“The most innovative culinary experience I have ever had…”
-Klara Glowczewska, Executive Travel Editor, Town & Country Magazine & former Editor in Chief, Conde Naste Publishing
EARTH’S ONLY “OMAKASE-STYLE”RAW BAR EXPERIENCE, EVER, ANYWHERE
Featuring MARINE CUISINE by Master Mermmelier Kevin Joseph
Est. Feb 2022
Thurs, Fri & Sat @ 6:30pm @ 99 S. Market Street, Charleston, SC
Please be ABSOLUTELY SURE that this is a fit for you BEFORE you book because RAW LB is NOT for everyone and it is NOT a good fit for every occasion.
GET THE PICTURE WITH THE 3 FILMS BELOW
RAW LAB IS A CULINARY ADVENTURE, not just a “dinner”. As such, it requires and delivers a lot more from and to the guest. Here’s an analogy: If you drive 60 miles to the beach for a weekend get away there are not that many things to consider, do, plan, bring or prepare for. But when you fly to Colorado to go skiing for a week you’ll need to plan, prepare, do and bring a lot more. RAW LAB is much more like a ski trip to CO than a weekend at a nearby beach.
FAQ MISSION WHAT IS IS/ISNT IS IT FOR YOU MYTHS A-TYPICAL POLICIES VALUE PRICING DISCOVERY
RESERVATIONS ONLY
USE RESY FOR RESERVATIONS FOR FOR SMALL GROUPS (UP TO 4 GUESTS)
FOR LARGE GROUPS (5 OR MORE) - TEXT US DATES & # OF GUESTS @ 843 580 7729
! BE SURE THIS IS FOR YOU !
RAW LAB IS a next generation “Raw Bar” (NOT A SUSHI BAR). WE featurE MARINE CUISINE & DelicaSEAS presented via an Omakase-STYLE of service IN a semi-private oR private dining ENVIRONMENT.
RAW LAB has A VERY UNUSUAL BUSIESS MODEL THAT REVOLVES AROUND ONE SEATING, THREE TIMES A WEEK, WITH ONLY 12 SEATS. FOR THIS REASON, WE HAVE SEVERAL RATHER A-TYPICAL POLICIES WITH REGARDS TO LATE-CANCELS, NO-SHOWS and TIPPING that may or may not be agreeable to you. We strongly recommend you make yourself familiar with THEM.f
RAW LAB is not A FIT FOR EVERY PERSON OR EVERY OCCASION. The experience is not always a good fit for every circumstance, individual or group as it is not a typical “restaurant” product, service or experience. Please make sure it is a fit for you, your group and your circumstances before you book.
RAW LAB is NOT a “traditional restaurant” or A “TRADITIONAL SUSHI OMAKASE”. A MEAL of 9 -1 2 COURSES featURING 10 - 15 wines will be prepared and presented by one guy in a 40 SF “KITCHEN”. This creates opportunities and limitations.
RAW LAB IS NOT A GOOD FIT FOR PEOPLE WITH SHELLFISH ALLERGIES AS OUR MENU FEATURES LOTS OF SHELLFISH. THAT BEING SAID, IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO OYSTERS (JUST OYSTERS) YOU’LL ONLY HAVE TO SKIP ONE COURSE. OTHERWISE, THOSE WITH ALLERGIES To TWO OR MORE TYPES OF SHELLFISH (LOBSTER, CRAB, SHRIMP…) ARE STRONGLY DISCOURAGED FROM BOOKING BECAUSE OUR EXTREMELY LIMITED SPACE MAKES IT BASICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO OFFER SUBSTITUTIONS.
DO NOT DAY-DRINK and come to raw lab. IF YOU APPEAR TO BE INEBRIATED UPON ARRIVAL,YOU’LL be turned away and charged full price AS A “NO SHOW”. THERE WILL BE NO DEBATE AS THAT WOULD DELAY THE START OF THE MEAL FOR THE OTHER GUESTS AND IT IS UNFAIR TO THEM FOR ANYONE TO INTERFERE WITH THEIR EXPERIENCE. PLEASE BE SURE pick a day you are not drinking to enjoy RAW LAB and THE other guests and we’ll all drink lots of great wine TOGETHER!
GUESTS ARE PARTICIPANTS IN MANY WAYS. DO NOT COME EXPECTING 5 STAR SERVICE FROM A TEAM OF SERVERS AND CHEFS. THERE’S NO ROOM FOR SUCH LUXURIES IN OUR TINY SPACE. THE VALUE COMES FROM THE PRODUCT USED, THE SPACE, THE VIBE, THE KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE OF THE CHEF, THEATRICAL ELEMENTS AND NOVEL APPROACHES TO HEALTHY DINING.
Please do not be fooled by the price-point. THIS IS NOT FINE DINING, THIS IS FUN DINING. THIS IS COOL AND DIFFERENT. ITS MORE LIKE A DINNER PARTY, THAN FINE DINING ON WHITE LINEN. TO ENJOY THIS TO ITS FULL POTENTIAL, IT IS NECESSARY TO PARTICIPATE AND BE PRESENT as you engage with others and the process.
OUR FOCUS & GOALS
Our goal is not to present thingsfancy ppresentations, Michelin Stars or James Beard Awards. Our focus is on THE FOLLOWING:
1. FEATURING THE FINEST PRODUCT as defined by the metrics of MARINE CUISINE.
2. DELIVERING A SAFE, FUN, engaging, enchanting & EDU-TAINING experience THAT ENGAGES ALL 12 guests in the room with everyone in the room and all of the elements of production.
3. EXECUTING A whole, live, raw & bio-available meal that features dishes that are HEALTHY, SUSTAINABLE, SAFE, DELICIOUS, NUTRITIOUS & COLORFUL. THAT IS, ALSO, A meal which also tell stories, inform your palate and guideS you in your ordering elsewhere or sourcing seafood for your home cooking.
4. TO INSPIRE THE GUEST, not mystify them. We are not here to baffle you with presentations and preparations you could not duplicate at home. We are here to INSPIRE you to cook and eat like this at home. after you’ve had this meal and this conversation in the space WE HOPE YOU WILL BE INSPIRED!
5. OUR CULINARY ETHICS ARE NOT TYPICAL. THEY ARE:
MARINE CUISINE & DELICASEAS
WHOLE, LIVE, RAW & BIO-AVILABLE
GLOBAL
OUR CULINARY ETHICS ARE NOT:
Southern: THIs is a fine way to organize a dining offering, especially in charleston. It’s being done so well all over by restaurants with full kitchens. WE are a raw bar with a 200 sf space and a 40 sf kitchen. It’s not our lane. there are a great many options for this and we celebrate them all.
Local: While we do source as much local product as possible, we cant execute a full meal based on the culinary ethics listed above by using local product exclusively. OF COURSE, THIS is a fine way to dine and to operate. But its also not our lane. there are a great many options for this and we celebrate them all.
SUSHI: We use an Omakse-Style of service (made famous by its application to sushi for centuries) but we apply it to RAW BAR fare. we let sushi masters do sushi. there are a great many options for this and we celebrate them all.
FAQ MISSION WHAT IS IS / ISNT IS IT FOR YOU A-TYPICAL POLICIES VALUE PROPOSITION PRICING DISCOVERY
WINNER OF OPEN TABLE’S 2022 DINER’S CHOICE AWARD
A Singular Semi-Private or Private Dining, Test Kitchen, Chef’s Table Experience for up to 12 guests
ONE OF THE TOP RATED CULINARY OPPORTUNITIES IN CHARESTON. SEE THE LIST OF TOP RATED RESTAURANTS HERE
RAW LAB MENU
@ 99 S. MARKET STREET, CHS, SC (843) 580 7729
LOCATION & DIRECTIONS
RECENT PRESS BELOW
FOOD & WINE MAGAZINE || TOWN & COUNTRY MAGAZINE || PASTE MAGAZINE || SC LIVING MAGAZINE
FOX 24 CHS || CITY PAPER CHS || CHARLESTON LIVING MAGAZINE || THE LOCAL PALATE || LUX LIVING MAGAZINE
BOOK THE WHOLE ROOM - GROUPS OF 12 - 20
We will send the limo for ya if all start and end in one spot, basically.
Routes include Daniel Island, Kiawah and IOP.
RAW LAB LIMO
4.9 - 5 STAR RATED ACROSS THE MAJOR / RELEVANT RESERVATION PLATFORMS
READ REVIEWS HERE || RESERVATIONS ONLY @ RESY
WORTH THE TIME & MONEY?
THAT DEPENDS ON WHO YOU ARE, HOW YOU EXPLORE FOOD & WINE, HOW YOU SOCIALIZE, WHAT YOU DO & DO NOT DRINK, AND WHAT YOUR VALUES ARE FOR MUSIC, ATMOSPHERE, PRIVACY & ENTERTAINMENT. For some people or circumstances, RAW LAB is a nightmare. For most, however, it is AMAZING!
RAW LAB has proven itself to be a truly world-class CULINARY EXPERIENCE by the very simple fact that after 2.5 years of operations we have maintained a 4.9 STAR rating on RESY. That’s just a fact which reveals a truth - RAW LAB is a world-class dining experience for 97% of the people who experience it. For the 3% who don’t, well, we’ve been trying very hard from the start to dissuade them from coming and taking up seats. Nowadays, there’s rarely a person who isn’t clear on what it is and isn’t INTENT upon being there.
FAQ MISSION WHAT IS IS / ISNT IS IT FOR YOU A-TYPICAL POLICIES VALUE PROPOSITION PRICING DISCOVERY
8 CORNERSTONE FEATURES OF RAW LAB
SINGULAR OYSTER SERVICE
Where else on earth are you offered a course of 6 oysters, shucked live, dressed, topped or treated 6 different ways, by a Master Mermmelier, a la minute. NOWHERE! Every oyster for every guest is shucked live, dressed and enjoyed by all, together, in real time. You’ll explore our ACCOUTREMENT PREMIER, a collection of rare & exotic toppings, dressings and treatments. GOOD NEWS: You’ll discover more than you ever imagined that there was to know about oysters and how to enjoy them to the greatest degree. BAD NEWS: You’ll be spoiled. forever.
SINGULAR CAVIAR SERVICE
Enjoy “THE RIDE”. That’s what we call the process of experiencing caviar as professionals do, sans accoutrement. That’s right, no belinis, creme fraische, potato chips or anything else to get between your palate and the fine caviar we feature. This is how the professionals who produce caviar and trade in it experience and evaluate it. We offer two “caviar bumps” to our guests (paired with a beautiful wine and a cool soundtrack. Moreover, we walk you through the best techniques for what to do with it while its in you mouth. This is critical to experience the phases of taste and sensation that fine caviar has to offer. Done right, the chemistry that this creates is your mouth is profound and it will inform your palate. You’ll never think about caviar the same was again.
SINGULAR WINE SERVICE
Our wine service is NOT organized in the same way that most fine-dining establishments are. There is no Somm or massive wine display case. There are, however, 20 or so interesting, odd, different or unusual WHITE, ROSE & ORANGE & RED wines that we present in about as many small pours (not full glasses). This takes our guests to 6 continents to experience wines from 13-15 wine producing regions and 8-10 countries. This is a GLOBAL WINE TOUR where we feature up to 15 different wines. Ask yourself: Where can I taste 12 - 15 different wines from 10 countries and 6 continents in a single meal without ordering 12 - 15 glasses of wine?
NOTE: IF YOU DRINK RED WINE EXCLUSIVELY, we can offer you a bottle of red. We DO NOT think that any red is a good pairing with our dishes, but we will accomodate your preference for red wine graciously.
“MARINE CUSINE & DELICASEAS”
We let RESTAURANTS serve “seafood”. We’ve taken things to the next level! We are a RAW BAR and in being just a raw bar we can focus on things a restaurant cannot. We have fused traditional raw bar fare with dishes that incorporate raw, cooked & chilled and hot preparations & presentations.
THE RESULT: A FILLING, HEALTHY, NUTRITIOUS, COLORFUL, DELICIOUS AND INTERESTING MEAL (NOT A SNACK OR APPETIZER). This meal features the finest product available in accordance with 4 core metrics of quality which are the cornerstones of “MARINE CUISINE” & “DelicaSEAS”.
SAFE (wont make you sick today) - Best / Vanguard practices in fishing, aquaculture, sourcing, distribution, storage, preparation & presentation. Eliminating bad bacteria, basically.
HEALTHY & NUTRITIOUS (wont contribute to disease over time and will deliver the most nutrients possible) - Best / Vanguard practices in fishing & aquaculture. Cultivating GOOD bacteria, basically. Also, sourcing and featuring products that contain no (or the least possible amounts) of heavy metals & micro-plastics. These toxins contribute to a host of ailments when consumed at high rates over extended periods. Because of this we do not serve “apex predators” like Tuna, Wild Salmon, Swordfish. We focus on the bottom of the seafood chain where these toxins are not present or present only at the lowest possible concentrations. AND we feature next generation farmed product (specifically, Salmon) which are grown without pesticides, anti-biotics, hormones or fish based feed in low density facilities.
MOST SUSTAINABLE - Best / Vanguard practices in fishing & aquaculture.
MOST RESPONSIBLE - Best / Vanguard practices in fishing & aquaculture.
OUR SEA SALT COMPLEX
Our MARINE CUISINE & DelicaSEAS incorporate a “complex” of Rare Sea Salts from around the globe and from both living & thriving seas and ancient & extinct oceans. The mineral complex this delivers is, arguably, unattainable though any other means. Ancient Sea Salts are typically mined and contain trace minerals that may not be present in modern sea salt. Also, they are devoid of any traces of heavy metals or micro-plastics. BOTTOM LINE: Human bodies are composed of 60-70% water and 100% of that water is salt water. The salinity of our bodily water is 9%. Ocean / Marine water is 3-4% saline. So, WE ARE 3 TIMESMORE SALINE THAN THE OCEAN. WE ARE SALT WATER CREATURES! Feed that fact and thrive!
THE ROOM
It’s like being in an aquarium, on another planet, in the future. If that does not send you running…you’ll most likely love it. RAW LAB is an extremely curated space that features light, sound, a massive living plant canopy (and much more) which transports our guests to another time and place where time passes and energy flows in a way that is quite fantastical and romantic. Its familiar, comfortable and safe as well as alien, fluid and mercurial. Its a dreamscape, really, which transports guests and forces a kind of “presence” that is elusive in the modern, wired world.
THE SERVICE STYLE
Omakase. A Japanese Verb. It means: “To Entrust”. In this service style you “Entrust” the Chef to deliver to you his/her best effort in product, service and experience. Guests likely know the price in advance but the menu is only revealed in its presentation, live. This service style is the polar opposite of a la carte (where guests order from a menu). And it is different from prix fixe, where the price and menu is revealed in advance. With Omakase, typically, the chef is a proven master which is why guests are willing to pay a premium and “entrust”. Exclusively (until now) this service style has been applied to Sushi. It is, after all, a Japanese invention and tradition. We, however, thought it appopriate to be applied to an expanded Raw Bar offering which we refer to as MARINE CUISINE & DelicaSEAS. Criminal or brilliant? You decide. Either way, you wont be ordering anything, you’ll be sitting back and watching / learning as food is prepared, presented and paired with wines from around the world.
THE SHOW
Yes, its like Dinner & Show. A cheesy cliche perhaps, but apropos nonetheless. You’ll dine and laugh and be enchanted by color, flavor, preparation, presentation, pairings and more. YOU’LL LEARN and be entertained at the same time and nobody is ever made to feel inferior by an arrogant or pretentious chef of server as has been the case at some fine dining or Michelin stared destinations. Bollocks to that, we say! We call this EDU-tainment and we are masterful in the delivery of it. There are at least 30 POINTS OF DISCOVERY in the experience where the interesting & interested Epicurean or Gourand will see, touch or eat something they never have before. This is why very well fed & very well traveled consumers love RAW LAB. From their extensive experience with fine dining at all price points they quickly come to realize that RAW LAB truly is unique and world-class.
FAQ MISSION WHAT IS IS / ISNT IS IT FOR YOU A-TYPICAL POLICIES VALUE PROPOSITION PRICING DISCOVERY
WE #RaiseTheRaw Bar. YOU #SeasTheBay!
$200 -$250 per person ++ (PLUS tax & tip)
INCLUDED: 9-12 Rounds oF Marine Cuisine & DelicaSEAS + 12 - 14 PREMIUM Wine Pairings
SERVICE WED - SAT || ONE SEATING || 6:30pm - 10PM
RESERVATIONS ONLY - RESERVE SEATS HERE
21+
843 580 7729
BROWSE RECENT PRESS HERE
15 GREAT REASONS WHY THIS IS AN EXTRAORDINARY VALUE & EXPERIENCE
#RaiseTheRawBar
Empire Oyster created this concept in 2017 and have been perfecting it ever since. This is a vanguard Chef’s Table / Test Kitchen experience for up to 12 seated guests at a time, where the focus is on rare, exotic and luxury seafood from the bottom of the seafood chain. Part of our offering is an exploration of the most sustainable, responsible and healthy seafood choices. We call it MARINE CUISINE and describe it as Seafood v. 3.0. Here we #MakeUglyFishesDelicious in a smart, fun and sexy way.
Our model is the magic. Instead of being ANOTHER seafood restaurant that ALSO offers a raw bar, we have removed the raw bar from the restaurant and eliminated the restaurant. We are focused on being the finest raw bar in the history of the world because we are ONLY a Raw Bar! We #RaiseTheRawBar so you can #SeasTheBay. This is not an appetizer or tasting menu, its a meal…a food & wine experience and, for many, an epiphany in both seafood and fine dining.
We feature a host of marine species and dishes informed by an elegant culinary ethic which is designed around eating “Whole, Live, Raw & BioAvailabe”. These days, we guarantee our guests at least 15 “Points of Discovery”. These are things we deliver in our service that even the most sophisticated foodie, gourmand or epicurean is likely to have never seen before. It delights and enchants, while, at times confusing and challenging your senses in an exciting way. The entire time, you are only inches away from the chef who prepares everything in front of the guests. Every dish is enjoyed by all of the guests at the same time. The process and the chef de-mystify seafood and seafood wine pairings in an un-pretentious presentation that empowers our guests to experiment at home or to feel more comfortable ordering seafood and pairing wine to it elsewhere. Its also FUN! This is not a formal or “stuffy” omakase experience.
Raw Lab also delivers an elevated wine experience. Each course is paired with a great seafood wine and any of the wines could be paired with any of the dishes. Guest’s commonly discover new varieties and styles of wines they love. The focus is on obscure or lesser known varieties of dry white, rose and orange wines. A luxury back bar offers a very high end collection of sake & spirits and some nice red wines, by the bottle.
Enjoy private dining in a salon like atmosphere with other interesting & Interested guests who have the opportunity to ask dozens of questions about oysters, seafood and the wine pairings. No other oyster or seafood experience is designed around a 12 seat u-shaped bar where all of the dishes are presented to the world’s only “Ice Moat”, at the same time. Everyone in the room is on the same page and in proximity to everyone else. It creates a unique opportunity for Edu-Tainment and connecting to others which rewards much more than your palate.
Also, the space itself is designed and managed to deliver a strong sense of ESCAPE! If you are visiting, you won’t feel like you are a tourist, you’ll feel like a traveler. If you are local, you’ll feel transported to another time, place and dimension. You wont feel like you are in a restaurant, because, well, YOU ARE NOT! The decor, the music, the light…it all transports our guests and time flies.
Finally, this room is very private. You can’t see anyone walking by and nobody walking by can see you! Our guests enjoy total discretion, always. This very discreet room is also available for private events.
FAQ MISSION WHAT IS IS / ISNT IS IT FOR YOU A-TYPICAL POLICIES VALUE PROPOSITION PRICING DISCOVERY
MARINE CUISINE & DelicaSEAS
Learn more about this culinary ethic HERE and check out some pictures at that link or in the gallery below.
HOW IT WORKS
Enjoy 9 - 12 rounds of WHOLE, LIVE, RAW AND/OR BIO-AVAIALBE DISHES & UP TO 14 WINE PAIRINGS
It’s all VERY VERY VERY different @Raw.Lab.CHS. On many levels, this is an entirely new value proposition and Food & Wine experience, It is impossible to explain in writing or in words but it will make perfect sense once you’ve experienced it personally.
Omakase is an ancient Japanese service style typically applied to sushi service. The word means “to entrust” or “I leave it to you”. In this style of service guests do not order anything, they simply “entrust” the chef to deliver his or her best product, service and experience based on seasonal access to the finest and freshest product. We’ve applied it to oysters & MARINE CUISINE & DelicaSEAS, a collection of dishes created by Master Mermmelier Kevin Joseph. Our OMAKASE STYLE service is not a SUSHI Omakase which many gourmands, foodies and epicureans are familiar with. No, this is an RAW BAR OMAKASE, something different, entirely.
For starters, our oyster service launches the experience and features our Accoutrmement Premier, which is a proprietary collection of toppings, dressings and treatments for oysters available absolutely nowhere else on earth. All of the dishes are constructed right in front of you, and just for you. This is “seafood porn” and “food theater”, presented, in your lap, almost literally. But you’re not just watching it, you are a part of it as you interact with the chef and other guests. Also, this is not a little “tasting menu”. You will leave FULL. View the MENU HERE but dont expect exactly that menu as it is evolving fast and changes every night. LEARN MORE HERE
READ REVIEWS ON YELP & OPEN TABLE
RESERVATIONS VIA RESY || LOCATION & DIRECTIONS || CANCELLATION & NO SHOW POLICY
843 580 7729
THIS IS A FIT FOR THOSE WHO…
…seek the unprecedented, unique and original.
…have been to all the great CHS restaurants 10 times each and seek something completely different.
…value elite food & wine experiences and have 3-4 hours available to do enjoy our service.
…are NOT allergic to shellfish, mollusks or crustaceans. Fin fish allergies can be worked around by skipping a course or two.
…are comfortable with or seek a community table type of setting and a salon like atmosphere.
…appreciate elite food, wine and service without any pretension.
PRIVATE DINING
Book the room privately and we’ll serve you anything we can make.
When you book the room privately for your group it is yours, privately. We’ll play whatever music you would like and even allow you to bring in your own DJ. Bring your favorite wines or spirits from your private collection. The room is your oyster and your guests are the pearls!
2 - 12 guests for $3,900 ++ (Food, Beverage & Service Included, Taxes & 20% Gratuity NOT included)
13 - 14 guests for $4,500 ++ (Food, Beverage & Service Included, Taxes & 20% Gratuity NOT included)
RESERVATIONS VIA RESY || LOCATION & DIRECTIONS || CANCELLATION & NO SHOW POLICY
843 580 7729
OPERATING HOURS 2022
Thurs, Fri & Sat
(Occasionally Wed & Occasionally Sun too)
ONE, 6:30pm Seating for up to 12 guests. Service begins at 6:30pm, SHARP.
RESERVATIONS VIA RESY
LOCATION & DIRECTIONS
LOCATION OF RAW LAB
99 South Market Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Between Chruch Street & Meeting Street
LOCATION & DIRECTIONS
