Eat Seafood Charcuterie Outside the Aquarium All Summer

Patrons of the New England Aquarium feeling a little peckish — or thirsty — after watching seals eat a bunch of raw fish can now join in on the fun at an outdoor restaurant adjacent to the attraction. Reef Bar — a revamped version of the restaurant formerly known as the Reef — opened for the season on Thursday, June 13, on the Aquarium Plaza, and it features scenic views of Boston Harbor.

The menu at Reef Bar features a raw bar (so you can eat raw fish like your new seal friends), a lobster roll, and various charcuterie options (meat, seafood, and vegetarian), including fish pâté, salmon pastrami, smoked beet carnitas, mushroom pâté, and grilled king trumpet mushrooms. Reef Bar also serves cocktails with names like the Cunning Cuttlefish (Bacardi Silver rum, ginger, lime juice, mint) and the Rockhopper (Tito’s vodka, St. Elder, grapefruit juice, sparkling rosé).

Reef Bar is the brainchild of Patina Restaurant Group, which operates restaurants mostly located in tourist attractions and similar spots across the country, such as inside Macy’s in midtown Manhattan and at Disney World in Florida. Patina’s parent company is the massive food, hotel, and venue management company Delaware North.

The outdoor Reef Bar space was designed by local firm Bergmeyer, the same firm that worked as project architect on spaces like Ruka, Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar, and the Ames Hotel Boston.

Reef Bar is meant to have “a fresh look inspired by its namesake coral reefs and the sea,” per an announcement from Patina Restaurant Group. “Expect beachy distressed woods, a wavy ceiling concept strung with lights, and a breezy open-air structure.” The space has a mix of seating options, including standard tables, communal tables, and bar seating.

Reef Bar will be open until the end of the summer. Its hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday.

Adam DeTour

Adam DeTour

• An Outdoor Dining Option Opens at the New England Aquarium This Week With an Iced Shellfish Bar and Three Types of Charcuterie Boards [Boston.com]