Raw Lab•French Quarter

Seafood•$

Everything about RAW LAB is different and unique including our food, service style, wine service, seating arrangements, time-frame, music and policies. RAW LAB is a semi-private or private dining experience. Yes, this is Culinary Theater and every guest is very much in the front row and participant to the experience. Expect a very filling meal, that includes raw, cooked, hot and chilled dishes paired with a broad and diverse sampling of eclectic wines from around the world and a lot of laughs. Our menu features traditional raw bar species (oysters, lobster, shrimp & crab). Salmon, scallops and caviar are also typically featured. Presentations include salads, soups, ceviche, crudo and more. This is 100x more than an oyster bar and 10x more than any raw bar you've ever seen. RAW LAB pairs an interesting, filling, colorful and nutritious meal with an Edu-Taining and FUN experience! RAW LAB IS NOT FOR EVERYONE (or every occasion) but those seeking an elevated culinary experience will be thrilled by a world-class product, service & experience. With almost 3 years of operations we KNOW that those who find the most value in our offering are those who've dined at the finest restaurants around the world. It is these consumers have expressed the greatest appreciation for how unique, engaging and rewarding our experience is. A very different model, room, culinary ethic and experience necessitates a-typical policies. Please familiarize yourself with our a-typical dining model and policies before booking HERE: https://www.empireoyster.com/rawlabpolicies At RAW LAB there are NO TABLES. Guests reserve SEATS at our custom designed and built Raw Bar and everyone shares this feature like a chef's table. Everyone can see every part of every dish being prepared & presented. Each round of food & wine is served to everyone at the same moment so the entire room experiences each dish and pairing together. This creates a salon like atmosphere that clearly delights the most interesting and interested gourmands. It begins with an "Oyster & Caviar Hour". Our oyster service and caviar service are guaranteed to be the most interesting, informative, engaging and exciting oyster & caviar service you've ever had. A filling dinner follows this singular experience. There is no set menu. Guests do not order anything other than luxury spirits (neat or on the rocks), sake or red wines by the bottle to go along with the meal, if they like. All the dry white, rose and orange seafood wine pairings are included in the prixe-fixe offering. RAW LAB is an intimate and discreet space which offers a Semi-Private dining experience. It lasts 3-4 hours and NOBODY EVER LEAVES HUNGRY! The set price per seat is $250, plus tax & tip @ 20% (minimum). Our gratuity, no-show and cancellation policy is clear and fair, although a-typical, like our offering and business model. It is posted in several places on our website. Please familiarize yourself with it here: here: https://www.empireoyster.com/rawlabpolicies RESERVATIONS VIA RESY ONLY for groups of 4 or less. Large groups of 5 or more should call or text us to make reservations.  Service begins at 6:37pm SHARP, Thurs - Sat. Again, please note our gratuity, cancellation & no-show policies. PLEASE BE ON TIME as service starts for ALL at 6:37pm. We understand this not a cheap experience. We spare no expense to bring you the finest product of its kind in the world and that is a very expensive undertaking. However, the value is very real! Read our reviews and you'll understand. The ROI on the oyster and caviar experience alone is worth much more than the cost per seat as the things you'll learn and understand in those realms are things you'll be able to use, appreciate and enjoy forever. BTW: What does OMAKASE mean? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omakase FYI: Your reservation is NOT pre-paid even though you have a card on file with RESY.