20+ POINTS OF DISCOVERY

“Discovery and Fun is the DELTA between eating and dining!”

- Kevin Joseph, Founder - Founder & CEO @ Empire Oyster & Owner, Operator & Chef @ RAW LAB

As the creation, appreciation and expression of ART & SYMBOLISM is what separates MAN from BEAST, it is DISCOVERY & LEARNING which distinguishes DINING from EATING. When we eat we don’t learn, we just eat…we fuel our bodies. This is what we do 97% of the time and its wonderful. When we dine we use all of our senses to see, taste, smell, touch and feel new things. We engage in a process of learning and discovery. We ask questions, become inspired and inform our palates. So, discovery is the DELTA between eating and dining.

You EAT at Chipotle. You DINE @ La Bernadin. The discovery that a dining experience provides created value beyond that of the ingredients. We have spent a lifetime figuring out how to add more value to the dining experience. RAW LAB is the fruition of that process.

At RAW LAB we estimate that savvy diners will experience, learn, feel, see, taste…etc at least 20 things that they never have before. Listed below is a list of some of the many “Points of Discovery that RAW LAB delivers. We’ve labeled “unusual or rare or singular” things one can experience at RAW LAB. Even the best-fed and well-traveled Gourmands and Epicureans will find a couple of dozen points of discovery in our product, process, people and presentations.

PURCHASE SEATS ON RESY HERE

FAQ MISSION WHAT IT IS & ISNT IS IT FOR YOU VALUE PROPOSITION PRICING POLICIES DISCOVERY

THE VALUE WE CREATE COMES FROM THE DISCOVERY WE DELIVER

Here are the specifics, most of which were discovered to be possible or the result of how we built out the space which allowed us to offer and entirely new kind of experiential dining that values fun and learning over fancy or pretentious. We’ve labeled each as Unique, Rare or Singular.

THE CORE DIFFERENTIATORS

1. ONE OF A KIND FUSION CONCEPT

A service style (Omakase) and a Cuisine (Raw Bar/Marine Cuisine) DEEP DIVE HERE

2. OUR USE OF SPACE

12 seats at a U-Shaped Bar. THIS. CHANGES. EVERYTHING. DEEP DIVE HERE

These two core differentiators are the foundation of our model. This then allows us to build a product, service and experience around the FIVE PILLARS.

THE FIVE PILLARS

OYSTER FLIGHT - Next Level for 10 reasons you’ll most certainly appreciate in person. - SINGULAR x 100
CAVIAR TRIP - An extraordinary experience / process which is a true master class on appreciating fine caviar - SINGULAR x 100
WINE TRAVEL - Enjoy 10-15 Wine Pairings from 10 - 15 countries and 6 CONTINENTS paired with 10 - 12 courses - SINGULAR / RARE
SEA SALT COMPLEX - One of the 5 Pillars of RAW LAB - SINGULAR x 100
MARINE CUISINE - Another pillar. Next level thinking and understanding when it comes to seafood - SINGULAR
The Core Differentiators and Five Pillars are, in themselves, POINTS OF DISCOVERY. But it is the combination of these methods, tools and tactics that allow RAW LAB to deliver the following Elements of Style and/or Points of Discovery to be delivered consistently. Here is where RAW LAB is greater than the sum of it’s parts and how it all comes together to create an incredible sense of learning and discovery for our guests.

20 + POINTS OF DISCOVERY

WELCOME TOAST - A glass of champagne in your hand within 30 seconds of entering the room - RARE
ICE ICE BABY - An ice moat / bespoke ice sculpture created daily which is integral to how the wine service is conducted as well as the food preparation and presentation. - SINGULAR
ROOT - Fresh Grated Horseradish Root (a la minute) on an oyster - SINGULAR / RARE
RHIZOME - Fresh Grated Wasabi Rhizome (a la minute) on an oyster - SINGULAR
TOUCHING - Holding / Feeling a Wasabi Rhizome - SINGULAR / RARE
FEELING - Holding / Feeling a Wasabi Paddle (Stingray Skin on Wood) - SINGULAR / RARE
PERFECT PAIRING - Perfection in a French Mignonette (explained) which delivers the most famous pairing of all time (Salt & Pepper) in the most elegant, obvious and simple way but is generally impossible for any Raw Bar or Restaurant using table service / platter service style to deliver - SINGULAR
SMOKIN’ - Cold Smoked Oyster with its own sound and light show - SINGULAR
SEEING IT ALL - Watching every oyster served being shucked live, for each guest - SINGULAR
PORRON - Txocolina enjoyed the Basque Way with The Porron with coaching for extra style, grace and aplomb - RARE
SHRIMP CEVICHE - The chips we use - RARE AF, in America
LOBSTER BISQUE - Ultra-Chunky Style - RARE
BEYOND SUSHI GRADE SALMON - The finest salmon on Earth
LOBSTER CAESAR - You’llm dream about it. - UNIQUE
CHILLED SALAD FORK - RARE
SALMON TOWER - Salt + Fat + Acid + Heat - RARE
DOLCE - How to enjoy a HEALTHY, sweet end to a meal - RARE
COACHING & GUIDANCE - Where else can you dine WITH the Chef for the entire experience, ask questions, hear his answers to other peoples questions…etc - SINGULAR
SALON - The experience is, in fact a “Salon de Marine Cuisine” where at host receives guests to experience a performance, together, allowing them to share their observations with each other, in real time. This is EXACTLY what a Salon is defined as in the 15th & 18th Century Italian & French traditions through the Renaissance & Age of Enlightenment. - SINGULAR
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NATURE AND HISTORY OF THE SALON HERE
BOTTOMLESS OLD BAY GOLD FISH - In both regular & hot styles. Silly and fun but if you are from the Chessapeake area, you know its not just that. Irreverent and silly but also fun. - UNIQUE
ATMOSPHERE - Dining beneath a canopy of living plants in a space that feels like an Octopus’ Garden. Guests are transported into a fantasy land. A sense of escape is inevitable. You’ll feel like a fish in an aquarium on another planet, in the year 3075 - SINGULAR
SOUNDTRACK - Highly curated playlists have been created and choreographed to dozens of moments, treatments and actions. Music is critical to the performance. Very little of it will be familiar to you. Lots of songs in languages other than English. - SINGULAR
LIGHTING - Changes, Evolves, Supports certain presentations…etc. - SINGULAR
DINNER & A SHOW - Without the hassle of getting from dinner to show. AND, yer among the players. The show features EVERYONE, not just the Chef who is also your DJ, Bartender, Sommelier, Mermmelier and Host. - SINGULAR
BELLS, GONGS & CHIMES - Used throughout the experience. Silly, but fun. - SINGULAR
JAM SESSION - How it all ends. Grab an instrument. Play a long. - SINGULAR
PURCHASE SEATS ON RESY HERE
FAQ MISSION WHAT IT IS & ISNT IS IT FOR YOU VALUE PROPOSITION PRICING POLICIES DISCOVERY

THE 5 PILLARS AND SUPPORTING FACTORS CREATE THE PLATFORM FOR DISCOVER & EXPERIENTIAL DINING

OYSTER FLIGHT + CAVIAR TRIP + WINE TRAVEL + SEA SALT COMPLEX + MARINE CUISINE

New Fusion Concept + Use Of Space + Choreography + Soundtrack + Salon

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.