Sorry:
At the last minute our plans changed and we did not end up going to Athens, just Columbia and Charleston. I hope to get down there soon and will report in afterward. Thanks for all your great help!

Thank you all! Columbia was great. Terra was a hit. Service and food and setting all worked well. Quail were delicious. Flounder was perfect. Someone had tge Lam-Mac, something I never would have ordered, but wish I had, brilliant. Oak Table was great. Perfectly cooked flounder. Bone marrow was a treat that I have noticed popping up on menus recently. The Frisbee salad was fantastic. The smoked panna cotta with honey was inspired. Cafe Strudel was fine, not great. The signature has browns were fine, not great. Crispiness would have moved them into the stellar category. Thanks to all. We are headed to Charleston now. Any suggestions for Sunday lunch?

Wow: This all sounds awesome. We will be in the Vista i think. where ever the Hilton is. We have a car and are planning on driving around. We may be moving to either Athens or Columbia and this trip is one for exploring, Cannot thank enough for the help.

Thanks Carolinadawg. I had done a search on Athens and all I found was a post on BBQ and one from 2010. I get plenty of good BBQ here in NC and things may have changed since 2010, so i thought I would ask. I have only been to 5 and 10. I will check out the others you suggest. I appreciate the suggestions.

Hey. My family and I are going to be spending a few of days in Columbia SC and Athens GA. Can anyone help with food suggestions, Price is unimportant. Dives, upscale, food trucks, ethnic... it all sounds great as long as the food warrants the visit. All meals.
Thanks.

I cannot stop yearning for the 4505 meats chicharrones at the Ferry building farmers market. Even though North Carolina prides itself on its pig worship I can find none here that rival the "crispity clouds of porkoliciousness" that 4505 meats produces. They are not allowed to ship them. I know that it sound ridiculous, but does anyone know of a person or service that will pick some up at the farmers market and ship them to me in North Carolina? Thanks.