Palmetto Southern Kitchen + Bar Opens March 18 in Asbury Park, NJ

A new restaurant, Palmetto Southern Kitchen + Bar, will open on March 18, 2024, in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

It will take over the 1100 Ocean Avenue boardwalk location previously occupied by The Break, a temporary concept replacing Langosta Lounge.

The restaurant is owned by BarCo Brands, a hospitality group led by Phil Villapiano, Andrea Pappas, Greg Bartz, and Tim McMahon. Chef James Avery will oversee the menu and kitchen operations.

Avery is known for his appearance on Hell’s Kitchen with Gordon Ramsay and for operating The Black Swan Public House in Asbury Park, which he sold to BarCo Brands in 2023.

Palmetto will serve Southern-inspired dishes with a coastal influence. Menu highlights include peel-and-eat shrimp, crab and collard dip, fried chicken, and jalapeño pimento cheese.

Additional offerings include mafaldine pasta in creamed corn cacio e pepe, Caesar salad with buttermilk dressing and biscuit croutons, and a raw bar with fresh seafood options. Steaks will also be available.

The bar will feature handcrafted cocktails, a selection of whiskey and bourbon, and a range of artisan spirits. The restaurant is designed to offer a relaxed but polished atmosphere.

The space was originally home to Langosta Lounge, which operated for over a decade before closing in 2022 when BarCo Brands purchased it along with Asbury Park Yacht Club.

After the acquisition, the space was temporarily branded as The Break while BarCo Brands finalized plans for Palmetto.

The company also owns and operates several other restaurants, including Deal Lake Bar + Co. in Loch Arbour, Baseline Social in Fort Monmouth, and Swimcrush in Asbury Park, which is currently closed.