Have you ever had a dining experience so irritating that you immediately wanted to go to another restaurant to wipe it out of your mind? No? Try Columbia in Celebration. Everyone should be this miserable once so that you’ll appreciate the good meals however humble or exceptional.
We go to Columbia because we crave the white sangria (which is a treat) however I suggest you enjoy it in the bar. It’s made with Cava Spanish Sparkling wine and none of my very skilled friends are able to replicate it at home. Columbia also has a very nice salad called a 1905 salad that they toss table side. (link is to a recipe posted on food network’s site which is exactly the same)
Last night we met a friend there for the white sangria and appetizers (we asked to sit in the dining room, as it was 5:30 and the place was 70% empty).
The waiter greeted us and “highlighted” about 9 items on the menu, not specials, just the most expensive. This took him at least 4 minutes and he gushed like a wanna-be Broadway star auditioning for Andrew Lloyd Webber. He offered us still or sparkling water but was visibly disappointed when we asked for tap (“Oh, you want Celebration’s finest”)
We ordered the sangria immediately and he brought it right away. The Sangria is made table-side at Columbia and he did a great job. This sadly is my last compliment.
When we ordered we explained that one of our party had other dinner plans, we’d be in and out but we wanted to SPLIT a salad and order some appetizers.
He soaked us for three salads (I feel very confident this was a soaking and not misunderstanding) and the appetizers we ordered (empanadas and croquettes) were off the steam table — freezer was the strongest flavor.
The salad is tossed table side in an elaborate and enjoyable “show” which was ruined before he left the table. I’m not making this up (I’m not this creative) ; he asked if we were saving room for dessert BEFORE he even walked away.
The last straw … I was eating the black bean salsa (which was tasty) off the frozen empanadas and he pulled the plate while I was chewing (that way I couldn’t protest).
He promptly brought the check and returned within 3 minutes to collect the signed credit card receipts and count his tip.
Our total bill for this experience was $20 per person plus tip. Not overwhelming, but for what we got certainly not a value.
In summary:
Ambiance: Pretty, but hot the air conditioning wasn’t working well
Food: Frozen
Drinks: Excellent
Waiter: Ass
Whineaux Verdict:Â Enjoy the Sangria but have dinner someplace enjoyable.
That is some really horrible service! I haven’t been to the Columbia in Tampa but I certainly hope they don’t train their waitstaff to act this way at both locations.
Cheers!
I think the one in Tampa is better. We went a couple times and enjoyed it. I think the food is going down hill thought