Lula Drake Wine Parlour — Restaurant in Columbia

Terrific experience. Not “dinner and drinks”, but an experience. The wine program, the food, the service, the atmosphere, all come together to create a warm memory. We lucked out and got the best seat in the house at the front window. Our server, Erin Lee, greeted us warmly. I had read about their wine program and was very excited to try wines by the glass I would not normally have access to by the glass. I’m not a wine expert but I can capably describe what I like. Erin Lee listened very attentively and brought me wines that were perfectly suited to my tastes. Most restaurants are a food menu with a wine program wrapped around it. I would argue the strength of this establishment is the reverse; figure out what wine you really want and then order food around that. Not to suggest their menu is second tier – far from it. Everything we ordered was great and Erin Lee had great suggestions. If you’re not into wine or alcohol you will still absolutely enjoy. Or, if you’re like me, go with both white and red and order all around LOL. Service was very good. Staff promptly removes unwanted items from the table without fuss or hovering. Bonus points for lack of pretentiousness. Can’t...

A fantastic little James Beard Award winning (2x nominated) wine bar right here in Columbia! This is a small space but oh so cozy and comfortable. The wine list is superb and the staff are incredibly friendly and really know their stuff. They also have a very good selection of spirits and beers, so if you are getting together with friends who may not be into wine, don't worry, they'll enjoy Lula Drake just as much as you will. But come on, you're here for the wine, right? The staff will likely be able to find a wine your friend likes. They're kind of awesome like that. Food options are limited to small plates, but what you get is fantastic. Check out Dorsia Pasta Wednesdays when they serve up special hand made pasta dishes. Also, check their social media for special events. Lula Drake periodically has winemaker nights where you get to sample flights of a single winemaker, and meet them in person (They'll even sign your bottles if you ask). Lula Drake also has live music periodically, often small...

The wine pairing was spot on! I enjoyed every aspect of my visit there. The ambiance was relaxed and inviting. I sampled their cheese plate... all phenomenal selections, I tried their duck fat fried hushpuppies, wow! The pasta, I don't even know where to start, the pasta was so much more than expected (and, I'm extremely demanding, generally nonplussed with pasta dishes). I had been informed that, the pasta was worth trying but, nothing I'd heard could have begun to prepare me for the amazing texture, subtle flavors, perfect treatment of this masterful work. As much as I was blown away with the food... the service is second to none. I left Lula Drake so overwhelmed as to feel blissfully numb. It actually took another hour from my exit just processing the experience! I'll be visiting this Columbia gem again and, again through the foreseeable future, continuing to catalog this most amazing experience. Do yourself a favor, treat yourself (and, those you love) to an evening... or, two or, three...