You can’t leave Padre Island without a visit to Black Sheep Bistro. Its casual elegance is the perfect place to end up after a day at the beach; great for a celebration, family dinner or date night. The restaurant is located in a non-descript strip, but don’t let the space fool you. What they lack in size, they make up for in flavor.

The menu and seasonal specials are fantastic and change almost weekly. Fresh ingredients, great recipes and a beautiful presentation make for a great dining experience. You can’t go wrong with the board specials, but all of the seafood is delicious. And for non-seafood lovers there are a wide variety of dishes to choose from.
To start with, I have two words for you: Lamb Dunk. This dish takes fondue to the next level with perfectly seared lamb chops, vegetables, croutons and a cheese mixture of gruyere, Monterey Jack and sharp cheddar. You could easily go home after eating that and be quite happy, but don’t. That is just an appetizer and your taste bud party is just beginning.

During my visit the special was a huge plate of assorted seafood. The scallops and mussels were so big and fresh they tasted like they were plucked straight out of the ocean and placed on my plate. Ditto for the squid. The chef at Black Sheep Bistro is a master with squid – there is a fine line between just the right amount of heat and rubbery goo. He found that line and elevated the flavors to perfection with the squid salad. I shamelessly wanted to ask for seconds but held off because a large portion of Blue Marlin was beckoning me. The marlin was so light and fresh and cooked to perfection. The talent in the kitchen makes ordering easy, because anything you order will be delicious.

Don’t forget the wine and dessert. Black Sheep Bistro has a progressive wine menu, making pairings very easy, and they also carry an assortment of local beers. My meal ended with the Triple Chocolate Cake. Perfection on Padre Island.

By Gabi De La Rosa