Cherry Street Artisan

I first came across Cherry Street Artisan the first week of school with a two-year Columbia native. This artsy café took me by surprise with its loft-style décor and lounge-like atmosphere. I didn’t realize cafés like these could be found in downtown Columbia.

With a motto that strives “to explore the Good, the True, and the Beautiful in art and ideas,” it is no wonder that the Artisan serves a trio of culture acting as a café, theatre, and gallery. The stage hosts such events like “Trivia Night” at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and “Open Mic Night” Thursdays at 8 p.m., while the walls of the café act as the gallery that showcases the work of local artists in various medias.

The Artisan takes quality control seriously. According to their website, they purchase their coffee beans in small batches from a local micro-roaster. Smaller production equals high quality grounds. The Artisan holds their food to the same accord, assuring their customers that they take every effort to present food that has gone through “minimal processing” and was made with local ingredients when possible. Their menu lists over ten items that are made fresh in their kitchen including focaccia bread, scones, muffins, soup, quiche, hummus, pesto, dessert bars, cookies, apple dumplings, cake etc. I can attest to this effort.

On my lunchtime visit I pleasantly surprised to find that a whole section of sandwiches dedicated to vegetarians. This is hard to come by even at the swankiest establishments. My “Green Machine” Panini made with homemade pesto, artichoke hearts, baby spinach and provolone cheese was simply delicious, as was the tortilla chips and homemade hummus that accompanied it. The Artisan offers a wide menu that includes sandwiches, Panini sandwiches, pizza, soup, salads and quiches, as well as bakery and dessert items.

The Artisan is a nice change from dorm food and floor lounge studying. I plan on being back there soon and sampling some coffee and homemade bakery goods.

The Cherry Street Artisan is located on 111 S. 9th Street. It is open from 9 a.m. – 11 p.m. on Sunday, 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. on Monday, 7 a.m. – Midnight on Tuesdays through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. – Midnight on Friday and Saturday.