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    Rare Society

    4.2 (703 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndSteakhouses
    Closed • 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Rare Society Photos

    Business Info

    RARE SOCIETY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy
    Romantic

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    Recommended Reviews - Rare Society

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    Reviews With Photos

    Ahi Tuna Tartare, Dynamite Shrimp
    Megan R.

    Came in here to enjoy the happy hour: it starts right at 5 and is only available for bar seating. I would come in early or prepare to wait since these spots are limited. The prices are reasonable $10 cocktails and food deals. The food was good, very fresh tasting, and HOT (which I really appreciate). Inside has a moody atmosphere that could be a great date night addition. Overall good experience, but nothing crazy to write home about.

    Rolls
    Angie B.

    Got the Caesar salad, Parker house rolls, carrots and fettuccine Alfredo. All were delicious. Didn't get steak this time and this location but I've had at the Solana beach one and it's good. Also the Chardonnay they have here right now is probably the best one I've ever had. Super light and crisp. All the wait staff was lovely. And parking is all street parking and that can be tricky in this area so just know that.

    Margarita
    Gerisa A.

    Probably one of the best happy hours out there. Both cocktail and food options were amazing! Bar seating only but our bar tender was amazing and super attentive, which made it a great experience. The ambiance is cosy and the decore is modern upscale. Can't wait to be back and try more dishes.

    Cristina B.

    Street parking only, so get here early! Came here to celebrate with family, dress code is dressy casual. Loved the decor, very chic and modern. Our server was amazing! He was great at explaining the menu to us and it ended up being very helpful. We shared the Parker house rolls, a meat board, and dessert. We left fully satisfied and stuffed! Everyone in our party had a really great experience. I highly recommend trying this place out!

    Great steak house ! Not ur typical corporate type steak place ..nice neighborly feel...great bar and craft drinks ..and the steak was amazing ! Ordered the largest platter to share for four and more than enough food ...steak was grilled and even at a medium rare didn't come out bloody ..perfect sear and taste! Few other sides and more than enough food ...highly recommend!

    Board
    Macarena O.

    Amazing stake house!! We came to celebrate my friend's birthday and we were all blown away. For appetizers we got the house rolls, ceasar salad and the blue crab dip. For entrees we decided to share the executive board and add the fried chicken and Wagyu Denver. Everything was soooo tasty and delicious. All the meats were very flavorful, perfect amount of salt (don't tell them to add less), and buttery. For side the star of the night was the broccolini - best broccolini I've ever had. The service was exceptional, very attentive and welcoming. Don't miss out!!

    Banana fosters cheesecake and creme brulee
    Jehan A.

    The food was mediocre- The star of the show ended up being the artichoke and the potato's au gratin. We also had the filet, the wagyu tri tip, mushrooms, and the bananas foster cheesecake and creme brulee. Oh and a Moscow mule that I don't recommend as it doesn't even come in the copper cup, if you appreciate a Good mule. The steaks were very average. My husband loved the mushrooms, they come with an egg yolk on top. The bananas foster cheesecake was good but the creme brulee (which normally i LOVE) was extremely thick and the sugar on top was too dense as well. I would come back just to eat a dish of artichoke and au gratin!! Everything else was mediocre. Great location, great service and great ambience .

    Associate Platter-5/5 stars
    German R.

    Our party of four had a wonderful experience at Rare Society. From the moment we walked in through our entire dinner experience and to the minute we walked out. It was simply wonderful to be there. Decor-very nice decor with large windows facing the street. Not a large restaurant y, so it feels intimate. Service-wonderful service. Our waiter was very well informed, polite, and witty at times. Food-5 stars across the board. Drinks were strong, food well seasoned and cooked, and desserts hit the spot. Associate Platter-wonderful cuts of meat. The Denver and Filet were my favorite. The Caesar salad and filet tartar were amazing and started us off on the right food. Ravioli and Potatoes Au Gratin were a perfect side dish. Desserts were huge portions and worth the purchase. Can't wait to go back.

    Lamb Lollipop
    Laylah G.

    First time eating here and it did not disappoint! Reservation was easy through open table. Location is annoying, and parking is only available on the street. My partner and I got lucky booking a Sunday dinner, we arrived early and found parking easy. Luckily they weren't too busy and sat us early as well! I thought this restaurant would be way bigger! I noted the patio seating, but it didn't seem fun on such a main street. Inside was very loud, I almost think, the way the flow of the restaurant is set up, the noise just carries. Our server Xenia was an absolute dream! So knowledgeable and friendly, she recommended a great wine and answered all of our questions. The menu is awesome, everything sounds delicious, it is hard to choose, & everything we ordered was in fact incredible. We ordered the Ahi Tuna, the Cesar Salad, the Lamb lollis, the Wagyu Tri Tip, the broccolini, the potatoes au gratin, and ricotta ravioli. Every single dish stood out, the flavors were so awesome. The only complaint, if you could even call it that, was that I did not feel the flavors all -went-together. The wonderful lemon dressing that came with the charred broccolini was so different from the potatoes au gratin that coated your mouth in cheese! The potatoes tasted great with the Tri Tip that had a beautiful crust full of flavor, but didn't go well with the ricotta ravioli in bolognese sauce. Each individual dish was a star but together it didn't feel aligned. Finally, for dessert, we ordered a Brookie Tart and their Strawberry Chamoy Sorbet. Both were amazing and totally worth it. At a grand total price of $240, it is definitely an expensive place but it delivered. Overall, I totally see us returning even if it's just for more side dishes.

    Wet-aged filet, Dry-aged ribeye, and Dry-aged NY Strip
    Amanda A.

    We were seated immediately after arriving at 5pm. The ambiance was nice and the lighting wasn't too dark. Our server was extremely knowledgeable on the menu and helped us navigate what we were feeling for a meal. He also helped us choose a bottle of wine to pair with our main course. We started with the Hamachi Crudo, which was fantastic. The flavors were balanced perfectly between sweet and spicy with bright acidity. After we shared the Caesar salad and were thrilled with the real fried anchovies and copious amounts of pecorino cheese. My husband ordered the wood-fired lobster tail appetizer; after tasting it though we decided the scampi butter was overpowering the smoked flavor. We agreed simple melted butter would've allowed the flavor to shine more. Plus the amount of meat wasn't worth the price in our opinion. For our main, their famous Executive Steak Board was what drew us to them in the first place so we ordered that to share. The Ribeye and Filet were delicious but the NY Strip was overly chewy. The steaks were delicious by themselves but the beef tallow butter was a favorite. Next time we will down size to their smaller steak platter however since we ended up with a few pieces left. We will definitely be back for more!

    Parker House Rolls 9/10
    Ruben A.

    Great ambiance.....however... I use red oak frequently as I do a lot of Santa Maria Style grilling as well as live fire grilling. The first red flag was I did not smell any indications of any wood fire grilling going on. Even with an industrial hood the smell would at least linger to the dining area. The Executive Board looked amazing but once again the lack of taste and smell of the familiar red oak that I've come to love just wasn't there. Wondering if these steaks come off a gas grill or even a broiler? Our dry age ribeye did not taste dry age- these are flavors I know only too well. Maybe this is the case of dining too early as we were there at 5pm. My server was really cool as I tipped him generously for his attention. The hunt for an amazing steak house continues.....

    Views
    Whitney H.

    Just wow! This is a MUST try steakhouse in San Diego. My partner and I went for a birthday celebration together. We made a reservation and felt welcomed the minute we walked in by almost every server/employee that walked past us. This place feels so cozy and intimate. The booths were very comfortable as well. We came HUNGRY! Everything we tried was devoured and did not disappoint! Oysters, bacon, lolli lamb chop just to start. A MUST try was the ASSOCIATE steak board. Great for 2. We got two sides to share. I'd say add a couple more sides or starters for 2 or more people depending on how hungry you are. I paired a delicious red wine with dinner and he had the Rare Old Fashion. We were blissed out already! To top it off we tried the Banana foster cheesecake with ice cream on top!! Every bite was out of this world. This was experience we will never forget. Top tier for us. Thank you all staff here. We will be back!!

    Carmel Brulee
    Andrea R.

    This place was absolutely amazing and delicious. I came here with my cousin for my birthday dinner, and from the moment we arrived, the experience was exceptional. At the hostess stand they wished me a happy birthday, and once we were seated, I was even given a birthday card. Every staff member who came to our table took a moment to say happy birthday, which made the night feel extra special. Our waiter explained the menu beautifully and gave great, spot-on recommendations. We shared the associate steak board, which included three different types of meats along with sauces and butters--everything was cooked perfectly and full of flavor. We also shared the potatoes au gratin, which were incredibly delicious, and the sides were generously sized and perfect for sharing. The caramel brûlée for dessert was amazing and the perfect way to end the meal. Overall, the food was outstanding and the staff was incredibly attentive throughout the entire evening. The ambiance was low-lit and romantic--definitely more of a date-night or special-occasion spot rather than family-friendly. I'll absolutely be bringing my boyfriend here for our next date night. While the price point is on the higher side, it was 100% worth it for the experience.

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    16 days ago

    Went for dinner with a group of 8 people and had a great time. The service was great and the food was fantastic. Could not recommend more!

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    Rare Society Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Rare Society

    How many people does the Associate Board serve? The Executive?

    I've ordered both... associate Board was enough for 3 people with a few slices left over. The executive board was perfect for four people. Guess it depends on your appetite too & side orders.

    If we wanted to arrive ahead of our reservation, is there space at the bar for us to enjoy a cocktail before dinner? Or is this not a common practice?

    There is not really a bar area like you're referring to. It is a small place, especially inside, with a larger patio out front. There are a couple of benches in front to wait on, but it would be considered the street and probably do not allow for… 

    I visited you guys on Father's Day and loved. My fathers birthday is the 25th and wanted to bring him some food. My father isn't really mobile so we can't bring him. Do you guys have take out?

    Hello! Thank you for contacting us regarding placing a take out order for your father's birthday. We are more than happy to accommodate. There are three ways to order take out from Rare Society University Heights.… 

    Is the beef grass fed, grass finished?

    Is this really a casual dress spot? That's what yelp says but it's hard to believe for a nice steakhouse.

    It is! Dress up or come in your jeans like we did. They're not going for a stuffy steakhouse vibe and the food is great.

    How is the outside seating? If you were going for a nice celebratory dinner is the outside seating on par with the indoor or is it not as nice?

    Hello Kris, Thank you for your question. Both dining options are fantastic. If you enjoy the… 

    What is the wine bottle Corking fee?

    Hi Emerico, Our corkage policy is $30 per 750ml bottle, two bottles max. We waive corkage if a… 

    Is dollar oysters on Wednesday's still going on?

    Yes, $1 oyster night happens every Wednesday from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.!

    Why can't I make reservations online?

    You can - https://raresocietysd.com/reservations

    Is the meat prime? If so, what percent rank of prime meat in the US does it fall?

    How's the parking on a Saturday night?

    The parking on Friday and Saturday is fine. There is a grocery store across the street that takes up a lot of regular day parking but night time is pretty clear.

    I walked down here for dinner earlier in the week reallllly excited to try this place and it was closed at 7:30 PM on a Tuesday... I went to the yelp page; no hours listed. I went to the website; shows open everyday from 5-10. Have the hours changed?

    they are closed monday and tuesday nights

    What is on the happy hour menu (food and drink)? The restaurant refused to provide more information beyond select beverages and $8 bites.

    Hello! Our current Happy Hour pricing on beverages is as follows: $8 Select Signature Cocktails… 

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    4.1(3.5k reviews)
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    We came to Born and Raised for a long overdue friend reunion and could not have picked a better…read moreplace. The entire night felt special from start to finish. Our server Chris was fantastic. Attentive, fun, knowledgeable, and made the whole experience feel effortless even with our group celebrating. And a VERY special shoutout to the hottest Marla, who absolutely went above and beyond for us. She surprised us with custom espresso martinis with photos printed on top, which was such an unexpected and hilarious touch and instantly became one of the highlights of the night. It's those little extra things that turn a great dinner into something genuinely memorable. Amazing food, incredible atmosphere, phenomenal service, and an unforgettable night all around. Born and Raised absolutely understood the assignment. We'll definitely be back.

    We loved everything about born and raised. From the start the hostesses were very welcoming and…read morenotified us about the special occasion and it followed through the course of the service from when another host walked us to our table and our server came to the table as well. Our server Daniel was very attentive and well versed in his job. He was very educated about the menu as well as the wine list as well. We highly recommend b&r and suggest you request Daniel as your server!

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    Carbon Angela’s Kitchen - Skirt Steak with a Red Bell Pepper Chimichurri Sauce and Mixed Organic Vegetables

    Carbon Angela’s Kitchen

    4.7(288 reviews)
    1.9 mi•South Park, North Park
    Family-owned & operated
    Established in 2023

    The food is delicious here and the place is cute, however, they are consistently understaffed and…read moreit's a problem. If you need a job waiting tables maybe hit them up. If this were the first time, we might understand, things happen and sometimes you have to work shorthanded, but this wasn't the first time, more like 4th or 5th time over a period of several months and every time we come they are clearly understaffed and this place gets packed so it's not like they don't need more people. An entire restaurant is run by 2 servers, seems like maybe the owner and her son, and we could only see 2 kitchen staff working their asses off behind the glassed in kitchen, which likely means no breaks for any staff and everything takes forever. If you don't mind sitting and waiting for your food and drinks, by all means go here. The first time we were almost late for a show because dinner for 4 of us took almost 2 hours. We hope this review might inspire them to expand their staff because the food is delish and we want to keep coming back!

    This is probably the longest overdue review I have ever written, but at this point, not writing it…read morealmost feels selfish because I would very much like to always be able to get a table here. But alas, Carbon Angela's Kitchen deserves every flower, every reservation, every "you have to try this place" text thread, and every bit of love. This place has become one of my absolute favorite hidden gems in San Diego. Easily top five for me, and as someone who dines out a lot for a living, that is not a casual statement. There are places you like, places you recommend, and then there are places that start to feel woven into your actual life. Carbon Angela's Kitchen is that for me. Angela is truly the heart of this place. She has this way of making you feel like you are not just coming in for dinner, but being welcomed into something she deeply cares about. And Emanuele is absolutely part of that magic too. Together, they have built something that feels warm, generous, soulful, and so special. They feel like long-lost friends and family now, and I am honestly just so proud of them and all they are creating. The food is the kind that makes you want to order with the whole table in mind. The griglia mista is hands down one of the best investments you can make if you are dining with a group. It is the meat platter, it is the moment, and it is absolutely worth ordering. Four to five people can split it, especially if you are also doing appetizers, salad, wine, and a few extra things for the table. It is such a perfect nod to what Carbon was before Angela took over, when the space leaned more BBQ, but now it feels beautifully married with Angela's warmth, Italian influence, and the kind of hospitality that makes the whole meal feel like an experience. And please do not sleep on the rest of the menu. The short rib is fire. The arancino trio is always a yes. The eggplant croquette? Obsessed. The crespelle? So good. The Everything Salad is my favorite salad on the menu, and the street corn should never, under any circumstances, be skipped. I said what I said. The wine selection is top tier, the appetizers are memorable, and the whole place has that rare magic of feeling cozy, intentional, and completely unpretentious. You can come for a low-key dinner, a girls' night, a celebration, or one of those "we just need a really good meal and a really good glass of wine" kind of evenings. And the back patio? Perfect for an evening under twinkling lights. It is one of those spaces that just begs for a long table, good conversation, clinking glasses, and the kind of night that accidentally turns into a core memory. They also have catering menus available, which is very important information to keep in your back pocket if you are hosting anything soon. What Angela has built is honestly something to behold. One of the hardest-working restaurateurs doing the dang thing in a city like San Diego, and now opening Bedda across the way too? I am in awe and wonder watching it all unfold. It takes so much courage, grit, taste, excellence, and heart to build what they are building, and you can feel all of it in the room. Carbon Angela's Kitchen is a true labor of love, a hidden gem, and one of those places I will keep cheering for again and again. Go hungry. Order the griglia mista. Get the Everything Salad. Do not skip the street corn. Share Share Share, so you can try a little bit of everything and do a tried and true family style meal, you won't regret it.

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    Carbon Angela’s Kitchen - Arugula Salad

    Arugula Salad

    Carbon Angela’s Kitchen
    Carbon Angela’s Kitchen

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    Cardellino - Carrot cake

    Cardellino

    4.3(585 reviews)
    1.4 mi•Mission Hills
    •$$$

    After having a really bad experience at an Italian restaurant in LA, we wanted to find a place that…read morecould redeem that experience. This place did not disappoint and was fantastic! We came in on a Saturday night around 7:30, wait was about an hour but the hostess told us bar seating was first come first serve. We decided to sit at the bar because we had already been traveling for six hours and we were hungry. We wanted the sourdough but they were sold out, not mad about that! That means it was probably really freaking good and there's just none left! But luckily we were able to snag lamb lollipops .. do not skip these. So good, not gamey at all and I loved that char grill flavor. It was sooooo delicious with the chimichurri sauce too. We had the tuna tartare which was so fresh and amazing with the crispy bread. Then we shared the spicy rigatoni and bone in NY steak. We asked for medium, it came out medium rare but honestly I ordered it that way for my partner because I can tolerate but I'm glad it came out medium rare it was perfect for me. My partner still loved it and didn't complain! Spicy rigatoni was cooked al dente and was delicious to pair with the steak. I think I'd probably order a salad next time to balance out all the meat but my partner loved the meat galore haha Service was also outstanding, very attentive and food came out paced out so that was honestly really nice to not be overwhelmed by everything you ordered at once! Food was amazing, experience was lovely and beautiful, we had an amazing time and this restaurant fully redeemed our bad experience from a different restaurant in LA so it just all around made our night!

    Chef Brad Wise never misses, guys. Came here for an anniversary dinner and it did not disappoint…read more Started off with some drinks. One was a play on their old fashioned and the other was a recommendation I cannot recall from our server. Both were refreshing. Then we had their lamb lollipops. The chimichurri sauce on that thing was amazing! Then we had their NY strip and their famed spicy rigatoni. The meat was cooked to perfection and dipping it in its own juices showed how flavorful it was. The rigatoni was indeed fantastic. I could be buried in that and be happy. The side of potatoes was perfectly soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. More times than not people mess up fingerlings. Not this place! Would highly recommend. Ended the night with the blueberry crostata. So blueberry-like but the sauce it was in was stunning. The service was outstanding. All of Brad Wise's locations excel at this and this location was no different. Angela was our server and she was beyond lovely, attentive, and wanted to ensure we had a great experience. Cannot speak more highly of her. I think this place is better than Rare Society but not as good as A L'ouest, to put it into TRUST Restaurant group comparisons. For parking there's a lot across the street that has paid parking after 5. Otherwise it's street and I recommend allotting time for that as it can take a hot second.

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    Cardellino - Calamari

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    Dining Room

    Rare Society - steak - Updated September 2026

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