MOVE has picked through the best of the best to fill you in on the finer side of Columbia eating for the next time you want to ditch a dining hall and roll with the big dogs. Don’t let the budget get you down; find a penny, pick it up, and about 5,000 days of doing the same thing later, you’ll finally be able to eat at one of these restaurants (and man, it’ll be worth it).
**CC’s City Broiler**
This gem is located on Forum Boulevard, near Schnucks off Stadium Boulevard. It’s perfect for the seafood lover, and its fried oysters and lobster mashed potatoes are enough to keep any starving college student begging (literally?) for more. The menu has a decent selection of fresh seafood, but it is primarily a steakhouse. According to the restaurant’s menu, their most popular dish is “The Aunt Jackie,” a combination of broiled lobster tail and tender steak filet.
Each steak order comes with a house salad wrapped in thinly sliced cucumbers that is guaranteed to impress. It’s topped with pecans, feta, blue cheese and your choice of housemade dressing.
The restaurant is only open from 5–10 p.m. every day, and the line often snakes outside before it opens. Lots of eager customers means the restaurant runs out of entrees pretty quickly, so make sure to get there early if you decide to check it out.
**Bleu**
Bleu Restaurant has brought classy dining to downtown Columbia ever since it opened in September 2009. The ahi tuna tostadas, pot pie and ribeye have all earned enthusiastic reviews. One of their most popular dishes is the salmon special: ponzu-glazed salmon with wild rice and vegetables.
Recently, Bleu has introduced a new brunch menu, which they serve every day until 2 p.m. Manager Aaron Brown says the restaurant plans to downsize in the coming months and eventually move to a different venue altogether. The smaller size of the restaurant no longer allows room for Bleu’s original brunch buffet.
Now, the brunch menu has a more a la carte focus and is a little “high end.” The eggs benedict is very popular, and customers can order a traditional version with smoked ham or switch it up with fried chicken. The fried chicken and waffles and build-your-own omelet bar are also a couple best-selling items off the new menu.
“Like with our other menu items, it’s sort of like there’s a little touch of Bleu in everything; everything’s a little bit different,” Brown says.
Brunch at Bleu also offers unlimited bloody marys for $20 and unlimited mimosas for $10.
**Sycamore**
Sitting on East Broadway in The District, this classy downtown cafe gives customers quality food and a cozy atmosphere. The short ribs, scallops and special salad are all popular items.
Customers have also raved over the freshly made drinks at Sycamore’s bar. The beer list includes several local brews, including draft beers from Broadway Brewery, Logboat and Boulevard (out of Kansas City). The restaurant spreads a little more local love with freshly baked bread courtesy of Uprise Bakery.
This restaurant also features an extensive lunch menu with prices ranging from $6 to $15. The parmesan fries and pork belly sliders are both worth a try.
_Edited by Katie Rosso | krosso@themaneater.com_