About Us
A chef-driven, fast-casual organic fried chicken + ferments concept
Located within the garden environment of Aster Gardens in Sandpoint, Idaho
The Concept
Blackbird's blends fine-dining quality, farm-grown ingredients, and fermentation craftsmanship — all delivered through radical simplicity and ruthless consistency.
This is not a restaurant that shouts. It speaks softly, through obsessively good food.
Think: A picnic hosted by Martha Stewart, cooked by Anthony Bourdain, served with the humility of a neighborhood farm stand, and the execution of a Michelin-line cook who doesn't care about awards.
Good food doesn't need a sales pitch.
The food speaks for itself. The brand simply gets out of the way.
No gimmicks
Just honest, quality food
No fluff
Straightforward and clear
No foodie theatrics
Real food done right
Our Partnership with Kaniksu Land Trust
Blackbird's operates on property owned by Kaniksu Land Trust, an accredited conservation nonprofit that has been caring for the lands and people of Northern Idaho since 2002.
KLT's mission: "Caring for the lands and people of the Kaniksu Region, today, tomorrow, and forever." With 6,500+ acres permanently conserved and 40+ conservation projects completed, they're a vital force for land stewardship in our region.
Our restaurant supports KLT's mission by providing revenue that diversifies their funding, while creating a space where conservation and community meet every single day.
Learn more about Kaniksu Land Trust →[Image placeholder: Kaniksu Land Trust conservation land - protected forest and natural habitat showcasing the organization's mission to preserve Northern Idaho landscapes]
The Aster Gardens Story
Aster Gardens was founded by Paul and Karen Oleson in 2020, after four years of hand-developing two overgrown lots on Superior Street into a vibrant garden center focused on pollinator-friendly, drought-tolerant, and native plants.
In 2025, the Olesons chose to sell to Kaniksu Land Trust to preserve the business's values beyond profit. Today, Aster serves multiple missions: KLT headquarters, conservation education center, active garden center, community gathering space, and home to Blackbird's.
It's a place where "conservation and community meet every single day" — and where you can enjoy exceptional food surrounded by beauty.
Why Sandpoint
Named "Most Beautiful Small Town" by Rand McNally and USA Today, Sandpoint is a community that values outdoor recreation, natural beauty, and authentic experiences.
With a growing appreciation for quality, local, and craft food, Sandpoint is the perfect home for a concept that delivers farm-fresh quality at fast-food efficiency.
Four Foundational Elements
Organic Chicken Wings
Beef-fat fried, clean, crispy, deeply flavorful. The entire menu orbits around doing one thing extremely well.
Grass-Fed Baked Mac & Cheese
Creamy, rich, simple, nostalgic, scratch-made. The perfect "supporting role" dish.
Housemade Fermented Sauces
Hot sauces made from peppers grown on-site, plus seasonal creations. A balance of heat, funk, fruit, and handcrafted depth.
Sandpoint Soda Company Ferments
Probiotic ginger-bug sodas on tap. Naturally carbonated, bright, alive.
Our Values
Radical Simplicity
The menu is minimal for a reason. Doing a few things extremely well.
Ingredient Integrity
Organic, grass-fed, fermented, real. Every ingredient matters.
Stewardship
Respect for the land, the community, the garden. Supporting KLT's conservation mission.
Transparency
No secrets. Guests see how everything is made. Honest food, honest business.
Craft
Everything made from scratch. Everything cared for. Nothing phoned in.
"This is so simple… why does it taste SO good?"
That's the impression we want to leave.