Heart Woodfire Kitchen

Last Updated on March 29, 2016

Tucked off the main drag behind a hair salon on James Island, between the infamous La Ha and the eye-catching ropes course, sits Heart Woodfire Kitchen.  The cinder block building has a large patio next to it, that I've never been able to sit at because it has rained each of the five ( yes FIVE ) times I have been there, but I'm sure it's just lovely to sit at when the weather clears up.  The interior is warehouse-esque, with cement walls, exposed ceiling, and cement floors.  It also is usually packed full of families with children, which is not really a selling point for me at dinner.  The entrance feeds you directly to the bar's cash register, which is usually where whoever is playing hostess that day is standing.  I say that because I'm not sure there's ever an actual hostess there, but you do need to wait to be seated.  And wait, you will.  You aren't waiting for a table to free up, or for a member of the staff to finish with another customer.  You are waiting until someone cares you are there.

Once acquiring a table, there is no question of what appetizer to get.  Pork Chili Verde.  Always.  It's why I trek to James Island to this little place off of Folly Road.  I like chili, but I don't love chili.  I don't particularly care for sour cream or plain cheddar cheese, but I love them both on top of this tomatillo and pork creation.  Something about all of it just clicks.  It's a must-try if you go there.

It happened to be Burger Night, where they do a great deal on their hamburgers, but I was really in the mood for something lighter, so I ordered the Roasted Beet Salad ( pictured above ).  This, like everything else that came out of the kitchen, too forever to receive.  Once I finally did get my food, the dressing was heavy, and lacked depth.  I asked for some lemon ( also took at least 10 minutes to get a plate with a few lemon wedges on it ), and after squeezing at least four lemons over the salad, I was able to enjoy it more.  With a lighter dressing, it would have been okay, but instead it was soggy and heavy -- the last thing I would want from a salad.  This dish is currently my least favorite thing I've had in a restaurant this year.

My husband ordered a hamburger.  The burger itself is fine.  I don't think it's anything fabulous or amazing, but I'm also not a hamburger aficionado.  It's reasonably priced and was good for a burger. I did love the balsamic onions and pickles that came with the burger, though.  I'm always a sucker for anything pickled.  The burger also came with some sort of fried potato ... thing.  Like all wives, I was not about to order the fried potato thing, but I was happy to grab a few off of my husband's plate for a quality control check.

Y'all, the fried potato things are delicious.  I believe the restaurant calls them "Crispy Russet Potatoes", but in my mind they will always be "Those Super Crispy but not Batter-y Perfectly Spiced and Seasoned Fried Potato Things".

TL;DR:

Service does not seem to be a priority at Heart.  Several things on the menu ( Pork Chili Verde, Crispy Russet Potatoes) are absolutely outstanding and delicious. Unfortunately, whatever palate created those items doesn't seem to have influenced everything on the menu.

Eat:

Pork Chili Verde, Crispy Russet Potato Side Dish

Drink:

Wine, or a specialty cocktail.

Wear:

Casual.  I've seen people ( albeit tastelessly ) in bathing suit coverups here.

Locate:

1622 Highland Ave.
Charleston, SC

Park:

Free gravel parking lot behind and to the left of the restaurant.

Contact:

Heart Woodfire Kitchen
843.718.1539