Lily Grabb bought Super Food & Brew more than a year ago and closed the Downtown restaurant at the end of 2024 to chase her own vision.

She recently reopened the space as Lily’s Asian-American Food, combining Japanese, Philippine and American cuisines.

Lily’s Asian-American Food is at 11 E. Forsyth St. next to the 11 East apartments.

The menu is a perfect mix for her as she was born in the Philippines, lived much of her life in Japan and now lives in Middleburg.

The mother of three moved to the U.S. about seven years ago.

She acknowledges that she doesn’t have much restaurant experience.

“I have the bare minimum. I used to be a server in Kaika Teppanyaki Asian Fusion in Five Points. I loved the connection with people. I loved it,” she said.

“This wasn’t my first choice of business. I was thinking of like maybe gas stations or jewelry store, but I ended up getting this one, and I’m really happy.”

She is making up for her lack of experience by enlisting help from her former boss, Tim Noble. Besides operating Kaika, he has spent much of his working life managing Asian restaurants including the area Sake House chain, Hawkers, and P.F. Chang’s.

He operates the marketing firm Marcjax. 

Noble came to Jacksonville from Orlando to open the Hawkers in Five Points. He thought it was another work assignment. He stayed at a hotel on Prudential Drive and came to enjoy Jacksonville and sees its potential.  

“I have clients in downtown Tampa and downtown St. Pete, which is the same situation 10-15, years ago. No one lived there, and it’s changed so much. It’s the same thing that we think is going to happen with Jacksonville. I think the spot is going to be amazing,” Noble said.

Photo by Dan Macdonald

He said the success of neighboring restaurants and bars, like Spliff’s Gastropub and Hardwicks, is an indicator that Lily’s also will prosper.

The new restaurant is designed in three areas. There is the Anime Room decorated with pictures of large Japanese cartoon characters. The room can be used for office meetings. It will also be home for karaoke at night. A full liquor bar is in the center of the restaurant. Next to that is a walled off dining area that offers some cozy privacy.

Grabb declined to discuss the cost of opening Lily’s.

Photo by Dan Macdonald

The menu prices top out at $21 for a Miso Salmon entree. Appetizers are $4 to $8 and feature lumpia (Filipino beef spring roll), dumplings and yucca fries.

Entrees include Chicken Adobo, Oxtail Kare-kare (a curry dish) and pulled pork and rice.

Sandwiches include Mike’ Cow-Pig Burger (a combination of a hamburger and bacon patty with caramelized onions), a pulled pork sandwich and a turkey pesto sandwich.

The menu is based on Grabb’s mother’s recipes, but she didn’t grow up at her side in the kitchen.

“I just started cooking when I got my kids,” she said of her 14-, 12- and 10-year-old children. She drives home to Middleburg every day to cook dinner for them.

Grabb is employing about 25 full- and part-time employees to start. If late-night hours prove popular, she may add more.

Lily’s is open daily at 11:30 a.m. with closing time flexible nightly.