The other night I was in the mood for a comforting, creamy, carb filled pasta dish. A quick google search turned up this interesting looking Italian Eatery in Columbia, it had great reviews and the menu was very interesting.
Barino Italian Southern Eatery is a charming spot for a nice meal. its not very large inside, but it has a nice blend of casual and upscale dining. The main dining area is mostly tables, there was a fairly large party while I was there. But there are also a handful of smaller intimate booths. You can dress up or dress down, either would feel at ease in here.
There is also a handful of outdoor tables. Unfortunately the view across the street is a gas station, but the porch area is tucked away just enough you can enjoy eating outside without feeling like you're at a roadside diner.
They describe themselves as a blend of Italian and Southern, but I would classify this as an Italian restaurant. The only "southern" thing I saw was a couple dishes included smoked pork or brisket.
Normally when I try a new Italian restaurant I get their lasagna. In my opinion that is the best dish to judge how Italian they really are. But this time I opted to try a dish called Speziata which is a Linguini dish with a spicy cream sauce, chicken, shrimp, Italian sausage, and bell peppers.
I'm not a fan of Shrimp, but the rest of the dish intrigued me enough to try it. And I was not disappointed. The sauce had just enough spice to give it some kick without making me sweat. I really enjoyed it, except the shrimp which I just pushed to the side.
I was very pleased with the portions. I ate about half the dish and was very satiated, plus I had the rest for a great left over meal the next day.
After a meal like this you need something a little sweet to round it out. On offer for dessert they had Chocolate Chip Cannoli, Cheesecake, and Tiramisu. All great options, but whenever there is a Cannoli it is very hard for me to choose anything else.
So I had the Cannoli. They were very good, the shell was light and had a nice vanilla flavor. The filling was creamy and delightful. I was happy with the choice and would definitely order them again.
Final Thoughts
I know Mama Mila's is the default choice when looking for Italian in Columbia. And I do love Mila's. But if you are looking for an alternate option, either just for a change of pace or because Mila's is closed, Barino's is a fantastic option.
The atmosphere is great for either a casual meal, or even for a moderate sized group, but also for an intimate meal with someone special.
Prices were reasonable and the food was excellent. The staff were all super kind, friendly, and helpful.
Definitely a should try place, and one I will return to in the future.
Barino Italian Southern Eatery
1018 S. Garden St.
Columbia, TN 38401
Comments