Some restaurants are all about the experience: sipping wine on an outdoor patio, over-looking the river and feeling the salty breeze. Others are all about the food: the freshest seafood and produce, artfully prepared and served either raw or hot from a wood-fire oven. At The Kingstide on Daniel Island, you get it all.

My family joined me on my first venture to this new hotspot, where we sat in the main dining room and enjoyed the large open space, decor with a nautical nod, and huge windows with views of the river. On the second floor is a spacious open patio with even better river views, where I certainly plan to savor many of their craft cocktails in the future. (If you plan on the same, get there early - the Upstairs is first-come, first serve!)

On the visit with my family we stuck to wine - they have an excellent selection, and our server was super knowledgeable and helpful. (He was formerly a server at The Macintosh, owned by the same restaurant group, another sure sign that The Kingstide is a hit!) We sampled a lot of the menu, and everything was delicious. A few stand-out favorites: the Seared Tuna (perfection), the Lobster Cobb Salad (so decadent), and the french fries - you can choose 3 different dipping sauces, be sure to try them all! 

Pro tip: after dinner, we took a Sunset Harbor Cruise on the Daniel Island Ferry, which departs Daniel Island just steps away from the restaurant. Check out the Ryan’s Review on that one!   As for The Kingstide, between the drinks, the location and the outstanding food, I can’t wait to go back … and once again be treated like a King.