Blackbird

There's been buzz a' plenty about Blackbird, a new "modern Asian" restaurant in Jupiter, FL.  I've had patients - ones who are very discriminating about cuisine - rave about it for the past several months.   If you live in South Florida, you've likely experienced the frustration of locating decent Chinese fare.  I wonder if it's just me ("Have my tastes changed?") or if the quality has indeed suffered.  Used to be that the hole in the wall spots had the best food.  That is still true of many, especially family run eateries but not Chinese, which these days turn out greasy, overly salted drek.  A Jewish friend quipped that he should open one and do it right.

The dining area is gorgeous, festooned with local art and a lighted faux cherry blossom tree near the bar.  You can see the twelve foot Buddha statue from the mezzanine as well.  A Zoltan machine is near the hostess stand - cute touch.  There is an open air bar upstairs with wisecracking bartenders and a view of the famous lighthouse.   The restaurant was packed on the Saturday night we went, even at 5:00.  We hit it early as reservations are not taken for parties fewer than seven.  The Kentucky Derby was playing on a big screen and temporarily distracted diners from their meals. 

Which were fabulous.  Our party of four shared several plates:

1. Short rib and bone marrow dumplings

2. Vegetable spring rolls

3. Sichuan smoked spare ribs

4. Chinese BBQ sticky beef short ribs

5. Veggie fried rice

All high level, as if I hopped a Delorean and traveled back to my beloved Chinese Chef joint in Lake Worth in 1980.  I did not detect any preservatives that cause that awful puffy, bloated feeling as you're driving home.  

To accompany - 

Served chilled, which I've been appreciating more recently.

For the main course we shared the Peking duck, with those paper thin pancakes and a delicious hoisin sauce on the side. 

No twenty-four hour notice necessary, as they fill quite a few of these orders.  Juicy and mouth watering.  Feeds two to four but if it's just you and a date you probably will need a doggy bag. 

Dessert? Easy to get carried away, but there's an option that is just enough to satisfy a sweet craving.  Cheesecake lollipops, served in a bamboo steamer pot with grass, resembling poppies, if you will.  We skipped the mango passion fruit as I'm allergic.  The lychee-raspberry and blueberry-lemongrass were just fine. 

Believe the hype on this place.

Blackbird Modern Asian

1511 N. Old Dixie Hwy.

Jupiter, FL  33469

(561) 589-7505

https://www.blackbirdmodernasian.com/