I love food. Not like in I love having a good meal when I’m hungry or I love trying new dishes. I love to plan my LIFE around food. I am lucky enough to have a good job where I can may a little extra to try food and restaurants that are mid-range or higher-end expensive. That doesn’t mean I can do that a lot, but maybe once every 3-4 months I can splurge and try a restaurant that has won awards or earned National (U.S.) recognition. That being said, my wife and I had stumbled upon my favorite restaurant in the Southeast by accident.
We were on vacation outside of Charleston, SC in Isle of Palms. My family volunteered to watch our twin boys so my wife and I could enjoy a meal alone. That is when I put on my Google Local Guide hat and started searching. I started by searching:
- ‘nearby restaurants’
- ‘seafood restaurants’
- ‘award-winning restaurants’
- ‘locally sourced restaurants’
- ‘farm to table restaurants’
What I was fed up by Google Maps were 3 or 4 restaurants nearby that fit my description. And what did you know? One of those was on the island next over, Sullivan’s Island.
Obstinate Daughter
Our search concluded as we picked a restaurant called Obstinate Daughter. We loved how close it was according to the Maps driving directions. (5 minutes!) We loved that it sat above a homemade gelato and sweet shop (Beardcat’s Sweet Shop) that was owned by the same people. Delicious food AND gelato and dessert?! Yes, please! We loved the images of dishes we saw on Google Maps, the review aggregate score was 4.6, and they had an integration with their Google MyBusiness listing with Resy (an online booking/reservation platform) so we knew we could count on a table and reservation. Perfect!
A Look Inside
The restaurant itself was a little hard to find outside of its rounded sign and patio seating that were noticeable once you started looking. The restaurant sits above an equally delightful dessert shop called Beardcat’s and the whole building looks like a home that was converted into the business. With seating both inside and outside, this spot was perfect for almost any time of year and however the mood strikes you. The interior of the restaurant looks like a modernized seafood place but with an undercurrent of sophistication and a feeling that you might be pleasantly surprised with how much you enjoy your stay.
The Food
Let’s not stall this any longer. The highlight of Obstinate Daughter is their food. From starters to small plates, to salads, and entrees, this place was incredible. The menu wasn’t extensive but you could tell that almost every dish was locally-sourced, tested and refined, and thoughtfully prepared. An added touch was how much the servers knew about each dish. No matter how many questions we threw at our server, she was able to answer with ease about certain ingredients, the local fish catch of the day, and what drink paired well with each dish.
We started our meal with two specialty cocktails and an order of Geechie Frites with a salsa rosa. The geechie frites were a type of local cornmeal cake that was seasoned and fashioned into dippable sticks to be dipped into a handmade salsa. They were simple yet a delicious pairing to a cold drink and an empty stomach.
We also splurged and ordered a dish of Brussel sprouts braised in a balsamic reduction and locally-farmed fallow and savory pancetta. The sprouts provided both a nice crunch and fresh-tasting flavors in one of my favorite underutilized vegetables.
Lastly, we shared a delicious locally caught fish served with handmade pasta, local vegetables, and a delectable sauce. We forgot to snap a photo because the food barely lasted seconds on our table.
The Dessert
As much as I love food, the dessert realm of food is a notch above. I am a firm believer that dessert should be consumed after every meal. There is no better way to push through that mid-afternoon lull on a workday than a sweet treat. Well, the folks at Obstinate Daughter and Beardcat’s took their dessert to a whole new level. Not only was our after-dinner coffee (which was delicious, not burnt, and perfectly brewed Counter Culture brand) served in Le Creuset mugs, but the desserts were to-die-for. Handmade gelato with unique flavors (goat’s milk cheese) and standbys (vanilla) and unique pastries, sweets, and pies. What a perfect finish to a perfect meal.
Finding That ‘Favorite’ Restaurant
My experience at The Obstinate Daughter taught me that unique gems and critically-acclaimed restaurants are right outside your doorstep. Whether you are on vacation, traveling, passing through, or discovering your own hometown for a new time, Google Maps can lead you to your next favorite restaurant, bar, museum, gallery, park, and more.
This trip also inspired me to create some unique Google Maps lists. You can find them below
