The Iron Bridge Wine Company — Restaurant in Columbia

We chose Iron Bridge Restaurant to celebrate our anniversary, and it turned out to be an absolutely fantastic experience. As they say, "Happy wife, happy life," and Iron Bridge certainly delivered on that front. From the moment we arrived, we were treated to a truly memorable evening.

Upon being seated, we were pleasantly surprised to find a beautifully presented anniversary card waiting for us on the table. It had been thoughtfully signed by the entire staff, setting the tone for the personalized attention we would receive throughout the evening.

The menu boasted an array of amazing specials, and we couldn't resist trying the parmesan herb-crusted pork chop and the grilled 12 oz ribeye. The ribeye, sourced from the local butcher JW Trueth, was a revelation. Cooked to perfection, it showcased the quality and expertise of local sourcing. The pork chop was equally delightful, showcasing a flavorful and expertly executed preparation.

To start our meal, we indulged in the burrata cheese appetizer, which was truly outstanding. The soft cheese was surrounded by a reduction of balsamic and pesto, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that delighted our palates. It was a wonderful way to awaken our taste buds and set the stage for the culinary delights to come.

As if the exceptional food wasn't enough, we were greeted with a flute of champagne to celebrate our special occasion. The staff at Iron Bridge was friendly, knowledgeable, and adept at providing impeccable service while remaining unobtrusive. They knew just how to strike the perfect balance, ensuring that we felt well taken care of without overshadowing our private celebration.

Iron Bridge takes great pride in its wine selection, and we decided to explore their expertise by opting for the recommended wine pairings with our meals. I savored the ribeye alongside a perfectly paired cabernet, while my wife enjoyed the pork chop accompanied by a smooth pinot noir. The sommelier's recommendations were spot-on, elevating our dining experience to new heights.

To conclude our meal, we indulged in a dessert that took us over the top. The flourless warm chocolate cake, paired with a delectable ice cream and a rich tawny port, was simply divine. The combination of flavors and textures was a true symphony for the senses, leaving us with a lingering sweetness that perfectly capped off our anniversary celebration.

We left Iron Bridge Restaurant with hearts full of joy and a determination to return very soon. The attention to detail, the exceptional food and wine, and the impeccable service all contributed to an anniversary experience that exceeded our expectations. Iron Bridge has certainly earned its reputation as a remarkable dining destination, and we look forward to creating more cherished memories there...

Located right across the street from Clark's Eliaok Farm, Iron Bridge Wine Company is a small and quaint restaurant. Iron Bridge additionally buys local and fresh produce from Clark's Elioak Farm which illustrates its support in the local community.

Once you step in, there is a awkward waiting area but generally you get seated quite quickly. I have been here in the past, but I had to wait around 5 minutes this time around. Iron Bridge is a slightly expensive out of my budget so I came here for restaurant week. They offer an appetizer, entree, and dessert of your choice from the main menu. Personally, a great deal as it saves around 50%.

Appetizer: Beef Tartare - Topped with foie gras, sweet blackberry, and a baked cheese crisp. It is slightly awkward to eat as its a towered plate. The dish is overall sweet and savory. It lacked seasoning but overall the dish was Delicious

Cider and bacon steamed mussels - Cooked with bacon, apple cider, and onion. This dish was very savory and deep. The smoky touch of bacon with the tang of the apple cider was very balanced. Bread was slightly burnt on one side but did not change much of the flavor.

Entree: Plantain Gnocchi - Beef Short Rib Ragout, Baby Arugula, Shaved Pecorino Cheese. The dish was sweet and seasoned. Slightly salty for my taste but if I had a glass a wine, this dish would have actually balanced out very evenly. Beef ribs came out shredded which was a disappointment. I would have enjoyed a actual beef rib bone-in on top of the gnocchi.

Butternut Pear Cappellacci - A sweet and savory dish. Consists of pear, butternut, and I had a hint of apricot. A very fruity dish which is also slightly over-seasoned but still edible. The sauce was amazing and would have been great with many other dishes.

Dessert: Tiramisu - Not too sweet but had a hint of alcohol in the lady finger. Mascarpone cheese added a deep flavor to the dish.

Banana sticky pudding - Topped with whip cream and salted caramel ice cream. Was not sweet at all but much more of a savory type of dessert. Personally enjoyed this dish much more than the Tiramisu as I enjoy...

My husband and I arrived for our 3:30 p.m. reservation on June 29, 2024. There was no host or hostess to greet us, nor was there any designated waiting area or signage to indicate that a hostess would help us momentarily. Servers at the bar initially ignored us as we attempted to get assistance. Finally, a host (I assume) came over and asked to help. I explained that we had arrived for our 3:30 reservation. At that point, a support worker (we found out subsequently) came over and repeatedly berated us to go over to the door and wait and to stop wandering around the restaurant. She said this even though the host was preparing to seat us. I immediately told her that she was out of line and requested the manager. The host informed us that she was a support worker, not a server, and shouldn't be engaging with customers anyway. When the manager arrived, he initially made an excuse for the worker, by saying she's only 17. That was totally inappropriate, and I told the manager that was not an acceptable rationale. We knew at that point that the manager was not serious about remedying the situation.

The entire time the manager was talking to us, the rude support worker continued to walk around the restaurant within earshot as though she knew nothing would be done about her behavior. We had not been to Iron Bridge for many years and were looking forward to a relaxing evening. The manager was insincere and clearly didn't want our business. He didn't offer us a bottle of wine or any kind of goodwill gesture. He didn't attempt to take any concrete steps to remedy the poor treatment we received or to allay our concerns. We left, and we will never return.

I've read the studies about how restaurant workers often treat Black customers poorly as a matter of course. So I assume that the worker was operating under an established norm for that restaurant. My husband and I are 30% tippers, so it's unfortunate Iron Bridge was willing to lose customers who make it a point to treat restaurant staff...