Social 37

SOCIAL 37
Crossroads Shopping Center
Route 166 and Route 37, Toms River
732-202-3737

Hours: Daily, 11:30 am to 12 Midnight

Price: $$

Style: This cavernous 5,200-square-foot rustic space is uniquely inviting: discarded cell phones (hence the name “social,” the hostess tells us) and old pots and pans adorn the brick walls. The distinctive smell of the wood-fired grill is a welcoming touch. This is the perfect place for a leisurely lunch with friends, dinner with the family, or drinks with the gang. A lengthy bar—offering some 30 craft beers and nearly 100 wines, plus a host of specialty cocktails—stretches one entire wall.

Don’t Miss: The progressive menu offers something for everyone. Start by splitting appetizers. The vegetable polenta stack ($12) is lentils, roasted tomatoes, mushrooms and spinach on a polenta cake. The Lambsicles ($18) are herb-crusted with a charred demi-glaze. Sandwiches include the Pork Belly ($12), braised pork belly topped with kimchi. The Firebird ($11) is grilled chicken, roasted peppers, gouda and cilantro mayo. All sandwiches are served on a buttered, toasted brioche and come with thin, crispy fries tossed with a choice of seasonings­—try the garlic and herb. Seafood offerings include shrimp and grits ($15) topped with a tangy root beer barbecue sauce. Pastas come in half and full portions. The short rib ragout ($12 half/$18 full), with oyster mushrooms over orecchiette is a good pick. Of course, there’s always the signature wood-fired pizza. Seafood lovers will enjoy the clams casino pizza ($18), while carnivorous types will connect with the Italian Stallion pizza ($19). Save room for dessert. The apple tart ($10), served a la mode, is perfect for sharing.

Heads Up: Social 37 is sandwiched between two chains (Panera and Buffalo Wild Wings) in the newly renovated Crossroads Shopping Center strip mall. The restaurant opened in spring 2015.

The Scoop: Social 37 is the most unique and upscale restaurant within the Social Hospitality Group, which also owns the Spot in Point Pleasant Beach and Toms River, and the Sawmill in Seaside Park.