Oysters from Fin & Fino in Uptown. Kristen Wile/UP

Q: Where are the best places to go for a raw bar?
UP: It’s incredible how many more raw bars there are than there were five years ago. You can find great oysters in just about any neighborhood now! We’d recommend RockSalt, which is owned by one of the owners of oyster producer Rappahannock Oyster Company; Sea Level NC, an Uptown spot that even has its own Sea Level oyster; Sea Level’s casual sister concept The Waterman; Fin & Fino; and N.C. Red in Plaza Midwood.

Q: Who is killing the mocktail and low ABV cocktail game in the city right now?
UP: On the menu, I think Colleen Hughes at Haberdish does a great job with low-proof cocktails.  The menu is listed so that the drinks go from lightest to most spirit-forward as you read it from left to right. The bartenders at Dogwood always do a great job making fun, flavorful mocktails or low-proof drinks on request. Most places with great bartenders and the freedom to do barkeep’s call drinks can whip up some delicious low-proof or zero-proof drinks. There will be even more mocktail options in the coming months: Barrister’s is opening with a heavy non-alcoholic beverage list, as is the new restaurant from the owners of Soul Gastrolounge.

Q: Where are some good places to bring a vegetarian that I can eat at, too?
UP: We’ve got a category on our Restaurant Finder that includes places with solid vegetarian options. If you want to take a look at that, you can do so here! I think places with house-made pastas are always good places to bring vegetarians; they can take out the meat and still have something hearty. Try Stagioni or Aqua e Vino. I also noticed that 5Church now has a daily vegetarian offer, and it’s something I always consider ordering.

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