went a couple of weeks ago to just give it a try. I had no real expectations being it was located in a strip mall and the outside decor was non-existant. The inside decorum was just ok, but the food was great! I was really surprised at some very original takes on standard dishes... I was really impressed with the calamari with banana peppers. The food came in a resonable amount of time and was well presented and tasted like someone actually made it from scratch... (not the processed tastes of the chain italian places. I would highly recommend it.
(5)
Louie B.
Best Italian food in Columbia region, bar none. Moderate pricing, superb ambiance, outstanding service. Don't let the strip mall location fool you as it does a lot of people (which is good for the rest of us as we can get a table that much easier).
(5)
Cheri L.
Cute atmosphere, great service. HOWEVER the food was quite possibly the WORST food I've ever ever ever had in my life. And I'm not a picky person at all. I got the Chicken Piccata and i swear I took about 5 bites and I couldnt stomach anymore. It tasted like straight Lemon Pinesol. In fact my tongue has blisters from the sauce it was so rancid. I hate leaving shitty reviews but wow...smh..I left pissed off and starving...but my waiter was really nice and I left him a good tip. Not his fault. PLEASE GET SOME REAL ITALIAN CHEFS and I might come back.
(1)
Phil M.
Great cuisine and wait staff. The Fried Shrimp Wrap is unbelievably tasty for lunch. We have never been disappointed in the food - and we have tried it all. Also, if you join their club, you get a discount on future meals. The only drawback is that they close from 3:00 to 4:00 to change over from lunch to dinner menu. Full bar with Mimosas for Sunday brunch.
(5)
Elaine M.
The best mussels we have had since leaving NJ!!!!! The Duck Carbonara and Fettuccine Alfredo were outstanding!
(5)
Sabrina V.
Great food that's about it. We have been many times but won't be back! This past Friday night we got there at 7 and were told "the wait wouldn't be long, there are only three tables in front of you". Well over an hour and a half of waiting and kids running out of patience we had no choice but to leave. The hostesses told us every time we asked that it would not be long, we asked about four times. Not once would they offer up a real time limit. We had to ask for some water for the kids. Just a horrible experience and we won't be returning.
(1)
Jacqueline D.
Dinner started out fine. Attentive waiter, great appetizers. Then the waiter got 2 more tables (that's 3 total) and forgot we were there. Our food sat under the heat lamps for close to 15 minutes before someone else brought it over to our table. Waiter only checked with us once. When we asked about dessert he told us what our choices were, and then left. He came back 10 minutes or more later, to see what we wanted to order - he still only has 3 tables to take care of - which by this point we were so disgusted with the HORRIBLE service that we just wanted the check so we could leave. The food was good when we finally got it. A bit on the pricey side which isn't a big deal to me if there was any kind of service offered. If I were to go back I would ask that Adam (I think that was his name) was not my server again.
(3)
Grant H.
One of the only Italian places worth eating at in the Columbia/Lexington area. Ravioli here is legit and it's not going to kill your bank roll. If you are looking for a reliable Italian eatery in town, this place should be on your short list. The only thing I don't like about the place is the open floor plan. Service is always great and the food is always delicious. Great date night spot for a glass of wine too.
(5)
Mary B.
Great to have a good restaurant in this area that is not a chain. Inside is a little dark but once your eyes adjust, not too bad. We tried chicken picata, others had tuna and manicotti- all good. Tuna was outstanding. Reasonable prices- worth a try.
(4)
Dennis W.
Great little Italian place. My wife and i both had the ravioli which was very good. It came with two small pieces of garlic bread. We ordered a side salad which was extra. We also ordered a tiramisu to go. Total bill with water was $25 for lunch. The server was very attentive and the decor is very nice. We will visit again.
(3)
Christine P.
Holy crow this place was a find. Thank you Yelp! Started with the caprese salad: nice slabs of delicious tomatoes and mozzarella in a tasty balsamic. (One quibble: more basil.) I had the chopped salad, very good. Kid had the fettuccine which was extremely rich and good. Husband was tempted by the pork ribeye, but in the end craved the baked ziti. Tender pasta, awesome with meatballs. And terrific service despite a full restaurant when we left as well as my Clemson Tshirt in rival country.
(5)
John C.
Best Italian food in Irmo, SC, that have found. (Please tell me if there is a better one in Irmo, would really like to try it.) Again another restaurant in a horrible location, if weren't looking for this place you'd have no clue that next to a Publix lie a good Italian restaurant. Irmo residents no longer need to travel to the city for a good Italian meal. It's not the best by any stretch, but Alodia's is sure to satisfy even the harshest of critics.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Grushan R.
Piss Poor service! Well, a friend and I went on a Tuesday evening--not crowded--and sat at our table for about 7-10 mins. before we were addressed. Oh, sorry I had to grab a nearby waitress and ask which server had our table. Not to mention, before I went on my quest to find the server, there were 3 unoccupied servers standing at the bar. They could clearly see that we have not even been asked about receiving flipping water. Keep in mind this place is SMALL. So, of course everyone saw everything. The cooks (it's an open kitchen to the dining area) were also unoccupied and notice that we were not being served. Concluding, after we found out who the server was and spoke to her about the issue, she reported that she was unaware that she had our table--REALLY? The place isn't but so big. But even if that was the case, anyone could have found out something--it was completely obvious we were not being served. I would put my money elsewhere and that is exactly what we did.
(1)Jarrett R.
This is a great place to eat. Although in a strip mall setting the ambiance inside is desirable. When I am in town, I try to eat here. The Tiramisu is scrumptious!
(3)Laurie C.
Wonderful authentic Italian restaurant. The owner and his staff prepare everything with the best ingredients and love of great food. The specials are always great.
(5)A C.
When you find something this good, your natural inclination is to keep it for yourself. But the right thing to do is share it. Alodia's is everything you want in a local Italian restaurant... Delicious food, friendly and knowledgeable staff who know when to be there and when not to interrupt, your favorite wine on the table. This is a place to enjoy a flavorful meal and conversation without being rushed.
(5)Jason C.
I had the Tuna Capriccio and it was amazing. I eat seared tuna at least once a week, and this was the best I've ever had. The pine nut crust is a really great alternative to the typical toasted sesame seeds that most restaurants will use. Dinner was really great.
(5)Karen S.
Great Italian eatery that is not your typical Olive Garden or Caraba's. It is located in a shopping center in almost the middle of nowhere, but be glad if you are able to find this place. I am not sure if it is family owned, but when you first walk in, there is pictures of what I believe to be a family. Great place i you are looking for somewhere intimate to go and eat. You have your typical Italian foods. I got the Chicken Picatta, and for the amount of food I got, I thought the price was a little pricey ($15), which did not include a side salad (which was another $3).
(4)Vicki M.
Even on a very busy night, the food and level of service wasn't diminished. A special thank you to Dustin, our server. He was great and we would recommend him to anyone visiting this restaurant.
(5)Donna C.
Truly exceptional Italian food! Numerous choices on the menu, super attentive staff. Shared appetizer and entree, cost was completely within reason. Only request, oil and vinegar served with the warm bread without asking. Comfortable seating, appropriate lighting.
(5)Chris B.
We eat at a lot of Italian food ( who wouldn't, it's the best food ever).... Small little bar, kicked out great cocktails. I strongly recommend the Honeysuckle Mojito. Don't waste your time on the calamari appetizer but definitely get the Alodia's salad. Finished with the Tuscany chicken which was cooked perfect but a little bland. Lacks ambience but a good neighborhood Italian restaurant.
(3)Craig C.
Good Italian food I guess for SC. I'm from NYC and maybe I'm a little too critical when it comes to authentic Italian. Will go back eventually and try something else.
(3)James H.
Excellent service; well - presented, tasty dishes; good value for the dining dollar; dine here to make a good night even better.
(5)Daniel B.
OMG AWESOME!!!! I wanted some good lasagna and I got more than I could eat! Top-notch service and the take-home even have a label with the dish, servers name and the date. How many places actually do that?!?!? So you know how old dishes in your refrigerator if it even makes it past 24 hours. Mine didn't!!!! I will be back for more while in the area!!!!
(5)Dwayne A.
Our second day in town we stumbled across this gem. The servers were all friendly and attentive. We had fried mozzarella appetizer which was a delicious preview of the food to come. I had the lasagna which was a huge serving of noodles with tons of meat. My wife had the baked ziti with meatballs which was a perfect baked ziti with huge meatballs. We even got the ravioli for our daughter which didn't disappoint. We finished the meal off with tiramisu which was definitely fresh and very tasty. We will be back.
(5)Ashley B.
Zero wait time - wait time would be an issue because the place is so awesome. Make reservations if you're coming at night - but we came at lunch at 11 AM and so thoroughly enjoyed the authentic, awesome service that we have made this one of our top picks for Italian food. The calamari was perfect, the fettuccine with chicken was perfect, the crepe with mushrooms was so awesome. I usually don't like Italian dressing but their Italian dressing is right on point. Finish up with a chocolate tiramisu and a coffee in this intimate atmosphere and enjoy some of the best Italian in Columbia South Carolina! Ciao Bella!!
(5)Grace M.
This place is pretty good, as well as the service, and the food usually comes out within a reasonable amount of time. The restaurant is smaller than most, which is a good change from all the larger chain restaurants in the area.
(4)Monet V.
Went for an early dinner since we needed to get back home to Charleston- it was fantastic! My boyfriend got a duck dish and I got baked ziti. Both dishes were wonderful! Loved the atmosphere and our waiter, Adam, was on it the whole time! Thank you Adam for the great service! Definitely recommend this restaurant if you like Italian food and great service!
(5)Jeff N.
This is a great local Italian restaurant. The owner's mother cooks the pasta. This one of those places that all the locals know about and visit on a regular basis. We recently had their "dinner for 4" take out. We met friend at the pool with a bottle of wine and take out from Alodia's. It was great and made the dinner seem more special.
(4)Matthew M.
Nice Italian place in an unassuming grocery store shopping center...who'd have thunk it? Nice lunch specials, great spaghetti sauce, though I've had better meatballs. Fried mozzarella appeared to be cut and battered in house. Worth the stop.
(4)Little J.
We stopped by here while we were in the area because it had such good reviews. We were definitely not disappointed! We went for lunch and the food and dessert were delicious. I would definitely recommend it to anyone in the area.
(4)David S.
Decent Italian food for the Irmo/Chapin area and the service is good as well. Good selection of dishes.
(4)M D.
Went a couple of weeks ago to just give it a try. I had no real expectations being it was located in a strip mall and the outside decor was non-existant. The inside decorum was just ok, but the food was great! I was really surprised at some very original takes on standard dishes... I was really impressed with the calamari with banana peppers. The food came in a resonable amount of time and was well presented and tasted like someone actually made it from scratch... (not the processed tastes of the chain italian places. I would highly recommend it.
(5)Louie B.
Best Italian food in Columbia region, bar none. Moderate pricing, superb ambiance, outstanding service. Don't let the strip mall location fool you as it does a lot of people (which is good for the rest of us as we can get a table that much easier).
(5)Cheri L.
Cute atmosphere, great service. HOWEVER the food was quite possibly the WORST food I've ever ever ever had in my life. And I'm not a picky person at all. I got the Chicken Piccata and i swear I took about 5 bites and I couldnt stomach anymore. It tasted like straight Lemon Pinesol. In fact my tongue has blisters from the sauce it was so rancid. I hate leaving shitty reviews but wow...smh..I left pissed off and starving...but my waiter was really nice and I left him a good tip. Not his fault. PLEASE GET SOME REAL ITALIAN CHEFS and I might come back.
(1)Phil M.
Great cuisine and wait staff. The Fried Shrimp Wrap is unbelievably tasty for lunch. We have never been disappointed in the food - and we have tried it all. Also, if you join their club, you get a discount on future meals. The only drawback is that they close from 3:00 to 4:00 to change over from lunch to dinner menu. Full bar with Mimosas for Sunday brunch.
(5)Elaine M.
The best mussels we have had since leaving NJ!!!!! The Duck Carbonara and Fettuccine Alfredo were outstanding!
(5)Sabrina V.
Great food that's about it. We have been many times but won't be back! This past Friday night we got there at 7 and were told "the wait wouldn't be long, there are only three tables in front of you". Well over an hour and a half of waiting and kids running out of patience we had no choice but to leave. The hostesses told us every time we asked that it would not be long, we asked about four times. Not once would they offer up a real time limit. We had to ask for some water for the kids. Just a horrible experience and we won't be returning.
(1)Jacqueline D.
Dinner started out fine. Attentive waiter, great appetizers. Then the waiter got 2 more tables (that's 3 total) and forgot we were there. Our food sat under the heat lamps for close to 15 minutes before someone else brought it over to our table. Waiter only checked with us once. When we asked about dessert he told us what our choices were, and then left. He came back 10 minutes or more later, to see what we wanted to order - he still only has 3 tables to take care of - which by this point we were so disgusted with the HORRIBLE service that we just wanted the check so we could leave. The food was good when we finally got it. A bit on the pricey side which isn't a big deal to me if there was any kind of service offered. If I were to go back I would ask that Adam (I think that was his name) was not my server again.
(3)Grant H.
One of the only Italian places worth eating at in the Columbia/Lexington area. Ravioli here is legit and it's not going to kill your bank roll. If you are looking for a reliable Italian eatery in town, this place should be on your short list. The only thing I don't like about the place is the open floor plan. Service is always great and the food is always delicious. Great date night spot for a glass of wine too.
(5)Mary B.
Great to have a good restaurant in this area that is not a chain. Inside is a little dark but once your eyes adjust, not too bad. We tried chicken picata, others had tuna and manicotti- all good. Tuna was outstanding. Reasonable prices- worth a try.
(4)Dennis W.
Great little Italian place. My wife and i both had the ravioli which was very good. It came with two small pieces of garlic bread. We ordered a side salad which was extra. We also ordered a tiramisu to go. Total bill with water was $25 for lunch. The server was very attentive and the decor is very nice. We will visit again.
(3)Christine P.
Holy crow this place was a find. Thank you Yelp! Started with the caprese salad: nice slabs of delicious tomatoes and mozzarella in a tasty balsamic. (One quibble: more basil.) I had the chopped salad, very good. Kid had the fettuccine which was extremely rich and good. Husband was tempted by the pork ribeye, but in the end craved the baked ziti. Tender pasta, awesome with meatballs. And terrific service despite a full restaurant when we left as well as my Clemson Tshirt in rival country.
(5)John C.
Best Italian food in Irmo, SC, that have found. (Please tell me if there is a better one in Irmo, would really like to try it.) Again another restaurant in a horrible location, if weren't looking for this place you'd have no clue that next to a Publix lie a good Italian restaurant. Irmo residents no longer need to travel to the city for a good Italian meal. It's not the best by any stretch, but Alodia's is sure to satisfy even the harshest of critics.
(4)Nicholas T.
I like to call myself a realistic foodie. I think that to understand the quality of a restaurant you have to take into consideration the surrounding environment. Past experience and comparing food items to those at other restaurants will always be part of my reviews. But to do it justice, I will try to review a restaurant based on my whole experience in the context of its environment ie I don't expect a filet mignon at a roadside burger joint but I do expect a good burger at a decent price. Alodia's: If there was ever a reason not to judge a book by its cover this would be it. Alodia's is in the middle of a normal every day shopping center sandwiched between a Beef O'Brady's and a Publix grocery store. Alodia's is closed on Monday. Alodia's runs three different menus-- Brunch on Sunday, lunch and dinner the other days it is open. It is family owned, the owner and head chef is always around and personally checks on each table. Alodia's is a decent size restaurant but does normally fill up and can get somewhat loud. I've never had to wait to be seated with a group of 4 or less at any given moment of a meal rush. They do take reservations and I would probably recommend that if you are going there for a special occasion or if you have a larger than normal group (just to make sure you are not waiting too long to be seated). They also have a decent bar area and are very welcoming if you just want to come in for a glass of wine. There are a few outside tables but to sit outside looking at a shopping center parking lot just doesn't do it for me. You will be served by an excellent wait staff (the bar tender or someone from the kitchen are top notch in their service, understanding the menu, and wine pairings). Having said that the waitresses will take great care you and your group, and though I have not had any major problems or issues with any of them to me it seems that most of them are new to the food service industry. I am hesitant to ask anything particular or too advanced when ordering my meal (maybe this is just another example of not judging a book by its cover). Brunch here is great I would recommend the waffles a lot of passion went into this dish. Great taste of cinnamon and paired perfectly with an assortment of berries. Go ahead and put some syrup on it and take the dish to an all new level. As any good South Carolinian (though I'm not) you will be drawn to a dish with shrimp in it. So my favorite dish for brunch is the shrimp and polenta. In this dish you get a decent amount of shrimp and sausage but the reason why you order this is to get the polenta, I don't know where grits come from but this polenta that is served with this dish made me kick myself for not finding a place in Italy to get some. This is a great play on shrimp and grits and you won't be disappointed. Dinner: There are no bad meals! If you are looking for an appetizer I will recommend the fried mozzarella (yes I know little bit if cliché, but believe me these is some of the best I've had anywhere in the world). Also the stuffed mushrooms are great, lots of cheese and crab; it does come with a healthy taste of lemon. The salads here are fresh and large; the Caprese Salad comes with a huge helping of mozzarella that is fresh and the size of a hockey puck. Feel free to add shrimp or chicken and you have a full blown meal on your hands. The classic Caesar salad is a good choice for a meal or starter. It tastes as if the cook brushed each leaf with Caesar dressing. Now for main course: Whatever they have as a special I would say go for it even if it's on the menu already. My favorite is the Chicken Parmesan -- 2 huge chicken breasts with a choice of a side (I'll get to those soon)--lots of cheese and just the right amount of homemade "pasta sauce." If you have to have a pasta dish you are at the right place, I would recommend the Baked Ziti it's huge and full of flavor all the way through. It stands about 5 inches high in a perfectly baked square again the right amount of mozzarella and parmesan cheese as well as pasta sauce. It might not look all the filling when it arrives but after you attack it you'll find yourself completely satisfied at the end of the meal. The Sides: I will come here get a salad and a side and that's a great meal for me. Out of all of them you must try the potatoes au gratin; these come in a 3 inch high triangle of perfection and a meal of their own. A side of fettuccine alfredo is a great choice as well if you have to have some kind of pasta with your dish. I would also recommend the spinach --great garlic and olive oil taste. Everything at Alodia's is rich and heavy so be ready to eat and have a lot of flavor thrown at you. If there is one thing that I would skip it would be dessert. They do a pretty good job at it, but I come here for the dinner not because I can get a great dessert with my meal. The suburbs don't deserve a place this good, this place should be in Charleston or downtown Columbia.
(5)