I visited as part of a sponsored happy hour, and overall it was a positive experience. There was a DJ who was very talented, and matched the vibe of the event/ restaurant well (very much an aduls-only atmosphere; there were uncensored versions of songs with explicit lyrics, along with some risque names for menu items). The staff was friendly and attentive. I had theur Black Manhattan, which was pretty amazing; I'm not usually a cocktail person, but I liked it enough to take a photo of the ingredient list, to make an attempt at making it myself at a later date. There was an appetizer with raw and cooked options; the tuna tacos were the star of the show. There waa only one minor negative. On the raw bar there were oysters and clams on the half shell. Unfortunately, they were only partially shucked; I had several, and every single one was still attached to the shell by the adductor muscle, making for a messy eating experience (I was wearing a jacket/tie, and didn't escape some spillage on my attire). If you're goinf to focus on raw preparations in your branding and advertising, this should be something to work on. I'd definitely come back, at least for that cocktail. read more

Back with another review. Decided on coming here for happy hour. Let's just so we will definitely be back. Ambiance is beautiful, it look like the photos you see online. In my opinion the Food was very good loved the flavors on the wings, Calamari was nice and crunchy the batter had seasoning on it, a the kimchi sauce that comes with the fries is sooo good. The fries were fries but that sauce omg loved it. The firecracker shrimp was good the only complaint I have it wasn't enough. Only 3 shrimp, thought it would have been atleast 2/3 more pieces. Our server Anastasia was very attentive, listen after I got my first glass of happy hour wine, I had me one of those bad boys you see in the picture a French 75! She was very nice, loved her customer service. You guys should definitely give it a try and see if this spot is for you. read more

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Some good dishes, some not so good We were looking for some good mussels, and recall the mussels here being really good. So we opted to come back here for a date night and enjoy some tasty bites. Our server was very kind and attentive. The food we ordered did take a while to come out, but that was mostly due to them opening recently. Took pics and dug in The quality this time around did take a bit of a dive. The nigiri wasn't seasoned rice, it actually was a long grain basmati that was unseasoned and a giant rice ball with a small piece of tuna placed on top. We informed the management who apologized for the mistake. They gave us a Tuna Tartaco on the house, which was actually really good. spicy and vinegary seaweed salad with fresh tuna and thinly shaved shallots. The calamari was not overcooked, but the breading fell off easily and the pieces themselves were greasy. the dipping sauces were a sweet and spicy red sauce and a creamy spicy white sauce. The flavors were good, but they were not prepped well. The Clams with chorizo was swimming in broth, which was briney, salty, but tangy and flavor-packed. because of the lack of bread and the serving dish, it made you feel like you got a much smaller portion versus other times we had a similar dish. That plus it made it harder to fish out chorizo to enjoy with the clams. The squid ink Lobster, that was and interesting choice. The tail meat was taken out of the lobster shell, chopped up and added to the side in the tomato and white wine sauce. They left the claw meat though, and the claws were only partly cracked and covered in the sauce. So to get the claw meat you had to dig into the sauce covered lobster claw then crack and fish out the meat. That was a very messy experience, and I think they realized that when they delivered the dish. We got a couple extra paper napkins so we could kind of clean up afterwards. This is not the type of dish you would order if you had nice clothes and didn't want to get down and dirty. The actual squid ink pasta was fresh and fairly tasty. The choice of delivery vessel was good for the picture, but not so much for eating. The lobster didn't really add to the squid ink pasta, I think I would've been happier with a dish of the fresh pasta in a good sauce. The lobster was just a bit too much. The cheesecake rangoons, they changed the sauce to a miso caramel from the fruit dips from previous attempts. that was pretty tasty as a sauce. The issue I had with them was the dough. The dough was powdered with flour to prevent it from sticking to the other pieces of dough in the package. when it was sealed, the excess flour was not cleared off. So there was a lot of raw flour flavor in the dough, which wasn't great. That plus the filling was kind of a cheesecake? it kind of just reminded me of sweetened cream cheese. Price was high, but this outing was not one that justified the extra price point. There was good bites to be had, but there was a bunch of misses as well. For me it means inconsistency, which drops my rating down a bit. It's not bad for seafood or fancy drinks, but your experiences can vary. read more

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Enjoy my visit to the bar for dinner and a drink. Atmosphere is cool. Lots of blue and slightly modern with the RAW name and clear aprons. I had the classic margarita, Cobb salad and one of each oyster which ended up being 2 total (whoops). The drink was delicious with a cool tajin rim and crushed ice. Bartender likes the kiwi marg which I will have to try next time. Oysters were tasty! Enjoyed the CT one over MA. Cobb salad was tasty. Only thing is the cut lettuce was a bit messy as in I got the bottom head of the romaine and lots of the bottom half of the romaine. Bartender was nice and friendly too which was great while being on a work trip. Hopefully I can get there in time for happy hour next time! read more

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This place is super aesthetic. They have nice decorations all over. This would be the perfect place for happy hour. They seem to have some very cool and unique drinks. I thought the food on the happy hour menu was pretty good. My favorites would have to be the calamari and the french fries. The service is excellent. The waiter was very attentive, and made good recommendations. I would definitely recommend a trip here! read more

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Amazing service and decors was absolutely so fun music and amazing drinks. The main dishes sadly majorly disappointed. The lobster fra diablo was more than overcooked with no flavor to the point we had to ask for salt and red pepper flakes when brought to the attention of the executive chef we were told "the lobster was cooked more to mesh well with the pasta" which is the most absurd thing I have ever heard. They didn't do anything to rectify the problem or over other main dish. The bouillabaisse was supposed to have branzino and it didn't I had to ask where it was and was offered it on the side or take 30 percent off of my dish. The appetizer of the raw sample was great but how do you mess up raw fish For the price of this evening I thought the staff would have don't much better by us To say this was a disappoint is an understatement Three stars is for the amazing waitress we had, awesome drinks and the sampler plate. Happy hour is from 3-6 They do take credit cards We will never be back read more

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Oh wow!!! We love our seafood - but this place is the best in the area. The staff are super friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu and ingredients. Inside is a great modern twist on a beachside raw bar shack. The menu is setup as a bar with tapas style and table friendly shareables. While there are full entrees on the menu - enjoying the raw bar and shareables menu with some drink's definitely seems the way to go. Everything we so fresh and tasty - delicious flavors making delicious bites. The clams and mussels broths were hands down some of the best broths I have had. The lobster Rangoons - you could taste so much lobster. Overall, this is a destination date night location and a casual weeknight option. Able to accommodate large groups or simple alone at the bar. Either way definitely worth the trip. Highly recommend. read more

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Dirty and horrendous, unorganized and no real restaurant staff. Unfortunately another fail by the over aggressive unprepared management

This place is cute!!! The food was really good. I suggest you come with a group and try EVERYTHING. MULE was just the right amount of ginger and alcohol. Not too much and not too little. PERFECTION! Our server Alexia was very sweet and attentive. She was in the know in all my questions like what's popular and what's good. What's unclear is how big the portions are for Main Stage but she said she has seen people share them. There's a good vibe inside. Not too crowded right now but I am sure this place will pick up in no time since they've only been open for 3 weeks on their soft opening. MUST TRY the crab cake bao buns! The sauce for the chorizo clams were a tad too salty for my taste but the chorizo and clams separately was really delectable. The crab Rangoon was good but didn't leave a memorable impression. Beef tar tar had a great combination to it but if raw is not your thing, then maybe that's a pass and calamari all the way! I really loved those peppers in there. Again, I'd love to come again another time to try more things from the menu! read more

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The decor and atmosphere is nice although the music is kind of loud, our waitress couldn't hear us. She was super sweet though and checked on us a number of times to make sure everything was good. All of the staff were very friendly, actually. The marg was good and pretty, not very strong though. The lobster grilled cheese was 10/10 and the fries were thin and crispy, different in a good way...both our meals came with the kimchi remoulade and if yours doesn't I'd definitely ask for a side of it for your fries, it was tasty. The crab cake burger had a lot of flavor but should've been cooked longer to get a better crisp, it was very soft. read more

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Omg food service and ambiance was amazing. We are so much and drank everything was great April out bartender was amazing she made us feel so comfortable a must place to go to . read more

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So much excitement on Instagram and it was ok!! Very picturesque but very underwhelming in REAL LIFE Went for my 13 year anniversary for a chill mid week dinner it was cool Drinks were great the food was ehhh read more

We so wanted to like this place. We went based on all the good reviews and the fact we wanted to enjoy some raw dishes. It was a Saturday night, and I called ahead of time ® see about reservations. They said the bar was empty, and we were only about 5 minutes from the restaurant. We came in, and the place was nearly empty. Three tables were seated, and only one couple was at the bar. They could seat us but told us there was a party of 19 coming in. The worst part was the service. Any slower, and it would have been nonexistent. A couple of servers and two bartenders. Our oysters came out before the wine from the bar. That was about 30 minutes after we ordered. The oysters were just OK. The waiter could not speak to where they came from (no lie, "they are from the same area" - but one is from CT and the other from MA, not the same area). Not the best, but not the worst oysters and shucked pretty well. We also ordered wine - but the wine list is like the $7 bottle with $14 glass prices. At least have a mid-range option or better bottles for the price. Their cab was Menage A Trois. The nigiri was served as giant balls of rice with a nice sliver of salmon over it. The rice was a bit much. You do not usually serve that large rice with a piece of nigiri. The salmon was a nice piece of salmon. Last, we ordered the chorizo clams. They were average--a lot of salt, which overpowered the chorizo and other flavors. The Bao Buns were not bad. I prefer a steamed Bao bun over one that has been fried. The flavor was good, but the shrimp should have been fully peeled and fried. The party of 19 never came. There was a party of 7 that had just as abysmal service. There was a cute couple seated next to us who also waited more than 30 minutes just for drinks and didn't get to order food until being seated for at least 30 minutes. Overall, this restaurant was disappointing, at least on this night. The slow service for the amount of help working seemed like other issues were at play - inattentive wait staff, slow bartenders, or new kitchen staff - something is way off. One of the biggest attractions is the decor and design. The color scheme, the bars and bathrooms - all scream a high-end, modern feel location. read more

RAW - Nigiri - Seafood Near Me - Hartford, Connecticut

I've been several times to this place and every time I discover something new on the menu and try it. Very impressed with the happy hour! The tartaco is my favorite from the menu right now, followed by the fries and calamari. Great cocktails, very nice bartenders and the coolest atmosphere in Downtown Hartford right now. So industrial and different! Happy Hour every day? Yes please! read more

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Big bummer! Let's hope they get it together. This has been in my list all summer. We decided to bring a friend Saturday afternoon for a Birthday celebration. Cocktails were fresh and beautifully presented. The coconut broth mussels were definitely killer. You cannot at all taste coconut, which we were pleased about. I'm sure the rest of the food would be delicious.... if they had it in stock. They were out of lobster, shrimp and clams. So we were in able to order the lobster Rangoon, clams casino, bouilliabase, seafood tower, bao buns, chowder, or bisque... to name a "few". The sign outdoors also said brunch served Sat and Sun. There was no brunch menu available yet. The atmosphere and bartender, Mar were fantastic. I hope we will get the motivation to return when they have more than a few items on the menu. read more

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I had the pleasure of dining at RAW restaurant and bar, and it was a truly exceptional experience. The fresh oysters were a standout, offering a delightful taste of the ocean's finest. But what truly stole the show was their lobster Mac and cheese. It was nothing short of amazing, packed with generous portions of succulent lobster meat. It was so delicious that it was enough for two to share, making it the perfect dish for a special evening. The interior of RAW is not just inviting; it's also incredibly photogenic, with retro chic vibes that set the perfect backdrop for a memorable meal. The attention to detail in both the cuisine and the ambiance is evident, making it a must-visit for any food lover or anyone looking for a stylish dining experience. I sat at the bar and the bartender couldn't be more than helpful. Great customer service and fully approachable. If you're seeking a restaurant that combines the freshest seafood with a trendy atmosphere, look no further than RAW. It's a culinary gem that deserves all the praise it can get. I can't wait to return for more unforgettable moments and delectable dishes! read more

RAW - Lobster Mac & Cheese - Seafood Near Me - Hartford, Connecticut

I swear RAW has been the talk of the CT foodie scene since it first opened! I finally made a visit and right away the ambiance struck me as definitely being unique and such a cool addition to downtown Hartford. All of the food was tasty, and I found myself really enjoying the sushi! The seafood tower was just honestly out of this world with the amount of fresh seafood we receive (so this would be something perfect to order with a group)! Really cool cocktails, and the presentation of everything was on point. I mean look at the fish and chips! Cool place with a nice vibe and perfect for pics! read more

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We came here for the first time for happy hour, food looked good but was decent drinks are good and aesthetically pretty The service was decent but not amazing read more

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Service was awesome, our bartender Georgia was awesome. She made incredible drinks and even recommended a wine for us to try. She also informed us that everyday is happy hour 3-6p. I got a raw roll and it was delicious. I will definitely be back. read more

RAW - This wine is Pinot Grigio with a touch of rose and it was delightful. - Seafood Near Me - Hartford, Connecticut

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The service was exceptional! The problem was that there were out of so many items from the menu...lobster, clams, shrimp, soups, crab cakes.... I was so excited to try this new place and was so disappointed. The decor was beautiful and the drink glasses were so fun! I did love my Mermaid's Tail drink and the bartender was super friendly! I loved her!! Hopefully they'll get their food situation figured out. read more

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RAW* is unlike anything we have seen in Hartford. When I first walked in it felt like I was on a movie set or walking into a MTV Real World house. It's a really impressive statement piece. #iykyk You can't help but feel like you just crossed into another world and are now a part of something special. VIP celebrity status all the way. The blue lighting, the graffiti walls, the metalic bathroom hallway- there is not one piece of this space that doesn't have a special touch. It's main character energy. Foodwise- it's grand and lavish. It's seafood- lobster, shrimp, crab and of course, done in a clever way. Be sure to try their signature Raw Dog and the Lobster Mac N Cheese. Drinks- let's talk about the names. Flirty and sexually suggestive like the "Blow Me" or "Spread Your Legs." All done in a very fun way. I get Madonna vibes from her Erotica album era when I think of the drink menu. A little racy and provocative, but all done very artistic and stunning. I attended the Official Grand Opening this week and service was amazing. The bartenders do a knockout job! You have to be fun working in the environments that Gina creates. It's a whole vibe and I support it 100%. Each place she opens is a different movie and she knows how to keep us entertained, intrigued and thirsty/hungry for more. Cheers, RAW*! A total blockbuster! 5 stars! read more

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So the vibe and look is very chic and sexy. It's an instagram photo dream. They have cool pics and awesome areas for photo ops. The food is alway well plated, encouraging you to eat with your eyes and then your mouth. The drinks follow that same philosophy. It's a clean beautiful establishment. Overall, I've enjoyed everything that I've eaten here. I was also impressed by the portion size. I had the lobster Mac and cheese and it was made right in the lobster. My favorite are the lobster rangoons (yum). I gave Raw 4/5 stars because sometimes the service can be slow. I believe because of the level of complexity it takes to make each drink, which can be extensive. Perhaps have one bartender to make drinks for wait staff and the rest of the bartenders focus on the bar would lead to faster service. read more

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Soooo we noticed the review from Lisa M. No disrespect, buuuuuttt she doesn't have a profile pic and she didn't post pictures of said minimal calamari. Reading that review could make one hesitant to check this place out. We're here for the people. But the truth is, RAW* isn't for everyone. It isn't for everyone's taste or everyone's budget. We came in on a Thursday evening after 7. There was a small crowd and we had a party of 3. We ordered: Lobster Mac Crab Cake Burger Calamari Fish n Chips We are telling you right now. RIGHT TF NOW-anyone complaining about portions-please exit the chat. IMMEDIATELY! Between the 3 of us there was so much to go around. The plate of calamari including tentacles and rings were FIYAH!!! There was balances between the two varieties and the sweet, heat and smoke has us hooked. The crab cake sandwich came with two thick slices of bacon that added another layer of oomph we didn't even know we needed. Fish and Chips definitely gives the Lobster Mac a run for its money. The fried branzino comes out flayed and sits atop a cylinder of fries. He has a face. The fish has a face! And we love it. This fish gives kisses and grants wishes all in one dish! The Finale: that Lobster Mac-an entire lobster (have you checked market price lately) is split down the middle and filled with Campanelle pasta, huge pieces of lobster meat and seasoned breadcrumbs adorned on top. The entire lobster is otherwise intact-you're getting claw meat, the entire tail-the tamale. Everything and then some! Do not play yourself-the price point-ACCURATE. And let's us not forget the drinks. We've had the Blowfish, the Margs and our favorite: Spread Your Legs. And the Matcha Mojitos-a limey libation We guarantee if you are wined and dined here, Ooh Baby, You're gonna like it RAW* too! read more

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Went out last night to a new bar/restaurant in Hartford. The name of it is, RAW* . It was fricken awesome!!! I highly suggest anyone who likes food, check this place out. Chef Ben, was top notch. The waitress was friendly and very attentive. We even met the owner and he was very down to earth and a likable person. We had the petite fillet and lobster dinners followed by an amazing dessert! read more

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Great cocktails. So-so food. The night we were in, they were significantly short staffed. Entrees came out at different times. Out of multiple entrees. Concerning for a Saturday. Manager and bartender were lovely. read more

I post 1 star for food cause I had to post something but I wouldn't give this place 1 start,I've been working on kitchens 28 years I was hiredl to work there but after finding out that the kitchen manager is a dishwasher with no kitchen experience that explains why the food is Garbage and I'm hoo passionate about food to follow a dishwasher that doesn't know a thing about cooking,the other line cook is a Auto Mechanic that again doesn't know anything about cooking and they are all Spanish ,they didn't get in there because of what they know they got in there because of who they know which makes a difference when putting out good food the stuff I seen was unbelievable cooking carrots in a pot without peeling them or washing them and then pureeing them for you to eat,I had to take picture of that but I don't see option to upload pictures , this one takes the cake,I seen the guy pour heavy cream in a Pan put shell clams in the cream until they open then puts it all in a bowl shell and all and called it clam chowder and the worse part of it is the servers actually bring this garbage to tables,I'd be embarrassed. Butter water and lobster for lobster bisque,SMH I told them in 6 months the place will be closed if they don't replace him ,prices are too high to be eating garbage ,I'm telling you at all cost do not eat go get drunk but eat before you get there or if you think I'm lying go sit down and eat the GM must be new to this also because Gms I know would of kicked him out immediately read more

RAW - Seafood Near Me - Hartford, Connecticut

Unfortunately a miss. We decided to try raw after enjoying a great lunch at their sister restaurant. We arrived to a mostly empty restaurant on a Monday evening around 6:30. There were about 4 people sitting at the bar and the remainder of the place was empty. The name RAW is more of a theme. The decoration is bright and somewhat explicit. We had a server who was nice but seemed very nervous, he kept apologizing for things and for some reason he couldn't get the order straight. One person ordered a margarita and it came out perfectly, it was in a beautiful glass with garnish along the side of the glass. As for our food, we decided to sample some things family style. Nothing came out wrong but things came out really fast and lukewarm to cold in temperature. Most things if not all came out bland and not at all what I expected based on the menu descriptions. The calamari, lobster ragoon, and bao buns were drenched in some sort of yellow sauce. The wings weren't at all sweet and spicy they instead tasted like cold barbecue sauce. My colleagues shared 4 oysters but said they didn't have any of the garnishing that they usually come with. We also tried the lobster grilled cheese that came with fries. The fries had no flavor or seasoning, instead they were hard and hollow. Overall, I was disappointed in the experience, I had high expectations based on the recommendations. I can't say I would return to restaurant or recommend it to anyone. read more

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I must say it's very refreshing to have a new seafood restaurant downtown. Raw* is new, innovative, hip, very welcome to Hartford. The staff were attentive and knowledgeable, the drinks are in your face and creative. Some of the names may throw you off ("blow me" was kind of awkward to order ) but they were down right delicious. My favorite drinks included the dragonfruit margarita and the matcha mojito. You aren't finding these drinks anywhere else in CT really. The food is over the top, yet delectable. My favorite was the Raw Dog () which is an amazing lobster roll with crispy fries. Amazing. Yet somehow cheaper than other places around here? Even when topped with caviar! The other food looked somewhat expensive, but c'mon. It's seafood. That's something you don't want to skimp on, especially when getting quality My ONLY complaint is that the area seems very small. But I suspect some construction may be on its way to expand. I loved raw and will be back soon as Hartford needs more upscale seafood spots. read more

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Great vibe. Great service. Freshest seafood around. Get the Bao buns. You will NOT be disappointed. read more

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A GREAT place to go! Food was amazing, good ambience and music. The portion sizes are huge and everything was very tasty. I would recommend the Lobster Bisque. Our server was very attentive and we were able to get in and out pretty quickly. read more

RAW - Lobster Bisque - Seafood Near Me - Hartford, Connecticut

Came here because we were craving lobster. The space is very lively and the service was top notch. Unfortunately the kitchen was out of almost all the lobster items on the menu. They were able to get us the lobster Rangoon's which were delicious. I would be back for those alone and hope to give them another try for other menu items. read more

RAW - Lobster Rangoons - Seafood Near Me - Hartford, Connecticut

This is not the place to be....... Went to RAW for dinner on Friday night and was utterly underwhelmed by the whole experience. Ambiance: 5/10 - The place was well decorated. Industrial chic club vibes with lots of bright blue accents. However, we were seated next to a family with a disruptive child that was dancing in the middle of the restaurant and being loud. We had to ask to be reseated because it was unbearable. None of the staff were doing anything about this and it really brought the whole vibe down. Not classy at all. Service: 9/10 - The service was fine. Our waitress was sweet and kind however did not really bother to explain the menu. Food: 4/10 - For a seafood restaurant, this place doesn't do a good job at celebrating it. We tried the raw roll as an app and it was borderline inedible. The rice was hard and old. The mussels were fine. A little on the small side and you only got a paltry serving of bread to sop up the sauce. The beet salad was the best thing we had - ironic that a salad was the best thing at a seafood restaurant. For our main we had the crab fried rice. For a $70 entree I was expecting to be wowed but was so let down. The crab was just boiled whole and not transformed at all and the "fried rice" was terrible. It was really wet and bland and had some chunks of meat and sad vegetables in it. Drinks: 7/10 - The cocktails were fine. I enjoyed the presentation and look of the mermaid's tail but it needed more acid. The matcha mojito didn't really taste like mint at all. Overall I think this place prioritized style over substance and I would not go back. read more

Fun creative spot with an Instagram/ TikTok aesthetic with actual delicious food to match unlike other restaurants I visited. We enjoyed our food and our service. I will return for their happy hour. read more

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What a fantastic place! Really enjoyed my first visit last night. I had the pleasure of sampling many of their offerings. From some over the top cocktails food such as lobster rolls, oysters, sliders, tacos, everything was killer. I'm bring back some friends and family very soon! read more

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Such a pretty restaurant! Came here to try something new and more in the upscale realm. The drinks tasted great and the food was super tasty. The servers were kind and the service was very quick. Would definitely come back when they have the DJ on the weekends. read more

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Been a few times for dinner and drinks/apps. Service is hit or miss, depends who you have as a server/bartender. Sitting at the bar has produced better service overall. I've tried the tuna tartaco's, bao buns, fire cracker shrimp, shrimp cocktail and a couple of the rolls. Food is nothing fancy but decent. They have a DJ some nights and the ambiance is much better on those nights. read more

Really awesome addition to downtown Hartford! While here visiting friends, we decided to go for drinks. The inside is really trendy with cool art, fun lighting, and a unique theme. After looking at the menu I decided to try the lobster bisque. For $12 it's definitely worth it and a must try. Every bite I took had lobster in it. Not to mention, the bowl was huge and definitely filled me up. The drinks were also fun and was maybe the best mojito I had. Our server was great and didn't rush us despite it being super. I hope Raw does well, it's a super neat concept and is definitely somewhere I'll go back to when visiting the area! read more

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I went to this place twice First time was better i will explain why We got the lobster mac and cheese it is about 60$ delicious of course The first time portion was great/fair The second time post grand opening portion shrunk! Tiny 1lb lobster and barely any pasta. I get with inflation and everything but at least go down on the price. 60$ was way too overpriced. The rest of the dishes were fine and so was alcohol. Server was fine Another con: homeless people entering the place. Like if i am gonna pay 100$ per person ( we took oysters/lobster mac and cheese, 2 other appetizers, two alcoholic drinks) i do not want to feel unsafe by homeless people coming in. Like one of them was in withdrawal or something? Anyway sadly enough i would not be back because of the above 2 reasons read more

INCREDIBLE! We ordered 4 drinks, clam casino appetizer, a lobster mac (which was plenty to share), and then a Raw Roll to finish off and everything was absolutely perfect. Our server Alexia was so helpful in providing suggestions throughout our time at Raw and provided excellent, friendly service. HIGHLY recommend stopping by for some great food and vibes. You seriously can't get a bad meal here!! read more

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I am going to start with the positives, as I sincerely want this seafood place downtown to make it. That's a niche we are missing in Hartford. The space is fantastic. The branding, the decor, the beautiful bar and even bathroom counters that look like oyster shells. The prices are not crazy, and the raw bar is actually a deal -- just $2 for oysters, little necks, shrimp. And lots of shareable plates, several of which were delicious. The drinks are good and creative -- there's one served with a bubble of smoke on top, which was fun. My sister had the crabcake burger and said it was probably the best she's ever had. (Her only complaint was that they added smashed grape tomatoes to it, which of course fell out. Weird choice.) My charred Caesar salad was flavorful, the oysters were great, especially that day's special oyster, and the tuna tartacos were awesome. People next to us really enjoyed the raw dog (lobster roll) and the tuna tartar appetizer. Despite the remainder of this review, I will try this place again, as I think it just needs some more time to increase staffing and capacity. On to the reasons for the low review. I was there with a party of two on a Tuesday night before a concert. There were other events happening, including a show at the Hartford Stage right across the street. We had reservations, as did most of the people sitting in our area. There were also two large groups there that I assume had reservations, as people don't usually walk in with 8-10 people parties and at least one of the spaces was definitely set up for that party, with tables already pushed together, etc. So it seemed like they should have known generally how busy there were going to be. The place was also not completely full; during the time we were there, it was between 50 and maybe 75% full, including the seats at the bar. But they were RIDICULOUSLY understaffed. I think only two servers. One guy on the raw bar. And when I went to the bathroom, I could see the kitchen was staffed by only one cook, someone helping with last prep/delivery of food to tables, and the owner. (I confirmed that with our waitress.) Which explains why the food took a long time to come out, came out in random order, we missed a dish completely (as did the table next to us), we had empty water glasses for most of the meal, and then we waited for the bill for forever. The servers delivering food went to the wrong tables at least half a dozen times while we were there. This is a very new place, and I know staffing is tough, and they were all obviously working hard, but one cook is just crazy and there just seemed to be chaos most of the time we were there. There were two bartenders, which honestly seemed like it should have been enough, but drinks also took forever, so apparently that also wasn't enough people. We didn't get our drinks until we'd been sitting for 30 minutes, and while we would have ordered more (they were great!), we couldn't keep waiting. The table next to us waited for at least 20 minutes after paying their bill for their last drink, which was a simple Hendricks and soda. The other table next to us waited at least as long on second glasses of wine. Those are not complicated orders. We ordered 2 dozen oysters (because only $2!) but got 22. Not a big deal there, and adjusted in the bill, but the oysters came out after we had already received my salad, my sister's crabcake burger, and our calamari. That's despite us following our waitress's advice of ordering only apps when we were ready to order everything, and then waiting another 20 minutes to order our entrees/shareables/handhelds (many different categories on the menu). The oysters also came with no oyster fork, no horseradish, and a mignonette with no spices or shallots or the usual flavorful ingredients. My charred Caesar salad at first came out as a regular Caesar salad (which I didn't even see on the menu). When replaced, it was great. And we just never received our tuna tartar appetizer, which looked amazing and got rave reviews from the people next to us. The calamari was disappointing. It has a citrusy sauce, which sounded good but was too wet and had chunks of zest that just overwhelmed all other flavors. Skip that dish, the others are much better. Again, I want this place to succeed, and I think the atmosphere, drinks, and most of the food is great. This just still felt like a really soft opening night and as far as I know, they've had their grand opening, so things should be smoother. I will update this review when I try this place again in a few weeks. read more

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