Blackbird Modern Asian waterfront restaurant began its interior buildout Sept. 23 at Naples Bay Resort & Marina in the former longtime space of Bonefish Grill, which was flooded by Hurricane Ian’s storm surge two years ago.
The Naples Design Review Board also unanimously approved final facade changes this week for Blackbird, coming to the ground-floor corner suite near the roundabout driveway and parking area at 1500 Fifth Ave. S. The upscale dining concept has a sister property on Florida’s east coast.
“It’s an amazing atmosphere. We’re really excited about bringing them to Naples,” said Mark McLean of MHK Architecture, presenting the project’s plans to the Design Review Board on Sept. 25. “It’s going to be a really, really special place.”
Blackbird plans to open before the third anniversary of Hurricane Ian, promising an elevated dining experience with top-notch food artfully plated in a restaurant with swanky decor.
“We are small business owners, and we are so excited to be part of this beautiful community. We look forward to serving everyone late spring or early summer of 2025,” said Cleve Mash of 3 Amigos LLC, the Florida restaurant group that operates the critically acclaimed Blackbird.
The partnership of Mash, Scott Frielich and Angelo Abbenante launched Blackbird in Jupiter in October 2022 with executive chef/partner Tim Nickey. The hospitality team signed a lease April 1 for the 5,425-square-foot gutted restaurant space in Naples.
“It’s great to have a restaurant back there again,” said DRB Chair Stephen Hruby.
While Blackbird won’t be changing the exterior architecture of the space, it does plan a few ornamental changes.
“We’re putting a mural on the building. We’re adding some Asian-inspired sculpture, a little bit of themed entryway to the outdoor dining spaces,” McLean said.
The mural will depict a colorful floral theme with butterflies and a Chinese lantern. “It really ties into the interior architecture. There’s a lot of reds, a lot of vibrant colors,” McLean said.
Initially, a larger mural was designed to wrap around the building, but plans were toned down a bit for Naples.
“It’s very Diego Rivera-looking,” Hruby said. “It’s restrained and it’s very nice.”
Blackbird’s guests will be greeted by a 6-foot-tall bronze Buddha head just outside the main entrance and bamboo will be added to an adjacent planter. Outdoor tables will remain under the resort’s covered walkway, while indoor dining options will include new banquette seating, a bar, lounge and a small private dining area. The kitchen space will remain the same, McLean said.
“We’re not adding any square footage or outdoor dining. We’re taking over the existing outdoor dining that was there,” he said. “We’re using the same number of tables and chairs that were there that were all previously approved. We’re putting them in a different layout and configuration.”
The outdoor dining request still must be approved by City Council.
Bonefish Grill operated for nearly 15 years at Naples Bay Resort, which also includes the dining options Nosh on Naples Bay and Cafe on the Bay. The local resort on the Gordon River also connects to Naples Bay Club, which features BlueWater Bar & Grill and Indulge Restaurant & Lounge.
As for another Bonefish Grill landing in the Naples area, the parent company for the seafood restaurant chain hasn’t found the right spot yet.
“While we remain interested in the area, we do not have plans at this time,” said Elizabeth Daly, director of media and community relations for Bloomin’ Brands, the Tampa-based restaurant holding company for the brands of Bonefish Grill, Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar.
