I don't eat burgers too often but I was in the mood for one and after reading others raving about the burger here, we headed to Oak Table. Best burger I've ever had. Everything about it is perfect. The truffle fries that come with the burger are a generous portion and are amazing as well! I raved about it for a while after... The charcuterie is also very good, especially the pate. The trofie pasta was alright, and usually that'd cost a star but not when it's the best burger I've ever had :)
(5)
Andrea R.
It is with a great sadness that I have to update my review...considering how much I bragged about the Nueske's Bacon in my original review I felt it misleading to send you here expecting the most delicious bacon only to be disappointed. The Oak Table recently acquired a new chef that apparently hates rainbows, laughing children and sunshine...he removed the Nueske's Bacon from the menu. Pause for a moment of silence. I think it had something to do with the cost of acquiring some of the ingredients from faraway lands or perhaps he is a life ruiner, can't be sure. But what I am sure of is that I can no longer let my rarely given 5-star approval appear before you. Considering that now I have not tried anything from this new menu a real review of the food will have to wait. Until then I'll be in a state of mourning and searching for something delicious to make my taste buds happy once more.
(2)
Matthew P.
I went her with my girlfriend on her birthday, and we were delighted by how friendly and engaging the staff members were - especially our waitress. To our surprise, she brought out a cheese tray and provided a complimentary dessert after eating (which we were too full for but ate anyways) on the house. The rating I'm providing is based on 1) the level of customer service and care and 2) the quality of the food we ordered. Both were really, really good. Menu options are limited here, but be mindful of the fact that this means the chefs are able to devote careful attention to meal prep and presentation. My only issue is with the layout of the place (which is still very inviting). The sections designated for 2 are tightly-packed (tables are much more conversation-friendly) and the intimacy of the date can be lost because you're ultimately forced to overhear your neighbor's conversation.
(4)
Rick T.
On my recent visit here I tried the charcuterie board and was not impressed. The shredded quail had a far too many bones and the chicken liver was really salty. The only thing I liked was the mustard and the roasted peach salsa to put on the bread. Now the deserts here are definitely worth the hassle of parking on Main st. okay ! The chocolate bone marrow ice cream with smoked cake was executed with time and precision. The flavors exploded in my mouth and had me wanting to lick the board the dish was served on. The butterscotch bread pudding was also a home run and I would highly recommend it to future diners. So it was a roller coaster dinning experience from meh to oh yeah ! As I left feeling satisfied a few steps out the door and I was hugged by some drunk homeless guy asking me to play a round of golf, well only on Main Street can you find this kind of entertainment.
(3)
Manoucheka A.
I couldn't be happier with my service and the food was really fantastic. I had the flank steak and it was the perfect meal served on top of a delicious salad. The staff was as nice as could be. I highly recommend it! It was on the pricier side but definitely worth it! I went back to this restaurant and it was an even better experience. Have the burger, it was EVERYTHING!!!!!!!
(5)
Brandy B.
I've only been once. We decided to go on a Saturday night when plans fell through for an out of town trip to Charlotte (we were planning on indulging aka pigging out at a few "upscale" restaurants there), and I still wanted my fix and remembered Oak Table. I booked our reservation around 4pm for 6pm through the yelp app (really cool and convenient). We arrived around 5:40 and found a spot right on main just a little ways down!!!! We were greeted by the hostess who was accompanied by a server, I told her we had reservations, she confirmed them, said something to the server who then started walking off without any transition (no, "ok you guys can follow him," or "ok, please come with me I'll seat you."), the hostess THEN apologized and said, "oh you can go with him." The restaurant was empty - which kind of worried me initially (considering they opened at 5pm). Our server came over introduced himself and quickly left (that was his tone for the rest of the evening as well). We ordered specialty cocktails to start, then 3 apps, 2 entrees, and dessert (see pics). My bf really treated me and I think we got a complete Oak Table dining experience. I realllllllly loved the truffle frites and calamari. I never got a warm sincere feeling from the server - he got the job done... but it just wasn't what I was expecting from a server at a fine dining restaurant (the manager came by twice throughout our time there to check on us and he seemed more enthused on finding out about our experience than the server). The ambiance is gorgeous, the view isn't too bad either (I'm sure it'll be even better once the tree is up at the state house). The place was almost packed by the time we walked out, a little after 7pm (so go early if you want to beat the crowds). I'm glad I was finally able to check The Oak Table off my list... on to the next!
(4)
Ryan G.
Thought it would be better based on reviews. Definitely underwhelmed. Had deep fried lobster and wife had pork chop. Both were just ok.
(3)
Donald S.
Friendly staff. The truffle fries were excellent. A tasty unexpected surprise? The smoked ketchup!!
(4)
Will C.
Definitely a higher class, higher budget sort of place. They have valet parking during the busy hours for those that prefer that to the plentiful street parking around it. The cocktails are very thoughtful and delicious - but you pay the price as many of the cocktails are north of $10. I visited for a couple drinks and an appetizer and the food was just as thoughtful and well executed as the drink. Definitely a good place when you don't mind shelling out some extra money. The extra dough definitely yields a better experience than restaurants and here the premium is worth it. Plenty of outside seating too!
(4)
Amber J.
I took my husband here for his birthday and we were underwhelmed. The menu had very few choices. The steak options were limited for it to be a "steakhouse". I got the fried lobster which was a whole entire lobster that had to be cracked open. Difficult and messy. The few bites of lobster I got was good but not worth the fight in a so called nice restaurant. The mashed potatoes and salad were underneath the lobster making it messy and impossible to eat. Our waiter didn't know any specifics about the menu and there were no specials offered. He didn't ask us what we wanted to drink and when we asked for a drink he acted irritated. We will not be back.
(2)
Ann Marie D.
Dined here before a recent concert. Like many of the Vista/Main St. Area restaurants it has a vibrant bar scene. Mostly professionals. They offer indoor and outdoor dining. It isn't a large space, but the decor and layout does not feel cramped. Our dining experience was not rushed. They give you time to enjoy yourself. The rolls they brought were delicious. Drinks reasonably priced. No apps this time, but for entrees we had the pork chop and the half chicken. Both were delicious and generously portioned. I asked to sub. The greens and another side that were offered with the chicken for asparagus. They happily accommodated me, at a $3.00 up charge. Cited to the difference in food cost. For dessert we split the S'mores. It was delicious. Our server was pleasant and professional, and overall we enjoyed our dining experience.
(4)
Tonya P.
The Oak Table is kicking ass and taking names. I met some clients for Sunday Brunch and was blown away with my super nice server, Eric. When I ordered my sparkling, I always order my preference but then say, I will also drink what was opened last because flat bubbles are not my jam. I heard him pop the cork for my glass! Cha-ching. Thank you Eric and baby Jesus in the manger. I was seated first waiting for my couple to show up and Eric went over the menu with me and we decided on the Reuben Hash with sunny side eggs. Please and thank you. All around great experience, I got nothin' but love for ya baby. Can't wait for next visit!
(5)
Henry S.
The food, drinks, and service were amazing. The Red Snapper was life changing and the Lumber Jack was made just right. The ambiance is upscale but still comfortable and the chef even came out and talked with us for a little while. If you're ever in Columbia please do yourself a favor a make a reservation.
(4)
Furman L.
This is a fantastic restaurant in the heart of downtown Columbia. Would highly recommend for business dinners. Really enjoy the atmosphere and outstanding service. Menu is perfect.
(5)
Robert V.
There aren't enough occasions to dress up and go out in Columbia, but this is one of them. The Oak Table is part of Columbia's fine dining circuit, so I highly recommend it for special occasions, or business meetings. The location is great on Main St and perfect for happy hour, dinner, and then follow-on drinks at Bourbon across the street. We started out with a delicious beef carpaccio, a couple glasses of red, and then enjoyed an excellent ribeye. Dessert consisted of an espresso and cheesecake, and the staff was nice enough to hold onto our leftovers for a couple hours while we met friends for drinks at Bourbon afterward!
(5)
Travis L.
This place rocks from the bar to the kitchen... Food was spot on and the bar tenders r impeccable. Being in the business for over 20 years and having a business for 10. The girls r the perfect pick for this open and inviting bar So glade we found this hidden gem.
(5)
Lea L.
The Oak Table is a relatively new and trendy spot, perfectly situated in downtown Columbia across from the state house. Dishing up their interpretation of "modern American cuisine for progressive palates," you'll find everything from Deep Fried Lobster to Ricotta Gnudi on the menu. Ignore people who give poor ratings because they weren't appropriately dressed. Excuse me if this is a bit harsh, but isn't that YOUR fault? It is obvious that Oak Table is more formal and you shouldn't let your poor planning affect your review. End rant. Anyways..... The decor is delightful - industrial rustic with a modern edge, including ceiling high windows behind the bar. Five stars for decor and ambience. Beware, the bar boasts a perfect view of the statehouse across the street, which can mean front row seats to whatever protest is happening! Makes for some pretty interesting people watching... I have been here a few times and have some dishes that deserve 5-star rating and some that deserve 1. The Citrus Riccotta fritter (keep reading) being a 5, and the Eggs-In-Purgatory a 1. The eggs in the eggs-in-purgatory were undercooked and scary too eat. Mind you this dish is essentially marinara, cheese, eggs, and bread. Not a whole lot going on. The service and food at Oak Table has been extremely inconsistent, which is apparent from the mediocre ratings. During my first visit, our party of four for brunch had to send back 3 out of 4 plates. Important to note, we did receive an apology and were compensated for the mistakes. To be completely honest, I'm surprised I returned after my first visit, but I'm sure glad I did. I have to say, the Citrus Ricotta Fritters were my favorite thing I have eaten at Oak Table so far. They were prepared perfectly, crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. They came dusted with just a touch of powdered sugar, and served with a tangy blood orange house jam. Although the Citrus Ricotta Fritters stole the show, I also enjoyed the Hash Brown Quesadilla which was a messy but delectable choice. This mexican-inspired brunch dish was served with white cheddar, caramelized onions, chipotle-lime smoked ketchup, soft scrambled eggs, and cilantro crème fraiche. I'd give this dish a 4. Another star off for the service. We sat at the bar because we didn't want to wait to be seated and wanted to enjoy the beautiful view of the statehouse. Ten minutes later I finally went to the host stand and grabbed our own menus because it was clear the ONE BARTENDER ON A BUSY SUNDAY MORNING (?!) wasn't going to. After toying with my decision I've settled on a 3 based on my first two visits.
(3)
Christina F.
Very pleased with the service (bartender O.P. made me feel at home and great service.) I went with a three course small plate trio. Citrus Salad, Pan Scallops and finished off with the Pastrami Pork Belly. All were delicious! They are small plates, but very tasty. Monday is half priced bottles of wine so take advantage!
(5)
Tanner B.
Been here for Sunday Brunch a few times now and it has yet to disappoint! The Fritters are a must have.. One of those things you bite into and I get this warm fuzzy feeling on the inside! Have no idea what is in them but whatever it is my only explanation is that they've crammed it with "AMAZEBALLS". Maybe they should think of renaming them!? I will take full credit of course! Anyways both times for my main course I have got the cheeseburger and both times It has been cooked to perfection! Hoping to go to dinner here soon and to update my review!
(5)
Brandà M.
I loved this restaurant. My husband took me here as a date night surprise and it didn't disappoint-at all. The atmosphere is perfect for a night out. The service was spectacular and the food was superb. I didn't even really know what we were ordering, but it arrived and it was beautiful and it tasted even better. Not to mention the cocktails were off-the-hook. We went a few months ago so my apologies for not remembering exactly what we had....but I think I went with a seafood dish and my husband with a steak and they were both phenomenal. And dessert was pretty much to die-for.....He had the marrow dessert and I had the bread pudding. I'm not much for bread pudding.....But this.....it was art. In my mouth. I will be going back and you should too!
(5)
Leigh-Ann F.
Had a great first experience here! The atmosphere is perfect, and the wait staff is so friendly-our waitress (I think her name was Jessica?) found out it was my birthday, and proceeded to bring us a cheese board AND finished us off with some incredible ice cream samples in shot glasses...she really was so kind! Now, though, about the food. Unique ingredients (a lot of which I couldn't pronounce, but that's an un-cultured college kid for you) but whoever the chefs are know exactly what they're doing. I'm telling you, this place was too fancy for me, but I loved it! I will definitely return, and actually would love to try their lunch/brunch. Thank you, Oak Table, for a wonderful birthday dinner!
(5)
Angie W.
Dang....that was good! Drinks: Definitely try the "lumberjack" but my favorite is "legends of the fall" Appetizer: Scallops for starters Dinner: Wreckfish Hanger Steak Our waiter looked like James Franco and was super nice to us and knew the menu really well. The atmosphere was awesome! The GM stopped by and checked on us. All together a nice evening.
I was expecting a lot more based on the reviews here. For the price point, I left disappointed. Had 4 different cocktails (all $10+) between my girlfriend and I, and not one I would order again. The food was good, but overpriced for what it was. Sitting at the bar would give you a beautiful view of the state house, probably a good way to start the night for out of towners, but many better places to get dinner for the price point.
(2)
K W.
I was not impressed with my cold NY Strip, our substandard server or the pretentious "them bones" dessert. First of all, our server spilled my wine on the table and never cleaned it up. We had to ask the hostess for more bread because our server was nowhere to be found. My medium rare steak was cold. And there is nothing appetizing about eating less than an ounce of ice cream out of sawed off femur bones with sprinkles of cake crumbs. Really?!?!?! This was my first and last time in this space with a great view. The $300.00 tab was not justifiable for the quality of food and wait staff. My $35 tip was tooooo generous.
(2)
Tallulah Jean M.
Fantastic wine list and hand crafted cocktails! The farm to table menu is always fresh, always changing and some really cool unique options. The service has always been wonderful and they have a bread pudding that will blow your mind! This is one of the best restaurants in Columbia. It's a must!
(5)
Kate M.
I've lived in and visited dozens of places where Yelp is a great guide to where I want to eat and drink and get my hair cut, but sometimes (especially in the south), Yelp is underused or misused to the point of actual failure. In the case of the Oak Table, this is especially evident. I have no idea why this place has been so poorly rated and reviewed. It's true, I have only been there once, but so have a bunch of the other Yelp reviewers. I looked it up on another popular review site and found it was highly rated, with dozens more reviews. What is it with Yelp reviewers? How are you so critical about this one restaurant when it's still better than the majority of the others nearby? Anyway, we sat at the bar, so I can't really comment on the waitstaff, but the bartender was great and the general manager stopped by to ask us how we were enjoying our meal. The food was fantastic. We had a scallop ceviche that was stellar. I had to wrestle it out of my beau's greedy, greedy fists. The "chick-a-rones" were awesome -- a salty chickenskin treat. The cheese and charcuterie plate was really delicious. Our cocktails were great, too. They have a very decent cocktail program, which is more than I can say for the rest of the "good cocktail" places in Columbia. My guy's rye Manhattan had a dried cherry that had been rehydrated in booze. YUM! Contrast that against his cherry from the night before, which was a red sugar bomb bought in a gallon jug from Sysco.
(4)
Dale C.
If you get your food it probably will be good but after 15 minutes of being ignored at the bar and when the person who just walked in and sat down beside us got served we decided to walk out. May try to go back but it will be awhile.
(1)
Peri E.
Better than a the best! I have been in this city a couple times and I finally found something I really like! The food here is very delicious. The steak was pretty much "state of the art"! (And I'm not a foodie for say).... And probably the best pork belly of all time for me! I was very satisfy with the service and the Monday night half wine to top that was a pretty unbeatable deal...Highly recommended
(5)
Nat C.
It's a great place for a nice dinner, the pomme frites are a definite. Yes, it is pricey, but I think splurging now and then is necessary. Great view of the statehouse if you can get it.
(4)
Scott P.
I love this place for brunch. The cost is so reasonable especially in comparison to their dinner prices. Great service from host to server. The menu is at once familiar but ingredients are esoteric (to me) which makes the tastes interesting and exciting. Y'all come
(5)
Stacey L.
Made a last minute Sunday brunch reservation at the Oak Table and was not disappointed. The waiter helped me choose chicken and waffles and it was an excellent choice. The chicken was crispy with a tangy sauce accompanied by four pieces of thick waffle dripping in honey. Excellent brunch.
(4)
Gia J.
One word: sticky bun. Get it!!!! Perfect for sharing. The service was great, we also did the blue corn waffle with chicken which was great. I would definitely give them more business. The cocktail menu was pretty long so I plan on trying those next. A great view of Columbia!
(5)
Gina B.
I have dined at the restaurant before and something has changed. Went for "brunch" which is mostly breakfast items. This was to celebrate a friend's birthday. Ordered Mimosas but there was no fizz at all. I think the champagne was flat. I had a glorified bacon, egg and cheese sandwich served on a brioche bun. It was good but not special. The truffle fries were cold--so cold that the cheese sprinkled on top never melted. My guest had eggs and lobster. The plate came with scrambled eggs and some lobster thrown in. The plate was half empty--no attempt to garnish. We had coffee afterwards. Service was quite slow and from the temperature of the food I suspect had been sitting for a while. For this meal I paid $63 not including tip. I don't know that I will visit again...at least during brunch.
(2)
Josh H.
Great food. Atmosphere can be a little stuffy, though not overly so. But dressing up a little (even though a jacket is not required here) is sometimes what you want in an evening, so this would be a place to go when you want that sort of atmosphere. They serve the best grits I've ever had. They're served in a cast iron pot and have garlic chunks in them and they're amazing. The bavette steak for brunch is also very very good and tender.
(4)
Sam V.
Service, atmosphere, and food.
(5)
Arlene D.
We had my husband's birthday here because of the steak and it did not disappoint! Delicious!! The gnudi appetizer pass on it, it was not good, but the scallops and grilled peach salad appetizers were great! The half chicken was delicious and the tilefish a little overcooked but tasty. The desserts were all good as well. Staff excellent.
(4)
J S.
Excellent service resounded through my visit to Oak Table. I was here on business and to entertain a client. Our entire experience was 5 stars, and exceeded my expectations. The operator of this fine establishment was clearly well trained, and could thrive anywhere including New York City. I cleaned all of my plates that I was rewarded with and did not feel sick from eating too much. The view of the capitol building across the street was framed by floor to ceiling windows, a cool bar, and a relatively simple but attractive design. I had a salmon dish that was excellent and a few bites of a chocolate dessert. Hope to be back soon.
(5)
P D.
Great find. I will definitely return if I'm ever in town again. Each dish was carefully composed and well thought out. Service was amazing!
(5)
Rachel O.
Delicious food in a beautiful atmosphere! Today was the first of many visits for sure. The Oak Table is a new restaurant that opened in September. (Main Street just keeps getting better and better!) From their FB page: " The Oak Table serves modern American cuisine with a high level of hospitality, service and excellence under the helm of executive chef Joseph Jacobson." I met a friend for lunch to check it out. The dining area is beautiful and the front window looks out on to the State House. We ordered the pimento cheese appetizer. I used to have a strong aversion to all pimento cheese but then found one I liked and looked forward to at another local restaurant. It's cold, delicious and goes so well with pita chips. The Oak Table pimento cheese is now my new favorite. It is a warm dish with a little bit of kick and sprinkled with bacon crumbles. It's more of a fine spread than a chunky cheese. It's served with toast. We shared it but I could have eaten it all by myself! If you go (and you should) then you must get it! For lunch I had The Mac Burger - medium well and frites. The burger was perfect. I don't know that I've had a better one. The frites were dusted with Parmesan and were a bit heavy on the salt but still tasty (I ate them all so I'm not complaining). The menu is a bit limited in number but you won't have a problem finding something worth writing home (or Yelping) about. The Oak Table serves lunch, dinner and brunch on Sundays. Be sure to check out the Sunday Supper specials too! I wonder if you can get the pimento cheese at brunch. Hmmmm... I'm sure I'll find out soon!
(4)
Adam B. J.
Like its Charleston counter parts, the Oak Table is exquisite. Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner are all top notch! The whole fried lobster (when in season) is the best lobster in SC. The Reuben hash at brunch is unique and amazing. I'm not a desert person, but their bread puddings are worth saving room for. The service is always great, and the decor is beautiful. There are several fine dining places to eat in Columbia, but this is a fine dining experience. The knowledgeable staff will help you if you are having a tough time deciding what you want. I love that the menu is always changing and evolving. If you've seen it on food network and want to try it, this is probably where you can. Bone marrow, charcuterie, great steaks, seafood, etc. The Oak Table is where you want to go. The view of the SC Statehouse is gorgeous. Great beer, wine, and spirits list. Exciting cocktails, fine single malts, and single barrel whiskeys. Local brews on tap! Top tier place to dine if you are in the soda city!
(5)
Leslie S.
Sunday brunch was incredible! Fresh beautifully prepared and so delicious. We had the steak with chimichurri sauce roasted Brussel sprouts perfectly poached egg, corned beef hash with a mustard vinaigrette, roasted potatoes and eggs. Also a perfect mid rare angus burger with truffle French fries sprinkled with Parmesan were to die for! Also had crepes and pimento cheese dip which were incredible! Our waitress Rachel along with all the other staff could not have been more welcoming and attentive without being overbearing. We could not have asked for a better dining experience!
(5)
Bret A.
The Oak Table sits right across the street from the courthouse in downtown. Park at 1221 Main garage and they can validate your parking. The feeling when you walk in is natural wood and glass with bar and table seating - very open - as well as a very nice outside patio for dining outside on nice days. The service is excellent - extremely friendly and accommodating. I was on a tight schedule and they made sure everything was taken care of and on time. The menu offerings range from salads$11 to burgers $12 to seafood $varies. I tried the steak and potato frites $16. The steak was tender and a good cut and very lightly flavored. It could have used more flavor for my taste, but was definitely good. The potato fries were crispy, crunchy and sprinkled with shaved parmesan cheese and truffle oil - excellent - definitely make sure your order includes this item! A solid lunch place. Next time, I will definitely sit outside and enjoy a beautiful day!
(3)
V V.
I am vegetarian and even though their menu does not have many options for me, the chef made an amazing vegetarian dish just for me. They also have amazing side dishes. Also, the service is beyond amazing - very high class - love this place!!!
(5)
Jeff B.
I have been here twice and I have been very impressed both times. Clearly a leader ib the Columbia food scene. I have just about eaten my way through the menu. I'm so happy that they are here. Just great food and service.
(5)
Keith K.
Times here: 4, alas. Eaten twice, done the bar-thing twice. On bad days, Oak Table is borderline offensive. Average on the best days. If your idea of a good time is being served overpriced, 'just okay' food by needlessly snooty "I graduated with a BS in Communications from South Carolina, what have you done with your life?" servers, all within spitting distance of the glorious Confederate Middle Finger to Minorities Monument, then the Oak Table is the place for you. The food isn't *bad*, but like 70% of the other so-called 'high gloss' establishments in Columbia, you're left wondering what you're paying for. $32 dollars for a 'whole, deep fried lobster', after the Great Lobster Spawn of 2013 has pushed prices down to a 20 year low is silly. $39 for a Certified Angus (!!!) Ribeye and potato gratin seems... suspect. This is Columbia, after all. Granted, the rent cannot be cheap. The restaurant has always been clean, although oddly lit and loud. (Columbia has a fetish for loud restaurants, and has not taken to acoustic damping even yet.) The cocktails, I am sorry to say, ARE bad, and expensive. By all means, drop $10 for a disgusting combination of one middle-shelf liquor, 3 sweet and one bizarre ("hickory water") ingredients, shaken together and served over a heaping handful of inappropriate "McDonalds" style ice... ugh. The drinks all sail towards the sweet and thin, with the lack of good liquor masked by sugared additions and watered down to boot. Save your booze-money for the superior Motor Supply just down the street, or better yet, take that $10 to The Gin Joint or Husk Bar in Charleston and have a superb, memorable drink made by people who care. Probably the last straw for me, of which there are several to choose from, was when I sat at the bar with 4 friends - us being the only people at the bar in a relatively empty restaurant - and were forced to perform the humiliating and ludicrous Columbia Restaurant Service Flail, which really means asking for Every Single Thing and not getting it, reminding the 'server' what you ordered, and generally coaxing them through the act of upselling you on additional items. In our case, this night in October it proceeded as so: ******************* Players enter and sit at an empty bar. The night outside is dark and full of terrors, but inside is warm and woody. The Confederate Memorial sneers at you (audience) from across Gervais St, and you think you hear a ghostly voice mutter something you can't quite make out, except for the words: "rise again" Players: Hey, can we get some water, drink menus and napkins? Thanks. 10 minutes later: Hot dog! Water at last. I bet it is going to be super excellent because it must have been a really deep well you had to lower your tiny bucket down into, those take a while, totally understand. Can we order some alcohol? We CAN? Awesome! 15 minutes pass: Hey, we'd like to place a food order, and where are our drinks, oh, they're on the way, cool, it looked like you were just standing in the corner texting, but maybe you were mixing drinks with your foot, or... you know, I honestly don't know how any of this 'service' stuff works! Drinks arrive! Wow, that's a lot of ice, but my drink sure is extra cold! Sip. Wait, can we send this drink back, it's intensely syrupy, thanks, oh, can we have some food menus? We can get a single food menu? It must be our lucky day. Cool. Thanks. 50 minutes in: Can we get a water refill when you have a chance? Is that 'bartender' really still playing on her phone instead of mixing us drinks? Hm. Wow, these shoestring fries are really salty. Wish I had more water, but I'm sure that's a very important text she's sending. Oh good, she comes... oh no, she just walked by all of us on her way out of the bar. Wait here is someone else! Hey, can we split checks? Can we get the check? Eventually? Ok. Can we have some more water? I guess you not bringing any means no. I just dropped $28 dollars for 2 drinks that were studies in mediocrity and some salt-fries? That's fantastic! I love my life! 80 minutes after we've begun: Oh yes, we had a lovely time, thanks, here's your gratuity for service, have a great evening!
(2)
Simon T.
Truffle oil. Duck fat. These are the things that matter if you want great fries.
(4)
Abby B.
The staff was very friendly and it was a nice ambience, but for the price I expected the food to wow me and it didn't at all.
(3)
Landon W.
We happened upon this place on Sunday afternoon as we were getting ready to head out of town to get back to Charlotte. We went with it because - well - it was about the only place around there that was open on a Sunday afternoon. That is another issue in and of itself but I won't get into that. As we walked in, we noticed that the attire of the customers was more formal than we had bargained for. We were dressed pretty casually and felt out of place. Given that it was a Sunday afternoon it was certainly the church crowd. We weren't able to get a table so we headed over to the bar. The bar faces the street and the whole wall behind it is glass so you can look out at the capital building as you eat and drink. Really cool. I ordered the chicken and waffles. They used blue corn in their waffles which was interesting and made them taste like cornbread. It caused the waffles to be really crumbly as I was cutting them with my fork. It was a really good dish but not my favorite incarnation of chicken and waffles. My lady got a BLT and this thing was enormous. We could have split it and been just fine. I really liked that it had goat cheese on it. The sandwich came with fries, and they were delicious. If I'm ever back in the area, I may consider this place again but will be more prepared to deal with the formal atmosphere.
(3)
Rebecca S.
Beautiful decor and setting. A nice restaurant to relax and have a nice meal after a long day. I had the striped bass which was excellent. The prices are are comparable to other high end restaurants and like them the portions are a little smaller. Next time I will order a side as well, but still it was a great meal in a cool restaurant. This place was recommended by a friend and it was a great spot for a work traveler like me who isn't familiar with the area. When you walk up to the door you think you're in the wrong spot, but when you open the door the ambience is very cool. Low lighting and lots of, you guessed it, oak! I would recommend this to friends.
(4)
Elyn B.
I've had two meals at the Oak Table. Lunch with a friend was a great value. The sandwiches showcase some of the unique preparations coming out of the kitchen (such as the house-made charcuterie) for a nice price. Dinner with my husband was more of a splurge but everything tasted great. The service was excellent. I'm dinging a star, though, because the bar is questionable. There are some nice specialty drinks but I'm not sure this really rises to the level of craft cocktails given the lack of knowledge among the bartenders. My husband ordered a sidecar and the drink initially served had Scotch in it! After he complained, it was fixed immediately and with apologies but that seems like a very weird mistake to make for a bar that is trying to distinguish itself. Too bad because they have a nice selection of spirits but maybe on't know what to do with them.
(4)
Brandy W.
Wonderful, amazing dinner at The Oak Table. I love it when the menu is focused, i.e., when make a smaller number of dishes and they make them well. We tried the Creamy Pistachio Soup, charcuterie board, venison, Bavette steak, butterscotch bread pudding, and an amazing pumpkin dessert. The service was fantastic. The food was amazing. I can't remember being this full before ever! I think I know where we're having our anniversary dinner!!!!
(5)
Mary-Regina B.
Every time I look I hear my co-workers talking about "Oak table this and Oak table that". Well now I understand why! This is definitely one of the top restaurants in downtown Columbia. GREAT food, atmosphere, and service. I would recommend it to All.
(5)
Tim P.
I see some negative reviews and I guess everyone can have an off night. Yet, it wasn't an off night for us. Party of 10 served with the ease of a well orchestrated symphony. The food was crafted to perfection, the drinks were refreshing and keep filled and the ambience was uber inviting. We ordered A LOT!!! We ate A LOT!!! It was all FABULOUS!!!
(5)
Robert O.
Tonight we dined at Oak Table and we were very disappointed with the service. This restaurant was recommended to us by our hotel. The waitress did not give us a good welcome and failed to mention the specials for the night. Our meal was ok, but after over hearing the table next to us greeting and specials for the night we felt as though we were deprived of the options to order the special along with our meal. The poor service just added to my wife's emotions of her sisters battling with cancer and a purchased of a gift for her sister that was mishandled by the company. The lack of informing us about the specials was the tipping point. The manager did address us with our concern, but my wife was just overwhelmed by her emotions.
(1)
Rob K.
Grilled swordfish is excellent. The short rib ravioli was also very good. The prices are a little high but the ingredients are fresh and that's worth the expense.
(4)
Melissa F.
The food was delicious! I had the sugo pork and my boyfriend had the Ruben hash. The portions were a good size. Friendly service and yummy cocktails!
(5)
Emily A.
Food is top notch. Truffle fries a must and a port with dessert. Menu changes often so it's always nice to have something new! Staff is friendly and helpful! I brought out if town guest and we stayed super late and they were so kinda to let us chat and slowly enjoy or food!
(5)
Catherine T.
I've now been to Oak Table several times for lunch and dinner. I can now say without a doubt, it is my favorite restaurant in Columbia. For lunch, try the truffle grilled cheese - you won't regret it. It's very rich, so I suggest getting the half sandwich, half salad combo. For drinks - the sugar and spice martini is an absolute favorite. I've never been disappointed in any of their drinks, but this one is just too good to be true. I've had several different entrees here and I appreciate that they change up their menu every so often - it keeps things interesting. I also appreciate the servers knowledge and ability to make recommendations on appetizers and entrees - really the whole menu. The smores dessert is delicious - try it. The service is always excellent, the food is always perfect and they are very accommodating with substitutions and special requests. The portions are also more than you would expect for this type of restaurant. The sides are big enough to split. (The truffle fries are wonderful and there's plenty for everyone.) You can't go wrong at Oak Table - no matter how you order. If I must give one thing I would change, the bar is very small. Such a cool place is such a great spot would benefit from a big bar area. Tip: if you are going for dinner, make a reservation - it's crowded every time I'm there.
(5)
Roger Y.
Food was good but the atmosphere was underwhelming considering the quality of the owners' other places in Charleston. Then again, it's Columbia, so you can't really expect much.
(3)
Stephen K.
Party of 5 for a late brunch. If you haven't been here, stop in for at least a drink. Stunning decor, great atmosphere. Beautiful surroundings, It is not unlike sitting in an art museum. Neat view of the State House across the street. We were met at the door and immediately seated. Place was maybe 25% full. Water and drinks followed quickly. Brunch menu has some interesting choices in addition to the classics. In general, service was friendly and efficient. There seemed to be a lot of help running around. We appeared to have at least two people waiting our table. Even with all that, drinks went unfilled as the meal progressed. I am continually amazed that restaurants can't get this right - get drinks in everyone's hands in less than 5 minutes (preferably 3 minutes) and never, ever let them get below 25%. How tricky can this be? Food quantity/quality/presentation was very good to excellent. The home-fries were tasty. The corn beef hash was good, could have used a little more of the mango - jalapeno hot sauce. I was a little surprised it didn't come with bread. Other than drink refills, the was a very enjoyable meal. I would definitely return. Final tab was a very reasonable $85 including tip. No alcohol in that total.
(4)
Jeff F.
High quality food. Excellent service. Great location. Beautiful view of the capital. Awesome receptionists.
(5)
Ron V.
We went here last night to celebrate my wife and friend's birthday. Nice atmosphere (although the music was very unusual for a nice intimate type dining room). They played some Ryan Adams, Dylan, you name it. My type of music, but again, not what you normally hear for background music at a fine dining establishment. Back to the food now.... the menu is very limited. If you like pasta, forget it, there wasn't a pasta dish on the menu. For appetizers, we ordered pan seared sea scallops ($15) and Risotto with Crispy Tempura SC Shrimp ($13). You get two sea scallops and two tempura shrimp. Pretty expensive prices for two scallops and two shrimp. We thought we were going to share this with the four of us, but had to cut the scallops and shrimp in half to do it. I must say that both appetizers were good though. My wife and I split a Salad that had arugula, toasted walnuts, and a few other items. We both did not care for the salad. For entrees, I had the Cab Bone-in Ribeye ($40) with the truffled frites ($7) as a side. It truly was one of the best steaks I've had in a while and the frites were great. They were served with a smoked ketchup on the side. My wife and friend ordered the Fried Lobster ($32, although their website says $29). I see others say how big the lobster is, but really the amount of lobster meat is not much at all. They fry the whole lobster and after you pick through the light breading and get the meat out it's rather small. My wife said she had about 3 oz of lobster meat. My friend liked his but said he would order something different the next time. His wife ordered the Hanger steak and took most of it home in a doggy bag. It seems that most tables were ordering the fried lobster or the Mac Hamburger. I think all agreed that my Bone-in Ribeye was the best thing between the four of us. We ordered one caramel bread pudding for dessert and split it. It was served with a scoop of ice cream on top with a caramel sauce and the plate was garnished with home made caramel corn and some type of baked apple pieces. The dessert was very good. Service was good. My wife says she would not go back. I would go back but only for the steak. Bottom line - very limited menu, especially for those that like lighter fare (seafoods, grilled food, salads), very pricey (our bill was $312 for four of use (that included 7 glasses of wine).
(2)
Andrew C.
I had the steak and the deep fried lobster. The steak was one of the best I've had anywhere in the country. The lobster was a shock when they said fried lobster I was thinking fried lobster meat not literally taking a full lobster and frying it. But sure enough full lobster and all it's delicious.
(5)
Stan F.
Finally found a great dinner place in Columbia. Had an awesome Rib-Eye that seemed like it just melted in my mouth. Fantastic wine list. Real nice bar. Excellent service. Not sure what more you would want out of a restaurant.
(5)
Marvelous O.
It's been a long time since I had a meal that was so insanely good that I wanted to continue eating once full. I ordered the mushroom with grits plate for brunch And couldn't have loved it more. My husband and I shared the sticky roll which was also delicious with not too sweet of icing. He had the burger. Both if his items were well above average. Side note, the gal at the front acted a little surprised we didn't have reservations and said she would fit us in although it never got that busy while we were eating. So I would call ahead next time as a courtesy since apparently they frowned upon our impromptu visit.
(5)
Karen R.
Great restaurant! It is refreshing to find a place where people put a little more effort into how they dress up. The food was amazing, I has the deep fried lobster which was huge and delicious. My friend had the burger and he swears is the best he ever had. I love the atmosphere, the friendly staff, the drinks, and the food. Highly recommend the place for those seeking a romantic or business dinner. Or just because you want to treat yourself.
(5)
Linda K.
I ordered a steak burger with truffled frites. The burger was PERFECT, The fries were so good they did not need ketchup, My sis ordered steak and that was good too! We really enjoyed everything! I like how the restaurants chef has his own name card too, it sea more professional. The service was awesome!! This is a formal dining style restaurant but My sis was in gym shorts and I was just in a tshirt and jeans and none of the staffed treated or looked at us in a bad way. The waitress was amazing too. Good service and high quality food! We'll be back :)
(5)
Emily E.
Two words: Go there! It has a gorgeous view of the Statehouse and plenty of outdoor seating which I will definitely be taking advantage of once the weather warms up. It's very cute inside and attire is dressy. I tried the lobster sandwich which was very juicy and flavorful on a soft brioche bun. The truffle frites are amazing as a side. It's on the pricey side, but worth every penny.
(5)
Paul B.
The service was excellent and the atmosphere is upscale and gives off a "big city" feel. However, that feel extends to diners being on top of one another and no such thing as a private conversation. The menu is small and doesn't have much variety. Entrees were well prepared, but the sides were not edible. Everything is expensive. Wine selection is good and the cocktails are truly excellent. This is a great bar. Next visit will only be for drinks.
(3)
Andy J.
Snapper was excellent. Other reviews discuss lack of portion size, which I disagree. Portions are appropriate for the type of restaurant, this isn't Cracker Barrel. Price seems right on. It's not cheap but for the quality and type of food I think it's reasonable. Menu is a bit small but I'd rather have 5-6 quality choices rather than two dozen mediocre ones.
(4)
Mindy K.
We went here on Thanksgiving. Most of us had the special Thanksgiving meal. It was too expensive and wasn't that great. I felt as though we got some snotty looks for the way we were dressed. The bartender lady was shower nice and friendly though.
(2)
Tabitha S.
Great food, service, and ambience! Can't wait to return !
(5)
John C.
Came in to tour USC. Drove 4 hours and stopped here for a quick lunch before the tour. Ordered a 10.00 salad, added fish for another 10.00, 20.00 for one person lunch. WOW. Fish wasn't even cooked completely. Returned it to get cooked again. Slow service and was late for our tour. Will find somewhere else to go next time we come back. I would advise u do the same.
(2)
Lindsey G.
Nathan and his team are knowledgeable, service oriented and friendly. Great atmosphere and view. Wonderful food and bar. A must for lunch, happy hour and dinner.
(5)
John W.
Went there for a business lunch with a party of 6. The food and service was excellent. Would go there again.
(5)
Justin K.
Excellent service, great atmosphere, but hey, I came for the food. Whoever is in charge of the salt shaker in the kitchen needs to be horse whipped. The excellent quality potatoes and vegetables were painfully over-salted. Instead of enjoying my nice red wine with the excellent and perfectly cooked steak, I was kept busy guzzling water to avoid terminal sodium imbalance. What a shame. Coffee was cold, too, though cheerfully and quickly replaced. Dinner roll was disappointing, but that's true at every restaurant I've tried in Columbia, even though there are now a few pretty good local bakeries.
(3)
Raven M.
Great food, but we got there with a huge crowd of parents in town for parents' weekend at USC, so the service was slow. On a normal SUnday, it would be an outstanding place for brunch.
(5)
Erik E.
Great spot! I was on vacation in Columbia and friends brought me to The Oak Table for dinner. We ordered several appetizers and split an entree. The food was delicious and just the right size. I see that a lot of people bad mouth the portion size, but I really think its nice not having to over eat and was completely satisfied after the meal. Its about quality not quantity. Service was awesome too!
Very disappointing. Four of us went for brunch. Great atmosphere, great coffee, the rest was very generic. Three of us ordered meat dishes (pork belly sandwich, angus beef sandwich, "Mac's" hamburger...all of which were lukewam, at best, and lacked any flavor. Adding a lot of salt and pepper at the table helped a little. The City Roots salad with egg was good. Won't go back for brunch, will give dinner a try. Hopefully it'll be worth the trip.
(2)
Steven H.
Very disappointed. I had high hopes, as I love Oak in Charleston and this is a sister restaurant. The service was absoultely horrible. Drinks took FOREVER, and then one of my party received the wrong drink. We had to explain to server that Scotch & Water is NOT the same as Scotch & Soda. I started with the Lamb Ravioli and it was EXCELLENT! So good in fact, I decided to have more lamb and ordered the Roasted Lamb strip cut. It was not good. Tough and with the mint couscous, had an unbalanced flavor. I ate a few bites. The waiter never asked if my meal was OK, I didn't offer my opinion on the entree as I turned to my drink. Overall, a very ho-hum experience. The wait staff needs some schooling.
(2)
Sean A.
Had an excellent Sunday brunch with some friends. The fritters were good, and the steak and eggs entree was awesome, especially the sauce drizzled on top. Our server, Abby (if I remember correctly) did a great job. I'll definitely be going back!
(5)
Norma Q.
Service was fair. I told the waitress we were celebrating a birthday and she did not put a candle on the dessert. Do not order cappuccino it is not made properly. Overall disappointed
(2)
Abe L.
Well I can't really say anything good about this place. I have been here several times and it just keeps getting worse. I repeat "IT GETS WORSE." They are over priced for the quality of food they serve, that is if they can even cook it correctly. I have had the duck breast which was undercooked. The $42 cab rib steak which is about 75% fat and is never cooked to the right temp (get ready to eat raw meat if you dare ordered this cooked medium). The chef obviously has a problem with salt - I figure it's just to cover up the low quality food. I am really disappointed with this place and I will not be returning. And a side note, the glasses of wine are immensely small in comparison to other restaurants in town. BOTTOM LINE WHEN YOU READ THE STAFFS BIO'S ON THERE WEB SITE IT'S NOT MATCHING UP WITH THE QUALITY AND SERVICE OF FOOD YOU GET? And MR Moody claims to have worked @ coblestone park country club in sumter, no such place, it's in blythewood sc? look @ the web page? I also want to say it starts at the door everytime i have been there the Hostess seem to be confused. I find this place one big window dressed up. The web site is not even up to date with prices and what they offer. Example onion rings, they said they could not figure out how to keep the batter on them when i asked, what an excuse, and the cab steak on line is for $31.
(1)
Ellen E.
I live in the Charleston area and went to Columbia to see an Art show at the Museum there. We went to Oak Table for lunch. The restaurant is beautiful, bright and elegant, with walls and tables of old oak, finished elegantly. The food was extraordinary nd served in an inviting selection of dishes, enhancig the presentation of wonderfully (lightly/perfectly) dressed cobb salad with high-end lettuces and watercress, tasty hot tomato bisque, outstanding corned beef/pastrmi sandwich with crispy truffle fried potato, and chocolate dessert that may be described as "Death by Chocolate" because you could die for it, not from it....This entire eperience matches New York's BEST (I am from New York and spend many weeks up North). Service was impeccable, parking garage next door, gorgeous view of State House through enormous glass windows. This is a treat, well priced, worth the trip. We shall definitely plan a return trip tpo Oak Table. Congratulations to Chef, Staff, owner....a gem.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Valet, Garage, Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Tanay N.
I don't eat burgers too often but I was in the mood for one and after reading others raving about the burger here, we headed to Oak Table. Best burger I've ever had. Everything about it is perfect. The truffle fries that come with the burger are a generous portion and are amazing as well! I raved about it for a while after... The charcuterie is also very good, especially the pate. The trofie pasta was alright, and usually that'd cost a star but not when it's the best burger I've ever had :)
(5)Andrea R.
It is with a great sadness that I have to update my review...considering how much I bragged about the Nueske's Bacon in my original review I felt it misleading to send you here expecting the most delicious bacon only to be disappointed. The Oak Table recently acquired a new chef that apparently hates rainbows, laughing children and sunshine...he removed the Nueske's Bacon from the menu. Pause for a moment of silence. I think it had something to do with the cost of acquiring some of the ingredients from faraway lands or perhaps he is a life ruiner, can't be sure. But what I am sure of is that I can no longer let my rarely given 5-star approval appear before you. Considering that now I have not tried anything from this new menu a real review of the food will have to wait. Until then I'll be in a state of mourning and searching for something delicious to make my taste buds happy once more.
(2)Matthew P.
I went her with my girlfriend on her birthday, and we were delighted by how friendly and engaging the staff members were - especially our waitress. To our surprise, she brought out a cheese tray and provided a complimentary dessert after eating (which we were too full for but ate anyways) on the house. The rating I'm providing is based on 1) the level of customer service and care and 2) the quality of the food we ordered. Both were really, really good. Menu options are limited here, but be mindful of the fact that this means the chefs are able to devote careful attention to meal prep and presentation. My only issue is with the layout of the place (which is still very inviting). The sections designated for 2 are tightly-packed (tables are much more conversation-friendly) and the intimacy of the date can be lost because you're ultimately forced to overhear your neighbor's conversation.
(4)Rick T.
On my recent visit here I tried the charcuterie board and was not impressed. The shredded quail had a far too many bones and the chicken liver was really salty. The only thing I liked was the mustard and the roasted peach salsa to put on the bread. Now the deserts here are definitely worth the hassle of parking on Main st. okay ! The chocolate bone marrow ice cream with smoked cake was executed with time and precision. The flavors exploded in my mouth and had me wanting to lick the board the dish was served on. The butterscotch bread pudding was also a home run and I would highly recommend it to future diners. So it was a roller coaster dinning experience from meh to oh yeah ! As I left feeling satisfied a few steps out the door and I was hugged by some drunk homeless guy asking me to play a round of golf, well only on Main Street can you find this kind of entertainment.
(3)Manoucheka A.
I couldn't be happier with my service and the food was really fantastic. I had the flank steak and it was the perfect meal served on top of a delicious salad. The staff was as nice as could be. I highly recommend it! It was on the pricier side but definitely worth it! I went back to this restaurant and it was an even better experience. Have the burger, it was EVERYTHING!!!!!!!
(5)Brandy B.
I've only been once. We decided to go on a Saturday night when plans fell through for an out of town trip to Charlotte (we were planning on indulging aka pigging out at a few "upscale" restaurants there), and I still wanted my fix and remembered Oak Table. I booked our reservation around 4pm for 6pm through the yelp app (really cool and convenient). We arrived around 5:40 and found a spot right on main just a little ways down!!!! We were greeted by the hostess who was accompanied by a server, I told her we had reservations, she confirmed them, said something to the server who then started walking off without any transition (no, "ok you guys can follow him," or "ok, please come with me I'll seat you."), the hostess THEN apologized and said, "oh you can go with him." The restaurant was empty - which kind of worried me initially (considering they opened at 5pm). Our server came over introduced himself and quickly left (that was his tone for the rest of the evening as well). We ordered specialty cocktails to start, then 3 apps, 2 entrees, and dessert (see pics). My bf really treated me and I think we got a complete Oak Table dining experience. I realllllllly loved the truffle frites and calamari. I never got a warm sincere feeling from the server - he got the job done... but it just wasn't what I was expecting from a server at a fine dining restaurant (the manager came by twice throughout our time there to check on us and he seemed more enthused on finding out about our experience than the server). The ambiance is gorgeous, the view isn't too bad either (I'm sure it'll be even better once the tree is up at the state house). The place was almost packed by the time we walked out, a little after 7pm (so go early if you want to beat the crowds). I'm glad I was finally able to check The Oak Table off my list... on to the next!
(4)Ryan G.
Thought it would be better based on reviews. Definitely underwhelmed. Had deep fried lobster and wife had pork chop. Both were just ok.
(3)Donald S.
Friendly staff. The truffle fries were excellent. A tasty unexpected surprise? The smoked ketchup!!
(4)Will C.
Definitely a higher class, higher budget sort of place. They have valet parking during the busy hours for those that prefer that to the plentiful street parking around it. The cocktails are very thoughtful and delicious - but you pay the price as many of the cocktails are north of $10. I visited for a couple drinks and an appetizer and the food was just as thoughtful and well executed as the drink. Definitely a good place when you don't mind shelling out some extra money. The extra dough definitely yields a better experience than restaurants and here the premium is worth it. Plenty of outside seating too!
(4)Amber J.
I took my husband here for his birthday and we were underwhelmed. The menu had very few choices. The steak options were limited for it to be a "steakhouse". I got the fried lobster which was a whole entire lobster that had to be cracked open. Difficult and messy. The few bites of lobster I got was good but not worth the fight in a so called nice restaurant. The mashed potatoes and salad were underneath the lobster making it messy and impossible to eat. Our waiter didn't know any specifics about the menu and there were no specials offered. He didn't ask us what we wanted to drink and when we asked for a drink he acted irritated. We will not be back.
(2)Ann Marie D.
Dined here before a recent concert. Like many of the Vista/Main St. Area restaurants it has a vibrant bar scene. Mostly professionals. They offer indoor and outdoor dining. It isn't a large space, but the decor and layout does not feel cramped. Our dining experience was not rushed. They give you time to enjoy yourself. The rolls they brought were delicious. Drinks reasonably priced. No apps this time, but for entrees we had the pork chop and the half chicken. Both were delicious and generously portioned. I asked to sub. The greens and another side that were offered with the chicken for asparagus. They happily accommodated me, at a $3.00 up charge. Cited to the difference in food cost. For dessert we split the S'mores. It was delicious. Our server was pleasant and professional, and overall we enjoyed our dining experience.
(4)Tonya P.
The Oak Table is kicking ass and taking names. I met some clients for Sunday Brunch and was blown away with my super nice server, Eric. When I ordered my sparkling, I always order my preference but then say, I will also drink what was opened last because flat bubbles are not my jam. I heard him pop the cork for my glass! Cha-ching. Thank you Eric and baby Jesus in the manger. I was seated first waiting for my couple to show up and Eric went over the menu with me and we decided on the Reuben Hash with sunny side eggs. Please and thank you. All around great experience, I got nothin' but love for ya baby. Can't wait for next visit!
(5)Henry S.
The food, drinks, and service were amazing. The Red Snapper was life changing and the Lumber Jack was made just right. The ambiance is upscale but still comfortable and the chef even came out and talked with us for a little while. If you're ever in Columbia please do yourself a favor a make a reservation.
(4)Furman L.
This is a fantastic restaurant in the heart of downtown Columbia. Would highly recommend for business dinners. Really enjoy the atmosphere and outstanding service. Menu is perfect.
(5)Robert V.
There aren't enough occasions to dress up and go out in Columbia, but this is one of them. The Oak Table is part of Columbia's fine dining circuit, so I highly recommend it for special occasions, or business meetings. The location is great on Main St and perfect for happy hour, dinner, and then follow-on drinks at Bourbon across the street. We started out with a delicious beef carpaccio, a couple glasses of red, and then enjoyed an excellent ribeye. Dessert consisted of an espresso and cheesecake, and the staff was nice enough to hold onto our leftovers for a couple hours while we met friends for drinks at Bourbon afterward!
(5)Travis L.
This place rocks from the bar to the kitchen... Food was spot on and the bar tenders r impeccable. Being in the business for over 20 years and having a business for 10. The girls r the perfect pick for this open and inviting bar So glade we found this hidden gem.
(5)Lea L.
The Oak Table is a relatively new and trendy spot, perfectly situated in downtown Columbia across from the state house. Dishing up their interpretation of "modern American cuisine for progressive palates," you'll find everything from Deep Fried Lobster to Ricotta Gnudi on the menu. Ignore people who give poor ratings because they weren't appropriately dressed. Excuse me if this is a bit harsh, but isn't that YOUR fault? It is obvious that Oak Table is more formal and you shouldn't let your poor planning affect your review. End rant. Anyways..... The decor is delightful - industrial rustic with a modern edge, including ceiling high windows behind the bar. Five stars for decor and ambience. Beware, the bar boasts a perfect view of the statehouse across the street, which can mean front row seats to whatever protest is happening! Makes for some pretty interesting people watching... I have been here a few times and have some dishes that deserve 5-star rating and some that deserve 1. The Citrus Riccotta fritter (keep reading) being a 5, and the Eggs-In-Purgatory a 1. The eggs in the eggs-in-purgatory were undercooked and scary too eat. Mind you this dish is essentially marinara, cheese, eggs, and bread. Not a whole lot going on. The service and food at Oak Table has been extremely inconsistent, which is apparent from the mediocre ratings. During my first visit, our party of four for brunch had to send back 3 out of 4 plates. Important to note, we did receive an apology and were compensated for the mistakes. To be completely honest, I'm surprised I returned after my first visit, but I'm sure glad I did. I have to say, the Citrus Ricotta Fritters were my favorite thing I have eaten at Oak Table so far. They were prepared perfectly, crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. They came dusted with just a touch of powdered sugar, and served with a tangy blood orange house jam. Although the Citrus Ricotta Fritters stole the show, I also enjoyed the Hash Brown Quesadilla which was a messy but delectable choice. This mexican-inspired brunch dish was served with white cheddar, caramelized onions, chipotle-lime smoked ketchup, soft scrambled eggs, and cilantro crème fraiche. I'd give this dish a 4. Another star off for the service. We sat at the bar because we didn't want to wait to be seated and wanted to enjoy the beautiful view of the statehouse. Ten minutes later I finally went to the host stand and grabbed our own menus because it was clear the ONE BARTENDER ON A BUSY SUNDAY MORNING (?!) wasn't going to. After toying with my decision I've settled on a 3 based on my first two visits.
(3)Christina F.
Very pleased with the service (bartender O.P. made me feel at home and great service.) I went with a three course small plate trio. Citrus Salad, Pan Scallops and finished off with the Pastrami Pork Belly. All were delicious! They are small plates, but very tasty. Monday is half priced bottles of wine so take advantage!
(5)Tanner B.
Been here for Sunday Brunch a few times now and it has yet to disappoint! The Fritters are a must have.. One of those things you bite into and I get this warm fuzzy feeling on the inside! Have no idea what is in them but whatever it is my only explanation is that they've crammed it with "AMAZEBALLS". Maybe they should think of renaming them!? I will take full credit of course! Anyways both times for my main course I have got the cheeseburger and both times It has been cooked to perfection! Hoping to go to dinner here soon and to update my review!
(5)Brandà M.
I loved this restaurant. My husband took me here as a date night surprise and it didn't disappoint-at all. The atmosphere is perfect for a night out. The service was spectacular and the food was superb. I didn't even really know what we were ordering, but it arrived and it was beautiful and it tasted even better. Not to mention the cocktails were off-the-hook. We went a few months ago so my apologies for not remembering exactly what we had....but I think I went with a seafood dish and my husband with a steak and they were both phenomenal. And dessert was pretty much to die-for.....He had the marrow dessert and I had the bread pudding. I'm not much for bread pudding.....But this.....it was art. In my mouth. I will be going back and you should too!
(5)Leigh-Ann F.
Had a great first experience here! The atmosphere is perfect, and the wait staff is so friendly-our waitress (I think her name was Jessica?) found out it was my birthday, and proceeded to bring us a cheese board AND finished us off with some incredible ice cream samples in shot glasses...she really was so kind! Now, though, about the food. Unique ingredients (a lot of which I couldn't pronounce, but that's an un-cultured college kid for you) but whoever the chefs are know exactly what they're doing. I'm telling you, this place was too fancy for me, but I loved it! I will definitely return, and actually would love to try their lunch/brunch. Thank you, Oak Table, for a wonderful birthday dinner!
(5)Angie W.
Dang....that was good! Drinks: Definitely try the "lumberjack" but my favorite is "legends of the fall" Appetizer: Scallops for starters Dinner: Wreckfish Hanger Steak Our waiter looked like James Franco and was super nice to us and knew the menu really well. The atmosphere was awesome! The GM stopped by and checked on us. All together a nice evening.
(5)Grace M.
I absolutely love this restaurant. It has has a great view of the Statehouse at the bar and outside on the patio area which is also he did turn the colder seasons. My favorite thing to get as an appetizer is definitely the charcuterie board. When it comes to my entrée I typically get the pork or the deep fried lobster which is absolutely amazing. The deep fried lobster is also gigantic. I typically stick to those two but my friend who got the chicken said it was amazing and my father usually get the porterhouse and that's also great (i've stolen a few bites of each). They have a great drink selection as well as a decent wine and beer list. When it comes to dessert, I love getting the s'mores or whatever they have to offer seasonally. But you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu (in terms of all food). The service is great and everyone is very friendly I especially love Rachel. She's extremely knowledgeable and very personable.
(5)Richard C.
I was expecting a lot more based on the reviews here. For the price point, I left disappointed. Had 4 different cocktails (all $10+) between my girlfriend and I, and not one I would order again. The food was good, but overpriced for what it was. Sitting at the bar would give you a beautiful view of the state house, probably a good way to start the night for out of towners, but many better places to get dinner for the price point.
(2)K W.
I was not impressed with my cold NY Strip, our substandard server or the pretentious "them bones" dessert. First of all, our server spilled my wine on the table and never cleaned it up. We had to ask the hostess for more bread because our server was nowhere to be found. My medium rare steak was cold. And there is nothing appetizing about eating less than an ounce of ice cream out of sawed off femur bones with sprinkles of cake crumbs. Really?!?!?! This was my first and last time in this space with a great view. The $300.00 tab was not justifiable for the quality of food and wait staff. My $35 tip was tooooo generous.
(2)Tallulah Jean M.
Fantastic wine list and hand crafted cocktails! The farm to table menu is always fresh, always changing and some really cool unique options. The service has always been wonderful and they have a bread pudding that will blow your mind! This is one of the best restaurants in Columbia. It's a must!
(5)Kate M.
I've lived in and visited dozens of places where Yelp is a great guide to where I want to eat and drink and get my hair cut, but sometimes (especially in the south), Yelp is underused or misused to the point of actual failure. In the case of the Oak Table, this is especially evident. I have no idea why this place has been so poorly rated and reviewed. It's true, I have only been there once, but so have a bunch of the other Yelp reviewers. I looked it up on another popular review site and found it was highly rated, with dozens more reviews. What is it with Yelp reviewers? How are you so critical about this one restaurant when it's still better than the majority of the others nearby? Anyway, we sat at the bar, so I can't really comment on the waitstaff, but the bartender was great and the general manager stopped by to ask us how we were enjoying our meal. The food was fantastic. We had a scallop ceviche that was stellar. I had to wrestle it out of my beau's greedy, greedy fists. The "chick-a-rones" were awesome -- a salty chickenskin treat. The cheese and charcuterie plate was really delicious. Our cocktails were great, too. They have a very decent cocktail program, which is more than I can say for the rest of the "good cocktail" places in Columbia. My guy's rye Manhattan had a dried cherry that had been rehydrated in booze. YUM! Contrast that against his cherry from the night before, which was a red sugar bomb bought in a gallon jug from Sysco.
(4)Dale C.
If you get your food it probably will be good but after 15 minutes of being ignored at the bar and when the person who just walked in and sat down beside us got served we decided to walk out. May try to go back but it will be awhile.
(1)Peri E.
Better than a the best! I have been in this city a couple times and I finally found something I really like! The food here is very delicious. The steak was pretty much "state of the art"! (And I'm not a foodie for say).... And probably the best pork belly of all time for me! I was very satisfy with the service and the Monday night half wine to top that was a pretty unbeatable deal...Highly recommended
(5)Nat C.
It's a great place for a nice dinner, the pomme frites are a definite. Yes, it is pricey, but I think splurging now and then is necessary. Great view of the statehouse if you can get it.
(4)Scott P.
I love this place for brunch. The cost is so reasonable especially in comparison to their dinner prices. Great service from host to server. The menu is at once familiar but ingredients are esoteric (to me) which makes the tastes interesting and exciting. Y'all come
(5)Stacey L.
Made a last minute Sunday brunch reservation at the Oak Table and was not disappointed. The waiter helped me choose chicken and waffles and it was an excellent choice. The chicken was crispy with a tangy sauce accompanied by four pieces of thick waffle dripping in honey. Excellent brunch.
(4)Gia J.
One word: sticky bun. Get it!!!! Perfect for sharing. The service was great, we also did the blue corn waffle with chicken which was great. I would definitely give them more business. The cocktail menu was pretty long so I plan on trying those next. A great view of Columbia!
(5)Gina B.
I have dined at the restaurant before and something has changed. Went for "brunch" which is mostly breakfast items. This was to celebrate a friend's birthday. Ordered Mimosas but there was no fizz at all. I think the champagne was flat. I had a glorified bacon, egg and cheese sandwich served on a brioche bun. It was good but not special. The truffle fries were cold--so cold that the cheese sprinkled on top never melted. My guest had eggs and lobster. The plate came with scrambled eggs and some lobster thrown in. The plate was half empty--no attempt to garnish. We had coffee afterwards. Service was quite slow and from the temperature of the food I suspect had been sitting for a while. For this meal I paid $63 not including tip. I don't know that I will visit again...at least during brunch.
(2)Josh H.
Great food. Atmosphere can be a little stuffy, though not overly so. But dressing up a little (even though a jacket is not required here) is sometimes what you want in an evening, so this would be a place to go when you want that sort of atmosphere. They serve the best grits I've ever had. They're served in a cast iron pot and have garlic chunks in them and they're amazing. The bavette steak for brunch is also very very good and tender.
(4)Sam V.
Service, atmosphere, and food.
(5)Arlene D.
We had my husband's birthday here because of the steak and it did not disappoint! Delicious!! The gnudi appetizer pass on it, it was not good, but the scallops and grilled peach salad appetizers were great! The half chicken was delicious and the tilefish a little overcooked but tasty. The desserts were all good as well. Staff excellent.
(4)J S.
Excellent service resounded through my visit to Oak Table. I was here on business and to entertain a client. Our entire experience was 5 stars, and exceeded my expectations. The operator of this fine establishment was clearly well trained, and could thrive anywhere including New York City. I cleaned all of my plates that I was rewarded with and did not feel sick from eating too much. The view of the capitol building across the street was framed by floor to ceiling windows, a cool bar, and a relatively simple but attractive design. I had a salmon dish that was excellent and a few bites of a chocolate dessert. Hope to be back soon.
(5)P D.
Great find. I will definitely return if I'm ever in town again. Each dish was carefully composed and well thought out. Service was amazing!
(5)Rachel O.
Delicious food in a beautiful atmosphere! Today was the first of many visits for sure. The Oak Table is a new restaurant that opened in September. (Main Street just keeps getting better and better!) From their FB page: " The Oak Table serves modern American cuisine with a high level of hospitality, service and excellence under the helm of executive chef Joseph Jacobson." I met a friend for lunch to check it out. The dining area is beautiful and the front window looks out on to the State House. We ordered the pimento cheese appetizer. I used to have a strong aversion to all pimento cheese but then found one I liked and looked forward to at another local restaurant. It's cold, delicious and goes so well with pita chips. The Oak Table pimento cheese is now my new favorite. It is a warm dish with a little bit of kick and sprinkled with bacon crumbles. It's more of a fine spread than a chunky cheese. It's served with toast. We shared it but I could have eaten it all by myself! If you go (and you should) then you must get it! For lunch I had The Mac Burger - medium well and frites. The burger was perfect. I don't know that I've had a better one. The frites were dusted with Parmesan and were a bit heavy on the salt but still tasty (I ate them all so I'm not complaining). The menu is a bit limited in number but you won't have a problem finding something worth writing home (or Yelping) about. The Oak Table serves lunch, dinner and brunch on Sundays. Be sure to check out the Sunday Supper specials too! I wonder if you can get the pimento cheese at brunch. Hmmmm... I'm sure I'll find out soon!
(4)Adam B. J.
Like its Charleston counter parts, the Oak Table is exquisite. Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner are all top notch! The whole fried lobster (when in season) is the best lobster in SC. The Reuben hash at brunch is unique and amazing. I'm not a desert person, but their bread puddings are worth saving room for. The service is always great, and the decor is beautiful. There are several fine dining places to eat in Columbia, but this is a fine dining experience. The knowledgeable staff will help you if you are having a tough time deciding what you want. I love that the menu is always changing and evolving. If you've seen it on food network and want to try it, this is probably where you can. Bone marrow, charcuterie, great steaks, seafood, etc. The Oak Table is where you want to go. The view of the SC Statehouse is gorgeous. Great beer, wine, and spirits list. Exciting cocktails, fine single malts, and single barrel whiskeys. Local brews on tap! Top tier place to dine if you are in the soda city!
(5)Leslie S.
Sunday brunch was incredible! Fresh beautifully prepared and so delicious. We had the steak with chimichurri sauce roasted Brussel sprouts perfectly poached egg, corned beef hash with a mustard vinaigrette, roasted potatoes and eggs. Also a perfect mid rare angus burger with truffle French fries sprinkled with Parmesan were to die for! Also had crepes and pimento cheese dip which were incredible! Our waitress Rachel along with all the other staff could not have been more welcoming and attentive without being overbearing. We could not have asked for a better dining experience!
(5)Bret A.
The Oak Table sits right across the street from the courthouse in downtown. Park at 1221 Main garage and they can validate your parking. The feeling when you walk in is natural wood and glass with bar and table seating - very open - as well as a very nice outside patio for dining outside on nice days. The service is excellent - extremely friendly and accommodating. I was on a tight schedule and they made sure everything was taken care of and on time. The menu offerings range from salads$11 to burgers $12 to seafood $varies. I tried the steak and potato frites $16. The steak was tender and a good cut and very lightly flavored. It could have used more flavor for my taste, but was definitely good. The potato fries were crispy, crunchy and sprinkled with shaved parmesan cheese and truffle oil - excellent - definitely make sure your order includes this item! A solid lunch place. Next time, I will definitely sit outside and enjoy a beautiful day!
(3)V V.
I am vegetarian and even though their menu does not have many options for me, the chef made an amazing vegetarian dish just for me. They also have amazing side dishes. Also, the service is beyond amazing - very high class - love this place!!!
(5)Jeff B.
I have been here twice and I have been very impressed both times. Clearly a leader ib the Columbia food scene. I have just about eaten my way through the menu. I'm so happy that they are here. Just great food and service.
(5)Keith K.
Times here: 4, alas. Eaten twice, done the bar-thing twice. On bad days, Oak Table is borderline offensive. Average on the best days. If your idea of a good time is being served overpriced, 'just okay' food by needlessly snooty "I graduated with a BS in Communications from South Carolina, what have you done with your life?" servers, all within spitting distance of the glorious Confederate Middle Finger to Minorities Monument, then the Oak Table is the place for you. The food isn't *bad*, but like 70% of the other so-called 'high gloss' establishments in Columbia, you're left wondering what you're paying for. $32 dollars for a 'whole, deep fried lobster', after the Great Lobster Spawn of 2013 has pushed prices down to a 20 year low is silly. $39 for a Certified Angus (!!!) Ribeye and potato gratin seems... suspect. This is Columbia, after all. Granted, the rent cannot be cheap. The restaurant has always been clean, although oddly lit and loud. (Columbia has a fetish for loud restaurants, and has not taken to acoustic damping even yet.) The cocktails, I am sorry to say, ARE bad, and expensive. By all means, drop $10 for a disgusting combination of one middle-shelf liquor, 3 sweet and one bizarre ("hickory water") ingredients, shaken together and served over a heaping handful of inappropriate "McDonalds" style ice... ugh. The drinks all sail towards the sweet and thin, with the lack of good liquor masked by sugared additions and watered down to boot. Save your booze-money for the superior Motor Supply just down the street, or better yet, take that $10 to The Gin Joint or Husk Bar in Charleston and have a superb, memorable drink made by people who care. Probably the last straw for me, of which there are several to choose from, was when I sat at the bar with 4 friends - us being the only people at the bar in a relatively empty restaurant - and were forced to perform the humiliating and ludicrous Columbia Restaurant Service Flail, which really means asking for Every Single Thing and not getting it, reminding the 'server' what you ordered, and generally coaxing them through the act of upselling you on additional items. In our case, this night in October it proceeded as so: ******************* Players enter and sit at an empty bar. The night outside is dark and full of terrors, but inside is warm and woody. The Confederate Memorial sneers at you (audience) from across Gervais St, and you think you hear a ghostly voice mutter something you can't quite make out, except for the words: "rise again" Players: Hey, can we get some water, drink menus and napkins? Thanks. 10 minutes later: Hot dog! Water at last. I bet it is going to be super excellent because it must have been a really deep well you had to lower your tiny bucket down into, those take a while, totally understand. Can we order some alcohol? We CAN? Awesome! 15 minutes pass: Hey, we'd like to place a food order, and where are our drinks, oh, they're on the way, cool, it looked like you were just standing in the corner texting, but maybe you were mixing drinks with your foot, or... you know, I honestly don't know how any of this 'service' stuff works! Drinks arrive! Wow, that's a lot of ice, but my drink sure is extra cold! Sip. Wait, can we send this drink back, it's intensely syrupy, thanks, oh, can we have some food menus? We can get a single food menu? It must be our lucky day. Cool. Thanks. 50 minutes in: Can we get a water refill when you have a chance? Is that 'bartender' really still playing on her phone instead of mixing us drinks? Hm. Wow, these shoestring fries are really salty. Wish I had more water, but I'm sure that's a very important text she's sending. Oh good, she comes... oh no, she just walked by all of us on her way out of the bar. Wait here is someone else! Hey, can we split checks? Can we get the check? Eventually? Ok. Can we have some more water? I guess you not bringing any means no. I just dropped $28 dollars for 2 drinks that were studies in mediocrity and some salt-fries? That's fantastic! I love my life! 80 minutes after we've begun: Oh yes, we had a lovely time, thanks, here's your gratuity for service, have a great evening!
(2)Simon T.
Truffle oil. Duck fat. These are the things that matter if you want great fries.
(4)Abby B.
The staff was very friendly and it was a nice ambience, but for the price I expected the food to wow me and it didn't at all.
(3)Landon W.
We happened upon this place on Sunday afternoon as we were getting ready to head out of town to get back to Charlotte. We went with it because - well - it was about the only place around there that was open on a Sunday afternoon. That is another issue in and of itself but I won't get into that. As we walked in, we noticed that the attire of the customers was more formal than we had bargained for. We were dressed pretty casually and felt out of place. Given that it was a Sunday afternoon it was certainly the church crowd. We weren't able to get a table so we headed over to the bar. The bar faces the street and the whole wall behind it is glass so you can look out at the capital building as you eat and drink. Really cool. I ordered the chicken and waffles. They used blue corn in their waffles which was interesting and made them taste like cornbread. It caused the waffles to be really crumbly as I was cutting them with my fork. It was a really good dish but not my favorite incarnation of chicken and waffles. My lady got a BLT and this thing was enormous. We could have split it and been just fine. I really liked that it had goat cheese on it. The sandwich came with fries, and they were delicious. If I'm ever back in the area, I may consider this place again but will be more prepared to deal with the formal atmosphere.
(3)Rebecca S.
Beautiful decor and setting. A nice restaurant to relax and have a nice meal after a long day. I had the striped bass which was excellent. The prices are are comparable to other high end restaurants and like them the portions are a little smaller. Next time I will order a side as well, but still it was a great meal in a cool restaurant. This place was recommended by a friend and it was a great spot for a work traveler like me who isn't familiar with the area. When you walk up to the door you think you're in the wrong spot, but when you open the door the ambience is very cool. Low lighting and lots of, you guessed it, oak! I would recommend this to friends.
(4)Elyn B.
I've had two meals at the Oak Table. Lunch with a friend was a great value. The sandwiches showcase some of the unique preparations coming out of the kitchen (such as the house-made charcuterie) for a nice price. Dinner with my husband was more of a splurge but everything tasted great. The service was excellent. I'm dinging a star, though, because the bar is questionable. There are some nice specialty drinks but I'm not sure this really rises to the level of craft cocktails given the lack of knowledge among the bartenders. My husband ordered a sidecar and the drink initially served had Scotch in it! After he complained, it was fixed immediately and with apologies but that seems like a very weird mistake to make for a bar that is trying to distinguish itself. Too bad because they have a nice selection of spirits but maybe on't know what to do with them.
(4)Brandy W.
Wonderful, amazing dinner at The Oak Table. I love it when the menu is focused, i.e., when make a smaller number of dishes and they make them well. We tried the Creamy Pistachio Soup, charcuterie board, venison, Bavette steak, butterscotch bread pudding, and an amazing pumpkin dessert. The service was fantastic. The food was amazing. I can't remember being this full before ever! I think I know where we're having our anniversary dinner!!!!
(5)Mary-Regina B.
Every time I look I hear my co-workers talking about "Oak table this and Oak table that". Well now I understand why! This is definitely one of the top restaurants in downtown Columbia. GREAT food, atmosphere, and service. I would recommend it to All.
(5)Tim P.
I see some negative reviews and I guess everyone can have an off night. Yet, it wasn't an off night for us. Party of 10 served with the ease of a well orchestrated symphony. The food was crafted to perfection, the drinks were refreshing and keep filled and the ambience was uber inviting. We ordered A LOT!!! We ate A LOT!!! It was all FABULOUS!!!
(5)Robert O.
Tonight we dined at Oak Table and we were very disappointed with the service. This restaurant was recommended to us by our hotel. The waitress did not give us a good welcome and failed to mention the specials for the night. Our meal was ok, but after over hearing the table next to us greeting and specials for the night we felt as though we were deprived of the options to order the special along with our meal. The poor service just added to my wife's emotions of her sisters battling with cancer and a purchased of a gift for her sister that was mishandled by the company. The lack of informing us about the specials was the tipping point. The manager did address us with our concern, but my wife was just overwhelmed by her emotions.
(1)Rob K.
Grilled swordfish is excellent. The short rib ravioli was also very good. The prices are a little high but the ingredients are fresh and that's worth the expense.
(4)Melissa F.
The food was delicious! I had the sugo pork and my boyfriend had the Ruben hash. The portions were a good size. Friendly service and yummy cocktails!
(5)Emily A.
Food is top notch. Truffle fries a must and a port with dessert. Menu changes often so it's always nice to have something new! Staff is friendly and helpful! I brought out if town guest and we stayed super late and they were so kinda to let us chat and slowly enjoy or food!
(5)Catherine T.
I've now been to Oak Table several times for lunch and dinner. I can now say without a doubt, it is my favorite restaurant in Columbia. For lunch, try the truffle grilled cheese - you won't regret it. It's very rich, so I suggest getting the half sandwich, half salad combo. For drinks - the sugar and spice martini is an absolute favorite. I've never been disappointed in any of their drinks, but this one is just too good to be true. I've had several different entrees here and I appreciate that they change up their menu every so often - it keeps things interesting. I also appreciate the servers knowledge and ability to make recommendations on appetizers and entrees - really the whole menu. The smores dessert is delicious - try it. The service is always excellent, the food is always perfect and they are very accommodating with substitutions and special requests. The portions are also more than you would expect for this type of restaurant. The sides are big enough to split. (The truffle fries are wonderful and there's plenty for everyone.) You can't go wrong at Oak Table - no matter how you order. If I must give one thing I would change, the bar is very small. Such a cool place is such a great spot would benefit from a big bar area. Tip: if you are going for dinner, make a reservation - it's crowded every time I'm there.
(5)Roger Y.
Food was good but the atmosphere was underwhelming considering the quality of the owners' other places in Charleston. Then again, it's Columbia, so you can't really expect much.
(3)Stephen K.
Party of 5 for a late brunch. If you haven't been here, stop in for at least a drink. Stunning decor, great atmosphere. Beautiful surroundings, It is not unlike sitting in an art museum. Neat view of the State House across the street. We were met at the door and immediately seated. Place was maybe 25% full. Water and drinks followed quickly. Brunch menu has some interesting choices in addition to the classics. In general, service was friendly and efficient. There seemed to be a lot of help running around. We appeared to have at least two people waiting our table. Even with all that, drinks went unfilled as the meal progressed. I am continually amazed that restaurants can't get this right - get drinks in everyone's hands in less than 5 minutes (preferably 3 minutes) and never, ever let them get below 25%. How tricky can this be? Food quantity/quality/presentation was very good to excellent. The home-fries were tasty. The corn beef hash was good, could have used a little more of the mango - jalapeno hot sauce. I was a little surprised it didn't come with bread. Other than drink refills, the was a very enjoyable meal. I would definitely return. Final tab was a very reasonable $85 including tip. No alcohol in that total.
(4)Jeff F.
High quality food. Excellent service. Great location. Beautiful view of the capital. Awesome receptionists.
(5)Ron V.
We went here last night to celebrate my wife and friend's birthday. Nice atmosphere (although the music was very unusual for a nice intimate type dining room). They played some Ryan Adams, Dylan, you name it. My type of music, but again, not what you normally hear for background music at a fine dining establishment. Back to the food now.... the menu is very limited. If you like pasta, forget it, there wasn't a pasta dish on the menu. For appetizers, we ordered pan seared sea scallops ($15) and Risotto with Crispy Tempura SC Shrimp ($13). You get two sea scallops and two tempura shrimp. Pretty expensive prices for two scallops and two shrimp. We thought we were going to share this with the four of us, but had to cut the scallops and shrimp in half to do it. I must say that both appetizers were good though. My wife and I split a Salad that had arugula, toasted walnuts, and a few other items. We both did not care for the salad. For entrees, I had the Cab Bone-in Ribeye ($40) with the truffled frites ($7) as a side. It truly was one of the best steaks I've had in a while and the frites were great. They were served with a smoked ketchup on the side. My wife and friend ordered the Fried Lobster ($32, although their website says $29). I see others say how big the lobster is, but really the amount of lobster meat is not much at all. They fry the whole lobster and after you pick through the light breading and get the meat out it's rather small. My wife said she had about 3 oz of lobster meat. My friend liked his but said he would order something different the next time. His wife ordered the Hanger steak and took most of it home in a doggy bag. It seems that most tables were ordering the fried lobster or the Mac Hamburger. I think all agreed that my Bone-in Ribeye was the best thing between the four of us. We ordered one caramel bread pudding for dessert and split it. It was served with a scoop of ice cream on top with a caramel sauce and the plate was garnished with home made caramel corn and some type of baked apple pieces. The dessert was very good. Service was good. My wife says she would not go back. I would go back but only for the steak. Bottom line - very limited menu, especially for those that like lighter fare (seafoods, grilled food, salads), very pricey (our bill was $312 for four of use (that included 7 glasses of wine).
(2)Andrew C.
I had the steak and the deep fried lobster. The steak was one of the best I've had anywhere in the country. The lobster was a shock when they said fried lobster I was thinking fried lobster meat not literally taking a full lobster and frying it. But sure enough full lobster and all it's delicious.
(5)Stan F.
Finally found a great dinner place in Columbia. Had an awesome Rib-Eye that seemed like it just melted in my mouth. Fantastic wine list. Real nice bar. Excellent service. Not sure what more you would want out of a restaurant.
(5)Marvelous O.
It's been a long time since I had a meal that was so insanely good that I wanted to continue eating once full. I ordered the mushroom with grits plate for brunch And couldn't have loved it more. My husband and I shared the sticky roll which was also delicious with not too sweet of icing. He had the burger. Both if his items were well above average. Side note, the gal at the front acted a little surprised we didn't have reservations and said she would fit us in although it never got that busy while we were eating. So I would call ahead next time as a courtesy since apparently they frowned upon our impromptu visit.
(5)Karen R.
Great restaurant! It is refreshing to find a place where people put a little more effort into how they dress up. The food was amazing, I has the deep fried lobster which was huge and delicious. My friend had the burger and he swears is the best he ever had. I love the atmosphere, the friendly staff, the drinks, and the food. Highly recommend the place for those seeking a romantic or business dinner. Or just because you want to treat yourself.
(5)Linda K.
I ordered a steak burger with truffled frites. The burger was PERFECT, The fries were so good they did not need ketchup, My sis ordered steak and that was good too! We really enjoyed everything! I like how the restaurants chef has his own name card too, it sea more professional. The service was awesome!! This is a formal dining style restaurant but My sis was in gym shorts and I was just in a tshirt and jeans and none of the staffed treated or looked at us in a bad way. The waitress was amazing too. Good service and high quality food! We'll be back :)
(5)Emily E.
Two words: Go there! It has a gorgeous view of the Statehouse and plenty of outdoor seating which I will definitely be taking advantage of once the weather warms up. It's very cute inside and attire is dressy. I tried the lobster sandwich which was very juicy and flavorful on a soft brioche bun. The truffle frites are amazing as a side. It's on the pricey side, but worth every penny.
(5)Paul B.
The service was excellent and the atmosphere is upscale and gives off a "big city" feel. However, that feel extends to diners being on top of one another and no such thing as a private conversation. The menu is small and doesn't have much variety. Entrees were well prepared, but the sides were not edible. Everything is expensive. Wine selection is good and the cocktails are truly excellent. This is a great bar. Next visit will only be for drinks.
(3)Andy J.
Snapper was excellent. Other reviews discuss lack of portion size, which I disagree. Portions are appropriate for the type of restaurant, this isn't Cracker Barrel. Price seems right on. It's not cheap but for the quality and type of food I think it's reasonable. Menu is a bit small but I'd rather have 5-6 quality choices rather than two dozen mediocre ones.
(4)Mindy K.
We went here on Thanksgiving. Most of us had the special Thanksgiving meal. It was too expensive and wasn't that great. I felt as though we got some snotty looks for the way we were dressed. The bartender lady was shower nice and friendly though.
(2)Tabitha S.
Great food, service, and ambience! Can't wait to return !
(5)John C.
Came in to tour USC. Drove 4 hours and stopped here for a quick lunch before the tour. Ordered a 10.00 salad, added fish for another 10.00, 20.00 for one person lunch. WOW. Fish wasn't even cooked completely. Returned it to get cooked again. Slow service and was late for our tour. Will find somewhere else to go next time we come back. I would advise u do the same.
(2)Lindsey G.
Nathan and his team are knowledgeable, service oriented and friendly. Great atmosphere and view. Wonderful food and bar. A must for lunch, happy hour and dinner.
(5)John W.
Went there for a business lunch with a party of 6. The food and service was excellent. Would go there again.
(5)Justin K.
Excellent service, great atmosphere, but hey, I came for the food. Whoever is in charge of the salt shaker in the kitchen needs to be horse whipped. The excellent quality potatoes and vegetables were painfully over-salted. Instead of enjoying my nice red wine with the excellent and perfectly cooked steak, I was kept busy guzzling water to avoid terminal sodium imbalance. What a shame. Coffee was cold, too, though cheerfully and quickly replaced. Dinner roll was disappointing, but that's true at every restaurant I've tried in Columbia, even though there are now a few pretty good local bakeries.
(3)Raven M.
Great food, but we got there with a huge crowd of parents in town for parents' weekend at USC, so the service was slow. On a normal SUnday, it would be an outstanding place for brunch.
(5)Erik E.
Great spot! I was on vacation in Columbia and friends brought me to The Oak Table for dinner. We ordered several appetizers and split an entree. The food was delicious and just the right size. I see that a lot of people bad mouth the portion size, but I really think its nice not having to over eat and was completely satisfied after the meal. Its about quality not quantity. Service was awesome too!
(5)Nelson L.
Work in progress... I think. We where in town on business and were recommended this place by the hotel. The décor is trendy & neat and location next to the State House was excellent. After we sat down and interacted with the wait staff we knew we needed to dumb down our expectations. The waitress was unaware of the veggie, soup of the day or size of the steaks. The menu was so uninspired that we almost (no joke) got up from the lack of continuity and options. Prices were average but choices were weak. We ordered a Charcuteerie Plate. Expecting an array of local cured meats & cheeses ( as explained by the staff) we got 4 different tureens and pates. Really weak. The steak dinners were poorly presented and one needed to go back for more time on the grill. I was so curious about the whole fried lobster I ordered that and received just what I feared, expensive batter friend shoe leather. We understand that its a new place and evolving... but not a great experience.
(2)Jill R.
Very disappointing. Four of us went for brunch. Great atmosphere, great coffee, the rest was very generic. Three of us ordered meat dishes (pork belly sandwich, angus beef sandwich, "Mac's" hamburger...all of which were lukewam, at best, and lacked any flavor. Adding a lot of salt and pepper at the table helped a little. The City Roots salad with egg was good. Won't go back for brunch, will give dinner a try. Hopefully it'll be worth the trip.
(2)Steven H.
Very disappointed. I had high hopes, as I love Oak in Charleston and this is a sister restaurant. The service was absoultely horrible. Drinks took FOREVER, and then one of my party received the wrong drink. We had to explain to server that Scotch & Water is NOT the same as Scotch & Soda. I started with the Lamb Ravioli and it was EXCELLENT! So good in fact, I decided to have more lamb and ordered the Roasted Lamb strip cut. It was not good. Tough and with the mint couscous, had an unbalanced flavor. I ate a few bites. The waiter never asked if my meal was OK, I didn't offer my opinion on the entree as I turned to my drink. Overall, a very ho-hum experience. The wait staff needs some schooling.
(2)Sean A.
Had an excellent Sunday brunch with some friends. The fritters were good, and the steak and eggs entree was awesome, especially the sauce drizzled on top. Our server, Abby (if I remember correctly) did a great job. I'll definitely be going back!
(5)Norma Q.
Service was fair. I told the waitress we were celebrating a birthday and she did not put a candle on the dessert. Do not order cappuccino it is not made properly. Overall disappointed
(2)Abe L.
Well I can't really say anything good about this place. I have been here several times and it just keeps getting worse. I repeat "IT GETS WORSE." They are over priced for the quality of food they serve, that is if they can even cook it correctly. I have had the duck breast which was undercooked. The $42 cab rib steak which is about 75% fat and is never cooked to the right temp (get ready to eat raw meat if you dare ordered this cooked medium). The chef obviously has a problem with salt - I figure it's just to cover up the low quality food. I am really disappointed with this place and I will not be returning. And a side note, the glasses of wine are immensely small in comparison to other restaurants in town. BOTTOM LINE WHEN YOU READ THE STAFFS BIO'S ON THERE WEB SITE IT'S NOT MATCHING UP WITH THE QUALITY AND SERVICE OF FOOD YOU GET? And MR Moody claims to have worked @ coblestone park country club in sumter, no such place, it's in blythewood sc? look @ the web page? I also want to say it starts at the door everytime i have been there the Hostess seem to be confused. I find this place one big window dressed up. The web site is not even up to date with prices and what they offer. Example onion rings, they said they could not figure out how to keep the batter on them when i asked, what an excuse, and the cab steak on line is for $31.
(1)Ellen E.
I live in the Charleston area and went to Columbia to see an Art show at the Museum there. We went to Oak Table for lunch. The restaurant is beautiful, bright and elegant, with walls and tables of old oak, finished elegantly. The food was extraordinary nd served in an inviting selection of dishes, enhancig the presentation of wonderfully (lightly/perfectly) dressed cobb salad with high-end lettuces and watercress, tasty hot tomato bisque, outstanding corned beef/pastrmi sandwich with crispy truffle fried potato, and chocolate dessert that may be described as "Death by Chocolate" because you could die for it, not from it....This entire eperience matches New York's BEST (I am from New York and spend many weeks up North). Service was impeccable, parking garage next door, gorgeous view of State House through enormous glass windows. This is a treat, well priced, worth the trip. We shall definitely plan a return trip tpo Oak Table. Congratulations to Chef, Staff, owner....a gem.
(5)