Seafood

Looking for a restaurant with a top notch, really fresh, raw bar within 30 miles of SOMA in NJ. Any recs ?

That's a great question!  I really have none to recommend - but this site looks like there's a few pretty good options on it:

https://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/dining/2018/10/18/nj-raw-bars/1502973002/

For Oysters - I've rarely had them outside of the Grand Central Oyster Bar.

I may add the Jockey Hollow Bar and Kitchen as a place to try.

Maybe one of the seafood places in the Ironbound?

McCloone's isn't NOLA but it's close!

https://captloui.com/ in Montclair is OK.

Halcyon, Montclair-I've had very good seafood there
https://www.halcyonmontclair.com/

I do not reccomend McCloone's