Oh my god!!! Rare Society was hands down the foodie highlight of our entire trip and it wasn't even close. We did the steak platter and it was genuinely one of the best things I've ever eaten!! Perfectly charred crust, gorgeous pink center, and served with three dipping sauces... plus roasted bone marrow on the side for those that like to indulge! I'm not a fan but everyone else loved it! Honestly the presentation alone on that round board was its own moment. Made it so much fun to share this way The cocktails were actually looked as good as they tasted as well! The whole vibe of the restaurant is warm and elevated. Perfect date night out! Service insanely good too! Our server was so sweet and made sure we were always happy! If you're anywhere near Solana Beach, this is a non-negotiable stop. Make a reservation, order the platter, and thank yourself later! read more

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Sure this place is a bit pricey but that's what it is these days. A very nice place. I like the vibe. The dim atmosphere. Very upscale feel. You can dress up or be casual. My husband likes his $30 whiskey sour. Our only complaint is it could've been served in a whiskey cup and not a cocktail cup. My drink was good, forgot what it was called. We were served by everyone. Our main waitress was wonderful. Our water was always refilled. Our order was taken by another gentlemen who had memorized our order. The waiter who brought out our executive board explained the whole board. SO MUCH MEAT!!! It all tasted excellent. Their bread roll on the appetizer portion was like nothing I've ever tasted. How on earth does it stay so fluffy!? I mean, that's every carb lovers dream. We had a wonderful dinner. We will be back again. read more

Service and food were absolutely excellent. Wine and cocktails were delicious. Ambiance is a 10. I can't decide if the interior or patio seating is better- both have their charm depending on which vibe you're going for. We tried the ribeye, miso glazed carrots, hamachi crudo, truffle potatoes au gratin and butter cake . The truffle potatoes were a bit heavy but that's expected. Would love to go back if we're in town again. read more

Outstanding happy hour in san Clemente I loved the meatballs but the star is the burger made with apatty made with beef and bacon. Exceptional service crew tgat is both personable and very attentive read more

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Many chefs are venerated and followed restaurant to restaurant. But many managers who run "the front" that defines the dining experience need kudos as well. I have followed Josh Nelson who successfully ran Sapphire, Bloom and now Rare Society. It is nice to see this restaurant running on all cylinders. The decor is stunning and the food even better. Star dishes include bacon in a Korean spices, the Denver cut steak, braised carrots and mac and cheese. All stellar. Save room for the cheese cake with bananas Foster. read more

Rare Society - Josh greeting us - Steakhouses Near Me - San Clemente, California

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Parking can be a bit difficult since most of it is street parking around the downtown area. There is a shared parking lot a little further down that's used by the library and nearby shops. The restaurant itself is beautiful inside and very nicely decorated. It's best to make a reservation before going. We ordered quite a few dishes: Caesar Salad, The Associate Board (four different meats with a variety of sauces), Snake River Farms Wagyu Denver, Ricotta Ravioli, Wood-Fired Broccolini, Potato Au Gratin, Butter Cake, and Bananas Foster Cheesecake. There were six of us, and since the plates are on the smaller side, we shared everything family-style so everyone could try a bit of each dish. The Caesar Salad was really good, especially the dressing, and I loved the pecorino. The Associate Board came with four different meats and several sauces (the waiter will discuss each board). I honestly couldn't tell the differences between the meats, but they were all tender and flavorful. The Snake River Farms Wagyu Denver was also delicious, though I actually preferred the meats from the board. The Ricotta Ravioli was tasty, especially with the sauce coating the pasta. The Potato Au Gratin was really good as well, and the black truffles added great flavor. For dessert, the Butter Cake was served warm and was good, but it was a bit too sweet for my taste. The Bananas Foster Cheesecake ended up being my favorite dessert. Overall, everything we tried was delicious, and the customer service was great! Recommendation(s): - Caesar Salad - The Associate Board (four different meats with a variety of sauces) - Snake River Farms Wagyu Denver - Ricotta Ravioli - Wood-Fired Broccolini - Potato Au Gratin - Butter Cake - Bananas Foster Cheesecake Service: 5/5 Tip(s): - Make reservations ahead of time - Parking can be difficult (street parking or a parking lot further down) - Dishes are quite small read more

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Five stars for happy hour I came back here today for happy hour with one of my besties who is also a Yelper. We had a great time and had the sweetest waiter. The Brussels sprouts are out of this world delicious! It's a great deal and I highly recommend coming here between 4 and 5 PM every weekday! I'm coming back tomorrow for those delicious Brussels sprouts read more

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We were looking for an elevated place to celebrate a birthday, and we found it. Rare Society was a great experience. We arrived and they gave our birthday girl a nice card signed by the staff wishing her a happy birthday. We then started with some drinks. I had the Wild Card, which was an excellent refreshing cocktail with a little kick. We had some appetizers: the Parker House Rolls (5/5) and the Caesar salad (5/5). For the main course, we went with the Executive, which was covered in a variety of meats (4/5). On the side, we had: Potato Au Gratin (6/5) and the miso glazed carrots (4/5 - really spicy). They gave us a complimentary dessert for the birthday. Overall great experience. Definitely recommend. read more

Rare Society - Parker House Rolls - Steakhouses Near Me - San Clemente, California

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Rare Society is like dating done right. Service was unreal, shoutout to my amazing server, Hallie V., even took time out of her duties to be my personal photographer because my date couldn't find the right angle to make me look skinny. Thank you! The food was Amazing. $30 corkage fee for my own yummy wine? They didn't even make me feel broke. Started with the rolls: buttery, garlicky, fresh... instantly set the bar high. Lamb lollipops were just ok... needed a little oomph and excitement (we've all dated that guy). The Associate's Board was perfect for two and we were able to take some home. Wagyu cuts of bone marrow, tri tip, filet, and the Denver cut... basically what long-term commitment dreams are made of. Y'all don't sleep on this Denver cut. I promise you. The atmosphere inside is gorgeous, with tons of picture-perfect spot, basically the ultimate backdrop for a date (or your feed). Rare Society understood the assignment. Would absolutely go on a second date. read more

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Went here for a date night to celebrate our engagement last week. We were able to walk in around 5 PM and get a table without a reservation, which we really appreciated since online availability is very limited. Upon arriving, we noticed the service was just okay. Hamachi Crudo - 10/10 Probably the best thing we had. Parker House Rolls - 10/10 Very delicious. Onion Rings - 8/10 Solid, but I probably wouldn't order them again. Macaroni & Cheese - 5/10 Had an overwhelming, pungent cheese flavor, and the cheese crust on top was not enjoyable. Associate Steak Board The filet and tri-tip were good, but the Australian cut was horrible. It had a very sour, almost mildew-like aftertaste. Maybe I just don't have the palate to fully appreciate it, but I felt the quality of the meat was not the best. At the end of the meal, we thought we might receive a small dessert or acknowledgment for our engagement, but nothing was mentioned. The bill came, and that was it. Overall, the food was good enough, and perhaps the seafood is better than the steak and sides. We may return to give it one more chance, but overall, the experience could have been better. read more

Rare Society - Hamachi crudo - Steakhouses Near Me - San Clemente, California

Great to have a nice steak house in San Clemente. Service is amazing. It's a large restaurant and multi levels and private rooms, so you can't go wrong with whatever you're looking for! read more

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This is a gem in South Orange County. The decor is elegant and warm. Ocean views from some seats. We had wonderful seating upstairs with the view of the sun setting over the ocean. For those who cannot handle stairs, there is an elevator. The food was delicious. We tried several types of steaks, side dishes, and all of the desserts. Service was attentive and professional. Would recommend and return! read more

Rare Society - View from our table upstairs - Steakhouses Near Me - San Clemente, California

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Rare Society is an absolute meat-lover's dream. Not only is the restaurant beautiful, but the food is outstanding, the service is impeccable, and you won't find a better steak here. I highly recommend the associate board, Maine lobster, oysters, Parker rolls, and mashed potatoes. The onion rings were fun, but after one or two, the flavor profile gets a bit old. The one item I'd skip is the miso carrots I wasn't a fan. And don't miss dessert. The bananas foster cheesecake was ridiculously good. I truly can't recommend this place enough. read more

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Rare Society is so good we had to come back two times within a few months to celebrate birthdays here! Making reservations is made easy online but book in advance as desirable time slots may filled up quickly. I was seated on the second floor in a comfortable booth for my party of 5. Our server helped us get drinks started and opened our bottle of wine ($35 corkage fee). Since it was our second time here, we knew what we wanted to start with and tried new dishes as well. The executive steak platter was our main entree of choice and we added the salmon as well as the pork tomahawk. We chose the executive over the associate because it has more oz of steak overall. The ribeye cut was absolutely decadent and melted with every bite. The whipped potatoes were delish but my favorite had to be the mushrooms and broccolini. Both had a wonderful char/flame kiss to it and was a perfect pairing to our steak. The brookie tart ended our night and was a great sweet treat if you love chocolate. It was topped with chocolate ice cream and coffee espresso shavings. I'm not much of a coffee drinker but if this is up your alley, you will enjoy this pairing! Huge thanks to Rare Society's team for making this birthday celebration special and delivering a great night out. I can't wait to come back to celebrate more exciting nights. read more

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Impeccable dining service but with a chaotic happy hour. We were here for a birthday celebration. But we wanted to pregame for happy hour. Unfortunately we arrived some ten minutes past 4pm and all seats were taken. The host did say to say anywhere and we sat by the patio only to be told we cannot sit there. We left the birthday girl by herself. She wined and dined with neighborly stranger. And although she enjoyed herself, it wasn't our intention to dine separately while we waited in the rain. We walked around the neighborhood and came back 15 minutes later in the hopes of a seat. Then few minutes later while a table was available and I approached it, I was told it was reserved and it was for an existing party who were already seated. But what I wasn't impressed was at no attempt they tried seating us. The two people cleaning the table had no idea we were waiting ever since they were just opened. So I wanted to relay to management that there should be some kind of waitlist order in terms of first come first served. We went upstairs and ordered the executive board (consist of filet, strip, and ribeye with all the sauces) some asparagus, some Parker rolls, some mashed potatoes. BTW this place is elegantly dark with some art deco vibes. I'd like to say, kudos the the chef as he was behind the grill I heard. All were grilled perfectly medium rare and the asparagus was probably the best I've had for this vegetable. The meat was tender and not overly salted. The meat was a highlight and the cuts were same in size. Good knives skills for sure. We also had the pork belly, and that itself was a MUST. We did notice our food came out 15 minutes later than the table who ordered after us. But then again they had less food. Service upstairs was impeccable. It was a little slow for my liking but honestly it was more enjoyable this way. I couldn't remember our servers name but he was terrific. I don't really love the small water glasses but it was always refilled and never empty. I'd like to say the wines they have here from happy hour is a fine choice. I'm happy to say it pairs nicely with the steak. In the end we finished the night with a creme brulee and banana Foster cheesecake. Both terrific but the cheesecake wins for it's uniqueness just like the gochujang pork belly. We did ask to pack up the bones as I was intended to make a bone broth ramen on a rainy night. But that got thrown out and we were offered bone marrows to take home instead. This night was definitely a treat. It wasn't perfect but I've been wanting to come here for a long time and it didn't disappoint. Definitely a special occasion restaurant but if I didn't have to drive an hour, I'll be back here at 330pm to be first for happy hour. read more

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Micheal B and Andreas were perfection!!!! They were great. Customer service was beyond stellar. The food and drinks were on point. Deliciousness all around. The filet mignon has to be my favorite with the béarnaise. We came here to celebrate Christmas the day after. Place is clean. Love the presentation of everything. Caesar salad was great, so flavorful. Parking was ample. Lots of photo ops inside. Bar area looks so fun. We wanted dessert but could not fit it. The pickled onion rings were so good. I love this location. Beautiful place all around. Upstairs is gorgeous. Great customer service and delicious food always brings us back. We will definitely be back. Thank you Michael B and Andreas for a lovely night. Meats on the Associate: filet mignon, Waygu Tri-tip and Rib Eye. In addition there is bone marrow, onion, and their signature sauces: a salsa, steak sauce, Béarnaise, & a whipped tallow butter with sea salt. read more

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Stopped in while Passing through looking for a good happy hour. This is the spot. Very upscale & nice spot to come in for a great steak dinner or happy hour. The service & servers were super nice and accommodating. Looking forward to going again. read more

Rare Society - Beer & Philly cheese - Steakhouses Near Me - San Clemente, California

My wife and I went to Rare Society for our anniversary dinner and overall it was a l lovely experience. Starting with ambiance, while in a relatively small enclave in San Clemente, Rare Society is beautifully appointed. There are two covered patios and an indoor seating area on the second level. The steakhouse definitely gives off nice business dinner or date night vibes, but my wife and I did bring our baby, and they were very accommodating and family friendly. Service was great as well. We had an 8:15 appointment but arrived early and they made an effort to have us seated in a place that was accommodating to the baby early, which was much appreciated. The staff attending to the table were great and we never felt like we waited long for anything. Drinks were amazing. The Cadillac margarita was an especial highlight, and contained a generous pour of alcohol. In addition the wine list was approachable by the glass but had volume and diversity by the bottle. Food was generally good to great. The steak was (rightfully so) the standout. We got The Associate board and loved trying three different cuts of steak. The big surprise was the ribeye which was so rich and full of flavor. The other highlights were the hamachi crudo--which was delictiably spicy and cut thicker than typical--mushrooms, and Parker house rolls. The let downs were the potatos au gratin which were predominantly cheese (so much so people have asked me if the photo is of Mac and cheese) and the butter cake. Unfortunately for Rare Society, it is just down the street from Nick's and South of Nick's which dominate the butter cake scene. Rare Society's is okay, and made worse by the fact that it literally sits in a plate of sweet juices (not sure what it is) that makes the cake soggy. All in, Rare Society is a treat overall and comes at a high-but-reasonable price for a steakhouse. Expect $150pp or so with drinks, dessert, and apps. Ambiance; 4/5 Service: 5/5 Drinks: 4.5/5 Food: 4/5 Value: 3.5/5 Consistency: N/A read more

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Sorry/not sorry but this is my opinion on this place: Arrogantly overpriced Decor from the 80s Weird upcharge for martinis - $3 for olives Ridiculously small Manhattan, served in a demitasse! I asked for less vermouth and they upcharged me Super charred brocolini Steak was good Service started out surly but improve Too pricey for SC, I guess they are getting out of towners in their big dumb hats! One and done. read more

Rare Society - Ugh... This place , why or why... - Steakhouses Near Me - San Clemente, California

Honestly, I'm still thinking about this meal. Rare Society is such an elegant, high-class spot that feels like something you'd find in the middle of NYC or San Francisco, but right here in San Clemente. The Atmosphere & Sunset Views We started with Happy Hour, which is a total steal. They have a massive drink list and the snacks are top-tier such as the truffle fries or the beef skewers. But the real magic happens when you head to the second floor for dinner. It's like you transform into a completely different world. The views of the ocean at sunset are stunning and really set the tone for a fancy night out. The Main Event: The Associate Board If you're going with a group (or just really hungry), you have to get the Associate Board. It's a sampling of: * Filet Mignon & Wagyu Beef * Tri-tip * Wagyu Denver Everything is grilled to perfection over a redwood fire, so that smoky flavor is incredible. It comes with some insane accompaniments: roasted bone marrow, charred cipollini onions, and beef fat butter. Plus, you get three sauces (steak sauce, béarnaise, and a Santa Maria-style salsa) to mix and match. The Little Things * The Rolls: Whatever they put in that butter is magic. * The Carrots: Get the famous caramelized carrots. Trust me. * Service: 10/10. Super attentive without being overbearing. * Parking: It's all street parking, so give yourself a few extra minutes to find a spot. read more

Rare Society - Private dining room - Steakhouses Near Me - San Clemente, California

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Great ambiance by the beach!!! Very hard to find parking so prepare time for this. Great ambiance!!! The food was solid. read more

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Been wanting to try this place and we finally get to. We went for happy hour. Their happy hour (HH) is available weekdays except on Tuesdays. HH is first come first serve and available at the bar area and on high top tables. Have high expectations as this place has good yelp rating. Unfortunately in general, this place is a bit of a letdown food wise. Most of what we ordered is salty. HH burger is good but salty. HH Harissa beef skewers were over seasoned as well. Also ordered HH half a dozen raw oysters. Half east coast and half west coast. I enjoyed the east coast ones more. The west coast ones are more briny. HH ahi tartare on the other hand is lacking in taste. I've had much better ones is several other places. Ambience is really nice. Dim and cozy and nicely decorated. Service is really good too. Glad we only tried the HH, as this is rated $$$$, I don't think it's worth the price. Unfortunately, don't see us coming back here anytime soon... or perhaps anytime. read more

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The ambiance is a high end dry-aged steakhouse in the beautiful beach of San Clemente so you get a mixture of ppl dressed for the occasion to tee shirts and sandals. I believe we saw another location in Santa Barbara as well so we wanted to try this one. It's definitely on the pricier side and it was mostly all decently flavored and cooked to me. The thick piece bacon of bacon as an app was actually cold in the center. This was a special occasion so we wanted to go somewhere like a more upscale steakhouse outside the Ruth Chris, Morton's, etc. but it left a lot to be desired. The dry aged steak, I couldn't tell you if it tasted any better and prolly could've used more salt. Service was pretty good, nothing to call home for but still attentive and friendly. All in all - was ok and glad I tried but it wouldn't be my steakhouse of choice for the future read more

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We attended the happy hour that is held weekdays from 4-6pm except for Tuesdays to softly introduce our see if our taste align with this place. Happy hour is on the tall bar chairs and tables only and is limited seating. Food - HH food has a decent variety of of pickings. Had the burger with fries, ahi tuna tartare, skewers, oysters. The burger was good but otherwise most were salty and the skewers were over seasoned. Service - they were good enough and attentive and food comes out fairly surprisingly fast. No complaints here. Ambiance - this has it going for them here in San Clemente. Nice vibe. Overall verdict - was looking forward to eating here but sorry to say it was underwhelming and overrated. I soooo wanted to like this place as I have seen this place from across the street every time we go to Nicks, which is one of our favs. I wanted the happy hour to introduce us to their profile, but honestly didn't jive with my taste. Sooo sad. On the flip side, we almost went to Nicks but their bar area was full, so we jetted home to cleanse our pallets with sweets to make up for ughhh. read more

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Invited to dinner. It's best to make a reservation in advance. Accepts walk-ins.. however... you chance being able to sit at the bar. Upon arrival I contacted the restaurant and we spoke with Nate the Mgr. a friend spoke highly about the restaurant due to Nate making his way at every table asking all customers about their experience. Nate mentioned that once i arrive to ask for him.. we did he was pretty busy! Towards the end of the night he was standing next to us at the bar and did not say anything, again busy with customers and that is totally fine. Walking in you are greeted by the wine room to the right a view of what appears to be a large chandelier in the center of the bar area, and just right off to the left you are met with the aged steak refrigerator. It was a crazy night, but we were fortunate enough to have parking directly in front of the restaurant along with two available bar seats, your average noise of laughter and a variety of different conversations throughout. The hostess was not present only because the dining area closes at 9:30 but if you sit at the bar you're still able to have dinner and drinks. Greeted by Keith the bartender. Great guy, great customer service and friendly. We ordered all his favorites and he did not disappoint! Wood-fire lobster, steak platter, bread rolls, Linguini/shrimp scampi. All packed with great flavors. I will Admit, it surprised me that when the food was brought out, they actually place the utensils directly onto the bar top which hadn't been wiped down. That's something that I would change anything that a customer is going to utilize to touch food or used to eat, place utensils on a napkin. The French 75 was delicious. It seem to be short poured to me, but then again I'm not a professional bartender I just know I said keep them coming! Towards the end of the night we did see Nate the manager still at the end of the bar speaking with a customer and I wanted to say hi, but again completely engaged in another conversation and that is completely fine. We didn't have the opportunity for Nate to stop by where we were sitting and inquire about our experience, we will definitely be back again to experience the happy hour from 4 to 6 and the bone marrow it melted before we could even try it Lastly, I'm sure that all the bartenders are amazing. However, Keith checked on us constantly anytime he said, thank you, he said my pleasure, and he assisted us with packing up our leftovers. I just appreciate the attention to detail, and that's what stood out the most about Keith!!!! read more

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Everything was so delicious. The service was excellent, Perfect atmosphere for a date night. read more

Rare Society - Steakhouses Near Me - San Clemente, California

Once again, an incredible experience. Michael helped us navigate the menu again and made some amazing suggestions. He was funny, accommodating, and even helped modify a few menu items so that our vegetarian friend could enjoy the maximum number of items with us. Cannot wait to keep coming back! read more

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The food in ambience was absolutely amazing! Our server was incredible so friendly and more than willing to take photos for my birthday. Thank you so much for making my day so incredible! I do have to mention that if you do bring in a cake, they do charge you a cake fee which I wish I would have known about. read more

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Michael and the team provided great service tonight. They really know the dishes and preparations. West coast Oysters fresh and cleanly sucked. Filled with liquor. Hamachi crudo, steak tartare excellent. Kids eating it so you know. Georgeous interior and bar. (Great happy hour!) Executive steak platter has dry aged bone in ribeye and strip. Filet. All sauces. Bone marrow. Better value. We added pork tomahawk which was delicious. Meats cooked over wood fire. Well seasoned and true medium rare. If you want less salt I recommend telling server. Cesar, ravioli, Mac and cheese thoughtfully crafted. Bananas Foster Cheesecake recommended for dessert. Rare Society elevates San Clemente dining. Great happy hour too-burger (med rare), Harrissa skewers, dry aged meatballs recommended. read more

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Couldn't ask for a better Valentine's Day dinner! Had to book pretty far in advance understandably due to the occasion, but it was definitely worth it. Upon arrival we were greeted by kind staff who quickly lead us to our table on the upstairs balcony. Started the night with East and West coast Oysters which were fresh and delicious. We settled on the Associate board to share which came with the Filet, Wagyu Tri Trip and Wagyu Denver. All three were delicious, surprisingly our favorite was the Tri Tip! Highly highly recommend the Parker House Rolls. As you can see I wasn't quick enough with the photo because they were total heat. They're a bit stingy with the corkage fee but that's not something that matters that much. Will definitely be coming back. read more

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My friend and I came here after bookmarking it on Yelp. The atmosphere is really nice and the place is well decorated. She ordered the steak and said it was one of the best she has ever had. I have some dietary restrictions, so I went with a few sides including the caramelized carrots, broccoli, and mashed potatoes. The carrots and mashed potatoes were fantastic. The broccoli wasn't great. I didn't like the taste or the yogurt dip at the bottom. Overall, the experience was wonderful. I recommend making a reservation ahead of time. read more

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We came in with a dinner reservation and similar to our previous experience we were immediately greeted upon arrival and seated immediately. We were welcomed back and got down to business! ( We took a look at our choices) & we did get drink recommendations which weren't too bad, but definitely will be sticking to the usual now that we enjoy sipping on what we are familiar here and those would be the old fashion bourbon with the bacon and also the mezcal ( which yes if you aren't a big mezcal drinker..DO TRY IT). The lady luck lacked the mint flavor & tasted more like tonic water..the whiskey sour does have an egg white, but we wouldn't get that again... The portion sizes did remain the same as our previous visit... except for what we really came here for which was the bananas foster! (Bummer)....It's ok though, we definitely can't wait to come back and continue enjoying a nice meal with a nice view. Do try their Bananas Cheesecake Foster it is absolutely delicious! The baked rolls are also a MUST! The buttery garlic goodness are to die for! Our steaks were cooked nicely, and we surely hope to go back soon.. read more

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This restaurant is what San Clemente needed! We made a reservation last minute on a Monday night and they were able to get us in. Very kind staff all around. We started with 2 cocktails, the Ahi Tuna tartare and Cesar salad, were equally both good size, my husband and I shared both. We ordered the 8oz filet mignon with the whipped potatoes- again we shared and it was perfect!! The filet was a 12/10!! THE BEST filet I have ever had in my life, the way they cook it in unmatched to anywhere else, we ordered it rare and it melted in our mouth. We truly cannot wait to come back. The service was top notch. They were out of lobster which was a huge bummer but our server helped us order all the right things! Amazing experience, views, drinks and food. We look forward to visiting again. read more

Rare Society - Steakhouses Near Me - San Clemente, California

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Everything was phenomenal! Sarah and the team made our anniversary dinner so special, with a staff-signed card. The location is so cute and pretty. It's also stunning inside. Apparently the 2nd floor is where you wanna be, but I gotta say that the first floor, patio was pretty awesome. And the food was spectacular! Everything we ate was top notch: The Associate board: everything was splendid, except the tri tip was a bit salty and the I can do without the streak sauce. Grilled Maine lobster: OMG!!! SO goooood! My fave item of the night. The sauce was butter, delicious, goodness and the lobster was cooked perfectly. Asparagus: the sauce was amazing!!!! Hamachi crudo: the pineapple and peanut crunch added so much texture and flavor. Parker rolls: coated in truffle butter and they are chewy, fluffy, heavenly Butter cake: holy moly, I'll dream of the buttery, yummy sauce and warmth of this cake Bananas foster cheesecake: I'm not a cheesecake person and this was magical! Get it! Aperol Spritz, Blantons Whiskey, Tuscan Sangiovese were all great. All of it was soooooo good. We're definitely coming back! PS. Parking was a challenge, but after circling the neighborhood for 20 minutes, we got a spot right in front. read more

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First Time Here The ambiance is great. You forget that you just dusted the sand off your feet and was teleported into a restaurant that belongs at Crystal Cove in Newport or Lido Island. It's very hip and swanky. The main dining area is super loud, you will hear so many conversations converging in one location. The bar has limited seats. The patio is where we found relief from the loud voices but even then it was a bit loud until the drinks came out then, we didn't notice the voices. The service was good and timed the food great, where the apps came out first with the shareable items, then our entrees came out after. The drinks were good yet such a splurge. If you aren't using the Cutwater alcohol with your cocktail, there is an upcharge of $3.00 in case you weren't informed. Grilled Artichokes were amazingly delicious ($21.00) we ate the meaty leaves but was looking to eat the artichoke heart which was missing. Roasted Mushrooms ($15.00) didn't need that yolky egg but was a nice accompaniment otherwise. Broccolini ($17.00) was ok. Pickled Fried Onion Rings ($14.00) was a must share with the group. Denver Wagyu (8 oz. for $57.00) was delicious and melt in your mouth. The prices here are high but if you know that's the kind of night you are up for, it's a great spot to try out. read more

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**Rare Society is a hidden gem in San Clemente.** A huge THANK YOU to Jackson, Mason, and Cheyenne for giving us such a memorable experience! My boyfriend and I came here to celebrate his birthday, and from the moment we arrived, the hospitality was incredible. The hostess greeted us with a birthday card signed by the entire Rare Society team--such a thoughtful and unexpected touch that really made us feel welcome. I booked our reservation on OpenTable about a week in advance, and we were seated right on time at 5 PM. Jackson greeted us at the table, made sure we had our drinks coming, gave us a quick overview of the menu, and introduced himself and our main server, Mason. He also gave us some solid recommendations to consider. Mason followed up with a detailed walk-through of the menu and shared more of his personal favorites, which really helped us narrow down our choices. We started with the Parker House Rolls and the Associate Board. For sides, we ordered the Truffled Creamed Spinach, Potato Au Gratin, and Ricotta Ravioli. **Food Quality:** Everything we ordered was outstanding. The Parker House Rolls were soft and buttery with the perfect touch of truffle. The Associate Board had a great variety of meats and came with flavorful sauces that tied it all together. But the standout dish for me was definitely the Ricotta Ravioli--Jackson said he could eat a plate of it on his own, and now I know why. It was SOOOO delicious. **Drinks:** My boyfriend had the Rare Old Fashioned and the Whiskey Sour--both were smooth and well-crafted. I tried the Hot Streak, but it was a little too spicy for me. That said, both Jackson and Mason were super attentive, always checking in, refilling waters, and making sure we had everything we needed. **Dessert:** Since it was a birthday celebration, they surprised us with a scoop of their house-made Rocky Road ice cream--so rich and delicious. We also shared the Bananas Foster Cheesecake, which blew us away. We love Bananas Foster, but had never seen it in cheesecake form before. The flavors were spot on, the caramelization was perfect, and we devoured it within minutes. **Ambiance & Cleanliness:** The ambiance was romantic yet relaxed--with a coastal, beachy vibe that made it feel both upscale and laid-back at the same time. It was the perfect setting for a date night. Even the bathrooms were clean and well-maintained, which speaks volumes about the attention to detail here. Cheyenne was also a standout--warm, genuine, and super attentive. We were surprised to find out she was the assistant GM, because she was right there with the team making sure guests were taken care of. Thank you to everyone at Rare Society for making my boyfriend's birthday one to remember. We're already looking forward to coming back! read more

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Came with my girlfriend's meetup group for an early dinner to celebrate her birthday. We arrived early and sat at the bar for a drink while we waited for the rest of the group to arrive. Great service at the bar, happy hour prices, and great drinks. When our table was ready we were brought upstairs and seated on the patio/balcony for dinner. Our server was fantastic. I truly wish I had caught his name. He offered numerous suggestions for proteins, sides, and drink pairings. He was perfectly attentive, checking in regularly but not intrusive in the slightest. Truly made a fantastic meal perfect. If I could give him 10 stars I would. The food was delicious, everything came out as ordered. The steaks were delicious and tender. The sides were fantastic. Tip some of our table ordered the whipped potatoes with lobster. I've seriously never had a better mashed potato dish than the bite that my friend offered me to taste. All in all a fantastic dining experience 5 stars all across the board. We will definitely return and I highly recommend rare society for a wonderful meal. read more

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Let's start with the good. The service was great. Our server was lovely and very knowledgeable. The cocktails were fantastic and so were the starters. The Caesar salad and the pull apart bread were especially good. YUM. Now for the steaks. We ordered six filets, five medium rare and one medium. The medium came out closer to rare plus, and two of the medium rares were actually rare. We sent one back and asked for it to be cooked medium, but it came back well done. They did comp the steak and gave us an extra side, which we appreciated, but for a steakhouse and a $60 steak, I would expect it to be cooked correctly the first time. We have been here before and the steak was cooked perfectly, making for a great experience. Unfortunately, they missed the mark on the steaks tonight. I would definitely recommend the chef's ice cream scoop to finish the meal though. (Pictured is one of the steaks, not even the rarest one) read more

Rare Society - Steakhouses Near Me - San Clemente, California

Excellent experience and meal. The table service was excellent, including the hostess welcome as we arrived. The food was high quality, cooked to perfection with a wide variety of entrees to choose from. Will definitely be back. Thank you. read more

Party of 6 and we ordered a good variety. Steak Tower (variety of 3 steaks), Lobster, Salmon, Ribeye, Rolls, Broccolini, Potatoes Au Gratin, Shrimp Cocktail, Oysters, Wedge Salad, Mushrooms. Like I said, good variety. Everyone at the table agreed, the food was subpar. To be honest, the shrimp cocktail & broccolini & mushrooms were the stars of the show. This shouldn't be the case when dining at a "high end" steak house. Check the menu, it's not cheap. Which is ok, I don't mind paying good money for quality dining experience, this was not it. Would I go back, no. That said, service was good. read more