Jacksonville’s newest dining hotspot, HOBNOB, opens for dinner service tonight and I recently had the opportunity to get a sneak peek at the menu and enjoy a welcoming dining experience.

Located in Unity Plaza on Riverside Avenue, HOBNOB prides itself on what they call ‘global inspiration and local intentions’. And from the beautifully presented dishes and relaxed atmosphere, it is safe to say that HOBNOB will quickly become a favorite spot for locals — and visitors too.

Sophisticated Looks

Upon entering the restaurant, I was instantly drawn to the attention to details of the lighting, colors and artwork making it a welcoming space. In the bar area, my eyes were drawn to the handmade, glassblown artwork hanging from the ceiling. Made by local artist, Brian Frus, Assistant Professor of Art at Jacksonville University, the 100 glass spheres bring a local spin to the restaurant with a great story.

Owned by husband-and-wife team Ellen and Alan Cottrill of River City Contractors and Millwork Design Studio, the restaurant takes an artistic approach to its surroundings. From the lighting in the ceiling to the contemporary look of the chairs – the restaurant itself is a piece of art.

HOBNOB also offers outdoor seating with magnificent views of the sunset and you can even get a peek of the St. Johns River too. Overlooking Unity Plaza, it is going to be a great spot to enjoy live entertainment while you’re dining — and do some people watching too!

Sophisticated Eats

The HOBNOB dinner menu features a variety of tastes and allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone and try some ‘new to me’ eats.

For appetizers, the Spicy Truffled Edamame and the Shrimp Kilawin, served with sweet and spicy peppers and fresh avocado, were my two favorites – strong flavors and hearty portion, whether you want to share with your dinner guest or not is up to you!

My other favorite dish of the night was the Kaffir Mochi Crusted Seabass (seen above in the first picture) served with vegetables, steamed rice and a fantastic truffled green curry. I’m not usually a fan of curry, but this was delicious – not spicy and a perfect pairing with the fish.

COCONUT PANNA COTTA

HOBNOB Executive Chef Roger Regulacion and Beverage Manager, Marlon Hall have done a great job pairing the menu and drinks. With cocktails on tap and a full wine/beer menu – I’m excited to return to try more good eats and catch up with friends. The menu is set to evolve with the seasons, leading the way with new dishes on each visit. After all, HOBNOB believes in creating a food + social exchange – and they’ve hit the right spot with this one. 

Learn More About HOBNOB

Dinner service begins March 25, 2016. Lunch service begins Monday, April 4 with the weekend brunch service kicking off on April 8. Reservations are encouraged and can be made online at the HOBNOB website.

For the latest HOBNOB news, follow along on the HOBNOB Facebook page and on Twitter at @HOBNOBJax and check out their great pictures on the HOBNOB Instagram page.

I’m excited to visit again soon and try more of them menu — including the Unitiki Plaza cocktail, served in a tiki glass!

Are You Excited to Dine at HOBNOB? 

** I was an invited guest to HOBNOB’s media preview dinner. Thoughts and opinions here are my own. **