Greeted and sat immediately when walking in. This was a place my brother chose to celebrate his graduation! A unique experience of its own. The place is very well air conditioned, and the space is very intentional. Visiting from out of state the waitress seemed a bit shy/new but curious about Wisconsin she warmed up a little bit. It's really cool that you can see the chefs in their element behind a glass wall while you wait. The silverware, or should I say Goldwear was beautiful. I started out with the All American Spritz- it was good but nothing extraordinary. However when I tried the pistachio martini, I was in disbelief! I was skeptical to order it as I've never even heard of one before and was unsure how pistachio would translate into a martini. It was creamy and somehow savory and sweet at the same time, the alcohol taste was nonexistent. And the rim was coated in pistachio crumbs. Both the drinks presentation was beautiful. I personally ordered the bbq chicken sandwhich, with mac and cheese instead of fries for the side. The sandwich was smoky, I could not stop eating it! If anyone was wondering what so special about the mac and cheese, it's the name of the noodles. And yes, the waitress will sound it out with you lol! The Mac and cheese wasn't creamy, and I found it a bit bland unfortunately. There was no order the same in the group I came with. The truffle fries were on the thinner crispier side, neat that there were different color of potatoes used. The duck wings came out like their very own presentation. I tried the alligator bites, that were served with 2 sauces, I thought there were kind of chewy , and weird enough I guess I have a preference with how my alligator is served since having tried some at the Wisco State fair. I love that the menu feels curated, you know what you're there for and it's not overwhelming to pick from the options of something new. The bathroom was very cute too! And the bar area was lit up, a cool atmosphere. read more

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I was not impressed, but there is a lot of potential here to be impressed. When we first arrived, the hostess immediately let us know the kitchen would be closing soon, even though there was still an open reservation after ours. That created a slightly rushed feeling right from the start of the experience. When the food arrived, it was not served hot. The fries were seasoned but came out cold, so we had to send them back. The service also felt a bit disengaged, as though the server was ready to wrap things up, even though there was still about 30 to 45 minutes before closing time. That said, once the food was remade and served hot, it was really good. My salad, however, was not the same experience, as the lettuce had brown spots throughout, which took away from the overall quality. You can tell the kitchen has potential when the food is prepared properly, but consistency is the issue. The ambience is very cool and visually appealing. It is a bit dark for my personal preference in the evening, but I can imagine it being bright and beautiful during the daytime. The cocktail I ordered was just okay and didn't really stand out. Overall, there is definitely potential here, but improvements in consistency, service attentiveness, and food quality control would really elevate the experience. read more

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When my family in Columbia suggested a "forest to table" restaurant, I wasn't sure what to expect. But The Hollow surprised me in the best way. The concept centers on wild game. Bison, elk, boar, rabbit. These are proteins you don't see on most menus. The restaurant leans into a woodland theme with greenery hanging throughout the space. It borders on a bit much, but the open kitchen visible from the dining room grounds the whole experience and adds a nice touch of theater. The seating was comfortable and well spaced, perfect for a family dinner where you actually want to hear each other talk. Our server was outstanding, easily 5 out of 5. She knew the menu cold, offered thoughtful recommendations, and struck that ideal balance of attentive without being intrusive. She made the evening better. The drinks were mostly a win. Two cocktails were excellent, creative and well balanced. A third was over iced and fell flat. Minor miss, but worth noting. The food is where The Hollow really shines. The charcuterie board was a fantastic start, featuring a well curated spread of wild game meats, quality cheeses, fig, and mustard. The mains delivered across the board: salmon, elk, and bison all came out beautifully with great flavor and generous portions. The sides deserved their own applause, which isn't something I say often. The dessert menu was the one soft spot. Nothing grabbed our attention, so we ended up heading across the street to Kaminsky's for something sweet. For a kitchen that puts this much care into everything else, the dessert offerings felt like an afterthought. A couple of notes on the bill to be aware of: we were charged a few dollars for swapping a vegetable side. There was a 3% credit card surcharge that caught us off guard. When you're out with the family and the tab runs into the hundreds $, most folks are paying with a card. That's a fee I'd want to know about upfront. On the menu, from the server, somewhere visible before the check arrives. The bottom line: The Hollow is a creative, well executed restaurant with standout food and excellent service. If you're in Columbia, it's well worth a reservation. read more

The food itself tasted pretty good, but the portion size was incredibly disappointing. To make it worse my first big bite was all bread. The main entrees at lunch were just different versions of a sandwich. The service was mediocre at best. The staff looked depressing. The interior is very well designed though. read more

The Hollow - Blackened Elk Philly - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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I came here twice during my tenure in Columbia, SC, once for brunch and once for dinner/happy hour. The food is reasonably priced, high quality and great service. Highly recommend the wild game tasting board as well as the breakfast tower to get you a sampling of their menu. Drinks are exceptional and I look forward to trying more on my next trip. +1 Vibe +1 Taste +1 Presentation +1 Service +1 Value read more

The Hollow - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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While visiting Columbia, I had the pleasure of visiting The Hollow twice. First for brunch and later in the week for a happy hour dinner. Both experiences were exceptional and I look forward to returning the next time I visit the city. When you walk in you are instantly met with green - painted walls and plants hanging from the ceiling. The instantly sets the mood and welcomes guests in. For brunch, we ordered the Breakfast Tower for two which provided a sample of many of their brunch staples. Everything from the eggs and potatoes to the pancakes and olive oil tea cakes were divine and left me satisfied. At $38 it felt like a reasonable price for an experience that was similar to a high tea. For dinner we came during happy hour. And while we didn't realize it at the time, we came to find that both cocktails and appetizers (which includes the wild game tasting board) were half off. Had we realized this we'd likely have only ordered from there - but this gives a reason to return. The entrees and sides were well prepared and balanced gaminess of less traditional cuts of meat with bold flavors. The cocktails were similarly interesting and paired nicely with the meal. Service was great, and our waitress even remembered us on our second visit even though it had been a few days between visits. I highly recommend. read more

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Interesting place specialized in wild game in town. Randomly ran into this place on our way to the canal park and had dinner during happy hour. Turned out very good value for the food we got. read more

We ABSOLUTELY LOVED our first time experience at The Hollow! The dining atmosphere was chill with a great vibe. The food was absolutely amazing...flavorful and full of depth. We ordered the Smoked Duck Wings, Seared Sea Scallops, Wild Alligator Bites, Stuffed Prawn Heads, and the Wild Game Tasting Board. We were full and left with To Go boxes. The cocktails were also delicious! Michael, our server, provided excellent customer service too. We will definitely be back! read more

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I can't decided if I like this place or not... our first impression was the menu looked insanely delicious. Very extensive, unique, innovative and special for Columbia. It was seriously hard to decide. We walked in and the decor wasn't quite what we expected- it was cute but again not entirely what we thought it would be. I did like the giant tree detail. Service was good, she was helpful and took care of us well. I will say the drinks take a little while- the bar was a bit backed up but not a huge issue. When we went the apps were half off which is an amazing deal. They also didn't mention the drinks were also half off so this was a pleasant surprise. This was the most food my mom and I have ordered in a while and not had a $300 bill. Seriously great deal. My issues lie in the entrees- they came out fast which is fine no one complains about that but the dish we had been looking forward to was luke warm. My short rib was the perfect temp and tasty, but my mother's pasta on the other hand wasn't hot at all. It is also served with a giant cold ball of burrata or mozzarella which lowers the temp of the dish even more. We didn't send it back so that's on us but it was odd.... I'm giving 4 stars because of the awesome value and good service. That radiatore needs some work though!! read more

The Hollow - Complimentary greens - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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The food was uniquely great. The staff were very pleasant as well. We'll be back for sure.

Thursday night girls' night done right!! We stopped into The Hollow for Bottles & Boards and were very impressed. The Wild Game Tasting Board was the star of the table perfect for sharing and trying something a little different. We also ordered the gator bites (a must-try!) and finished things off with cheesecake for dessert, which was the perfect sweet ending. Good service, Amazing Food. The chef really goes above and beyond! This is the perfect spot if you're looking to switch things up from your usual dinner routine and try something a little wild. read more

The Hollow - Wild game!! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

My friend, who is an avid hunter, told me about thos new restaurant he heard about near our job. We decided to try it for lunch since we both love wild/ exotic meats. We were seated immediately upon arrival and the waitress was very helpful amd knowledgeable about the menu. We both opted for.the beast burger with added duck egg and we were happy with outer choice. The burger was so big I almost took half of it home, but I ditched the bum and ate the rest of the meat, egg and toppings. We started the meal with tye fried alligator which came drizzled with a delicious sauce. I will definitely be back tp try more of the menu.. read more

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Ok so if you like rustic meets farm to table vibes this is your place to dine. They offer a rotating seasonal menu paired with fresh vegetables. Meat varieties include bison, quail, boar, and rabbit. My waitress recommended their grilled salmon entree which was served on wild rice risotto, broccoli, and herb infused butter. The dish was absolutely perfect paired with a glass of wine. This restaurant is a great addition to the area and looking forward to trying the Elk Filet. read more

The Hollow - Grilled Salmon - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

The food was okay; not bad but not great either. I ordered the Rib special and the ribs had entirely too much sauce. I don't like my ribs to be sauced to begin with, but they were over sauced in my opinion. The coleslaw lacked flavor. However, the Mac and cheese was really good. The service was good but had to wait awhile for water refills. This wouldn't deter me from coming back and I'm looking to try something new next time. 3.5 stars read more

The Hollow - Rib Special with Mac and Cheese and Coleslaw - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

First time at The Hollow. They offer complimentary valet! Made reservations and was seated timely. The restaurant is spacious and can accommodate larger parties. Nice bar as well. We at seafood arancini 5/5 which was fried risotto balls with seafood filing, very tasty! Duck wings were good 4/5. I had the field and stream which was good, would have liked more of the topping but the elk was very flavorful and tender. The risotto was def the stand out in all we had, what ever u get make sure to try it. Def recommend! read more

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Food was not worth the money, and the service was quite bad. Our table of two had only one drink between the two of us. We sent one back because it was far too sweet. Other ordered drinks never arrived. The elk was okay -- while the trout was lacking in flavor. Our salad was very nice and light. A true highlight. We decided to skip dessert - knowing it would take forever-- or not come at all. It was a busy Saturday night, but that should not have been a surprise. And unfortunately, this was a birthday dinner. read more

Kennedy was my server and she was the best! anything I needed she was on top of it. she was also the sweetest server iv ever had. would 100% reques her and come back again! read more

I loved the earthy vibes with the tree decor and river bar top. The cocktails that we had while waiting for our reserved table were also very good and unique. The bar tender was friendly and offered good recommendations. The not so good was the 20 minute wait for our reserved table and the dinner service which was subpar. The server was not friendly or helpful. We started with the duck wings and beet salad. The beet salad had no flavor and was overpriced for what it was. The beets and cheese were scant. For what it's worth, I make a beet salad at home that is better. My boyfriend got the duo ribs and I had the elk bolognese. The ribs were amazing especially the wild boar, but my food came out cold. It was much better heated up the next day. I had really high expectations based on other reviews but the food and service was really hit or miss here which is why I'm ranking this a 3. read more

Third time at the hollow! This time around I have less to write home about than usual... service was pretty slow! But enjoyed most of the food we were served. To start, we had the deviled duck eggs and neither of us were huge fans. I think we were both expecting them to toast exactly like deviled eggs lol. But the flavors were so good if they were just deviled eggs I know it would've been 10/10. Just something about that duck egg taste... for my entree I had the elk filet and it was pretty good. The risotto and roasted carrots were great. And my dad had the fried pheasant and I had a bite and it was also really good!!!! And for dessert I ordered the bananas foster cheesecake and it was pretty eh. But the key lime creme brûlée was insane. Like so delicious. I'm not the biggest fan of key lime stuff but it was incredible!! read more

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My favorite place to eat in Columbia! The Hollow has the best menu with fresh forest to table food. Kennedy provided great service for our party. The restaurant is calm and welcoming for any occasion! read more

The Hollow was a great experience for us! We had made a same-day reservation on a weeknight, but probably didn't need one since they weren't too busy. The interior was dimly lit and well decorated, with lots of Halloween decor for October. The staff was overall attentive and our server immediately asked how we found the place, since I think they are relatively new. The drinks menu said to ask for their mocktail menu, but it turned out they didn't actually have one. I gave the server an idea of what I wanted and the bartender ended up making two tasty drinks for me throughout the evening. My friends really enjoyed their cocktails as well, especially the glittery one that came in a coupe glass. For food, we started with the Wild Game Tasting Board, which was awesome. I don't eat pork and usually can't have any of the meats on a charcuterie board, so it was awesome being able to try everything. The lamb carpaccio was probably my favorite, but it was all delicious and unique. I also got the Deviled Duck Egg Flight, which was tasty but pretty standard. For my entree, I chose the Elk Bolognese. Highly recommend this dish! The elk went great with the cavatelli pasta, and the burrata on top was so decadent. The pasta was just a bit softer than I would've preferred, but overall this dish was awesome. It was also super filling, and I ended up taking half of it home. Overall, a great choice for a (slightly fancier) dinner! read more

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We tried the Hollow last night for a birthday dinner with a group of 8 people. We made a reservation in advance for 7:30 and we were seated right away. The restaurant itself has very dim lighting, and a nature vibe to it. Unfortunately, the service was extremely slow. I know we came in with a large group, so I understand waiting for food and drinks to come, but it just took so long to even put our food and drink orders in. I enjoyed my cocktail, but my entree wasn't great. The salmon was slightly undercooked and the risotto was pretty salty. I know they are known for wild game, but I was just a little disappointed with this. Overall, I think they just have some kinks to work out as a new restaurant, but the concept is cool. read more

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Second time going to the Hollow and what an amazing experience. Jimmy was an awesome waiter and so attentive. We were ten minutes late for our reservation but the hostess and staff were so kind and accommodating. We got two appetizers and two entrees that were delicious. The menu is so different and you can tell they really put thought into their entrees. The restaurant is decorated perfectly with moss and greenery everywhere! read more

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100/10! Between the ease of making online reservations to the service and the food, I have not had an experience like this in a long time! The vibe was earthy and classy yet cozy. You could watch the chefs in the kitchen which was neat. We ordered the deviled eggs which were unique and wonderful, we both had the elk which was to die for, cooked to perfection and even the carrots and risotto were delicious and the perfect accompaniment! Each meal was served with a tossed salad and homemade sundried tomato vinaigrette, again just perfect! The service was excellent and just loved the whole evening!! read more

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Amazing dinner at the Hollow. Truly a lovely dining experience. We ordered the Seafood Arancini. These were super crispy coated balls with creamy seafood inside. I ordered the Rib duo which was a good portion of meat. This came with a type of mac and cheese and pickled vegetables. My entree could be split for light eaters. Todd our server made our dining experience just perfect! read more

We truly enjoyed our lunch date to the hollow. The ambience of this restaurant is breathtaking. From the canopy of greenery to the lush walls and woodsy decor it's like enchanted forest meets fine dining! Parking was fairly easy at that time and we arrived right before the crowd our server also one of the managers was absolutely helpful and made our special lunch date a 10 out of 10! The salad was nice and fresh with the beautiful vinaigrette, but the star of the show was really the burger. It was filled with so much flavor and was absolutely delicious. Will definitely be back to the dinner menu! read more

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This is one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. Delicious food. Packed restaurant. Unique offerings. My friend loved the trout. I enjoyed the lamb chops, we both thought the butternut squash hash was great. The poached pear dessert was perfect. Our waiter Michael was efficient. read more

The Hollow - Arugula, pear, Baratta cheese salad with the yummy butternut squash hash. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Being my first time, it was yummy! The theme of game and outdoors is most excellent. The upside down tree added to the experience. One thing, servers need to help one another and realize they are on a team. When I asked another server for help, with a smile, she said I wasn't her table. Just wanted more water. All the tables are your table. One bad experience goes a long way to reflect on the restaurant as a whole. Definitely would go back for the cuisine and hope servers can work together in the future. read more

Good and service were fine. After 3 of us spent well over $300 we got our car from valet. We have been unable to rectify this. We have emailed, called, and gone to the restaurant where we have given them our dinner receipt , our valet ticket, and parking ticket. Each time we've given them our contact info. No response. This is Customer Service??? read more

The Hollow - Parking ticket - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

This spot has been on our list for quite a while. Finally got a date night and it did not disappoint! Right when we arrived, everyone was friendly. We had a reservation, and were seated right away. Our server was Molly - and she was wonderful. We ordered a tasting board, and the manager brought it and explained what everything was - which I appreciated! Basically everything we got was something we've never had before. I got the boar shank and oh my goodness - it was cooked perfectly and just an amazing flavor. Hubby got the duck confit and he cleaned his plate. We got the risotto, mainly to take home to our bougie four year old - but it was SO good. We are really not dessert in restaurant kind of people usually- but my husband saw a piece of cheesecake go by and decided to take a piece to go. Can't tell you how it was because he ate it before I could get a picture. This was a wonderful, unique experience. We will definitely be back. So many things on the menu I still want to try. read more

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Been waiting to try this spot... so I invited my uncles to join me... The decor fits the restaurant very well lit and spacious ... I started the meal with the Deviled Duck Eggs and the Sticky Duck Wings. The wings were amazing cooked perfectly and the mixture of honey and sriracha added to the crunch of the wings I def recommend and will be getting another order. The Elk Philly was prepared nice and was fresh. The seasoning got rid of the gamey taste which was a plus ... the elk was tenwith the Philly came the tri fries that were cold .. so I asked for another order... and they were perfect .. S/O to the chef who cooked me a side of duck bacon that wasn't on the menu .... I will def be back and before I forget our waitress Skyllar... I'll be back to try the dinner menu. read more

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Visited The hollow for the first time and was wowed by the food. we didn't know what to expect but loved it all. I do recommend the tasting board to get a sense of so many things. Great food, staff & atmosphere. We'll be back. read more

The Hollow - Tasting board - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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We were warmly greeted & promptly given a table of our choosing, also the ambiance & service were excellent, but we came for the food ..... Since we were early, drinks & starters were offered to us at 50% off, so I had the fried wild alligator starter. It was superbly cooked & served in bit-sized chunks topped with a nicely spiced sauce; the alligator itself was pretty bland - it could have been chicken. At 50% off, it was worth it, but I wouldn't pay the full menu price for it. For mains, I had the rabbit leg confit, whilst my wife had the smoked chicken. Both were a disappointment. My rabbit lacked flavour, not helped by the (superbly cooked) potato croquette & sautéed romanesco, neither of which had enough of a presence to raise the dish. As for my wife's chicken, she was presented with 2 very small legs, accompanied by roast baby potatoes & a corn salad. Whilst the vegetables were quite tasty, the chicken left a lot to be desired, one leg being so small & scrawny it was impossible to eat without picking it up and gnawing it off the bone. The other wasn't particularly flavourful either, so she basically left 90% of them. Overall, we felt it was a huge disappointment, especially at the price point .... we won't be returning. read more

Amazing food and experience at The Hollow! Mallory our server was fantastic and the food I can tell I will be thinking about until I can come back again. My husband and i celebrated our anniversary here and it was perfect! We are from out of state but came here as my husband is military and was in the area and so we came up to visit and I love exploring places I can't find anywhere else and this is one of those places. Highly recommend. read more

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The food was delicious! It was not what I was used to, so there was some reticence. But everything was super fresh and the experience quite enlightening read more

Our friends recommended the Hollow as a way to get some columbia restaurant week action. The interior of the Hollow is rather campy with lots of hanging plastic greenery, and a rather dark ambiance. But hey you are in a hollow where light is a precious commodity. We ordered some specialty drinks to start things off; befitting of the spirit of the season, we enjoyed an Ichabod Cranium ( think piña colada like) and Midnight Ride, a lovely concoction with gin, blue Curaçao, and some tiny sparkles on top. Three of us opted for the restaurant week, a three course menu with some flexibility of choices. We sampled the deep fried pumpkin ravioli and the crispy wild boar belly with cherry BBQ sauce. The ravioli and the both sounded better than they tasted. The breading reminded me of fish breading and the texture of the dough was a bit too tough. Likewise the boar belly chunks were tough and chewy; the only saving grace of this dish was the sauce. For our entrées, three of us had the elk bolognese, and i had the braised duck. The bolognese dish is a lovely dish. The chunks of meat were fork tender and the sauce tasted like it was cooked for hours. Nice depth of flavor, a real winner. Quack, Quack! I tried duck on several occasions and never came away satisfied. This dish rocked! The duck breast was very moist and melted in your mouth. The sauce--a fig balsamic reduction and beet puree-- were a nice complement to the rich meat. If you fancy duck, the Hollow prepares it to perfection. We satisfied our sweet tooth with a raspberry olive oil cake, and a brownie graveyard. All in all a good experience especially if you want to try something a bit different. The service was fine; our server was pleasant. read more

The Hollow - Brownie grave yard - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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This was a delicious date night choice. We got the food pictures plus the bison short rib and "field and stream" entree. Definitely plan to return in the future. read more

The Hollow - Great ambience and food was delicious. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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The Hollow downtown! Highly recommend. From the service to the food. The decorations... incredible experience. What we ordered: Wild game tasting board Duck confit crostini (perfection) Fried alligator Butternut squash salad All American Beast Burger (one of the best burgers I've ever eaten) 8oz filet with blue crab stuffed prawn (tender, juicy) and the Parmesan garlic risotto 10/10 Roasted carrots read more

Beautiful presentation and great food. Nice ambiance. Stellar service! The meat was cooked perfectly as was the pistachio coated fish. The pork and Boar ribs were perfectly seasoned and the cheese pasta was delicious! read more

It was.....I wasn't stunned. HOWEVER, I would definitely go again and try something different. Nothing was awful, but nothing was amazing either. The deviled eggs weren't that great and the rabbit manicotti tasted like any other time I've had the dish. The drinks and service were outstanding and the ambiance was great. read more