Despite the storm cloud COVID-19 cast over local restaurants, a few restaurant owners have decided to debut new eateries in the face of the storm. From a new neighborhood oyster bar, a D.C. Italian joint and Midwestern sandwich chain, here are the restaurants that have dared to open during a pandemic. Check them out and support our local businesses!

1. Floriana

A 40-year-old staple from the heart of Washington D.C.’s Dupont Circle, Floriana opened its doors in May at 2 Market St. (in the old Riverboat Landing space.) Score a space on one of the restaurant’s patio nooks (perfect for social distancing!) and tuck into brunch dishes like a prosciutto benedict or Nutella French toast. 
Absolutely try a classic Italian Sunday Gravy — pork belly, savory sausage and short rib and tomato sauce for a compliment to handmade pasta with ricotta. Also look out for the snapper with spigariello and garlic puree; the scallop and shrimp risotto; crab and squid ink spaghetti and old-school tiramisu. 

2. Tidewater Oyster Bar

The Porters Neck community was ripe for an oyster bar, and now Tidewater has moved in an claimed its space at 8211 Market St. The menu has raw oysters and some broiled with garlic butter or Bienville-style. In the fashion of classic North Carolina fish camps, find platters of seafood steamed, fried or blackened plus po’ boys.

3. Potbelly Sandwiches

When Potbelly Sandwiches announced the national restaurant chain would lay down roots in Wilmington, fans went wild. The 40-year-old Chicago sandwich institution is bringing toasted subs, soups, shakes and salads to the 17th Street corridor at 2515 S. 17th St. — a stone’s throw from the hospital.

4. Michael’s on the Waterfront

It took months for this new steak and seafood restaurant to renovate and open up in a historic building right next to Floriana at 5 S. Water St. Now open for dine-in service, Michael’s has pizza, sandwiches, burgers and entrees like a 16 oz. cowboy bone-in ribeye steak.