Saltwater Social opens in Highlands with shareable apps, extensive cocktail list

If you miss Chef Mike Metzner's food from Big Mike's Little Red Store in Atlantic Highlands, fret no longer: He's back, and making more than just sandwiches as Saltwater Social in Highlands opened June 5.

"The Red Store (which closed last year) brought us a big clientele list," Metzner said. "... It feels good to be cooking great food again."

The cuisine in the coastal chic establishment is American, in the sense of a massive melting pot. Some inspiration comes from his Polish grandfather, who he calls "Poppa," like his namesake brisket blend burger served with Niman Ranch bacon, cheddar, pickles, red onion, tomato and "big mac" aioli.

"Food to me is everything, it's about the vibrant fresh flavors ...," Metzner said, "and in a lot of different cuisines, those flavors speak to me."

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There are three different floors at Saltwater.

"Downstairs [in the bar area] is a little more social, more vibrant," he said. "The loft [on the second floor] is more secluded, and upstairs is a little more family-oriented."

The top floor features a casual dining room decorated with photos of local landscapes, animals and nature. The second floor is drenched in sunlight, and a wall-to-wall stretching booth-style couch in the bar is perfect for conversational dining.

"All these appetizers are built to share," he said, like the crispy twice-cooked wings drizzled in rich buttermilk ranch, Buffalo sauce and herbs."

Metzner wants to put a little spin on foods and "elevate them a bit," like the General Tso's bao buns.

"Everyone's had General Tso's for takeout, but now you have it on this steamed bun, almost Bánh mì style with fresh cilantro, pickled onions and cucumber," he said. "The crispy rice tuna tartar, it's basically a spicy tuna roll but a little different than the classic that everyone knows. Even the schnitzel, it has an apple salad over it with mustard aioli."

The restaurant's seafood comes from Local 130 Seafood in Asbury Park, like the seared Barnegat Light scallops with parmesan risotto, lemon, spinach, peas and garlic.

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The menu boasts an extensive cocktail and liquor list.

"For the Tequila Ocho wild air fermented tequila, they ripen the agave to the point that it's overripened, like a banana for banana bread, so you get those natural sugars that make a beautiful sweetness and minerality," he said.

Other drinks include the Picante Primavera with Tanteo jalapeno tequila, Mezcal Vago, agave nectar, lime and pineapple juice; and their take on an Old Fashioned, the Across the Pond with George Dickel Rye, L'Ogreat Almond, orange bitters, Angostura bitters, Demerara syrup and Luxardo cherries.

Metzner offers selections from Birdsmouth Beer, Icarus Brewing and Twin Lights Brewing. Carton Brewing brews a Double IPA called 07732 exclusively for Saltwater Social.

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Reservations are recommended, but there are plenty of seats at the bar. Saltwater Social is open from 4 p.m. to midnight Mondays through Fridays, and 3 p.m. to midnight on Saturdays and Sundays.

Metzner will be expanding to offer lunch hours soon, when he plans to serve Big Mike's classics like the Purple Haze sandwich with 24 hour-cured and breaded eggplant, lemon aioli, heirloom tomatoes, arugula and balsamic glaze on semolina bread.

"I know we were just a sandwich shop before, but it was more than that — it was a place for community," he said. "Meeting those families, seeing their kids, and serving the community like that was a beautiful thing, and I think I can do the same thing here."

Go: 128 Bay Ave., Highlands; 732-444-2064, saltwatersocialnj.com.

Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA Today Network New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to [email protected]. Follow on Instagram at Jersey Shore Eats and subscribe to our Jersey Shore Eats newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Saltwater Social bar and restaurant opens in Highlands