Blackwall Barn & Lodge Columbia

My biggest problem with this restaurant is they charge 3% for using a credit card. I am a firm believer in the cost of doing business should be built into the menu items. If you want to offer a cash discount on the back end - fine - but tacking this fee on checks to me is bad business and I generally avoid these restaurants.

Took my Mom for mother's Day. Started off with a Mango Gin Fizz which was good. Bottled water was $7 which I thought was pricey. Shared the barn steak (basically a giant slab of bacon) and the caprese boat as an appetizer. Both were good except I feel the maple syrup on the bacon would have been better on the side. Ordered the shrimp and crab risotto but they didn't tell me today's risotto was mushroom so I sent it back and had to order something else while everyone else was eating. Ended up with the beef taco appetizer and it was pretty good. Dessert was cinnamon ice cream which I liked. Service was decent and the decor was very nice. Might return if I'm in the area but wouldn't go out of my way just to go here again considering everything.

Went here for dinner with the family. Atmosphere is outstanding. I love how the seating is set up and the overall layout of the restaurant. Our wait staff was AMAZING. Very attentive and timed all the courses of the dinner appropriately. We did not feel rushed or like there was too long to wait between courses. Most of the food was wonderful. I ordered the shrimp and grits. This is my standard dish that I get at all restaurants so I can use it as a control for comparison. Shrimp was cooked well, but my grits were dry and just OK. It was edible, but not great. Duck fat fries were also OK, there are a few other local places that do them MUCH better. I'm willing to give it another shot because the service was so wonderful.

Went here for a lunch date and I’m glad we did! First of all, the interior is decorated so nicely. It’s a welcoming atmosphere (elegant yet rustic). Our server, Noah, was very attentive and checked on us throughout our dining experience. He also offered great recommendations! The food was very good! I had the shrimp and scallop risotto and my fiancé has the Chesapeake pasta. Both entrees were tasty and my scallops were cooked perfectly. All the staff were welcoming and ensured we had a good experience. My fiancé has already said he wants to come back for his birthday, so we will definitely be back!

What an amazing time we had! The food was insanely delicious and the drinks were top shelf. The greeters and wait staff were friendly and professional. Everyone seemed to want us to be comfortable, happy, and catered to. Loved the ambience as well as the decor and the little touches that always mean so much. We made reservations for an upcoming Sunday brunch before we even left the restaurant! That's how good it was and impressed we were.