After Jupiter Crab Co. closed its doors in Jupiter, Florida, eager diners eagerly awaited to see the new establishment that would move into the desirable space by the Loxahatchee River.
Introducing Blackbird Modern Asian, a restaurant with a Pan-Asian flair that took over the location in October 2022, drawing inspiration from southeast Asia. However, it’s not just the cuisine that has patrons talking.
The opulent primary dining area is adorned with a striking 12-foot bronze statue of Buddha, surrounded by bamboo stems, creative installations by local artists, and life-size trees that illuminate and change colors.
Named after Paul McCartney’s famous song, Blackbird (also seen as a symbol of good luck in Japanese tradition) captivates customers with the iconic lyrics, “You have all been longing for this moment to come.”
Additionally, there is seating available on the second floor that offers a view of the entire restaurant, along with an upstairs bar designed for outdoor dining while enjoying the scenic vistas of the nearby Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse.
The attentive waitstaff warmly welcomes visitors and kickstarts their experience with a selection of handcrafted cocktails such as Momoa’s “The Kiss,” timeless options like a classic Mai Tai, a glass of wine (consider the Ava Grace pinot grigio) from their remarkable assortment available by the glass, or a tasting of Japanese sake.
Expect all dishes to be served piping hot, so diners may receive their orders at various intervals, as advised by the servers. Begin with a tasting of dim sum dishes like succulent short rib and bone marrow dumplings, crispy Cantonese egg rolls, or lobster wonton cones that are crispy and flavorful.
An order of Mongolian brisket bao buns with a spicy kick arrives beautifully arranged in a bamboo basket, garnished with green apple, pickled fresno chiles, and Chinatown hoisin sauce.
Transitioning to the small plates section of the menu, you’ll discover traditional dishes with a contemporary twist, such as wok-charred edamame, Thai-style beef jerky, and Kung Pao calamari. The star of this section is the Chinese BBQ sticky beef short ribs – three tender pieces coated in a delightful honey soy glaze and topped with crispy shallots.
For the main course, the meat/poultry/pork menu showcases heartier options like smoked burnt ends fried rice, Bangkok street noodles “pad see ew” featuring smoked brisket, and Chiang Mai pad Thai with grilled chicken and crushed peanuts.
A crowd favorite, beef and broccoli, highlights a delectable 10-ounce New York strip steak cooked to perfection with Chinese broccoli drenched in a sweet soy sauce.
The Dan Dan noodles are elevated with a touch of chili oil and combine both pork and beef with mustard greens and radish. The BBQ duck fried rice is a delightful alternative to traditional Peking duck, sautéed with fresh vegetables and egg.
The desserts are meant for sharing, offering a variety from a chocolate bomb with salted peanut brittle ice cream to Yuzu Key lime with cinnamon graham cracker crumble, Chinese bread pudding bites, and Thai tea crème brulee.
Image Source: Blackbirdmodenasian.com
