Abstrakt Filipino Essence — Restaurant in Jacksonville Beach

So Glad to see so many more Filipino Restaurants opening up in Duval County. The location is so conveniently close to me! And close to the Jacksonville Beach area! I called in my order for Takeout and I didn't have to wait once I got there. This was my very 1st time trying ABSTRAKT Filipino food, although I have seen they're Food Truck all over the Jacksonville area. It's nice that they now have a Beautiful restaurant location, so I don't have to hunt the Food Truck down. The Restaurant has the Essence of Lola's original Recipes is evident in every dish with a Exquisite and Sofisticated Twist added in the Original Filipino Recipes.

I ordered the Lumpia Appetizers. I love the fresh crispy taste of the Atsara Salad on the side of the Lumpia Appetizer, it's refreshing taste to the plaette to cut the deep fried taste of the Lumpia.

For the Main Entree, I just couldn't decide which one. (So, don't judge me!) There will be left overs for tomorrow morning, just like it was at my Momma's or Lola's house. I ordered both the Crispy Pork Belly Adobo & Braised Oxtail Kare Kare. The Crispy Pork Belly Adobo was so flavorful. It has ground up Longanisa sausage pieces with the Succotash, of corn and peas, a Green Pea Puree, Toyomansi Gastrique, Toasted Pinipig. I love the Twist of ingredients the Chef added, like the Edamame sprinkled thoughtout the dish. #Masarap 😋 The most expensive dish on the Menu is the Braised Oxtail Kare Kare. It was definitely the Quality of a 5 Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Exquisitely prepared Entree!! It has a bottom layer of Jasmine Rice, Bagoong Scented Eggplant Puree, with Crispy fresh steamed Green Beans and Baby Bok Choy Vegetables on the side, with a delicious Peanut Butter Emulsion, and Peanut Gremolata sprinkled on top. But a big Ouch on the reciept at Checkout! I savored every single bite like it was a Prime Rib & Lobster dinner!! I still don't understand how the price of Oxtails was the part of the cow that was thrown away and given away as the scraps of the Beef and is now consider to be one of the most expensive Prime cut/parts of the Cow, like it has 18 Karat Gold! I highly recommend the Braised Oxtail Kare Kare if you want to splurge and spoil yourself. I have never seen a Filipino Entree on any Menu such as this! It's a definitely a dish that should be featured on Food Network! 🗣 Somebody needs to put in a phone call to Food Network's Guy Fieri to have "Diners, Drive-in and Dives" come to ABSTRAKT Filipino Essence! #Masarap 😋 and Yummolicious! I am in love with ABSTRAKT Filipino Essence Restaurant. ❤️ I can't wait to try the many other Entrees on the ABSTRAKT Menu! I will definitely be returning for my Filipino...

I don’t know why I’ve waited to review Abstrakt when it seriously is so damn delicious. What better way to show some love for this amazing Filipino restaurant but to share during Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage month!

I’ve been here a couple of times now since my first visit end of 2023. It’s officially become one of my top 5 restaurants to visit & dine in. It’s comfortable, casual, & if you come early enough, there is very little to no wait or reservation needed. The location couldn’t be better ~ Beachside! I’m not the best planner so the fact that I don’t have to make a reservation in advance to dine here, plus enjoy an early bird special for dinner really is a treat! The portion sizes always allow for leftovers the next day; and I truly appreciate that. With Abstrakt being so close to my parent’s house, I’m always looking for an excuse to make my way over here. This entire restaurant treats you like family no matter who you are- newbie or regular.

This is completely unrelated, but worth an honorable mention: Every time I visit, I always notice that every server here looks like they part time model for a Pantene or herbal essence commercial on the side. Each server has lush, surfer hair. It really gives that extra island flair no one asked for, but it doesn’t go unnoticed. It’s a nice touch. I feel like I’m dining at a chill/laid back Disney restaurant - all of the small details were included when creating chef Jojo’s brick & mortar to really set it apart from all the others. Nice job!!! This low key Disney adult (hard stress on low key) loves the added flair.

Please save room for dessert here guys, I can’t stress that enough. Box up those entrees and eat the dessert in house. For this particular restaurant, lunch or dinner, you’ll want to order an appetizer or two, various entrees for the table, AND dessert. If you are familiar with Asian desserts, normally they aren’t overloaded with sugar you immediately feel all over your teeth like our American cakes and ice cream. It the perfect amount of sugar to give it a sweet essence, but not be overbearing what so ever. Also, ask for the seasonal tea! It’s got a little bit of a zing to it, a small tart feature that’s extremely delicious.

Now that this review has been a copious amount of of random thoughts all over the place; if you read this whole thing, bless your heart. Thank you for sticking around and hopefully after reading this novel, you’ll put Abstrakt on your list of places...

From the very first bite, Abstrakt Filipino Essence delivers a dining experience that feels both rooted in tradition and elevated with a modern, artistic touch.

We kicked things off with lumpia… golden, delicate, and filled with flavor and the crispy Brussels sprouts, which were nothing short of addictive. The sprouts had that perfect balance of crunch and char, with a seasoning that made them shine as more than just a side dish. I could honestly go back and order just those with a cocktail and leave happy.

The chicken pancit was next, and it was comfort in a bowl; savory, light, and satisfying in a way only pancit can be. Then came the showstopper: the Lenard Special. A plate that looked as gorgeous as it tasted just so juicy chicken tocino, rich pork belly sisig with that signature sizzle, all crowned with a fried egg resting over perfectly cooked rice. Every bite was a harmony of textures and flavors: sweet, savory, crispy, and rich. It’s the kind of dish that makes you pause mid-conversation just to savor what’s happening on your palate.

Dessert was not an afterthought and wow was it was an encore. The ube cheesecake was stunning, both visually and in flavor, with its smooth creaminess and subtle nuttiness that only ube can bring. The crispy turon wrapped everything up with that perfect crunch on the outside and warm, caramelized sweetness inside. It was the definition of comfort and indulgence in one bite.

Abstrakt isn’t just a restaurant, it’s an experience. It honors Filipino flavors while adding a refined twist, and it’s the kind of place that leaves you already planning your next visit before you’ve even left the table. If you’re looking for a spot that will surprise, delight, and feed your soul…. My...