Rare Society

Wow! What a great dinner and experience! We had the filet mignon, Denver wagyu, which were perfectly cooked and high quality. The appetizers were great. We got the small seafood tower and the Parker rolls which was enough for 5 people. It was great too. Our sides were definitely highlights. The shells Mac and cheese was so good, as were the carrots and potatoes, but the best thing was the tempura onion rings and the sauce they came with! Their cocktails were well made and perfect. The service was very good and met the expectations of a high end restaurant. Pricing was actually not bad compared to other high end restaurants in the area.

My hubby and I just went last night for dinner. Avi was our server and service was fine but it was cold on the second floor patio- not nearly enough heat lamps going. Food took about a hour to come out so long wait time. Steak was great, side of mushrooms, order of oysters and shrimp scampi was good but the side of miso carrots were SO SPICY for me. I told Avi they were way too hot and she said “you know people have been saying that lately so I think I’m going to tell my manger” but she never offered to take them back and she didn’t take them off the bill. I should have pushed harder and sent them back but I didn’t. I thought that could have been handled better by her because we couldn’t eat them so that was a bummer. Drinks were watered down and not worth it- way too much ice (we ordered 2 lady lucks). We won’t be going back but glad we tried it out.

Fantastic experience. We sat at the bar and had the crudo and beef tartare - both excellent. Ordered a steak for dinner. Steak was delicious - service was outstanding. Great ambience. Loved loved loved this place

This place was absolutely amazing and a must try! We ordered…The Associate board, Roasted Mushrooms, Whipped Potatoes and the Wood Grilled Artichoke and they were all cooked to perfection! The staff was amazing as we got there just before closing time and finished it with some of the best Crème Brûlée!!

The steak knives could use a sharpening. The food was excellent. The atmosphere is great. Service was good. The view from the second floor was very nice. Our waitress was a little soft-spoken and very hard to hear. They only have one choice for a non-alcohol beer which personally I did not care for. It's a little pricey for what you get however overall I would definitely go again.

Great little place. The seafood was quite fresh. The truffle fries... fantastic. Lovely staff and service. If this is in your budget range, you won't be disappointed.

Cesar salad Delicious and loaded with a top layer of fine grated Parmesan. Croutons had a nice lime flavor. Executive Board Came with ny strip,Tri tip,30 day aged meat. We got it medium well and everything exceeded our expectations. Presentation and flavor was spot on Mashed patato Buttery soft with nice garlic flavor. Ravioli Equal parts sauce and meat. Ravioli was loaded with a cheese. Delicious side for our executive meat plate. A must place to try !

We finally got a chance to visit the rare society after several of our friends had been recommending it. We spent a couple of weeks waiting to try to get a decent reservation and we're really excited to be able to get in at a good time slide around 5:30 p.m. upon entering the restaurant we were wild with the really cool and interesting decor the beautiful wine cellar in the front of the restaurant as well as the cool open view into the kitchen where you can see the seafood in other foods being prepared. We first sat down and were greeted by the water waiter and he was super friendly courteous and inviting as he mentioned that our waiter would be a long shortly. Like clockwork our waiter Dylan showed up if you moments later and introduced himself. You did a wonderful job of reviewing the entire menu with us giving his life the recommendations for both appetizers and main courses. He was exceptionally knowledgeable in knew the details of each of the dishes to a t. He recommended the household fashion as well as the peach cocktail and both of them were incredibly tasty and also quite strong. Especially appreciated the custom ice cube that had their logo on it. Dylan recommended the bacon appetizer and it was absolutely incredible I've never seen a piece of bacon like this it was kind of like eating bacon steak and it was so good. He also recommended the associate which is a giant platter with three different meats. Although it was expensive and allowed us to try three different types of meat and all of them were quick to perfection and incredibly delicious. Although the meal was expensive, it was a perfect date night and every aspect our experience was incredible. https://photos.app.goo.gl/xN2MF2rWjqTU5KEF8

It was our first time and we will definitely be back. If you like Oceans 48, Marche Moderne, or Broadway, you'll like this place. It feels like you're in a private club. Balboa Bay Club Vibes. Brian and Sarah are fantastic servers and helped us navigate a new (to us) menu. My wife had a Lady Luck and I had an Old Fashioned. Both were great. They have Macallan 18 with always makes an OF fell a little more special. We started with the bacon and the wedge salad. Both were fantastic. You can cut the bacon with a fork and the wedge salad was crisp and fresh. I might get light blue cheese next time. (It was date night.) You need to try the fried chicken. I would normally make fun of my wife for getting fried chicken out of steakhouse, but it's mentioned in a lot of reviews and I'm very glad I tried it. I kept my plate from the bacon which had some crazy delicious sauce on it, and I ended up using that with the fried chicken. I believe going for the restaurant is going to call that Mike Style. It's great. Meg had the 10oz Wagyu Tri tip and we both had some and thought it was great. We're big fans of potatoes au gratin, and there are some great versions of that here in this wonderful county we call Orange. This may be one of the best. I would also put that on your list of must tries. For dessert we had what I'm sure will be the most talked about/controversial item on the menu. We had the butter cake with sour cream ice cream. It doesn't sound good. You could almost say it doesn't look good either. The presentation versus something like Matro's, is underwhelming... then you take a bite and it blows your head off. It is hands-down and by a very large margin the most delicious butter cake I've ever had in my life. It's just ridiculous how good it is. Rare Society is a perfect fit for the community and fills a previous void. Parking might be a bit of a thing Friday or Saturday night, but at 5pm on a Monday, the lot next door was half empty. My wife has already asked that I take her here on her upcoming birthday, which is a strong endorsement as she is spoiled rotten and could go literally anywhere.

My colleagues and I, 4 of us in total, were seated on the terrace just in time to be able to catch the sunset. Perhaps not the best call on the part of my buddy who set the reservation since it was a little chilly, but the table allowed for peaceful conversation and fresh air. We started off with the Parker rolls, the bacon appetizer, and the artichoke. The wood fired taste of the artichoke was fantastic and allowed me to enjoy some savory flavors as we waited for the entrees. My colleagues had drinks, that looked pretty good (pictured here) but since I'm not a drinker, I don't know what they were. Nevertheless the presentation was cool. One of them had a toothpick with a little more pork belly (bacon). For entrees I had the Pacific swordfish with a beurre blanc which was firm but not dry. The flavor was fantastic and a nice cut of fish. Two of us had the fish and the other two had a Waygu steak. For sides we choose: whipped potatoes (smooth texture), asparagus (cooked to perfection), macaroni and cheese, and the best side was ravioli (which could've served as its own entree). By the end, we were so stuffed there was no room for dessert. Only semi complaint is that the heat lamps didn't really get hot enough. More options for the chef's boards ( a middle choice) would be welcomed But a solid, memorable experience.

If heaven had a VIP lounge, it would probably look and taste a lot like Rare Society in San Clemente. We ventured in last night, and let me tell you, it was an edible odyssey that has forever ruined me for mediocre meals. First off, the service: Imagine being hosted by that one friend who somehow knows all your favorite things without you having to say a word. Courteous, fun, and sharp as a steak knife. Our server orchestrated the meal like a maestro conducting a symphony--every dish, drink, and moment hit the perfect note. Now, the food. Oh. My. Tastebuds. This wasn't just eating--it was a spiritual experience. We started with the wood-fired broccolini, kissed by the flames and elevated with an incredible combination of za'atar, sumac, and yogurt. The bold, tangy Middle Eastern flavors were like a love letter to your palate--each bite more addictively vibrant than the last. Then came The Executive, a collection of dry-aged masterpieces featuring New York strip, filet mignon, and ribeye. Each cut was a masterclass in beef excellence, cooked so beautifully it could make a vegan reconsider life choices. And the sauces? Pure magic in tiny jars. Pro tip: Don't choose; try them all. The appetizers and sides also deserve their own standing ovation. The hamachi crudo--a work of art featuring red curry aioli, pickled pineapple, peanut crunch, yuzu, and serrano--was a tangy, nutty flavor explosion that I'll be dreaming about for weeks. And let's not forget the giant rib, bathed in a sweet and smoky bacon-gochujang glaze that made me want to hoard the plate like Gollum with the One Ring. Oh, and those Parker rolls? Buttery, garlicky, and so ridiculously fluffy they should come with a warning: "Highly addictive." Dessert was a grand finale worthy of fireworks: house-made coconut ice cream that was luxuriously creamy and a green apple sorbet so tart and refreshing it felt like biting into a crisp apple straight off the tree. Each bite was a perfect sendoff to an unforgettable meal. The price? High-end, sure, but every penny felt like an investment in pure happiness. You're not just paying for food; you're paying for an experience, and Rare Society delivers in spades. So, if you're looking for a spot that redefines dining with every bite, Rare Society is your place. Come hungry, leave happy--and possibly a little too full to move, but hey, that's the price of greatness. 10/10 would eat here again. And again. And again.

Beautiful Restaurant, fantastic cocktails, the old fashion is a must try if you love whiskey like I do. The staff are wonderful and friendly. The filet was tender, the truffled creamed spinach and pickled fried onion rings were the best compared to other steakhouses I had been to. I was not impressed with the butter cake, too much white cream sauce etc... In my opinion, for the OC this steakhouse is on my top five steakhouse. Quite a drive from HB for me now that I moved out of Irvine. Overall I enjoyed the dinner and would definitely come back if I am around.

Had the pleasure of celebrating my birthday dinner here and I will 100 percent be back, if not for the service alone. Everything was 10/10 except a rude patron who asked another patron to shut the door to the patio in a condescending manner. she was gross. They gave us a cute little bday card with signatures from the whole staff. and also an ice cream scoop with a candle. not needed but so sweet either way' Ambiance - beautiful glam, modern, grand, even the plates and glasses are detail oriented Service - HANNAH and Kristen? we're amazing. Hannah went over the entire menu and how everything worked. It takes 30-40 minutes for the meat so the entire order is taken at the beginning and they send the plates out accordingly. the attn to detail was amazing. Table was cleaned after each course drinks - RARE OLD FASHIONED. run do not walk to get this. i don't drink whiskey but we got 3 of these. it had a bite of like beef jerky and charred cherry on a rosemary spring the miso ginger was 7/10 - too sweet food parker house rolls 9.5/10 cesar with pecorino and anchovy 10/10 - as you can see in the pic it is FILLED with pecorino and it is amazing, they also put battered anchovy in the salad which was incredible associate board 10/10 great value. fed the two of us and had plenty left over for the next day gratin potatoes - 9/10 - it was so truffley but i get that's the point. really good when paired with meat. some of the potatoes were a bit undercooked brocollini - very good wood fire char. harissa yogurt was good also. added an interest flavor profile dessert - blood orange creamsicle ice cream 10/10

Not only opulent in the design and atmosphere, but the highest quality of state we have ever had in our lives. Highly thank you highly recommend the Denver Wagyu. Mel was phenomenal at taking care of us at the bar.

The food and presentation was amazing! We had their associate and executive board and both were delicious. The executive board would be enough for 3 people just an FYI. The service and ambiance was nice too. I wish I knew about this spot sooner

The food, the service and the ambience were all absolutely amazing! I highly recommend Rare Society!

Went to Rare Society for the first time to celebrate a birthday. We were seats promptly and greeted right away at our table. We had researched the menu online and knew it was a bit "pricey" but it was a special occasion! There were six of us and we were upstairs in a pretty tight booth. Didn't really look around to see if there were tables which might afforded us more room? The waitress was attentive but seemed to have a dialog of set things to say and it felt unemotional. We got appetizers, oysters, and caesar salads split very nicely. The meats were done perfectly but for the price seemed like it wasn't the 8 oz they promised? They were nice enough to bring a birthday dessert, but unfortunately the birthday person doesn't eat coffee flavored anything. Overall it was an extremely expensive dinner over $ 1000 for 6 people.

Talk about a total knock-out spot! If you're looking for amazing food and service, look no further. This is the perfect place for a date night or birthday dinner. I highly recommend trying the oysters and the baked lobster. It was my first time having oysters, and wow, they did not disappoint--I want them every single day now. The baked lobster was out-of-this-world good, and if you're looking for a side, the mac and cheese is an absolute winner. You can't eat here without having the bread rolls, of course, and for dessert, the butter cake is a must. The only downside was an unexpected $35 fee charged to our card. I checked the receipt and couldn't figure out what it was for since we had already paid for service and tip. Still, the service was incredible, and we will absolutely be coming back!

A great little happy hour after work, rare society has a great selection and prices of apps and drinks. The wine was only $10 a glass and our bowl of Brussels sprouts was hefty. Of course the ambiance was quite a spectacle and we were some of who joined the crowd waiting for the doors to open at 4pm. Very, very nice and of course the food was delicious. The general manager was very kind to be checking in on everyone. I appreciate the care and attention.

I took my boyfriend to Rare Society for his birthday this fall and we had a great time. This is a more expensive steakhouse located south on Avenida Del Mar in San Clemente. The venue is two stories with outdoor and indoor seating which you can request ahead of time. I let the restaurant know in the booking notes that we were there for a birthday, but didn't want any fuss and bother, and they made sure to say happy birthday as we walked in and even had a card signed by staff that they placed on the table for my boyfriend. The wine and drink options are on the more expensive side, but excellent and ample. The vibe inside is Vegas meets New York with muted modern lighting, dark walls and midcentury style furnishings. With views of the San Clemente sunset from the send floor, this is pretty much a perfect trifecta! We ordered one of the chef's choice meat boards as well as a Caesar salad, lamb pops, and mashed potatoes plus a bottle of wine. All of the food was excellent with the exception of the lops, which were flavorful, but undercooked enough that my boyfriend didn't eat all of his. With a lesser expensive wine our bill was over $300. Come here for special occasions, come here for great date night, and expect to have a classy, higher end service experience.

Cesar salad Delicious and loaded with a top layer of fine grated Parmesan. Croutons had a nice lime flavor. Executive Board Came with ny strip,Tri tip,30 day aged meat. We got it medium well and everything exceeded our expectations. Presentation and flavor was spot on Mashed patato Buttery soft with nice garlic flavor. Ravioli Equal parts sauce and meat. Ravioli was loaded with a cheese. Delicious side for our executive meat plate.

Interesting experience at Rare Society. Pre cooked steaks... is that common? Beautiful restaurant. It's been open for about a year and San Clemente needs a steak house. It's stunning inside. Service was attentive and quick but you could tell they were going through the motions and seemingly bored to be there. The food was below average for a $$$$ steak house. Grilled artichoke was AWESOME definitely 5 star Shrimp scampi - average Mac and cheese - good not great. New York Steak - disappointing. They don't cook the steak when you order. They have all the steaks out under a warmer - then serve them on a warm plate. We ordered med rare which was correct. But it came out luke warm. Even the hot plate wasn't very hot. The steak was flavored well and had a decent crust but the fat was still white and the steak was surprisingly tough. Virgin drinks are stupid expensive. $15 for a mocktail is a joke. It's almost impossible to mess up a martini but they made mine dirty when I asked for it up. We've been here 3 times, each time hoping the average experience was opening jitters, or don't order seafood at a steakhouse, but this time it was sad and we won't be back. We went Saturday night at 8 and it was 3/4 full...

We thoroughly enjoyed our night at Rare Society! Our server and other waitstaff were attentive and super helpful. When bringing the water, they noticed that the table was wobbly and he fixed it immediately. I loved that. We ordered Prosecco and a glass of wine and it did take a while to get it, but it was a busy Friday night. That was the only slow piece of service the entire night. Our food came out perfectly timed giving us time to enjoy each part. We enjoyed the Associate platter which allowed us to sample the Wagyu offerings. Delicious! We both decided the filet was our favorite and we'd go with that as our entree next time. The other cuts just weren't our favorite, but we are so glad we tried it! It was so fun! The grilled artichoke for an appetizer was yummy and light - perfect for what came next. As our side, we ordered the potato au gratin. It was very rich and cooked beautifully. I didn't find it as salty as the other reviews have mentioned. Overall, it was a great experience. Everyone was friendly and kind. It was a perfect way to celebrate our special occasion!

I love this restaurant and tonight was great since it's one of the only 4/5 star restaurant in San Clemente that's open on Monday nights. Brenden is super accommodating and got my lobster out in less than 10 minutes gluten free might I add! He is adorable and wears a TON of strong cologne which some people might be allergic to (like me) Other than that no complaints lol oh yes one more thing ****Make sure to go over the bill because they will overcharge you and have no qualms about it. Tonight they double charged me for my lobster They brought the first one out with breadcrumbs and then I had to send it back because I'm gluten-free and then they charged me for both. :(( +30!!! Imagine my dismay when I looked at the bill closely when I got home. What would you do?

A group of us came here for a friend's birthday dinner. RARE SOCIETY DID NOT DISAPPOINT! The restaurant is a hidden gem and the folks that were working there that night were super accommodating and helpful. They even helped us cut and serve the birthday cake we brought. I digress. The most important topic here, the food. Delicious. Extremely well executed, not a single morsel left because everything was so well made. Hot date night, special occasion, last meal. Rare Society is a proper option.

The food is amazing the ambience is beautiful, the decor and vibe of the interior is one of the best ive seen combined with impeccable food quality. Without a doubt it's expensive but i do think its worth. The mocktails were good but nothing special, out server was the best!

A very concise and short review: The cons: Parking, I went round and round looking for parking Slow service, it took a little over two hours from start to finish The filet mignon was VERY salty The pros: The ambiance, it is gorgeous inside The wedge salad was so delicious Dessert was mid.

I have been waiting to try out rare society located in the heart of the busy San Clemente neighborhood. I love the interior design of the restaurant, chic plus cozy. The drinks selections were excellent with different variety to choose from. I enjoyed all the sides we had order. The steak was so tasty, cooked perfectly. The waiter is very attentively. I would definitely come back again.

Overall this is a great local spot to hit. The meats are 10/10. Love having a few bites of each type. Sauces pair really well with them as well. Sides are amazing -- love the rolls and potato au gratin. Definitely not the cheapest place but worth coming here for special occasions.

Atmosphere was genuinely 10/10, was really cool. The drinks were good. I was impressed off the start. Then our server started dragging complete ass. Leaving us with empty drinks for literally 25 minutes. The steak platter was truly good, almost made up for what a disappointment the service was.

Fantastic experience at Rare Society last Friday! We enjoyed the two hour happy hour specials in the bar area. Beautiful setting, impeccable service and delicious food made for a perfect evening. James kept our water glasses filled with a big friendly smile and Keith kept the drinks coming along. The manager greeted us at the door and checked on the tables throughout. Really love this place!

Food quality, portions and service average. Price Ridiculous. Owner is a genius though for opening a trendy over priced steakhouse in San Clemente. He'll make millions off the South County LAM (Look At Me) Club just like Javier has with basic Mexican food.

Highly recommended, loved the atmosphere and the service and the food selection and taste is excellent. My wife and I normally go to Newport for steakhouse options but we will definitely be coming here more often.

My hubby and I just went last night for dinner. Avi was our server and service was fine but it was cold on the second floor patio- not nearly enough heat lamps going. Food came about an hour after we ordered so very long wait time- she dud apologize for the wait time but we were hungry. Steak was great, side of mushrooms, order of oysters and shrimp scampi was good but the side of carrots were SO SPICY for me. I told Avi they were way too hot and she said "you know people have been saying that lately so I think I'm going to tell my manger" but she never offered to take them back and she didn't take them off the bill. I should have pushed harder and sent them back but I didn't. I thought that could have been handled better by her because we couldn't eat them so that was a bummer. Drinks were watered down and not worth it- way too much ice (we ordered 2 lady lucks). We won't be going back but glad we tried it out.

We hesitantly tried this restaurant bc we heard it was too expensive. But after looking at the prices, we decided it was comparable to other fine dining restaurants in town. WOW, this restaurant did not disappoint! First, the ambience was great! The 2nd floor had a beautiful view of the sunset. They have heaters for when it gets chilly but I'd still recommend bringing a jacket. Summer will be perfect to sit up on the patio. Second, our server Lex was amazing! She was so personable, very knowledgeable of what was on the menu and made excellent suggestions. Our favorite was the artichoke starter and the wagyu sampler for 2. The wood fired lobster was delicious too. Decaf coffee at the end of our meal was so good I didn't have to put creamer in (and I usually do) Highly recommend but please note our bill was a lot. This may be special occasion restaurant for most people. Plan on about $100 per person.

Great food and service here. I've been here for dinner with everything and happy hour with everything. Everyone did a great job. Happy hour is worth a visit. 4-5pm in bar area. Steaks, Parker House rolls, aged beef burger and meatballs, cheesesteak are standouts.

What an experience! So happy to see a steakhouse in San Clemente. It is gorgeous inside, the ambiance is high end and the service is amazing! Everything was very flavorful yet simple. I'd totally be back just for the Caesar salad and martinis. Do not sleep on the Parker Rolls either! Only thing I'd say could improve is the amount of Napa Valley/California red wine options. There wasn't much to choose from even though the wine menu showcased all wine regions/countries.

One of the best dining additions to San Clemente. We came for it all ..., Unfortunately , there was a miscommunication with our hostess and the resident house mouse, Nate, " the general manager" We were seated at a rather small table for the four of us, and we asked to be seated in one of the three booths that were available . We were denied as these tables were told to us were for bigger parties . We sat at our smaller table and we watched the booth fill up with only three people. We are not sure what happened there. We enjoyed so many of their dishes so much so that there was not enough room for the amount of dishes that we ordered for our table nonetheless, the service was great. Prompt and pleasant. The lucky lady cocktail was on point . I do love a nice Faust, Cabernet with my steak. They delivered and we enjoyed. Of course the East Coast, Washington DC oysters were fabulous ! We enjoyed the clams, asparagus, mushrooms, and broccolini to go along side of our steaks. And of course for dessert the banana cheesecake fosters and the butter cake( go for the first one and you can't go wrong) The service definitely made up for the lack of judgment on our table destination. However., I really feel it could've been rectified with a simple communication back at headquarters. In my opinion, it does feel like the employees are all independent of the restaurant. The parking is a little bit tricky , we got there at 5:30 on a Saturday so we were able to find sufficient street parking close by. We recommend you make a reservation or you can possibly sit at their bar which is beautiful .

Came here for happy hour and loved it! We ordered the wedge salad which was amazing and even big enough to share with another person. For cocktails, we ordered the cosmopolitan and daiquiri. Both tasted good but the one that truly stood out was the Rare Old Fashion. The entire presentation and "experience" of this drink was great. All of the bartenders were super helpful and attentive as well! We'll definitely be back!

Came in for dessert/drink. The dessert was good( cheesecake), as was the drink. While it may seem small in $$, we were charged $2 for ice. I was asked if I wanted one bigger cube, of course my answer was yes. The Tender should have told us upfront. I have no problem with the $15 drink....I knew that when I ordered.... The cube of ice has no flavor but it did leave a bad taste in my mouth!

Beautiful restaurant too bad the service wasn't up to par for such a nice restaurant. I have to say that was some of the best meat I've had at a restaurant, we had the ambassador platter (I think that's what it was called) the Caesar salad had way too much dressing and cheese in it the lettuce lost its crunch. Not sure for the price if I'd give this restaurant a 2nd try. There are so many other great restaurants along the shores of So. Cal. One of the girls asked 3 times when her wine was coming to the table , it took like 20 mins, definitely unacceptable!

Came here for a redo of our anniversary. Rare Society impressed this time! Our server Matt was highly knowledgeable of all the dishes and was able to breakdown the differences for us. My wife and I decide to share the Cedar River Ribeye and it was extremely good! Cooked perfectly and the right temp. The manager also checked on us regularly and congratulated us on our anniversary. The staff made it their goal to give us a great dining experience and they succeeded. The cherry on top was the Cheesecake and Champagne!

This place is life changing. I brought my boyfriend here for his birthday on a Monday evening. The staff is incredible, everyone made us feel welcomed and special. Especially our server Mark, who was personable, knowledgeable and friendly. We decided to take Mark's recommendations and try a bunch of different items from the menu to share. Everything was amazing. Everything. From the hamachi appetizer, to the snake river farm wagyu Denver, to the ricotta ravioli, to the bananas foster cheesecake. I was especially impressed by their fried chicken, it was a mountain of flavor and perfection! It paired exquisitely with their whipped potatoes and a perfectly crafted Lady Luck cocktail. They have one of the most beautiful bars I have ever seen.

We really enjoy rare society great staff, excellent food, and upscale ambience. Our New Years Eve was made extra special because of our bartender Keith. He was friendly and engaging knowledgeable about not only the food but also the wine. We always have a good time here but Keith's attention to detail made it even more special. The staff here is outstanding from the wonderful lady with the flower in her hair running the kitchen flow to the hard working chefs who were putting out perfect dishes over and over to the manager who was hands on and made sure that everything flowed nicely. We can not say enough about what an excellent experience we had! Highly recommend and can't wait to return soon.

Such a beautiful restaurant, they did an amazing job with the decor. When you walk in the restaurant is very lovely and gives off a great Gatsby vibe. Everything we ate and drank was delicious, the meat was cooked perfectly! We really wanted to try the entire menu, which means we'll be back. The servers did a really good job as well, they were on it and very attentive. We absolutely loved our first visit here and can't wait to come back and bring more friends and family!

I celebrated my birthday here. I made reservations online and we were seated on the second floor with a view of the bar downstairs and ocean view too. Service was great and food was amazing. We ordered the Parker house rolls, grilled artichokes for the starter, salmon, aged ribeye,lobster, augratin potatoes, Caesar salad, onion rings, and for desert the bananas foster cheesecake and snicker tart a'la mode. Loved most everything. I felt the pickles onion rings were too sour and the snicker tart was just okay. Highly recommend this fabulous restaurant.

Unbelievable experience! Fantastic food, staff and ambience. Everything you want from a dining experience and then some.

The wife, the kid and I were excited to try the new place in town and to see if we finally had a good steak place in town. We were celebrating the kid heading back to college for another great year. She was hoping to get to try Rare Society before she left and I was able to get us a decent reservation, somehow. Those are hard to come by for this place. We showed up 5 or 10 mins early for our reservation, so we had a couple minute of wait time before we were shown to a table on the second floor. The interior is just awesome and suitable for a nice steak place. Nicest looking restaurant in these parts, that is for sure. The smell of grilling steak was getting me hungry as we were lead to our table. Everyone we encountered was very nice as different servers gave us water, utensils and napkins. Our waiter, Michael, made sure we were situated and handed us menus as he discussed cocktail options. The wife had to review the cocktail menu and quickly chose something that sounded fun, the "Of All The Gins In The World" cocktail. I went with my usual, Ketel One Martini, dry, up with a couple of olives. Michael was very good to ask if I wanted dry as in a little vermouth, or dry as in no vermouth. I like when servers ask that, as I like dry as in no vermouth. I really should just order a cold shaken glass of vodka, but martini sounds so much more classy. And this was a classy joint. The kid ordered a Shirley Temple. Awaiting our cocktails, we decided to select some appetizers to share. We went with the Ahi Poke, 1/2 dozen oysters and the rolls. As reviewers have mentioned, the rolls are $14. I know this is an upscale restaurant but even Morton's throws in the bread for free... The appetizers arrived quickly and all were good, even the costly rolls. As we sipped on our cocktails and ate our appetizers, Michael went over the menu and explained the Associate and the Executive boards. A selection of steaks, cooked to order over a hardwood burning grill, served sliced on a lazy susan so all at the table could share. I thought that sounded great. Pricey, but great. The steak prices are high, but the serving sizes are large. In the future, if it's just the wife and I, I could see us splitting a steak. We were ready to order. We ordered the Executive Board ($198) that has a 22 oz NY Strip, a 20 oz Ribeye and an 8 oz filet. We asked for them to be medium rare. The boards come with choices of sauces so we chose steak sauce and creamy horseradish. (BTW, while I tasted the sauces, I did not put them on the steak. The steaks were fine all by themselves.). Also, a bone with bone marrow is included. On the side, we ordered a lobster, because why not as the steak was only $200. Then we added roasted broccolini and mashed potatoes. For the dinner, I ordered a decent bottle of cabernet from Montepulciano, Italy. Wine list is extensive from about $80 to thousands of dollars. You can bring in your own wine and the corkage fee is $30 per bottle. We were warned that the steaks take a bit of time cooked on the "Santa Maria" style grills. That was fine, as we were enjoying our apps and a second cocktail. Mine the same, the wife had a French 75. As anything was removed from the table, like the oyster tray, a server would come and wipe down the table to make sure no crumbs or moisture or sauce was on the table. A very cool attention to detail. The food arrived and the executive board was amazing. All steaks were sliced and perfectly medium rare. The smell of the fire/coal crusted steaks was out of this world. We had to take it all in (and take some pics) before we started chowing down. We served up some steak and lobster for each of us and passed around the sides. Steaks were damn near perfection. I lean toward ribeyes, but the NY and the Filet were excellent and I would eat any of them next time. The broccolini was very good and it came with a sauce that reminded us of tzatziki that was great. The mashed potatoes were underwhelming, especially with all of this overwhelming food around us. Would not order next time. The lobster was OK, but I am not a big lobster fan, but the wife and daughter thought it was delicious. When we were done, it almost looked like we had not eaten any of the steak! There was so much left and we were all full. The executive board could be shared by 6 people to our estimate. Since the wife and the kid shy away from leftovers, I was able to have a fantastic steak sandwich and two other meals with the steak over the next couple days! Was good to the last chew. Not sure why we thought having dessert was a good idea, but we ordered a creme brulee to share. Unfortunately, like the mashed potatoes, the dessert did not meet the level of the other foods. Why not five stars? While we did go nuts (over $600), it was to celebrate. Overall, the prices are high. Although it was packed, I would consider more frequent visits with a lower price point. Go. Eat Well. Have Fun!

Not worth the price. We ordered the Associate Board. Servings were skimpy and undercooked. I like medium rare and they came out rare. We regret not ordering 2 steaks vs the 3-meat sampler. The bone marrow was inedible. I ordered an old fashioned and it came with standard soft drink cubes. When I asked about a single block cube they said "You have to request that". So I asked for it and they upcharged me $2.50. I spent $350 on dinner for 2 and they nickel and dime me for a cube of ice?! They claim the cubes were specially shipped from LA. For this kind of money go to Masteos South Coast.

I had high expectations of this place considering reservations for a decent dinner time (6-8pm) are often booked in advanced with the next available one 1-1.5 months out. I love a good steak dinner and have been lucky to have experience a few. Our server, Becky, was amazing! She's personable, attentive, and recommended great options for us. The support staff - well, all of the staff members are great. Service is 100/10 here. The restaurant is tastefully decorated and consists of two floors. We were lucky enough to be seated upstairs and had a view of the ocean and had a view of the interesting bar downstairs. What we ordered... Appetizer: -Parker house rolls: 10/10, great buttery flavor -Steamed clams: 10/10, I would come back just for this. I wished they offered more of the baguette because the broth is that good. Luckily we ordered the Parker house rolls and got to soak it all up. Steaks: -Filet mignon: 7/10, I ordered medium rare, but it came out medium/medium well. They were nice and offered to recook me a new steak. Unfortunately I've had a better filet mignon at a chain steak house (Ruth Chris's...), and at Carversteak in Las Vegas. -NY strip: 6/10, would not recommend. It was actually rather tough/chewy. My bf ordered medium and it came out rare. Even after they recooked it, it was still fairly tough. The shaved truffle that we added to it didn't do anything for the steak either. Sides: -Shrimp scampi: 8/10, slightly on the pricier side for 3 pieces, and on the saltier side -Whipped potatoes: 9/10, really light, fluffy, and who doesn't love potatoes? -Mushrooms: 10/10, came with an egg yolk on top which I thought added a perfect creaminess to the mushrooms Drinks: -Old Fashioned: my bf loved it -Just a peach: if this came in a carafe I would be in heaven! Honestly, it tastes like juice so be careful when ordering too many ;) During the round of appetizers we were blown away and literally looked at potentially booking another reservation to come back. My birthday was coming up in 2 months and thought this would be a great place to celebrate. Unfortunately after the steaks, we decided to not book my reservation here so it tells you how disappointed we were with the taste/quality of their steaks. I would come back for drinks and appetizers, and sit at the bar for a more casual meal.

Extremely disappointed! I normally don't write negative reviews ... but for the price of the items on the menu and the end result I thought I would. We went for my birthday and we're looking forward a great steak house. The decor is beautiful to start with.... We were greeted with three different staff members. But, when it came time to order must have taken at least 20 minutes. The waitstaff just kept walking up and down the path by our table.... Like a runway. But no one asked if we were ready to order until we called someone over. Next, the rolls with truffle butter were $15. They were partially cooked and flavor was under whelming . . Most steakhouses have great bread baskets and they are free! Like Mastros, steak 44, etc! My steak was undercooked. The sides were just ok. Don't order the side Mac and cheese.... Below average. Then time for bday cake. We ordered the butter cake. Most steak houses have incredible butter cake. This one was served with sour cream ice cream... really we asked to substitute with vanilla. Our waiter said no problem. We get the butter cake and it was drenched in liquid... the cake was not cooked and the ice cream tasted nasty. It was the sour cream ice cream. When we asked the waiter he said they ran out of vanilla ice cream and served with the sour cream ice cream. To say we were disappointed was putting it nicely. I wouldn't recommend and wanted to share so you can spend your money elsewhere.

This fabulous gem opened not very long ago in San Clemente and it's to die for! The food is absolutely off the charts. I wanted to order everything on the menu. Luckily I was with a group so we ordered several plates and just passed around and shared. The place is stunning with the best service in town. The beef tartare dazzled with the flavors of truffle and cornichon. I love steamed clams, and here they're quite different with the smoked pork and beef Chorizo with fennel. Tasty but not your usual steamed clam. My favorite were definitely the lamb lollipops, but I am always a huge fan of lamb so there's that. They are grilled with mustard, chimichurri, and lemon. I found them to be fantastic. It's difficult getting photos in a group share session, but I did get one of the group Favorite, which was the Executive Board, it is the chef's selection of prime meats on hand. I for one will be back!

we were there last night decor, atmosphere and staff were nice. Food was extremely salty and when we told the server they said this is how the food is done in this restaurant and we should make a note for future for less salt price for the food quality and presentation was extremely high. you pay 60$ for steak and you have to pay seperate for sides, this is not maestro's grade restaurant. 400$ for three dish average taste with zero presentation and no sides is ridiculously high!!!! would not get back again

Wow Our 1st visit and loved it. Beautiful restaurant, Fabulous food, great service. Got filet, ribeye, lamb chop lollipops, Salmon for entrees cook to perfection and delicious. Caesar salad, so yummy. Blue cheeses wedge delicious. Had the crab cakes good but a bit bready Mushroom, wood fire broccoli great but really like the augratin potatoes. The truffle rolls piping hot and so good. Cocktails were good. Wish we would of known about meat plater probably do that next time. BaNana foster cheesecake was amazing. Our servers Dylan and Nathan were outstanding. Waited 3 weeks to get reservation and a bit pricey but well worth it. Thank you for a wonderful dinning experience

I've walked past this restaurant several times over the past few months and finally tried it last night for a friend's birthday. I had high hopes. I'll start by stating the obvious: the interior is stunning. The choices of colors and materials and lighting are so spot on, and whoever designed this place did a phenomenal job. When it comes to the food, the wedge was lovely, the bacon (pork belly) was delicious and had nice heat, the Parker house rolls were good but not extraordinary, and the clams were tasty but I'm not sure they live up to the crazy hype. We also had the spinach and au gratin potatoes which were excellent. That said, I thought all of these dishes were overpriced and portions were on the smaller side. Steaks were...disappointing. I was already a little nonplussed about a wood fired steak (I prefer a pan seared French steakhouse preparation) but decided to share a NY strip with my husband. Ordered it medium rare and it came out medium. One of the other members of our group ordered his steak medium and it came out medium rare/rare, so issues with multiple steaks. They remade our steak, but since (as we were told at the beginning of the evening) steaks take 30-40 minutes, by the time a new steak was brought out, everyone was completely done eating and I was just over it. Even once it was cooked correctly, it was a little tough and slightly under seasoned. Our service was also a little patchy. It took entirely too long to get a round of drinks, and our hot share plates were brought out way before the food, so they were cold by the time steaks and sides came out. Our server was overall great, so it seemed like maybe it was a support staff issue or a busy bar more than anything else. Overall it was good not great. We are lucky enough to live in an area with some fantastic steakhouses, but this one doesn't stand up in my opinion. Not upset we went, but probably won't come back unless it's to sit at the bar and have a martini.

I have been excited to try this new hip restaurant. The look is high end classic with a Los Vegas vibe. We sat at the bar for drinks and appetizers. My husband and I both opted for the margarita. It was good but not exceptional. We ordered appetizers: Beef Skewers (delicious) and Dry-aged Meatballs. They were tasty but left a bizarre dry feeling under the tongue. My husband noticed it first. I didn't know what he meant until I tried it myself. Drinking water helps. We viewed the dinner menu while we ate. It looks very intriguing and it would be something I would definitely want to try although it is very pricey. I will probably try this place again. It was a nice experience.

Rare Society was wonderful, the ambience, the service, the food, everything was on point. The interior is beautiful as well and I would recommend taking a look around to see just how diverse the design is throughout the restaurant. We had a reservation that was for 1 hour from when we showed up, but the staff kindly sat us earlier with no issue, but I believe it was just because the restaurant was not packed, I have seen this place beyond packed many times so take that with a grain of salt. The service was excellent with each of our servers taking the time to talk to us about the menu in general and providing their honest recommendations when we had questions. Everything came out quickly and we never felt ignored. The meat was excellent, I had everything cooked rare and the flavor was there with each bite. Each side we ordered was as good as the main course. The mushrooms were my absolute favorite and I would love to come back and try many of the other sides, along with either some pork, or fish next time, but if you are craving steak I would definitely try that here first. In my opinion this was one of the best steakhouses I have been to with everything from the quality of the food, the service, the ambience, and the attentiveness to details. I will be back eventually and I look forward to it.