I have loved the Spanish restaurant Columbia for years. I have written about two of their locations in Clearwater and Ybor City in Tampa. While I was visiting St. Augustine, I wanted to make sure I checked out this location too. It was in the Historic District which is a wonderful experience.
They were busy the evening I was there, so I was not able to get a table. I was able to get a seat at the bar.
As with every visit to Columbia, it starts out with the waiter bringing out fresh baked Cuban bread. It comes out wrapped up, which makes me feel like I am opening a yummy birthday present. Since the bread is so warm, as soon as the butter is placed on, it melts into all the nook and crannies of the bread. The crust of the bread is crispy and inside is so soft. It is a carb-lovers paradise.
I also love the fresh made sangrias they make right in front of you. They had a new version on the menu, a Sangria de Rose. They used Rose wine along with Torres brandy and fresh citrus juices. Of course, they added cherries and fresh orange slices. This sangria was not too sweet or too dry. It was right in the middle and felt kind of light.
I also split their famous 1905 salad. If there is one thing that you must try on the Columbia menu is this 1905 salad. It is so filling it can be your entire meal. They chop up crispy iceberg lettuce to make it easier to eat. They then toss in julienne style ham, turkey, and swiss cheese. Not to be outdone, they add tomatoes, olives, grated Romano cheese, Worchester sauce, and their famous homemade garlic dressing. Every aspect of the salad gets coated with the dressing.
The garlic flavor shines through. The Worchester sauce added a nice salty, savory taste. The meat and cheese help to fill you up, while the lettuce adds a fresh crunch.
There are so many great dishes on the Columbia menu. But there is something so simple about a salad and a pitcher of sangria that makes me so satisfied.
I highly recommend you check them out. They have seven locations across Florida, so make sure to find one near you.
Visit their website at www.columbiarestaurant.com
Enjoy!
T
