Black Pearl, a restaurant concept combining Japanese and Italian cuisines, plans a soft opening Jan. 21 in Ponte Vedra Beach.
Kelvin Ole confirmed the date in a Jan. 14 email. An Instagram post said a speakeasy that will be incorporated into the restaurant is set to open Jan. 28.
According to a permit issued Nov. 14, 2024, the build-out cost is $400,000 for the establishment at 880 Florida A1A N., No. 18B, in the Ponte Vedra Pointe Shopping Center.
St. Johns County also issued a permit Sept. 13, 2024, for Shark Signs of NE FL Inc. to install signs for the restaurant at a cost of $6,000.
Strategic Sites is the broker. Jacksonville-based QL Arch LLC is the architect and designer, and TTWS Construction Inc., based in St. Johns County, is the contractor.
Ole is former manager of Sushi Bear at St. Johns Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard in West Jacksonville. Born in Bali, Indonesia, he relocated to Jacksonville from Los Angeles three years ago. He said Black Pearl’s menu will rotate quarterly and that he aims to diversify the area’s dining options.
“We really want to change the food scene here, especially Asian food, because everyone is doing the same things, same menu, same concept,” he said. “There is a big opportunity in Ponte Vedra Beach, Jacksonville Beach, San Marco and Downtown.”
A draft menu shows rigatoni made with edamame, buffalo ricotta and provolone cheese; skirt steak with shiso chimichurri and blistered shishitos, which are small, mild green chili peppers; and black pearl risotto with cuttlefish ink, scallops, prawn and Parmigiano Reggiano.
According to Grub Street, New York Magazine’s food and restaurant blog, blending Italian and Japanese is known as Itameshi cuisine. The term is a combination of Italian and mesh, which is Japanese slang for “meal.”
A cocktail menu will blend sake and Japanese liqueurs with Italian elements like vermouth, Aperol and prosecco.