Columbia Restaurant — Restaurant in Sarasota

Columbia Restaurant delivers a high-quality dining experience with fantastic service, a historic atmosphere, and an overall enjoyable meal. Here’s a detailed breakdown based on my visit:

Service (20/20) Our server, Alba, was attentive, polite, and a pleasure to have. Our dinner was coursed appropriately, and our requests were served in a timely manner. We would be glad to have her serve us in the future. She made us feel welcomed and taken care of from start to finish, all the while keeping up with her other tables and a busy restaurant. The other staff seemed to be helpful with tasks.

We were a party of four— 3 adults and 1 child.

Food/Products (20/25) This is where I hate to be most critical.

Drinks – My old-fashioned was perfect, and the sangria we ordered was top-notch. Their imported still water was also excellent.

Tapas – We ordered a Caesar Salad, 1905 Salad, and the Tapeo Sampler, which contained Champiñones Rellenos, Calamares Fritos "Romana", and five prawns on special. The salads were excellent, and we added shrimp to our Caesar. The sampler was unimpressive to me because the prawn was nothing special tasting—the shrimp I ordered on the side with my Caesar salad had more flavor than the prawn. The calamari is of the highest quality, but I was not a fan of their breading because it seemed too soft; I like a crunchier texture. I suspect this is to preserve the calamari and not overcook it like many other restaurants. The Champiñones Rellenos—stuffed mushrooms, essentially—were nothing impressive and left me desiring more flavor.

Entrees – I ordered the Fideuà de Mariscos, and it was good but not great. The pasta was not al dente like one would expect from a fine dining establishment. My wife ordered a steak, the Ribeye "Sarapico"—she enjoyed it, and the bites I had of it were tasty and cooked to her liking. My mother-in-law ordered a grouper dish on special and seemed to enjoy it as well.

Dessert – We had the Churros "Tres Amigos" and a side of ice cream. Both were delicious and a great way to cap off the dinner.

Servings were plenty, and we needed to-go containers.

Cleanliness (15/15) The restaurant was clean and organized. The restroom was clean and operable.

Value for Money (12/15) Fair pricing, and the quality matches the price. Tableside service, formal uniform personnel, and fresh, high-quality ingredients were considered. However, it just missed the mark on excellent value.

Atmosphere (15/15) Outstanding atmosphere—memorable and inviting. I feel this place has a buzz that leaves a lasting impression, with a great touch of its historical presence, which is impressive once you learn about it.

Accessibility/Convenience (8/10) Fairly accessible with minor challenges. The main issue is the tight spaces where servers and other personnel work due to the tables being too close together. I can see a lot of accidents waiting to happen, especially with a bustling crowd and busy workers moving quickly to provide great service. Tableside service is great, but I saw the table next to me trapped in by personnel making salads and sangrias tableside, which didn't last long but could be inconvenient if you need to use the restroom or are claustrophobic. Parking was available in a nearby public parking garage.

Final Thoughts: The Columbia gets by with a 5-star rating, with a score of 90/100 in my scoring. The Columbia is a great spot for an upscale dining experience with a historic charm. The service and atmosphere were impeccable, and while the food was good, a few dishes fell slightly short of expectations. If you’re looking for an elegant meal with tableside service and a vibrant ambiance, this is a...

Over the last 30 years, I have given Columbia multiple chances to prove itself worthy of its reputation. Time and again, it has failed. To say it underwhelms would be generous. This restaurant is an outright disaster, a textbook case of how mismanagement and complacency can thrive in a prime location.

Whatever the property owner is charging for rent, it’s too low, because Columbia’s only redeeming quality is its placement in a high-traffic shopping district. It is living proof of the real estate mantra: location, location, location. Beyond that, the experience is a tragic blend of outdated gimmicks, lackluster food, and a dining environment so chaotic it borders on punishment.

Anyone who has watched even a single episode of Kitchen Nightmares knows that table-side preparations should have died out in the late ‘70s. Columbia, however, clings to them as though they add authenticity rather than theatrical inconvenience. Take the 1905 Salad - their so-called signature dish - what arrives at the table is less salad and more a bowl of dressing with wilted lettuce barely holding on for life. You would think table-side preparation would allow for customization, but between the deafening noise and the rushed execution, the result is anything but tailored.

Then there’s the “sangria,” which is simply insipid, fruit-infused dishwater that barely ekes out four underwhelming servings from a pitcher. It has all the potency of tap water and none of the charm. Worst still, it couldn’t get a toddler buzzed. The rest of the appetizers are equally uninspired. Crab and other proteins are sacrificed on the altar of mediocrity, their subpar quality hidden under desperate layers of melted cheese.

Main courses fare no better. The spectrum of disappointment ranges from Soviet-era cafeteria beef—gray, lifeless, and devoid of seasoning—to dishes that wouldn’t be out of place in a bowl marked “for canine consumption only.” Even the Spanish rice, a staple that should at least offer some refuge, arrives clumpy, bland, and unseasoned, a perfect metaphor for Columbia itself: visually unappealing and lacking any real substance.

Perhaps the most egregious failure isn’t even the food, it’s the entire dining experience. The waitstaff, despite their best efforts (and they were trying very hard), are overwhelmed, unable to keep up with orders, let alone accommodate allergies or special requests. The space is so overcrowded that simply navigating to your seat means enduring shoulder checks from strangers and rogue elbows from overloaded trays. If table-side service is central to your brand, then packing the restaurant beyond fire code limits is the height of arrogance.

Now, as I sit here nursing ringing ears, a bruised body, and a stomach that deeply regrets the choices made tonight, I am left wondering: how does a restaurant this fundamentally bad continue to survive? The answer, of course, is location. Columbia is not a testament to culinary excellence but rather a case study in how a restaurant can fail upwards when positioned in the right place.

For shame,...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Columbia Restaurant at St. Armand's Circle, a hidden gem that brings the vibrant flavors of Colombian cuisine to life. From the moment I stepped through the door, I was warmly welcomed by the incredible staff, and my experience was heightened by the outstanding service provided by Veness.

Veness is not just a server; she is the embodiment of hospitality. Her warm and genuine demeanor makes every visit to Columbia Restaurant-St. Armand's Circle feel like a homecoming. From the moment you sit down, she effortlessly creates an atmosphere that makes you feel like you're part of the family. Her infectious smile and positive energy set the tone for the entire dining experience, making it a joy to be in her care.

What sets Veness apart is her exceptional knowledge of the menu. Her passion for Colombian cuisine shines through as she eloquently describes each dish, providing insightful recommendations that showcase the rich culinary tapestry of Colombia. Whether you're a seasoned fan of Colombian food or a newcomer eager to explore, Veness ensures that your dining choices align perfectly with your taste preferences.

One of the highlights of my visits to Columbia Restaurant-St. Armand's Circle has been the consistently outstanding food. The kitchen delivers authentic Colombian dishes that burst with flavor and authenticity. From the savory ensalada to the tantalizing paella espanola, every dish is a culinary masterpiece.

In addition to the delectable food, the efficiency and attentiveness of the entire staff, led by the exceptional service of Veness, create an unforgettable dining experience. Her promptness, attention to detail, and genuine interest in ensuring customer satisfaction elevate the overall ambiance of the restaurant.

Columbia Restaurant-St. Armand's Circle is not just a place to eat; it's a destination for a culinary journey guided by the welcoming spirit of Veness. If you are looking for an authentic, heartwarming dining experience where the warmth of the people matches the richness of the food, Columbia Restaurant at St. Armand's Circle is the place to be.

This is undoubtedly a place to go, especially for those who appreciate top-notch service and exceptional food. The combination of Veness' dedication and the culinary delights offered by Columbia Restaurant-St. Armand's Circle makes it a must-visit for anyone seeking an unforgettable dining experience. I wholeheartedly recommend Veness for a well-deserved acknowledgment of her outstanding service. Her dedication, friendliness, and expertise undoubtedly contribute to the success of Columbia Restaurant-St. Armand's Circle, and I believe she deserves to be recognized and rewarded for her exceptional efforts. A raise would not only reflect her commitment to excellence but also inspire others to strive for the same level of service. Thank you, Veness, for making each visit to Columbia Restaurant-St. Armand's Circle a delightful and...