Jacksonville’s hidden gem restaurants worth a try
Discover some of the local favorites of the Northeast Florida dining scene, from long-standing diners to cozy seafood spots that the regulars love.
Black Pearl, a new upscale restaurant, has opened in Ponte Vedra Beach.The restaurant features a Japanese-Italian fusion menu, an Omakase experience, and a speakeasy.Black Pearl’s concept is built on Itameshi, Omakase and Omotenashi principles.
Don’t expect sushi pizza at a new upscale Japanese-Italian fusion restaurant in northern St. Johns County.
Defining itself as “three concepts in one pearl,” recently opened Black Pearl showcases an inspired Itameshi menu, an intimate Omakase dining experience and a discreet Omotenashi speakeasy.
The highly anticipated restaurant is now open at 880 A1A N., Suite 18-B, in Ponte Vedra Pointe Shopping Center in the heart of Ponte Vedra Beach.
Emphasizing that hospitality and ambiance are an experience as crucial as the chef-driven, carefully crafted food, Black Pearl is believed to be the first of its kind in Northeast Florida.
Food should be an experience that goes beyond what is on the plate, Black Pearl co-founder and managing partner Kelvin Ole previously told the Times-Union.
“It’s not going to be a sushi pizza restaurant. … Black Pearl is going to be something different, something unique,” Ole said of his vision for the restaurant. “I want people to experience what real sushi is. I want to explain to people … and get people more excited about food,” Ole, who’s also a chef.
Handling Black Pearl’s reservations, OpenTable described the menu saying “signature dishes may include slow-braised short ribs finished with dashi soy, or a restrained miso carbonara that bridges Japanese and Italian traditions.”
OpenTable also said the restaurant is led by executive chef Abel Chiok Diaz. He has more than two decades of experience cooking in Peru, Australia, Europe, and the United States, according to the reservation service.
Three founding concepts come together
Black Pearl reflects three key concepts that come together to complement each other.
“It’s what is the story behind sushi. It’s what is the story behind pasta. That is what I want to bring to the people here,” Ole previously said, noting the culture and history of a dish enhances the food and creativity of the dish.
The concepts:
Itameshi, which means “Italian food” in Japanese, combines traditional Italian dishes with Japanese ingredients.Omakase is a Japanese dining style essentially meaning “chef’s choice,” where guests let the chef create a customized meal for them.Omotenashi is the Japanese art and philosophy of sincere hospitality — anticipating a guest’s every need proactively and serving them selflessly.
Black Pearl will reflect the spirit and elegance of its namesake. Significant in Japanese folklore and art, black pearls (kuro shinju) can “symbolize rarity, beauty, value, elegance and luxury,” Ole said.
Leading up to its opening, the restaurant detailed its philosophy in a series of Instagram posts.
“Soon, Ponte Vedra will witness a rarity: a dining experience born of contrast, shaped in shadow, and meant to be savored the way life itself should be moment by moment,” the restaurant posted Jan. 10.
The buildout of the roughly 4,256-square-foot restaurant was estimated at $400,000, a Nov. 12, 2024, St. Johns County Building permit shows
Black Pearl joins established restaurants, including Beach Diner, Bronx House Pizza, iNoodle Ramen & Dumpling, and Flo’s Premium Ice Cream, at the shopping center.
Black Pearl says on Instagram that reservations are required. The restaurant is open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and closed on Sunday and Monday, according to its Google listing.
Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at tstepzinski@jacksonville.com.
If you’re a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to get the latest dining coverage.
Dining and Cooking