Spotted Salamander Cafe And Catering — Restaurant in Columbia

This was a first time visit.

Initial impression is that this is a cute little ecclectic spot, visually pleasant and inviting. It is situated in an area that lacks other restaurants and seems like a quicl drop in spot for many local law firms and various businesses within walking distance.

Parking is severely limited on the street, depending on the time of day when you arrive, but there are no parking meters to contend with. (Did notice 2 spots immediately in front of the door that were limited to 30 minute parking. Did not notice any handicapped spots, but in fairness, they may have gone unnoticed, even though one of my party was eligible and looking for that type of spot).

The greeting was very warm and we were seated right away, having arrived at 11:20am.

The service was genuinely kind, informative, and appreciated.

The primary dining room area is small and the 11 tables sit close, the floors are hardwood and the art on the walls is unique and cool.

Close tables and hardwood floors without any dividers or noise buffer, meant that the nouse level was tolerable when 4 tables were filled, loud when 7 tables are filled, hard to converse at your own table when 9 tables are filled, and nearly intolerable when all 11 are filled.

1 in my party remarked that their food was good (brisket sandwich)

1 said the sandwich was not bad (old fashioned shrimp sandwich)

1 said this was a first and laat visit due to noise and food (did not care for pecan chicken salad croissant).

Personally, I will try the place again, closer to opening or closing (11:30am or 2:30pm, M-F). I had the pecan chicken salad wheat wrap and cucumber salad side. My taste preferences did not find either to be very agreeable, although I do realize that I am only one person with distinctly personal preferences. I found the pecan chicken salad wrap to have too much actual salad, too little chicken salad, which left the overall impression that the wrap was too dry. I asked for some vinaigrette dressing to eat the salad after opening the wrap just to eat the chicken. The chicken was cut into larger chunks (up to 1"), rather than what I am accustomed to in other chicken salad recipes, delis, or chicken salad chick, for example. Also, the Pecan Chicken Salad lacked pecans entirely yesterday, not so much as a hunt of that flavor.

The cucumber salad side was more refreshing and cut into beaurifully thin slices. It was visually appealing but lacked enough dill flacoring to make it truly enjoyable. (I dipped each slice into the vinaigrette dressing just slightly enough to enhance the flavor with a hint of that dressing and it was genuinely delicious that way).

My review is not at all to tear down this place, I do realize that just because one visit was not perfect, the place should not be written off.

I will give them a try again, choose something different, and plan on visiting at a slower time.

The level of service was quality enough to offset the food and ambience...

This place is so close to my work I wanted to try it for lunch. I can walk here. Parking is all by chance...there seems to be no designated parking lot for this little place. After reading other reviews I was excited to try them with my husband. It was very packed...a good sign? But is also 1pm...there was no seating in the first little building and none in the connecting and we kind of just stood there trying to figure out if there was room for us somewhere. We were sat outside in one of the two remaining tables, we didn't mind but the flies were horrid! We ordered...finally our drinks...then finally our food, and still waiting on our drinks. I got the small soup and salad with added chicken and my husband a sandwich. True café food. When we finally got out food, my soup was in a little teacup...and cost $5.00! My little salad arrived with no chicken and out waitress no where to be seen as this was the case much of our visit. My husband got his sandwich and literally laughed out loud at its size, less than six inches for $14!!! I had to get up and track someone anyone down for my chicken. Staff was aloof, and carried themselves with annoyance. No one wanted to help or take the time to answer questions...like where was the bathroom! This establishment also complained about the trip advisor review I posted when we visited and had to resubmit it. I realize now I am not the only one who has these feelings about this hopeful place. I have also left my review on their facebook page as well as here and trip advisor. I loved the thought of this place but my co-workers and I will not be coming here ever....

It's a really lovely place, comfortable but classy atmosphere, and service was fantastic. And I think the food is very good, but I wasn't blown off my feet by what I ate, so it's an expectation vs. reality thing for me that lost that star. My sangria was a bit watered down, to start. Then the pimento cheese, which was my real goal for the meal, doesn't have any pimentos! It's just finely shredded cheese and mayo and probably some spices. It was good, but it wasn't great. I had it on my list to try some really good SC pimento cheese while I was in town, and this place was put forward as a good option, and I just wasn't impressed. My main was a fried fish sandwich, which was very good all around, but nothing groundbreaking, it was mainly just a quality piece of fish.

They change their specials according to the day of the week - I know at least that there is fried chicken on Tuesdays and burgers on Thursdays, which both might have been better than my fish. They also specialize in deviled eggs and some sort of small "ham delight" sandwich, which also might have been better options. If I were closer, or lived here, I might make a point of trying more, but I think I'd rather try other...