Motor Supply Company Bistro

Cool spot with great bar service! I had a lovely cremant with my trout and grits meal for lunch. The dish was missing something. The peas were off. I felt like a caper may have been a better option. It needed a pop of flavor. Otherwise, the trout on its own, and the grits on their own, were both fantastic. I'd recommend a stop here. Very cool atmosphere. And a nice bathroom!

It's been years since I dined here, but I was passing through to further south and knew I had to stop. Attentive service without being smothering. The dishes were fresh and nicely prepared. We had trout and a Korean BBQ chicken thigh. The accompaniments were as good as the proteins on both plates. The flavors were thoughtful and punchy. The plates were visually appealing. Amazing spicy pickle bloody Mary. Don't miss this gem, whether you live in Columbia or happen to be visiting (or in transit). This used to be a special occasion spot for me and if I lived closer, it still would be

Incredible food drinks and desert. I had a carrot cocktail which was amazing, yummy quail and local cheese, amazing SC fresh shrimp and the best grits I have ever had in a restaurant. To top it off a delicious gluten free and dairy free desert cake that was remarkable and one of the best gluten free desserts I have ever had. Service was perfect and great knowledge of all the foods and dietary restrictions. One of the best restaurants I have been to all year.

Great little restaurant in downtown Columbia near the capital and everything happening on Gervais St. Motor Supply has been a “go to” place for date night for years and has consistently been one of the best restaurants in Columbia. The restaurant has an eclectic vibe with an awesome small bar and the furnishings and art work. While the parking lot is small they do provide valet which is so wonderful. The menu changes regularly but there is always something for everyone’s taste and so farm to table fresh. Cocktails are superb!!

Sunday branch. Parking valet easy. Space is bit crammed. Old space missing something maybe some glam. Brunch menu is limited. Presentation of food was ok. Serving time was ok. Taste was average. Salmon salad was blah, it was boring and tasteless. It was supposed to have Zahtar and I was looking for that blend of spices you get with zahtar but all I got is total disappointment. Had a party of four every one agreed that brunch was not the best we had.

It's not cheap, but it's a fine meal. We had watermelon gazpacho with feta crumbles. I would eat that dish everyday for the rest of my life. Shrimp fritters, the breading was incredible. I had the pork chop. It was overcooked by a shade, but still tasty with an outstanding glaze sitting on a bed of butter bean succotash. My wife had shrimp and grits. Large serving of shrimp in a wonderful sauce.

Motor Supply Restaurant has a wonderful ambiance and the food is absolutely delicious. I highly recommend the steak dinner with potatoes and the okra appetizer—they were both outstanding. It’s a great spot for a nice date night any day of the week!

I had a drink and appetizer at the bar. The Brujerita was excellent, almost a pumpkin margarita with coffee notes, and not too sweet. The mixologist recommended the steamed clams and they were delicious. The toast was perfect for mopping up the lovely broth.

This was my first time here. The ambience was very homey and welcoming. We were seated inside and the service was very good. The server Heather was very patient and friendly. I had the shrimp and grits that they made gluten free and the crème brûlée which were both very tasty. From the pictures of the meals of my colleagues their dishes looked and they said they were great. I hope to visit again soon!

great food and fantastic bartender blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah

Food here is pretty mid imo. Steak was way under stalted and trigger fish was pretty bland. The service was good tho same with the drinks. The vibes were very cool. Feel like it's the ideal place for happy hour in the summer but not really great for dinner.

Poor service - you have to wait for ever to get any attention even though the servers seem to have plenty of time to chitchat amongst themselves. Food is very mediocre and menu is limited . Prices are high - and it's not clear why!

When my family travels, we often like to try new places, but other times it's nice to go to restaurants that we know are doing great things. This is our second time heading to Motor Supply Company and once again it did not disappoint. I loved their holiday specialty cocktails and this swordfish was delicious! Another thing I truly appreciate about this restaurant is their nod to local produce, specifically seafood. Make sure to get a reservation because this intimate restaurant fills up quickly. With that said, this restaurant is a beautifully repurposed building, showcasing local artists, with great service. Make sure to check them out for lunch or dinner!

We celebrated our anniversary here and it was a very enjoyable experience! The dishes are more unique and a refreshing change from things you might usually find on the menu at other restaurants. We had the Seared S. C. Wahoo, Chesire Farm's Pork Chop, and Sweet Potato Gnocchi. The gnocchi may have been my favorite. I think one thing that would've been a bonus is if we were also given bread and butter for the table, but I'm just a really big bread and butter fan. I would definitely recommend Motor Supply Co Bistro and would also return in the future!

I had steak, medium well. It was a little over cooked for my liking and over salted but besides that everything was good. Our server was amazing and my friend got a free creme brûlée dessert for her birthday!

We had a great dinner here over the past weekend! I had the burrata as a starter which was fab and my boyfriend got a salad. I thoroughly enjoyed my shrimp and grits entree--I'm usually not a big grits fan but I could eat this meal every single night. My boyfriend liked his wreckfish too. We ended up getting a brownie and peanut butter bar for dessert. The brownie was delicious and the ice cream with it was so light and complimented it well. I didn't eat any of the peanut butter bar but my boyfriend really didn't enjoy it which was shocking since he loves peanut butter. He said it was way too dense and hard and didn't enjoy the flavors. But we still agreed the food overall was great and we left with full bellies. We will definitely return if we're back in the area!

Amazing cocktails, I must say some of the most creative. The 'a little beet spicy margarita' and 'the Dan' were to die for. Thanks to Cassidy Herman (please forgive if I spelt wrong) The shrimp was amazing, as was the cheese plate. I will be back!

Wednesday night 8/23/23 reservations for 3 at 7pm. Seated right away. Service by Brandon was excellent. We split the mussels appetizer. The were on the small side but the broth they were cooked in was delicious. I had the ribeye (16oz) which was excellent and cooked a perfect medium. Wife had the shrimp n grits which she said was probably the best she has ever had. My son had the strip steak which he said was very good. Delightful dinner and atmosphere for some great conversation and an excellent dinner. Highly recommend.

This is an exceptional dining experience in the vista in Columbia, always a good vibe near the holidays. And packed on a Sunday evening . The food was fantastic.... Steaks, fish, appetizers and dessert. Great service from service and manager Stef. Will be back for sure

I was looking for a special place for a small graduation luncheon for my son. I'm not familiar with the Columbia area but after a bit of research it seemed Motor Supply Co. was the clear choice. I made a booking several weeks in advance. We enjoyed a lovely lunch here, ordering many items to share. I started with their strawberry daiquiri which was very nicely made, a huge compliment from someone (me!) who doesn't often order this drink and who doesn't like strawberries. We shared the Tillamook Cheddar Cheese spread and Deviled Eggs to start, both tasty. My Mom ordered the Strawberries and Greens salad. I had a bit of it and it was very yummy. I stand by strawberries being my absolute least favorite berry but the salad was fine, come to think of it, maybe I skipped the strawberries and only had the greens. My son, his girlfriend and I all shared three different entrees; the Cheeseburger, Hot chicken sando and Shrimp and Grits. I think we all thoroughly enjoyed each of these. We all really loved the crispy potatoes that accompanied the burger and hot chicken. These really stood out, perfectly crispy. Service was fabulous! I was absolutely thrilled that Motor Supply Co was as lovely as I'd hoped for and we were able to share such a nice celebration with my son while in town. Couldn't have picked a more perfect place for lunch!

Really good lunch at motor supply! I had the pork loin and it was delicious. Also had a couple bloody Mary's which were very spicy and good. This was my first time here and I'll definitely be back!

What a gem of a place in downtown Columbia! My wife and I came for a birthday dinner and had one of our best meals in months. The steak frites are creative, full of flavor, and my piece of meat was perfectly cut and prepared. The bartender is skilled and creative -- daily cocktails and solid staples are available. Great art on the walls, kind and quick service, and easy parking. Cannot wait to go back!

Pretty cool spot and not that expensive. My potatoes were a bit burnt but the burger was tasty. The French toast felt a bit homemade and the bread was a little thin. The dinner menu looked good and I wish I was able to try it. Menu changes so I'm sure that would've been a treat

Holy cow! We had such an incredible experience at Motor Supply. Service - food - drinks...it is all covered. Coming from the northeast - this place totally hit the mark on what I would anticipate southern cuisine to be. I had the shrimp & grits, and they even create it with a bit of a cajun twist, and this is one of those dishes were you are literally licking the bowl clean (& they don't judge!) Even with their appetizers, they are had an unforgettable charcuterie plate, and a stunning fried oyster dish (so good, that even my vegetarian wife felt convicted to swipe her bread through the sauce they were served in.) She though, very much enjoyed her cauliflower steak. Our waitress was so nice, and helped us from navigating their best dishes to the wines that pair best. Serving sizes were generous, so if you can make it to dessert, I would recommend their olive oil cake. You just don't get to see that too often, and this was dense & decadent.

We came on a Friday night. It was not crowded but a few groups of people were there. I think there is a parking lot but we walked over from Lady Street. We were seated immediately. The menu was pretty small with seafood, steaks, pork, duck and even a vegetarian entree. Featured cocktails as well. We had been drinking beer and so we ordered two imported beers that we had never had before. They were nice. I ordered the vegetarian dish, Pan Seared Cauliflower Steak and my friend had the Pan Seared East Coast Halibut. We had decided to skip appetizers but they sounded good. Our food came out about 10 or 15 minutes later. My Cauliflower dish was really bland and not pan seared, mostly raw with some green peas underneath. My friend said her fish was also very bland and dry. This place is very nice inside and the service was also very good, but we came for the food and it was sub-par for the money. I have been here years ago but I don't remember loving it then either. Too bad.

The service and food were amazing. My catfish was a bit salty but it was so tender and melted in my mouth. I also tried my bf's French toast and it was so good. The ambiance of the place was so relaxing yet high vibe. I love how they tell you every place they get their products from. It is a daily menu so every day is different. Definitely a must go place

When my wife visited Columbia several months ago, I put together a list of fine restaurants for her to dine at. Motor Supply was on literally every list I reviewed. My wife was wowed by her first experience, unfortunately not the case for me this weekend. Some of our issues involved service, some the food. For a restaurant with such a stellar reputation, I would have expected better. The restaurant's enclosed patio doesn't match the main dining room for comfort or décor. Our starters arrived before our first round of cocktails. The Pork Belly portion was incredibly small and the Bone In Pork came out only slightly warm. Like so many restaurants, there never seems to be a manager on the floor keeping an eye on pacing or asking guests about their dining experience. Another guest had the Frogmore Stew with shrimp, andouille and sweet corn. It was amazing. I wish I had ordered it in lieu of the pork. My wife ordered the Hanger Steak again and it was just as good as her first visit. The N.C. Honeycrisp Apples salad was a table favorite. It was large enough that four of us got a tasting. The blue cheese, pumpkin seeds and champagne-vanilla vinaigrette made it pop. The Chocolate Peanut Butter frozen dessert was the bomb. Hard to break apart, but oh so good. I'll probably give Motor Supply another tasting on a future trip.

The food was simply amazing! Coming from me as an extremely picky eater. We came during brunch. The wife had the meatloaf and I had the French Toast. The atmosphere was very inviting. Our server was excellent and very attentive to our needs.

This places is very expensive for Columbia but it was pretty good. I had the steak and I had the beef tartare appetizer. The server Maria was fantastic!! I would definitely go back!

The best restaurant in Columbia..., maybe so! It's certainly my partner's favorite place in the Vista. The next bad thing I eat there will be the first. The food is great, eat all of it. I'm going to focus on things other than food. 1. Infused vodkas at the bar. 10 on 10. 2. You don't drink? No problem, every night they will have 2-5 NA cocktails for you to choose from. 3. My absolute favorite desert menu that changes daily. 4. Great valet service. 5. Wonderful ambiance featuring vintage hardwoods and brick in low lights and comfy seats. For special occasions this is my go to place.

One of my FAVE places to eat for dinner when i'm in cola!!! Food is incredible from the drinks to the apps to the main dishes to dessert. Can't go wrong here. Staff is great and welcoming. Love the ambiance - chill yet classy. Could be a pricier option for some, but the entire experience is definitely worth it. (and I don't invest in anything other than food and travel so IF it's going to be good I will pay the price!!)

It was my first time visiting Columbia, SC and I'm glad we chose Motor Supply among all the recommendations we got from locals. I appreciated that valet parking was complimentary, so don't forget to tip the valet! The atmosphere is nicely cozy without being crowded--I like places where it feels intimate but not like I'm dining with the table next to me. Our server was prompt, professional, and friendly and helped guide us through the menu. We started with the pork belly and the scallops--our server said that his dad just gets multiple plates of pork belly for his meal, and I can see why. Both dishes were delicious and prepared well. Far too often, I get undercooked pork belly and overcooked scallops, and this was not the case here. I had the roast duck as my entrée, which is one of my weaknesses--it was very tasty. My partner had the shrimp and grits, which was very generous with the shrimp. We ended the meal with the chocolate peanut butter bar, which was so good that I ordered a second one to go! All in all, I would totally go back if I'm in the area again.

Server was inattentive at best. We had to wait 19 minutes for someone to walk up to us while tables that got sat after us were greeted and served drinks. The server sat with her server friends across from us at a table talking for 10 minutes while we needed drink refills and the check. The steak I ordered was supposed to be medium but came out with no pink whatsoever. Told server about the steak and never saw or spoke to a manager. We left and went to Kaminsky's for dessert. Very underwhelming experience. I would like to go back but I'm not sure at this point. If the only issue was the steak, I'd get over it. But the service just did us in.

Without reservations, we were quickly seated for brunch on Sunday. The food was absolutely amazing. I ordered the curry chicken & my friend ordered the shrimp & grits. Love shrimp & grits but that curry chicken did it for me. Very colorful and welcoming ambiance with lots of wall paintings.

Had a new years eve dinner reservation with my bf for 5PM. We got seated promptly. We got cocktails to start and then ordered a few dishes. We got the cheese board, lobster bisque, foie gras, and venison. Everything was absolutely delicious. The cheese board was very unique. The lobster bisque was also very tasty with the egg yolk! The foie gras was super creamy and there were so many different flavors that complemented well with each other. The venison was cooked well -- would have preferred it to be more medium rare but still no complaints. For dessert, we got the creme brulee and some other blackberry napolean pastry. I would recommend the creme brulee instead as we did not enjoy the other blackberry dessert. The champagne creme that was inside threw us off. Overall, this spot is definitely for fine dining. I have to say that the service was spot on -- all the waiters/waitresses were wonderful. It was the perfect place to celebrate the new year!

NOT EVEN A LITTLE BIT KID FRIENDLY. menu SUCKS. Our server Brandon was the only highlight because he was great. Management lady left more to be desired. Was not accommodating to our party. They were clearly bothered by our business

Positives: the Thyme for bubbles cocktail was nice. A little sweet, but not too sweet and you could barely taste the Gn (which was good for me since I don't like Gin that is heavily juniper forward.) The rack of venison was AMAZING. The crust as super flavorful and the chops were cooked to a perfect medium rare. The celery root puree was creamy and flavorful. I hate brussel sprouts so they left them off. The Sea Island red beans had great flavor, were rather tiny, but (in my opinion) were under cooked. They had almost a bit of crunch, they were very firm. But edible, so I didn't send them back. All of staff, with the exception of the bartender (who was my server) had masks on, consistently above their nose (properly worn). The bartender however, would occasionally let his mask just dangle from one ear. Negatives: with the exception of two things mentioned above, I noticed that the antique mirror behind the bar was desperately in need of some windex. You can't blame all that haze on it being old. That is condensation marks and dust. As fancy and upscale as this place is, I kind of expect them to pay attention to details like this.

Easter Sunday dinner did not disappoint. The menu is always eclectic and well planned. Portions are great and there is something for everyone, meat-eaters and vegetarians. Always known for great bartenders and interesting cocktails and the service is unmatched.

This is such a cool and fun place. I visit Columbia frequently for work and I always try to stop in for a meal. Thought provoking menu in a cool space. Food is always well above average to great and the service excels. Because of the custom menu it can be limited so if taking pickier eaters, check the offerings ahead of time.

Wonderful location and atmosphere and the food is Devine. Really enjoy being able to sit outside when weather cooperates!

Great atmosphere and tasty food. The staff is the best! Good for work brunches or dinner.

Great experience dining here on a Saturday. The interior is very charming, the service is great and the food did not disappoint. We started off with "No reservation" and "No rye no reason" for drinks, and Joyce Farm's Seared Duck Duo (local mushrooms | piccolo farro | roasted cauliflower | apricot gastrique) with Hunter Cattle Co. Grass-Fed Strip (roasted local potatoes | grana padano | broccolini | demi glace | pickled red onion).. Loved it! Definitely recommend checking it out.

Love this place! Great food, good service. My only hesitation on restaurants in the vista is parking, but otherwise 10 out of 10.

Saturday brunch is exactly what we needed after enjoying the Alumni HOCO party on Friday! We had reservations and were promptly greeted and taken to our table! We started with an Expresso Martini & Apple Cider Mimosa. Both were very flavor forward fall drinks! I had French Toast . My friend had the eggs & bacon. Our food gave us the recharge we needed to go to the Alumni Tailgate! We will definitely return!

At the outset, our server asked if this was a pre-theatre dinner so she could make sure all timing was on point---it was and she did. Our group each had great meals-from the Halibut with layers of flavor, to mussels, to a perfectly prepared steak-all were exceptional. They continue to demonstrate why Motor Supply is one of the best restaurants in Columbia.

Wow so disappointing. Shrimp and grits .. shrimp was so over cooked it was like chewing an eraser. Both out Desserts must have been made two weeks before. Horrible and stale. and the coulis was a ball of gel instead of a sauce. Again like it was made two weeks prior. And the service was really slow. Way too much hype for a two star bistro.

As a first time patron, I wanted to like Motor Supply because I've heard such amazing things about the food, service and drinks. I guess you could even say I expected great things. Unfortunately, this was not the case. For having a limited menu that changes daily, you would think they would serve the dishes they *are* making well. The food was an odd mix of hot and cold if that makes sense? But was supposed to be hot all the way through? The point is, your southern grandma is making better shrimp and grits than MS. It was also mostly unseasoned, which was disappointing. Furthermore, the service was less than ideal. Our server didn't seem to be interested in helping us resolve the issues with the food and was pretty aloof in general. For a restaurant that has such an iconic rep in Columbia for being great, this was a huge letdown and large waste of money. It was my first time and my last time wrapped into one terrible meal and experience. The one star I'm giving is for the very nice valet outside the building. Kudos to you, buddy.

Slow service to begin with considering not many customers. Soon picked up and our waitress got on the ball. She made some recommendations and we went with the appetizer combo of pizza rolls, mozzarella sticks and boneless chicken wings. One cheese pizza and an Italian sub with veggies/dip. Fries were an alternative option. App came out fast and hot. Followed not too long by the mains. We had debated over French fries versus the veggies, our waitress brought a generous serving of complementary fries to go with the veggies. Very nice touch. The food was flavorful, fresh and serving size resulted in the request for take-out boxes. Great old Chicago brick eatery, good atmosphere, decent parking for a down town location and prices were reasonable for the area. Definitely recommend and I would go again for sure

This place is in a cool historic building in downtown Columbia near USC. They do have a small parking lot but street parking is free after 5 PM at many locations. Great bar selection and the bartender service was phenomenal. The kitchen is efficient and puts out good food. It is an upscale atmosphere but can be semi-casual also. Most of their ingredients are locally sourced which is another big plus. And for dessert I highly recommend the crème brûlée!

Cute little spot and great service. Stopped here quickly for lunch as it was recommended as one the best places in downtown Columbia! I had the salmon salad and it was very well prepared and presented!

Still awful....who puts watery grits on a flat plate? Eggs were bad, tasted like hotel lobby eggs. Hubby's sandwich came out without the egg on it and he had to ask for it...watered down coffee. The waiter didn't have enough sense to ask why my husband left 80% of his meal on the plate. No offer for a box or a manager. We were here ten months ago and if possible, the food is worse. Bacon and eggs cold. Oh, and with reservations we were still seated at a tiny table. Ugh....no more chances for this place.

Lunch was superb. Very good combination of flavors. Not an overwhelming menu of choices, but of flavors combinations. Incredible that flavor matching from the Chef. Can't wait to see what is the dinner menu.

A local friend recommended this place to us. We went on a weekday night and the place was quite slow. I ordered duck duo. The breast was very tender and juicy. Confit was way too salty for me and the server was very attentive fixing the issue. The vegetables in my plate were very fresh. Great farmers to table restaurant.

We chose this restaurant for a birthday outing and I must say everything was amazing. I truly enjoyed the quality of the food. Our server was truly amazing and the manager on duty checked in with us a few times. The drinks are great and strong! We will be back!

First time to Columbia and wanted to try this highly ranked place. Service was great from the moment we stepped in. Decor made a great ambiance. The menu changes often and we had the duck and pork chop, plus the cheese plate to start. Both dishes were amazing! We will be back again when we visit from CHS.

Excellent choice! Varied menu, neat locale and friendly staff. Nice flavor combinations. You can sit in a covered patio or indoors.

Really great service and an excellent New Years menu. Had a perfect date. The changes they bring to the menu keep things new and exciting. The staff are all polite and the restaurant is very clean. 10/10.