Vivian Howard has done it again. If you’re headed to OBX (and if you aren’t… well, you should), NC’s James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur, author and Emmy-winning TV personality is serving a master class in coastal Southern flavor at Theodosia.
Led by Howard as executive chef—who’s built an illustrious career around the stories of the South—and Chef de Cuisine Charlotte Coman, her newest restaurant at The Sanderling Resort in Duck may be her most immersive chapter yet. Inspired by the remarkable women of the Outer Banks, the entire experience feels unmistakably North Carolina, celebrating the region through local seafood, layered storytelling and one beautifully executed dish after another.
RM EIC Melissa Howsam & Vivian Howard
It even comes with its own ghost story. Named for Theodosia Burr Alston—the daughter of “treacherous murderer” Aaron Burr—whose mysterious disappearance off the Outer Banks became state lore, the namesake restaurant weaves local history into every inch. Designed like a 19th-century salon reimagined for today, the sound-side dining room pairs coral-inspired lamps and patterned banquettes with sweeping golden-hour views in a setting that feels straight out of a Nancy Meyers film.
And then there’s the food. “Chef Charlotte and I have had so much fun putting this together,” muses Howard. Balancing nostalgia with restraint, dishes run the gamut from peak-season produce and pristine local seafood to coastal-inspired entrees that somehow capture the experience of sitting on the edge of hundreds of years of OBX history lapping onto the sound’s shores.
If the food, views and fanfare weren’t enough of a draw, you’ll frequently find Howard herself floating through the dining room chatting up guests while they dive into standouts like her famous tomato pie (yes, that tomato pie). “Normally my best use is in the kitchen,” she told RM on our visit. “But here, Charlotte’s so wonderful—my best use is in the dining room.”
If a drive to Duck isn’t in the cards but you have a hankering for some Howard, you can get a taste closer to home at RIW’s St. Pierre, where she oversees the food program, as well as with her exclusive Eastern NC-influenced bar bites at The Longleaf Lounge.
Theodosia, though, is something altogether different. It’s not just another Vivian Howard restaurant. It’s a love letter to coastal NC, to women, to food and to the South—served one sunset, one story and one unforgettable bite at a time.
Take a look at some snaps from our visit below.
Mother Vine Spritz
Spicy Marg
The Menu
Our Fave Eats
Little Gem LettuceLittle Star OystersShrimp & Jimmy Red Grit SouffleThree Cracker Lemon PieTomato Pie + Clam & Sweet Potato ChowderTuna Tartare
Light the candles: This month marks Raleigh Mag’s 10th anniversary issue (!). As the voice of Raleigh, we’re celebrating a decade of informing, entertaining and enlightening the City of Oaks—bringing you the stories that matter most across multichannel coverage. After 10 years of knowing the city inside and out, no burger or brunch has gone untasted, no legislation unread and no street undriven. From growth spurts to growing pains, wins to losses, we’ve been here for it all. Here’s to many more!
Bailey’s Heritage Collection 14K yellow gold World’s Most Perfect signet mini. $795, Bailey‘s Fine Jewelry, baileybox.com
It’s always wine o’clock at TheMixx with this Anne Pichon Sauvage Gris Montage 2022 rosé from southern France ($24.99), or uncork the taste of Napa Valley via this Nickel & Nickel Decarle Vineyard 2018 ($129.99).bottlemixx.com
Keep the holidays in gourd spirits with a handpainted holiday pumpkin from Rail + Stile. $25–$95, therailandstile.com
Give the perfect personalized gift with the custom script name necklace in 14K gold by Charles & Colvard! $489, Charles & Colvard Signature Showroom, charlesandcolvard.com
You’re gonna wanna rum for this all-natural Outer Banks Distilling Kill Devil Rum. Made from 100% Grade A molasses giving fab flavor from shelled NC pecans with a hint of local honey, the spirit is best enjoyed in tropical-style cocktails or as your favorite highball. $29.95, ABC stores
Add some flair to your neck with Uli Amsterdam’s textile jewelry at C.T. Weekends. The titillating Florence Pearls are skillfully screenprinted by hand to blend contemporary creative tools with a hint of the past. $180, ctweekends.com
Give the gift of good skin. At CLARA Dermatology + MedSpa skin care can be fun, results are natural, and beauty is easy. Gift cards offered from $50-500. claradermatology.com
Keep your coastal cool all year long via Village District’s Coastal Urge’s men’s and women’s everyday-wear featuring Mizzen+Main and Addison Bay. Button-down, $138; crewneck $168; coastalurge.com
Handmade by natives from the Southeast of Mexico out of lightweight woven plastic, Lola’s bags merge fashion with function. Each durable, waterproof tote at Fifi + Talbot is adorned with a 24K gold, sterling-silver-plated signature medallion and shoulder strap! $82, fifiandtalbotboutique.com
The North Hills gift card is the perfect gift for any occasion! Use it at almost any North Hills store, restaurant or salon. Purchase online, visitnorthhills.com/gift-cards
Spell out your affection with the Kenda Kist Jewelry initial lariat necklace. Choose 14K gold-filled or sterling silver and select from three lengths. The ultimate customizable gift! $105, kendakist.com
Stay Zen at Harmony Farms Natural Foods with a Serene House forest rusted diffuser ($33.49), Aura Cacia uplifting essential oils kit ($19.99) and a soul serenity bath soak ($19.99) to match. harmony-farms.net
14K white gold diamond bangle bracelet from Reliable Jewelry & Loan. 5 ct., $7,750, reliablejewelry.com
Bailey’s Goldmark Collection interlocking 14K yellow gold circle bracelet. 6.5”, 0.06TW, $350, Bailey‘s Fine Jewelry, baileybox.com
Aunt Ruby’s Peanuts offers the perfect option for holiday gifting. The Fabulous Five contains all the roasted products, plus the famous chocolate peanut clusters! From $67.95, auntrubyspeanuts.com
Embrace a cozy blend of freshly pressed apples, cardamom and hints of bourbon and malted rum with a Thymes simmered cider candle. $48–$60, Homewood Nursery & Garden Center, homewoodnursery.com
Vitis House classes and certifications make for the perfect gift for that special wine or spirits’ lover in your life to become a connoisseur. $99, vitishouse.com
It’s always tequila time. Gift yourself or a loved one a bottle of unique and exquisite Adictivo tequila this year. $49.95–$99.95, ABC stores
Channel the Christmas spirit every day with this wooden nutcracker advent calendar. $129.99, Logan’s Garden Shop, logantrd.com
Make a splash this holiday season when you give the gift of swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School! Packages from $260, goldfishwimschool.com
Gift the littles in your life this sweet, inspirational picture book written from a small pup’s perspective about how being small doesn’t equal the size of your worth. It promises to captivate until the very last page. $8.99, amazon.com
Tell us your style savvy without telling us with these acrylic and designer fabric trays from Rail + Style. $175–$195, therailandstile.com
A perfect addition to your favorite gardener’s holiday displays, light up a battery-operated Melrose Lighted Greenhouse from Homewood Nursery & Garden Center this season. $99.99–$149.99, homewoodnursery.com
Light and lively, the Lora Nikolova Julia necklace at C.T. Weekends resembles architectural networks embroidered with various components and linked in harmonious geometries—perfect for elegant personalities. $458, ctweekends.com
Hoop dreams found—handforged in 14K gold-filled or sterling silver, and adorned with Swarovski crystals. You’ll find yourself reaching for these lightweight, effortless and fun star hoop earrings from Kenda Kist time and time again. $98,kendakist.com
Keep your coastal cool all year long via Village District’s Coastal Urge’s men’s and women’s everyday-wear featuring Mizzen+Main and Addison Bay. Button-down, $138; crewneck, $168; coastalurge.com
Say sip sip hooray at TheMixx with a Francoise Bedel & Fils ‘Entre Ciel et Terre’ Brut 2014 Champagne, touting a simply electric taste and featuring notes of jasmine, green tea, lime, grapefruit and white currant. Regularly $113, holiday sale price $75, bottlemixx.com
Give the gift of confidence with a gift certificate to Mad Ethel’s Tattoo & Body Piercing via tattoos, piercings, and tattoo removal or lightening. madethelstattoo.com
It’s more than a gift—it’s a memory in the making. Give the gift of relaxation via Skin Sense gift cards, membership cards and packages. To create the perfect gift, add a holiday coupon book and choose from many of the day spa’s unique boutique items—and let Skin Sense do the wrapping for you at the Gift Bar. Voila—shopping made easy! skinsense.com
Oh, Christmas tree! It’s holiday thyme indeed with this Thymes Frasier Fir sink set ($44.99), and Thymes Frasier Fir aromatic candles at Logan’s Garden Shop ($39.99–$64.99). logantrd.com
Adorn yourself in the epitome of comfort and elegance with the Woodhouse Spa robe. Plush, luxurious and velvety soft—and a gift to you with the purchase of a $350+ gift card. $125 value, Woodhouse Spa, northhills.woodhousespas.com
Bailey’s Club Collection 14K white gold diamond tennis necklace. 18”, 0.95TW, $4,495, baileybox.com
Coffee and toffee by salt lamp? Yes, please. Cozy up this season with Chapel Hill toffee ($12.99 for 10 oz.) and Larry’s Coffee Costa Lil’ Ricky ($16.79, organic) by an Evolution Salt raindrop salt lamp ($26.99) from Harmony Farms Natural Foods. harmony-farms.net
What’s neat? Yamato Japanese Whisky Special Edition Cask Strength at 98 Proof. $105.95, local ABC stores
Update your little’s look at recently bowed Dalhouse, A Store for Children in Five Points, offering apparel, shoes, accessories and special gifts from brands around the world. Marcie Puce girl’s dress, France, $105; Parchie Pal boy’s watch, New York, $65; Superga sneakers, Italy, $55; Poppie rattan pram, New York, $195; Gunner & Lux necklace, Maine, $24; BeBe Organic boy’s jacket, Portugal, $128; wearedalhouse.com
For awesome gifts that keep on giving, pamper your pet with Petfolk Care this festive season and embrace the joy of unlimited veterinary visits for just $99—a whopping $100 savings off the annual membership fee—with a Petfolk membership! Use code RMG, petfolk.com
Share the holiday spirit with the aspiring home bartender by gifting this vintage Georges Briard cocktail set, c. 1980. $249, thefabfoo.com
Elevate their look via fab finds at Evan Reid—from sculpted works by Penland School of Craft artist Ellie Richards to a gorgeous Grid lamp ($675) to fashionable Chair earrings ($85) and beyond. evanreid.com
