When making my travel plans I chose the Natural High because I noticed it was located on Main Street and appeared to be close to the art museum. It sits directly across from the museum, giving it a great location.
I was done touring my houses and by now my Bojangles biscuit had long worn off. So I decided to go eat and then tour the museum. I make my way from my van parked near the State House down Main Street to the Rising High Bread Company. It was bone chilling cold and rainy this day so I was glad for a warm place to sit.
The RHNBC is along the lines of Panera or the Atlanta Bread Company. The selections are written out on a chalk board and you place your order then wait for your number to be called out. The selections here are mainly sandwiches, paninis, salads, and soups. There are plenty of options for vegetarians but very limited for Veagans. I weight my choices while in line and finally decided to go with the chicken salad. I also decide for an extra $1.50 to make it a combo. I was deciding between pasta salad or soup and my final vote was pasta salad. I place my order and I am given my cup for my drink and my number.
When I arrived it was about 1:30 and yet there were only about a dozen or so tables with patrons at them. I grabbed my cup and go to look for a table to drop off my backpack before getting my drink. The available tables were dirty and it is not like I came in during the lunch rush and employees had a hard time trying to keep tables clean. I finally find one that isn’t quite as bad and drop of my bag and take my cup and go wait for my sandwich. Unfortunately for me the table is near the door and every time someone came in I felt the cold of the outside.
I go to the tea urn and pour tea from the canister labeled SWEET TEA. I move over to the condiments table to grab a lid and napkins. The place is a mess and running low on items. There are only a few regular sized lids left. Napkins and straw wrappers are strewn about and dropped food is all over the place. Yet as I wait for my number to be called, I noticed plenty of employees standing around laughing and talking. I was always told while working in the restaurant business, if you have time to lean you have time to clean. Apparently this isn’t their motto.
Shortly after coming up my order is ready. I make my way back to my table and sit down ready for my meal. I take a swig of my tea and ugh the tea labeled sweetened is anything but. I go over to the condiment table across from my table (which is much tidier and in order and which also has a microwave) and grab a few packages of sweetener. I take a bite of my pasta salad and 2 bites later I regretted my decision not to get soup instead. The pasta salad is dripping in oil and has a spicy tomatoes base to it. Not what I am used to in a pasta salad. Then a take a bite of my chicken salad. It comes on delicious black bread with tomatoes and lettuce. The sandwich is OK. It isn’t bad, just not outstanding either. There are no spices or something such as celery, grapes, or pecans to give it a crunch. Just I guess, chicken and mayo. Certainly eatable though and I made the most of my meal.
Like many other areas, there has been a renewal of the downtown area prompting business and attractions to the area. And Columbia is certainly reaping the benefits of its newly re-energized downtown area. The RHNBC is in what used to be an old department store. I am not sure the age of the building but judging by its lines and designs it appears to be during the 1930’s-1940’s during the Art Deco era. The sharp lines, use of chromes and black and decorative fixtures are keeping with that time period. The walls are an infusion of rust, tan, and brown. The decorations on the columns are a moss green. They have local art hanging on the walls.
My time here certainly wasn’t the worst restaurant experience I had so I would certainly give it another try before declaring it not recommended. After all as I said it is in a great location directly across from the art museum and only a few minutes from the State House. I would have just liked to have seen the place a bit cleaner. Also next time I think I will go with another sandwich and stay away from the pasta salad. They do have a bakery and you can take home some of their delicious bread. They also had some great looking desserts. I had my eye on chocolate cake but I was stuffed. I meant to stop back in after I came out of the museum but I was so cold I totally forgot about it later. Prices are in the $10 pp and under category.
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm
Sat. 9am-5pm
Sun. 11am-3 pm
Website: www.columbia.net/risinghi-menu
There is a second location on Harden St. with just weekend hours.
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