"Full of North County residents who've willingly shed their athleisure uniforms for collared shirts and dresses, Rare Society is one of the best places in North County to dress up and inhale a steak. Specifically a wagyu Denver steak, which is from a historically tougher part of the cow but has more marbling than filet mignon and holds up just fine against its better-known steak brethren. They have all the usual steakhouse sides, but we go for the generously spiced miso-glazed roasted carrots with crunchy garlic and mint, or the za'atar-dusted charred broccolini. The Solana Beach location, on the very-walkable Cedros Avenue, makes it convenient to stroll over to Belly Up Tavern to see some music afterwards." - ligaya malones, candice woo
"Full of North County residents who've willingly shed their athleisure uniforms for collared shirts and dresses, Rare Society is one of the best places in North County to dress up and inhale a steak. Specifically a wagyu Denver steak, which is from a historically tougher part of the cow but has more marbling than filet mignon and holds up just fine against its better-known steak brethren. They have all the usual steakhouse sides, but we go for the generously spiced miso-glazed roasted carrots with crunchy garlic and mint, or the za'atar-dusted charred broccolini. The Solana Beach location, on the very-walkable Cedros Avenue, makes it convenient to stroll over to Belly Up Tavern to see some music afterwards. We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists." - Ligaya Malones
"This wood-fired steakhouse — one of the outposts under the Trust Restaurant Group — is an ideal happy hour destination for carnivores. Specials are offered daily in both locations: University Heights (from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.) and Solana Beach (from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.). Chef and restaurateur Brad Wise curated a menu of bar snacks that includes $15 barbecued dry-aged meatballs served with pickled onions and garlic chips; oysters; a shrimp cocktail; and Rare Society’s wagyu burger with boschetto al tartufo cheese, onion marmalade, and truffle aioli. Drink deals range from $5 beer to $10 wines by the glass and discounted classic cocktails." - Roxana Becerril
"The bar inside the North County outpost of Trust Restaurant Group’s wood-fired steakhouse is now a happy hour destination, with food and drink specials offered from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Monday. Chef Brad Wise’s menu of bar bites includes his popular wood-grilled artichoke as well as fresh oysters, shrimp cocktail, and Rare Society’s wagyu burger with boschetto al Tartufo cheese, onion marmalade, and truffle aioli. Drink deals range from $5 beer to $10 wines by the glass and classic cocktails." - Candice Woo
"Chef Brad Wise launched his steakhouse brand in University Heights and has since expanded the restaurant to North County and beyond, including two other locations elsewhere in California as well as Washington State and Las Vegas. The menu features wood-grilled cuts like Snake River Farms wagyu and Cedar River ribeye along with family-style sides including lobster whipped potatoes." - Helen I. Hwang