A new restaurant blending Japanese and Italian flavors is coming to Ponte Vedra Beach this winter.
Black Pearl, an upscale dining spot, will open in a 4,200-square-foot space on A1A in the Ponte Vedra Pointe Shopping Center. The restaurant is the vision of Jacksonville restaurateur Kelvin Nole, who hopes to bring something fresh and exciting to the local food scene.
Nole, originally from Indonesia, moved to Jacksonville from the West Coast a few years ago. He told The Citizen that Black Pearl will go beyond traditional Asian dishes like teriyaki and dumplings, introducing creative fusion cuisine.
A Unique Blend of Flavors
Black Pearl will mix classic Japanese and Italian ingredients to create unique dishes like miso carbonara and wagyu carpaccio. Concept images released by the restaurant show a modern bar area decorated with Japanese artwork.
The restaurant, located between an Enterprise Rent-A-Car and a barbershop, will seat about 100 guests. It will also have a separate lounge for private events.
The Meaning Behind “Black Pearl”
According to a post on the restaurant’s Instagram, the name Black Pearl (or kuro shinju in Japanese) represents rarity, beauty, and value.
“Black pearls are highly prized for their unique color and shine, making them a symbol of elegance and luxury,” the post explains. “They also hold deep cultural meaning in Japanese folklore and art. With imagination and creativity, we aim to bring that rare and unique essence to your dining experience.”
Black Pearl is set to open this winter, bringing a fresh take on fusion dining to Ponte Vedra Beach.