Bogarts

Sam and Melissa’s Score = 35  B+

(Categories scored out of 5)

Cleanliness:  5
Ambiance:  3.5
Atmosphere: 3.5
Seat comfort: 5 (booth)
Service: 4
Food quality: 5
Food quantity: 5
Price: 4

Notes:

Bogarts offers casual dining in one of the developing shopping areas in West Columbia, South Carolina. Since this area is within five miles of our house, we have been hoping for something more than the fast food, Chinese buffets, and dive bars that dominate the area now.

We stopped by just after 3 o'clock following a day of Christmas and birthday shopping, and unsurprisingly, were the only dine-in customers.

We have mixed feelings about the atmosphere and ambiance. The noise levels of the three TVs and the music were well-balanced, but the décor seemed unfinished. The approximately fifteen tables and eight booths in chic, clean black leather and the canister pendant lights with silver art deco shades sent us back to the '30s, spot on for a place named after Bogey. However the bright blonde rough wood plank wainscoting, trim, and bar pulled us out of the '30s and into a BBQ smokehouse. If you call your place Bogarts, don't go half way.

Our server was friendly and quick, though she could have stopped by our table a little more frequently since we were the only customers. Still she kept our drinks filled and did not hover, letting us evaluate and enjoy our food.

The food made up for any flaw with the décor or service. We ordered the fried mushrooms, split a shrimp Po boy with fresh cut fries and wing chips (a.k.a. raw fries or homemade potato chips). The mushrooms were the perfect temperature--hot, but not mouth scalding. Kudos to a restaurant that lets them sit before serving them. And we were giving the exact right amount of ranch dressing.

The Po boy was the perfect balance of bread, lettuce, tomatoes, shrimp, and remoulade. The shrimp were large and perfectly fried; the batter tasty and crisp. The remoulade was just right spicy. While the bread was not New Orleans quality, it was a good roll and not too big for the sandwich. Though $10.99 is more than we usually pay for a sandwich, it was definitely worth the price.

The fries and chips were some of the best we've had. The chips were golden and crispy. The fries were well-seasoned, not too salty, and not one bite was over- or undercooked. My unsweetened tea was fresh and well made.

In short we had a great late lunch at a new place. So long as the quality stays high, the food is worth it.  Next time we are trying the wings.

Bogarts Restaurant & Catering
2710 Emmanuel Church Road
West Columbia, SC 29170
(803) 791-4617

Main St Cafe

Sam and Melissa’s Score = 20 F

(Categories scored out of 5)

Cleanliness: 2 – hairy ketchup bottle

Ambiance: 4 – played Sinatra, always a good choice

Atmosphere: 3 – comfortable temp, awkward entrance

Seat comfort: 2 – hard wooden chairs

Service: 2 – vanishing server; no hostess

Food quality: 3 – not bad, not great, just average

Food quantity: 2 – tiny burger

Price:  2 – $8 tiny burger

Notes:

Owned by Trifos family, Main St Cafe serves Greek-inspired pub food in the middle of downtown Lexington, South Carolina. The restaurant is half bar, half sit-down restaurant. The décor and atmosphere were casual with a splash of artsy-fartsy. They get kudos for playing Sinatra on the stereo.

Though the few outside tables are usually full when we drive past, Main St Cafe was so empty I wasn’t sure they were open when we got there at 6:30 pm on Tuesday. Then due to a sticky front door we thought was locked, Sam and I entered through the bar and wandered through the bar and the restaurant looking for guidance. No one greeted us or even acknowledged our presence until we tried the front door again.

Sam note: The front door violates fire safety laws by opening inwards. All egresses should open outwards to facilitate emergency exit from the building.

Main St Cafe’s staff was...there. We saw a guy who was probably a chef, the lady who seated us was probably the manager, and there was one server. And that is a perfectly adequate staff for the three occupied tables they had. However, the lack of hostess or greeter when we arrived left us feeling confused and not all that welcome. And while our server was a little slow to take our order and refill our drinks, we didn't feel neglected until after the meal was over at which point Sam and I wondered if he was ever going to bring us the check.

Melissa note: What is up with the rampant can-I-get-the-check-itis? And where’s-my-receipt-itis is even worse. At some point they’re just holding my credit card hostage. I feel like I should open negotiations. “For each minute I have to wait to get my credit card returned, I deduct a dollar from your tip.” I mean, they want us to pay for dinner, right? I’m baffled by this behavior.

Main St Cafe’s food tasted fine though it didn't stand out, but the quantity was disappointing especially for the price. Sam’s fries were good, but his feta burger was tiny. The patty did not even extend over the entire radius of the bun. We expect more from an $8.00 burger.  

My Greek-style gyro was fine as well, but I've had better, and my Greek salad was just iceberg lettuce, a tomato wedge, and a cucumber slice. The house Greek dressing tasted bland which is not how Greek dressing should ever be described. Again, disappointing for the $9.00 it cost us.

Bland is actually a good adjective for the entire dining experience. Well, except for finding that hair on the outside of the ketchup bottle. That was just yucky. Perhaps most telling of all, Sam and I went elsewhere for coffee and dessert.

Maybe it was an off night, but we’re not going back anytime soon. Badly done, Main St Cafe.

Main St. Cafe

131 West Main Street

Lexington SC 29072

(803) 808-5886

www.mainstreetcafelexington.com