[Editor’s Note: Since press time, Raw & Refined has closed for the season, but will remain open for private parties and events until it resumes regular hours in April.]

The overlaps between Raw Bar and Raw & Refined—two Canton waterfront establishments that opened within days and feet of each other earlier this year—run even deeper than their comically similar names.

For starters, both put an emphasis on raw seafood, from oysters to ceviche. Then there are the cocktail menus, which each include a Paloma, sangria, and several other sweet, tropical libations that people tend to crave when they’re drinking in the great outdoors. (In this case, at Lighthouse Point along the Patapsco River.) Both are trying to succeed in locations where previous restaurants died, pinning their hopes on what the former inhabitants did as well: the irresistible allure of eating and drinking outside near the water.

Raw Bar (2809 Boston St., 443-708-7961) brought to you by the team that runs Barcocina and Bond Street Social, is in the home of the former Boathouse Canton. It’s a sprawling complex that includes ample outdoor seating, a semi-enclosed outdoor bar, and indoor dining room and bar. In addition to its namesake, Raw Bar offers shared plates and an array of New England-style seafood sandwiches. On our visits, twenty and thirty-somethings sat at the outdoor bar, while music competed with loud conversations.

During one outing in July, our friendly server offered a blank stare when we asked what differentiated the oysters available that night, which struck us as odd for a place named Raw Bar. A beer, one Sagamore lemonade—a whiskey, honey, simple syrup, mint, and lemonade concoction that was unremarkable but inoffensive—and a half-dozen oysters cost $44, including tax and tip; a setting this sublime doesn’t come cheaply.

Nor does it at the nearly adjacent Raw & Refined (2723 Lighthouse Pte., 410-387- 4377) where the cocktails are meticulously made. The indoor space is cheerful, and the restaurant’s delightful outdoor bar is adjacent to a pool and overlooks a marina.

It doesn’t get more nautical than that. Most of the cocktails we’ve tried have been quite refreshing, including Telly’s melon seltzer ($11), a combination of watermelon vodka, watermelon, basil, simple syrup, and lime. While the restaurant is better run than Button, the space’s previous inhabitant, the food can be hit or miss. Best to sit outside, soak up the scene, and stick to dishes like tuna tartare, which, of course, is served raw.

COMING SOON

Limoncello: Prepare to get a taste of the Amalfi Coast by way of Locust Point when this long-awaited Italian spot officially opens on October 26. Joining Amber and Jazz + Soju on the bottom floor of the Anthem House apartment complex, Limoncello—which operates a flagship in St. Michaels—will offer its menu of Italian seafood dishes and prime cuts of meat paired with extensive cocktail and wine lists. Chef/owners Gennaro DiBenedetto and Francesco Schiano di Cola will also whip up signature pastas such as the Linguine al Nero di Seppia (squid ink pasta, red wine-braised octopus, and arugula), Paccheri Medusa (lump crab meat, sea urchin, cherry tomatoes, and spicy bread crumbs), and the Bucatini alla Amatriciana—which tops hollow noodles with tomato ragù, guanciale, onions, and pecorino romano cheese. The 120-seat spot features a large bar, banquette seating, and a seasonal outdoor patio perfect for sipping the restaurant’s namesake limoncello.

The Rathskeller: The Howard County dining scene continues its expansion with the addition of this German-inspired basement bar opening on Main Street in Elkridge on October 19. Set in a former quilt shop that dates back to the 18th-century, The Rathskeller will live up to its name by providing a lively community gathering place for locals to enjoy eats and drinks from consulting chef Brian Cieslak (the chef de cuisine at Preserve in Annapolis) and bartender Rob Vogel, formerly of The Elk Room in Harbor East. Their menu puts its own spin on German classics with options spiced chicken schnitzel, sausages with sauerkraut and curry ketchup, rainbow trout with dressed greens, and a ham steak with warm bacon onion dressing. Vogel will pour local drafts from the likes of Diamondback and Burley Oak Brewing, and also offer signature cocktails like the “Golden Pear,” which mixes tequila with Goldschläger, pear nectar, honey, and lemon.

Renovated by owner John O’Connor—a structural engineer whose wife will run a coffee shop called Screamin’ Agnes on the first floor—the 44-seat space will feature repurposed materials from the historic building. Touches include a barrel-vaulted ceiling, stained glass windows, and banquettes made by a local carpenter. Adding to the historic charm, there will be a 30-seat outdoor patio overlooking a small building that is rumored to have been used by a local judge as the town’s “drunk tank” jail on weekends.

The Curious Oyster: The team behind Federal Hill hotspots Wayward Smokehouse, Banditos Bar + Kitchen, and 101 Baltimore is getting ready to reveal its latest concept on The Avenue in White Marsh later this month. (Private soft-opening events are planned for this weekend, and a grand opening celebration is expected to be announced soon after.) As its name signifies, the destination will focus on regionally farmed oysters alongside seafood dishes like colossal crab cakes and shrimp toast “sandos.” Meat lovers will be happy to hear that the owners are also opening a second Wayward Smokehouse location just next door to the new shucking spot.

Cava: Speaking of White Marsh, the area will soon welcome a new location of this Greek-inspired fast-casual eatery—which is slated to open in the Nottingham Commons shopping center later this year. The DIY spot allows diners to customize their salads and grain bowls with add-ons such as falafel, harissa honey chicken, grilled meatballs, pickled onions, cabbage slaw, and the brand’s spicy Crazy Feta spread.

OPEN

Chatime: For city dwellers, authentic bubble tea can be hard to come by. (QQ Boba recently closed on the Avenue in Hampden, and Bambao isn’t slated to open in Harbor East until later this month.) But this global tea franchise has a proven track record with more than 1,000 shops operating everywhere from Taiwan to Australia. The second Chatime location in Maryland has officially opened its doors in the space between Lucky Fortune and Knockout Fitness on Light Street in Federal Hill. Of course, the shop’s focus is boba—the trendy Taiwanese milk tea enhanced with flavored jellies and chewy tapioca balls—but it also offers fruit smoothies, fresh-brewed coffees, and lattes topped with a savory mousse. Current specials include a pumpkin-spice tea and a pink strawberry yogurt smoothie honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

SHUT (FOR THE SEASON)

Raw & Refined: After its inaugural summer season at the Lighthouse Point Marina in Canton (read a full review in our October issue on newsstands now), this seafood-centric spot will be open for private events only until the warm weather resumes in April 2020. “We are thrilled with the success R&R enjoyed this summer and want to be really intentional about how we not only maintain our momentum, but build upon it,” said owner and operator Dominic Lascola, in a press release. “We’re diving into planning and preparing for our next outdoor season while remaining the coolest little event space in the city until we ramp back up in the spring.” For now, the R&R culinary team will be headquartered at sister property El Bufalo Tequila Bar & Kitchen on Canton Square, where they will be customizing menus for private parties at R&R throughout the fall and winter.

OPEN

Raw & Refined: It’s going to be a great summer for dockside dining in Canton. On the heels of the news that the team behind Barcocina and Bond Street Social have taken over the Boathouse Canton, there’s also been a revival in the former home of Button adjacent to Swim Club. Officially opening this weekend, the nautical-themed seafood spot highlights a gallery of local artwork and floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto the waterfront patio. The worldly menu was inspired by Chef Patrick Morrow and owner Dominic Lascola, who wanted the food to have Latin American and Caribbean influences.

“Everyone labels Baltimore as a seafood town, but everything is overtly crab-centric,” Lascola said in a statement. “We saw this as an opportunity to elevate what Baltimore is known for but feature new and creative flavors within the genre.” Dishes will include wood-fired mahi mahi, tuna tartare cannoli with ancho chili sauce, an open-faced Cubano, elote-inspired grilled oysters infused with chili lime butter and cotija, and a play on a Uruguayan chivito sandwich with steak, ham, egg, and olives. Of course, the spot will also be a go-to for summer sips like fruity Crushes and rum Old Fashioneds. 2723 Lighthouse Point.

Taco Bravo: We’ve seen a number of Tex-Mex spots sprout up in Baltimore County throughout the past few months, but the latest taqueria in the Padonia Village Shopping Center has a more authentic slant. The new Timonium hangout from the owners of Taco Daddy Cantina in Frederick and Gaithersburg opened earlier this week, highlighting white fish ceviche, corn tortillas filled with carnitas and lamb barbacoa, Estrella Jalisco Mexican beer, and smoky mezcal margaritas. Interior touches like hung greenery and bull-riding decor cement the theme. 31 E. Padonia Rd. Ste E. 443-689-7979

NEWS

Ekiben Vending at Smorgasburg in Washington, D.C.: Fells Point’s own steamed bun superheroes are spreading the love to the District this summer. Ekiben is one of 30 food vendors that will set up shop at the recurring Smorgasburg market at the Tingey Plaza in Navy Yard. The outdoor food extravaganza has gained tons of traction since it launched in New York and Los Angeles, and it’s starting its first season in D.C. off right with regional purveyors peddling everything from bao buns and boba to skewers and spiral-cut hot dogs. The market kicks off on June 15 and will continue every Saturday until October.

First Two Stalls Open at Cross Street Market: The day that South Baltimore locals have been waiting months for is finally here. Veteran vendors Fenwick’s Choice Meats and Steve’s Lunch have both officially reopened inside the renovated Cross Street Market. Twenty additional concepts—including a newly announced Royal Farms fried chicken stall—are expected to roll out through the summer. For now, diners can stroll through the revitalized space to check out the upgrades while grabbing some classic diner fare at Steve’s Lunch, or picking up specialty cuts from Fenwick’s. 1065 S. Charles St.

Chef Carlos Raba Featured in Men’s Journal: Don’t be surprised to see a familiar face while flipping through the June issue of this national lifestyle publication. Chef Carlos Raba of Clavel was featured in a piece that discusses some of his favorite things, which include hibiscus flowers, Frosted Flakes, and—unsurprisingly—ceviche and mezcal. “Grateful for my culture and to be able to represent my family, my interests, and my life with everyone,” the Sinaloan-born chef wrote on Instagram. Cheers to Raba on the grrrreat recognition.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

5/30: Evening of Traditional Beverages
Homewood Museum’s annual event delving into the history of local spirits is back for its 23rd year—this time with a focus on Maryland rum. Gather inside Mudd Hall’s atrium on the Johns Hopkins University campus to sample rums from distilleries including Blackwater, Lost Ark, Lyon, Old Line, and Tobacco Barn in Southern Maryland—which ages its barrels on the hull of the U.S.S. Constellation. Plus, there will be light bites from Woodberry Kitchen, live calypso music, and a talk about the trajectory and impact of Maryland rum by historian Kyle Dalton. 3400 N. Charles St. 6-8 p.m. $40-50. 410-516-5589

SHUT

Tiki Barge: Memorial Day Weekend marks the official return of many harborside bars around town, but this outdoor drinking destination won’t be one of them. Owner Dan Naor recently confirmed to The Sun that the Inner Harbor barge, which includes its own bar and swimming pool, is not reopening this summer. Since its debut in 2010, the floating marina bar became known as an oasis to sip tiki drinks while taking in panoramic views of the city. However, soon after opening, it was met with complaints from HarborView residents about noise, illegal parking, and other disruptive behavior. There’s no word yet on whether Tiki Barge will make a comeback in the future, but the property is listed for sale at a price of $1 million and we’ve heard rumors of a possible local buyer. 500 Harborview Drive