A car crashed into this popular West Columbia restaurant. Now it’s back open
A popular West Columbia Italian restaurant has reopened its doors after a car hit the building more than a month ago.
Black Rooster, which has been at 201 Meeting St. since 2019, officially reopened on April 30, as noted by owner Kristian Niemi in an Instagram message. The upscale restaurant had been shuttered since March 27 when a car crashed into the building, damaging the eatery. Black Rooster has been making repairs since the March incident.
“The kitchen is fine, the walk-in (cooler) is fine, everything is working, everyone wants to work, I want to work, so we’re open,” Niemi said in his April 30 social media video. “So, drop in and say ‘Hi.’ Have a little nosh, have a little drink. We look forward to seeing you guys. It has been a while and it has sucked.”
Black Rooster is open from 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Reservations for the dining room can be made online through Resy. The restaurant does not take reservations for its bar, patio or rooftop.
Niemi is a well-known restaurateur in the Columbia area. Aside from the Black Rooster, he also owns Bourbon on Main Street near the State House, as well as The Dragon Room in the Vista.
Black Rooster first opened in 2019 at 201 Meeting St. in the Brookland development, not far from the Gervais Street bridge. Initially it served French-inspired cuisine, but in 2024 Niemi shifted it to Italian fare. Menu highlights include rigatoni, chicken Parmesan, linguini and spaghetti with meatballs, as well as a host of salads, desserts and small plates, plus a full bar.
