Rediscover Jupiter's Dining Scene, Now That Snowbirds Have Flown the Coop : Aquasan

Written by Jan Norris

Ah, summer. Relaxed all around in South Florida, it offers those who are willing to stick out the heat the rewards of fewer people vying for roads, waterways and restaurants.

Here’s a chance to explore new restaurants or revisit those you may have forgotten about. Here are some worth a look.

Aquasan, 14121 U.S. 1, Juno
Phone 561-345-3684
aquasanrestaurant.com

The former Aqua Grille in Juno has been reimagined into Aquasan, a Pan-Asian, Latin American fusion bar and restaurant.

Owned by Patrik Waxin of Waxin’s, the Polynesian-inspired restaurant sports a full tiki bar called The Big Kahuna.

It’s all designed for the tropical beach town vibe. The trendy Japandi-style decor completes the picture.

The Tokyo Tuna Tataki is among the Asian-inspired dishes to be found at Aquasan in Juno Beach.

Waxin calls it “a lot of fun, and such a deviation from the other restaurants in our portfolio.”

The menus, created by local Top Chef All-Star Stephen Asprinio, are executed by chef Nicole Fey. Look for Asian-inspired dishes with whimsical culinary moves: General Tso’s chicken-and-waffle sandwich, gyoza “tacos and tequila” with ahi tuna and yuzu guac, and a spiked tropical punch.

The local catch is served a la plancha with a cashew sambal, okra and passionfruit buerre blanc.

Steak tips yakitori with a black bean bordelaise, and a dry-aged big Kahuna burger with pineapple, bacon jam and K-town potato salad are on the tiki menu.

Sushi offerings include local wahoo prosciutto and melon nigiri, and a Korean BBQ surf and turf roll.

The reinterpretation of a tiki bar, with a nod to the mid-modern tiki culture, is set for group gathrings, with craft tiki cocktails and a curated selection of Caribbean rums, and a New World-based wine and sake program.