My boo is with me, batting her lashes and peeking longingly at my freshly procured noodle bowl.

Whether it’s a New Year’s resolution or the simple need to gird one’s health against the ailments spurred by Columbia’s up-and-down temperatures in the colder months, January is prime time to sub out your normal coffee shop jolt for something a little more restorative. 

According to Mark Segal, owner of the Carolina Strip Club, his Vista steakhouse was doing good business before it closed in September. 

Curiously and charmingly located Columbia neighborhood eatery The Mousetrap announced on Jan. 13 that it is closed.

The day many Irmo beer fans have eagerly anticipated is here.

Columbia chef/restaurateur/butcher Henry Griffin is launching his latest concept, a wood-fire pizza pub and grill in Chapin.

Over the last two years, F2T Productions, the Columbia-based farm-to-table dinner and event company, has seen private catering go from a side …

Green papaya salad is one of the great salads that don’t get enough attention in the world. 

It is impossible to ignore all when the calendar rolls over and a fresh year begins. Keto, Mediterranean, Whole-30, South Beach, vegan, raw fo…

History is about to get a lot more delicious on the west side of the river. The Cayce Historical Museum is shaking up its exhibitions and it’s…

Those disappointed by the closure of Carolina Cafe and Catering's West Columbia location may soon find solace. The new Sunshine Cafe opened it…

Columbia Craft Brewing Company opened its doors a little more than two years ago, and it’s definitely made an impact. Its two flagship beers, …

Another Five Points business is unexpectedly closing its doors: Favored Life Kombucha Bar at 716 Santee Ave. has announced it’s going out of b…

So you like to drink, but you’ve made a resolution to stay healthy this year? Need some new good habits to go along with your old bad habits? …

Columbia steakhouse Carolina Strip Club closed in September, but the owner tells Free Times he’s moving quickly to reopen the concept in 2020.

I don’t know exactly when the tradition started, but it had something to do with my husband throwing himself a one-man pity party on his Christmas Eve birthday many, many years ago. 

It’s time to say goodbye to 2019 and head on into a year filled with “hindsight” gags. Joy. If you’re looking for a special way to celebrate t…

Keeping up with corporate entities isn’t always easy for small businesses, but technology can level the playing field a little. At least that’…

When owner Ung Kim came to Columbia back in 1976, he could count the number of Korean families in the city on one hand. Over time, though, the…

Hendrix executive chef Javier Uriarte wasn’t familiar with the company OpenTable when it named the Main Street establishment one of the best n…

Columbia greens seekers rejoice: Charleston-based fast-casual restaurant Verde is bringing salads and wraps to town early next year.

Columbia prepares to say goodbye to a beloved local business

There aren’t many places that have their business lights on for Christmas Day, but there are a handful in town that are ready to keep you and …

Crust’s debut batch of kolaches aims to satisfy handheld breakfast devotees. The sweet, sesame-seeded brioche the bakery uses as its vessel is top-notch, but with the addition of chopped sausage and melted provolone in the middle, it really gets your taste buds’ attention. 

These beers have the characteristic hazy appearance with a big, creamy stand of foam when poured. Both feature bright tropical flavors reminiscent of tangerine, pineapple and hints of mango.

All locations of Sandy’s Famous Hot Dogs that remain in the Midlands will close by the end of the year, according to owner Bud Sanderson. The …

Longtime Vista dining favorite Gervais & Vine is under new ownership. As of Oct. 1, three longtime veterans of the Columbia food scene — L…

The energy inside Market on Main during Free Times’ visit was both chaotic and electric, alive with enthusiasm about the new venture’s potenti…

Holy holidays, Batman! Did you realize how expensive these tacky holiday sweaters are? If you dropped some coin on a warm monstrosity of taste…

The Aristocrat cocktail is essentially a riff on a classic sour. It trades lemon juice and simple syrup for lime juice and agave, while maintaining the egg white.

Five Points restaurant Sneaky Pete’s is closed and up for sale less than two months after opening. Co-owner Robert Balletine cites poor busine…

The fast-growing Cantina 76, the Columbia-based restaurant with five locations throughout the state, is expanding its Main Street location by …

Loveland Coffee, the specialty-grade coffee roaster and drive-through shop, is expanding in a big way — a new space in Irmo that will house it…

The longstanding Columbia location of Flying Saucer, the extensively stocked draught houses that refer to their regulars as "beerknurds," will…

As reported in Free Times earlier this year, Publix is opening its first GreenWise Market in the Midlands — one mile down the road from an exi…

It’s hard to believe that Steel Hands Brewing in Cayce has only been around a year. Going from zero to on the shelves in every Publix in under…

My travels always begin with a search. 

what: Ttukbaegi Bulgogi

This spot, tucked away on the side of 9 Medical Park, may be Columbia’s actual best kept secret.