Open-air, waterfront restaurant in Cape Coral swimming in possibilities — JLB
You’d expect High Tide Social House to be all about seafood.
After all, the newest addition to Tarpon Point Marina’s strong dining scene is owned by Chris and Mary Beth Keslinger.
As the owners of Lobster Lady, they’ve kept their seafood market and bistro thriving since 2012.
The setting for High Tide Social also hints at a menu that would be swimming in straight-from-the-Gulf offerings. The breezy, open-air restaurant, complete with tin roof, wrap-around porch and marine life themes, sits on the far side of the marina on Glover Bight.
To find it, take your first right at the roundabout in Tarpon Point and head past the condos. You’ll eventually find the quaint blue building at the former site of the marina’s sales office.
Although it opened in April, there are still no signs leading you there.
Once you find it though, snag a seat in the cool and comfortable dining room, at the always lively bar, or if there’s a breeze, opt for a table on the covered porch and enjoy unique views of the marina.
It’s the perfect place to grab one of the nautical-named signature boat drinks, from a Sailor’s Delight (whiskey, basil guava lemonade and blueberries) to the vodka, agave and lemon-based Blue Jellyfish with a pinot noir floater.
Variety is the key to the menu
Once you dive into the menu, assumptions of this being a seafood-based restaurant quickly sink. Three appetizers — Nola BBQ shrimp (the SoHo sauce gives this dish the right amount of heat and the toasted baguette lets you enjoy every last drop), calamari and ahi tuna flatbread — fit the initial impressions.
But there is baked goat cheese — the best-seller of the group according to Chris — and nacho average pork, a charcuterie board and fried chicken wings, prime filet tips and even hummus (!!!).
The sandwich, salad and entrée sections sail along with unexpected variety as well.
Of course, there’s a lobster roll, but you’ll also see a Reuben, burgers, fried chicken, filet mignon and many more land-loving options.
And while our salt and vinegar chip-crusted grouper sandwich was a winner, the best-selling Philly cheesesteak was even better with blackened, shaved prime rib and gooey goodness spilling out of a crunchy toasty hoagie.
Pizza is the star
What High Tide Social does best, surprisingly, is pizza.
When the Keslingers agreed to open High Tide Social House, the owner of Tarpon Point wanted to make it a pizza place, Chris told me back in April. “So we put in an oven that can do 100 pizzas an hour,” he said.
Those lovely pies are creative and thin (like Chris likes them) with just the right amount of foldability. The bubbly crust is crispily chewy. My favorite was the taco pizza with chorizo, ground prime filet, jalapenos, iceberg lettuce, pico, sour cream and (be still my heart) crushed Doritos.
Then I tried the clam pizza (with white sauce, chopped clams, pancetta, hot honey and arugula) which Chris said Mary Beth wanted on the menu. And I loved it more.
On my last visit, I was going to order the shrimp & grits, fried snapper or salmon bowl. After all, the Keslingers do wonders with seafood.
But one glimpse of a pizza being delivered to a nearby table sank that plan.
As I sat there eating my second (or third?) slice of the Sooie pizza (with pulled pork!!!!), I realized the Keslingers do much more than seafood right at High Tide Social House.
High Tide Social House
6095 Silver King Blvd., Cape Coral
Price: $$-$$$
Call: 239-341-4441
Hours: 11 a.m. to midnight daily.
Web: hightidesocialhouse.com; on Facebook and Instagram
In the news: At Uncle Rico's in Fort Myers, making pizza is an art not to be rushed
Sample menu
Fried chicken wings, $14
Nature Walk salad, $16
B.Y.O Burger, $18
Mushroom Melody pizza, $18 (12-inch) or $24 (16-inch)
Filet mignon, $32 (6 ounce) or $40 (8 ounce)
Grouper planks, $25
*Hours and prices subject to change
What the symbols mean
$: Average entree is less than $15
$$: $15-$25
$$$: $25-$35
$$$$: $35-$45
$$$$$: $45 and up
Jean Le Boeuf is the brand under which our restaurant critics have written for more than 40 years. This article came from staff writer Robyn George. Connect: rhgeorge@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Find High Tide Social House in Cape Coral and you'll be glad you did
