Black Pearl, a Japanese-Italian-inspired restaurant, is permitted to build-out in Ponte Vedra Beach.
St. Johns County approved the permit Nov. 12 at a project cost of $400,000. The restaurant is planned at 880 Florida A1A N., No. 18B, in the Ponte Vedra Pointe Shopping Center.
St. Johns County also issued a permit Sept. 13 for Shark Signs of NE FL Inc. to install signs for the restaurant at a cost of $6,000.
Black Pearl is expected to open in winter, according to part-owner and chef Kevin Ole, who signed a lease at the location this year.
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, formerly manager of Sushi Bear on St. Johns Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard, was born in Bali, Indonesia. He relocated to Jacksonville from Los Angeles two years ago.
Ole 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.”
According to Grub Street, New York Magazine’s food and restaurant blog, blending Italian and Japanese is known as Itameshi cuisine — a combination of Italian and mesh, which is Japanese slang for “meal.”
Ole said the restaurant will be “upscale.”
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.
A cocktail menu will blend yuzu, sake, miso and umeshu with Italian elements like vermouth, Aperol and prosecco.
Ole said he and his partners chose the Ponte Vedra location eight months ago. The restaurant plans to seat 96 with a separate lounge for private parties accommodating 25.
The restaurant will replace Mezcal Cantina Authentic Mexican Grill, which announced its closure in October 2023. Mezcal Cantina relocated and reopened as the ninth Anejo Cocina Mexicana at The Fountains at St. Johns the following month.
In an Instagram post Aug. 6, Black Pearl wrote:
“In Japan, the term ‘black pearl’ (kuro shinju) can symbolize rarity, beauty and value. Black pearls are highly prized for their unique color and luster, making them a symbol of elegance and luxury. They also carry cultural significance in Japanese folklore and art, representing something precious and rare. We are coming to bring black pearl essence with our imagination and creativity to create rare and unique moments for your dining experience.”