The Stubborn Duo

Written By: Marlene Osteen | Issue: April 2025 | Photograph By: Tiho Trichkov

The Highlands dining scene just got a bold shakeup — and it’s driven by two women rewriting what it means to be stubborn, and what it means to dine out in this town.

Stubborn Buddha, which opened its doors on December 31, 2024, is the brainchild of Kiki Donikian and Clarissa Powell, who built their partnership in the very same downtown space where they first worked together — the former home of Midpoint — long before they dreamed of creating something entirely their own.

Their partnership was forged through experience — and a little reinvention. Clarissa’s event-marketing career came to an abrupt halt when the Pandemic hit. She traded corporate events for hospitality training at the renowned St. Regis in Aspen, then found her way to Highlands, where she joined the team at Midpoint — working alongside Kiki, who was managing the restaurant at the time.

When Midpoint closed, the two women joined forces to open Stubborn Bull in 2023 — a natural fit for Kiki, whose years living in Madrid gave her both a deep understanding of Spanish cuisine and a lasting love for its culture. And when the old Midpoint space became available, they knew they couldn’t let the opportunity slip by.

In just six months, they transformed it into Stubborn Buddha — a restaurant where handmade Asian cuisine takes center stage, driven by their unwavering commitment to quality and service.

That commitment — and their refusal to compromise — is exactly why “Stubborn” is part of the name.

“As women in this business, you have to be stubborn,” Clarissa says. “You have to fight to protect your vision — and we knew exactly what we wanted this to be.”

The “Buddha” reflects the restaurant’s focus on Asian flavors, tying the concept to its sister restaurant, Stubborn Bull, while carving out its own unique identity.

The menu at Stubborn Buddha travels across Asia, from the sushi counters of Japan to the spice markets of India.

Entirely handmade in-house, it ranges from fresh sushi and sashimi to handmade dumplings, house ramen, stir-fry noodles, and signature dishes like chicken tikka masala and Korean BBQ salmon. With a team of chefs collaborating on every dish, the focus is on quality and authenticity, while keeping the experience approachable and fun.

The dining room reflects the same thoughtful creativity, with bamboo ceilings, vintage kimonos, and Asian art creating a warm, inviting space.

But the rooftop bar — the only one in Highlands — is where Stubborn Buddha truly makes its mark. Overlooking bustling Main Street, it offers not just a spectacular view but also the full Stubborn Buddha menu and a cocktail program designed to match the bold flavors from the kitchen – from sake spritzes to Asian-inspired craft cocktails.

And Kiki and Clarissa aren’t stopping there.

Next door, they’re getting ready to open Bodega by the Bull, a grab-and-go market filled with Spanish wines, cheeses, house-made breads, and quick bites perfect for picnics or hikes — extending the hospitality they’ve created into something you can take with you.