The Obstinate Daughter

Fantastic service. Awesome ambiance. And the food. Must visit restaurant! The farro and Brussels sprout small plate was great! As was the ricotta gnocchi dish. Lives up to its reputation! The swordfish paella was also spot on.

Had a wonderful Sunday brunch.
Enjoyed delicious oysters. Started with the Spanish Mackerel smoked fish spread served with pumpernickel toast
Next we shared the faro with chicken and Brussel sprouts
The special salad was peach and prosciutto over arugula — very light and seasonal
Finished with our favorite pizza — Old Danger
Our server Tom was outstanding
Great, enjoyable time!

Among the tippy-​top of all Chucktown restaurants most definitely — oysters, ambiance and very cool but not too tricky gastro backflips and side shows — tough to get a rez on short term (2 to 3 weeks out) but show up early and you can snag something — but if you are braving the summer traffic to Sullivan’s beware others have this idea too and the drawbridge can dash all hopes of an early arrival

I was very excited about checking this place out and really loved the décor but we all felt the food was ok but nothing to wow over.

This place is beautiful, reclaimed Wood and beautiful lighting. There is a good deal of seafood, but also Flatbread and pasta. The oysters on the half she’ll were fanominal, homemade hot sauce made from habinaro and honey to go with. This place was not as busy as i would have guessed for a Friday, a great secret spot.

This was a really nice restaurant. The décor was trendy for the area, but still classy. The dish I had was a swordfish and other seafood over rice. It was simply great. I have three children and they ate pizza and shrimp cocktail. The shrimp seemed fresh and the pizza was nice I guess, I’m just not a fan of pizza. We didn’t have reservations so, they sat us at the bar. I thought oh boy what a mistake, but the seats were the most comfortable bar seats I’ve ever sat in and the waitstaff was very attentive. They have local beers on tap and I ordered a local washout wheat beer by holy city and it was very good. I would recommend this place to anyone who is willing to pay for a upscale meal. It’s well worth the money, but it was a bit more than my normal price range with a family of five.

The sign is a bit hard to see, it’s a girl in a circle and you need to walk around the left side and go up the stairs. Kind of a hidden gem.
The atmosphere is great. the waitstaff was nice. The food was good. Ordered the shrimp roll and it was good, not great, but good. Also ordered a pasta dish with lobster and it was tasty.
I’d definitely go back!

You know, when you work and live in Charleston, sometime it’s easy to get so caught up in life that you need a reminder to enjoy this great little place and all of it’s little treasures. I was feeling the need for some beach time, you know, when you want to live a little in that Nicholas Sparks book… so we headed to Sullivan’s because it really does have that sleepy little beach town feel.
We’ve been to Poe’s and Taco Mamacita’s and we wanted to try something new. I’d avoided The Obstinate Daughter before just because I’m not really a pasta fan, but it’s so much more than your average pasta place. I called on our way to Sullivan’s to see if we needed reservations (it was about 6:30) and they said they had openings at 9pm, but that we could sit at the bar. Perfect! We love sitting at the bar! If you’re wanting a table though, it would be a good idea to make reservations in advance, it isn’t a huge place.
The hostess greeted us and said there was a bit of a system for spots at the bar and encouraged us to grab a drink and wait right outside, so we tried the Drunken Farmer and the hubs got a Tradesmen Bricklayer (amber ale). The Drunken Farmer was fruity and a little sour, but not overly so… I’m a fan. We also tried The King’s Honey, which I (to my surprise) preferred over the Drunken Farmer. The King’s Honey was a little sweet, a little citrusy, and refreshing.
This is a cute place, everything you think a sleepy little beach town nice restaurant should be. Driftwood colored floors, rope and Edison bulb lights, a cozy beachy feeling place. There was a bartender named Frank who was running the show behind the bar and he was nice, seemed like he was having fun and was very knowledgeable on the food.
Scott and I shared a Shrimp Roll to start. I understand where people can say the frites are a bit heavy… they do soak up a good bit of oil, but I didn’t think they were inedible as some people mentioned. I liked them, they were a bit crispy on the outside and definitely had a distinct taste… I’m not sure how exactly to describe it, but I’m a fan. You wouldn’t want to eat them in mass quantities just because of how heavy they are, but the 4 that come with the Shrimp Roll… absolutely, especially if you’re splitting it. The shrimp roll tasted very fresh and had big chunks of shrimp. Not overly mayo-​y like some can be.
For the main course, I tried the Calabrian Chili Bavette. This was good, I liked that you could taste the asparagus, and it wasn’t an overly heavy dish. My only downside with this dish is that there are these occasional little bites of heat and sometimes they just straight up zing ya… like oh my gosh, my tongue is on fire. But, other than that, a solid dish. The hubs felt the same on this dish.
The hubs got the Ricotta Gnocchi, this is a very filling dish. We went about half and half on both, and I was glad because I don’t know that I would want to polish off a whole bowl of this… just because it’s heavy (but very tasty!). If you’re feeling hungry, this is a good dish to order. I especially liked the little bit of crusty-​ness added by the bread crumbs on top.
I wanted to share a dessert, to which the hubs refused… he wanted one all to himself. Ha! I ordered the Bourbon Pecan Crème Brulee and it was crusty on top and so smooth on the inside. I maybe would’ve upped the bourbon pecan taste to up this dish’s game a bit, but not bad by any means. The hubs ordered a banana chocolate chip bread pudding with butterscotch gelato. The butterscotch gelato was SO good… I’m not a big chocolate person, so the bread pudding wasn’t my thing, BUT, I know real chocolate when I taste it and this is a real chocolate dish… chocolate lovers will LOVE this dish!
I can’t wait to go back and try some other dishes… I would say the drinks, the shrimp roll and the chocolate banana bread pudding were solid 5 stars. I would put the pasta dishes in a solid 4… I probably will try something else next time, but it wasn’t bad at all.
Enjoy!

Hands down my favorite restaurant in the Charleston area!
The décor, well thought out menu selections, and customer service are incredible!
I have been numerous times and am always pleased with whatever I order.
I highly recommend the: Ricotta Gnocchi — short rib ragu, horseradish gremolata… It literally melts in your mouth!
Whether you want brunch, happy hour or an elegant dinner the Obstinate Daughter will do you right!

The verdict is already out on The Obstinate Daughter and pretty much everyone loves it. I’m merely here to throw my two cents around and see if anyone picks it up. For starters, I’m just gonna go ahead and say it… The Rutledge is better than the Old Danger. Although both are excellent pies, the crumbled sausage on The Rutledge is … dare I say, dangerously good.
The Short Rib Ricotta Gnocchi really is as sensational as it’s chalked up to be, but it can be a heavy dish… I suggest lot’s of sharing. The Geechie Frites are tasty and an excellent starter to pass around the table for five bucks. And The Frogmore Chowder couldn’t be better, but the dish that has stolen my heart, the one I just can’t stop thinking about, the one that keeps me up at night… you guessed it, Roasted Beets! Yes you read that correctly, the Roasted Beets plate mixed with the ricotta and pistachios puts all other beer salads to shame. It sound’s boring at first, but don’t overlook this remarkable dish.
As for the atmosphere, what more could you ask for. The Sullivan’s Island backdrop is a stunning one and the interior is so damn cool. Of course it’s full of reclaimed wood and Edison bulbs, but they added a unique nautical twist. Not your typical tacky nautical vibe though… we’ll call this one nautical chic. They do fill up on reservations here so plan ahead, but I’ve stopped in on an evening weeknight and still sat down without a problem.

OD never disappoints. Been there by myself for delicious unique pizza and with a party of 5 where we all ate and drank until we couldn’t anymore and it only cost us $ 40 each. I have never had anything on the menu I didn’t like, and every server has made the experience memorable. A must do while in Sullivan’s.

Came here with dear friends for a family meal. Attentive accommodating and gracious staff.
Must tries: Lieutenant Dan and Old Danger! But if you must have ONLY one, go with Lt. Dan. As perfect of a marriage of flavor and depth, it’s the crust that one can not replicate at home or anywhere else. Postcard thin with the crunch of a cracker. How they manage that with toppings is a mystery best left undisturbed.
…must… come… back… for… pizza…

This was by far my favorite restaurant. My god, their pizza, pasta, and shrimp roll was RIDICULOUS!!! I would so come back here in a heart beat. Service was phenomenal and the décor was top notch. It’s so beautiful inside.
I had hard time finding this place because they don’t have a signage. Just look for the woman’s face and Beard Cat’s Sweet Shop. It’s located right upstairs. There’s a staircase entrance in the parking lot and they also have a small elevator on the other side of the house by the herb garden. (Handicap access)

Holy moly. Beech meets farm to table meets perfection. Just a fantastic modern eatery. Waitstaff superb, food so good and ambience is great.
Had the soft shell crab and smelt off the specials. Pizza is off the hook. One of my favorite all time. Seriously.

What a great neighborhood restaurant tucked away on Sullivan’s Island. I had heard good things about OD and can understand why. Went there for dinner with a bunch of friends from work and had a great experience and dinner.
We just destroyed that menu. We came close to ordering just about one of everything. And let me tell you, those ricotta gnocchi we like little puffs from heaven. I wasn’t blown away pairing them with braised short-​rib ragu, but it was still good eats. We at pizza, pâté, butter bean purée, frogmore chowder, Anson Mills Farro Piccolo (just off the chain for a vegetarian dish), lowcountry shrimp roll, cavatappi with local fish, and on and on. It was all great. The kitchen was bangin’.
Service was fantastic: never an empty glass… always helpful… no attitude… great personality. We shared some laughs. She was super helpful with menu descriptions and suggestions.
We ordered all but a few items from the dessert menu. After forks and spoonfuls of cakes and crème brûlée, I have to say the simplicity of the affagato seemed to punctuate the experience — probably b/​c I love espresso and they bring it out in a demitasse decanter and slowly pour it over the gelato so the hotness of it can slowly melt the silky gelato into a creamy-​espresso liquid that surely must have been the drink of the Roman gods. It’s goodness was a roll-​your-​eyes-​back-​in-​your-​head experience if you like espresso and cream.
So there you have it. I both recommend OD and will plan to go back.

As long time fans of Wild Olive, it was a no brainer for us to check out OD once they opened. They did a great job with the interior of the restaurant, and it’s a very cool looking space.
I’ve been three times now and have really enjoyed the food every time. My favorites are the short rib gnocchi (best pasta I’ve ever eaten), frogmore chowder, and geechie frites. Nice beer and wine selection as well.
The only reason I took off a star is that they seem to consistently overbook seating. I’ve had a reservation 2 out of 3 times and still had to wait for a table each time. Tried to go once without a reservation and it took over an hour to get a table in the bar area, then no one served us for another 20 minutes.
The food is definitely worth it, just make sure you have a reservation!

Incredible. It just doesn’t get better than The Obstinate Daughter. You are promptly welcomed and made to feel at home. It was our first day in SC and the moment I stepped into OD I knew I would fall in love. I started with the Bloody Mary. Our wonderful server, Anna, gave us a heads up that they use heirloom tomatoes so the bloody is more of an orangey/​yellow color. I was so excited when I saw it coming towards our table. All it takes is one sip and you will never look at another bloody mary the same way. WOW! The flavor and freshness was so awesome.
Our group started with oysters (a dozen of Anna’s recommendations), a tuna tartare dish with a pickled egg and caviar, and the Farro and Chicken with Brussels sprouts, peanut, balsamic, and black truffle. I have tried to recreate the farro and chicken dish at home but it just can’t be beat. This is definitely the type of restaurant where you could order a ton of plates and share with your group.
Some orders at the table included the Eggs Benedict (63º eggs, pork loin, tomato hollandaise, smashed and fried), the Low Country Shrimp Roll (served with geechie. aka polenta. fries), The Rutledge pizza (ricotta, Italian sausage, red onion, local green, mozzarella, provolone picante. add a farm fresh egg!!) and the Old Danger (pancetta, mozzarella, white sauce, farm egg, scallion, black pepper, parmesan).
Our server, Anna, felt like a friend by the time our entrees came out. She joked with us, gave us recommendations for our time in Charleston and the surrounding areas, and was just overall amazing. From Anna to the food runners, everybody was extremely knowledgeable and attentive.
I have been dreaming of the Old Danger and the Bloody Mary since I left The Obstinate Daughter. I look forward to returning!

I’ve been to OD twice, and both times have been amazing. The pâté alone, is worth the visit, however I have also had the pizza and while they usually sound a little complicated (and…they are), they are very tasty. The first time I went, it appeared as though the portion size was a little small and the prices were a little big. On my follow up visit, I immediately noticed the prices had gone down slightly and the portion sizes were larger (my mom had gotten the meatball sandwich and it was huge and someone had ordered pasta and it was a big ol’ bowl of happy).
It is small, and I am *pretty* sure they take reservations so if you have your heart set on here for a special event, I’d definitely call ahead.
Oh, and it is beautiful inside.

If you’re in Charleston, (or anywhere in the Southeast) you should definitely pay a visit to the Obstinate Daughter. Situated on the scenic Sullivan Island, OD is a foodie’s dream.
Let’s start off with the location. OD is a few blocks from the beach and lighthouse. Take a stroll down the boardwalk to the pristine beach and watch the sunset before dinner. Then drive back to OD! It is located inside a quaint two story house, with their gelateria (BeardCat) located directly below. You can either park here, on the street, or at the post office (as long as it is not open).
Take a hike up the stairs and you will be amazed. The décor is so hip and chic. OD is one of three green certified restaurants in the world. The entire restaurant is decorated with repurposed items. The bar is made from marble reclaimed in Italy, the walls from wood reclaimed from barns, tile from San Francisco. It all works so well – lighting and all. I was in love with the décor!
We did not have a reservation, but since we came in pretty early, the hostess was able to find us a high top to sit in. The restaurant was packed and after a few minutes we knew exactly why. Our waiter was spectacular. He knew everything about the menu: from the way the food was prepared, what each and every ingredient was, and even where everything was sourced. He was extremely attentive and caring. We loved him!
OD has a series of shareable plates. These are a cross between appetizer size and entrée size. You can definitely get away with having three plates between two people. We ordered the beet salad first – balsamic beets on a bed of glorious ricotta cheese topped with peppers, micro greens, and pistachios. If you didn’t like beets before you definitely will now! Next we had a special. The lamb pâté was divine! It was paired with a cashew hummus, crostini, and bread and butter pickles. It all seemed odd on the menu, but worked out so well. The lamb pâté had a perfect sear and was seasoned extremely well. OD is also known for their quirky pizzas so we had the Old Danger which is basically a pizza carbonara. The rich yolk complimented the salty pancetta. It was like a party in my mouth.
All in all, OD deserves five stars! They take unique flavors and marry them into the tastiest dishes.

Home is where the heart is and my heart certainly belongs to the OD, a culinary gem in my own little small town, just steps from the sandy shore of my beautiful Sullivan’s Island.
The reclaimed vaulted wood ceiling implies the small dining room is larger than actuality. Guests are greeted warmly by the cozy space as well as the pleasant staff, whether they’re donning sandy flip flops or stiletto Louboutins. Jute rope light chandeliers keep the small space warmly lit for just a hint of romanticism in this casual coastal place.
The servers enjoy the menu as much as patrons and so will enthusiastically describe each dish in detail if you have trouble deciding what to enjoy. The Southern meets Italian cuisine is always impeccably prepared, and it is fun to order small plates and cocktails at the bar as much as it is to have an elaborate 3 course meal in a comfy booth with an attractive date.
Don’t count out the beet salad, it is amazing. I more recently enjoyed the butterbean purée served with warm flatbread and the mussels served with a spicy nduja sausage broth. I also love the mushrooms as well as the brussels. The Rutledge is a solid flatbread choice, but honestly, you can’t go wrong. Also trust the one with the egg on top… it works.
The bartender’s taste in cabernet seems to match my liking perfectly… he tells corny jokes and keeps everyone’s glasses filled but also speaks intelligently on cuisine, football, travel – he is a modern day Sam Malone.
The pastry chef supposedly studied for two months in Italy to perfect her Gelato with olive oil and sea salt. The simple chocolate, though, is the sinful flavor that I think exceeds all.
If you can’t tell, I truly love this place and may be at the bar enjoying a deliciously bold Italian cab if you happen to stop by.