Black Pearl will bring influences from Italy and Japan under one roof when it opens in Ponte Vedra Beach.
The restaurant will offer upscale dining with a hidden surprise when it opens at 880 A1A N, Suite 18B some time in the beginning of 2026.
Black Pearl’s Damian Moreno shared with WhatNow that the goal of the restaurant is to provide guests with an elevated hospitality experience from the service to the food to the ambiance. “We want to show people the motion and harmony behind the plates and the food.”
With more than 20 years of experience (including Jacksonville’s Vidrio), chef Abel Chiok has been tapped to create a menu of  Japanese-Italian fusion items, a style sometimes referred to as Itameshi. Instead of a mashup of both cuisines, however, Black Pearl will take inspiration from each country’s ingredients and culinary techniques to create unique dishes such as a gazpacho with Japanese ingredients, and various noodle and seafood dishes. Omakase experiences will also be available for those who prefer to allow the chef to plan their meal.
In addition to the main dining room, Black Pearl will feature a surprise speakeasy offering Japanese and International cocktails. The speakeasy will also offer a tapas menu for those who prefer light fare.
