We came here during our anniversary weekend, and my husband made the reservation as a special treat. We had such a wonderful experience! They have outdoor seating area, indoor setting area and bar. We sat indoors and it was nice and cool. We ordered the 35-day dry-aged bone-in ribeye, shrimp scampi, whipped potatoes, and lobster crab mac & cheese. Everything was absolutely delicious! The ribeye was definitely a highlight, and the sides were the perfect complement to the meal. They also have some great mocktail options, which I love! I ordered the Staycation, and it was so good. My husband enjoyed a few glasses of wine as well. For dessert, we shared the banana foster cheesecake, and it was the perfect way to finish the meal. So delicious! The service was excellent--attentive and friendly without ever feeling overbearing. The whole evening felt special, which made it perfect for our anniversary. We had such a great experience that we're already excited to come back for my husband's birthday! read more

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The service was top notch! Best to share with a large party. Cool Ambiance. However, the A/C was out on one of the hotter days of the year. Which made it pretty uncomfortable. The swordfish with the xo beurre blanc, chervil was the best thing I had. The lamp lollipops were pretty good. The sides were average and the executive board was just OK. Nothing special. The cocktails were nice and well balanced. Overall, this is a cool spot but way over priced. read more

Service was great! All staff are on top! But food wasn't great, I asked for well done salmon didn't come with vegetables, so i ordered broccolini Both they were burnt too much seasoning. Caesar salad Has way too much cheese. Food was not worth the price. But thanks anyway! read more

The service at Rare Society was excellent, as it has been on my many previous visits. Although I've dined here numerous times, this is my first time writing a review, and unfortunately, this experience was somewhat disappointing. The steaks, in particular, seem to have declined in quality. I ordered the filet mignon medium, but it arrived well-done. I didn't realize how far past the requested temperature it was until I cut into it--it was completely cooked through, dry, and lacking the tenderness and juiciness I would expect from a properly prepared filet. It was also excessively salty, with the seasoning overwhelming the meat's natural flavor. The presentation was another area that could use some refinement. Given the restaurant's caliber and ambiance, I expected the dishes to be presented with more attention to detail. Unfortunately, both the steak and dessert looked rather underwhelming, as reflected in the photos. The wine, on the other hand, was very enjoyable--flavorful, well-balanced, and a lovely complement to the steak. My date, a self-proclaimed steak expert and devoted carnivore, found his rib-eye to be "good," which, coming from him, is perhaps a modest but meaningful endorsement. Where Rare Society continues to shine is in its setting. The seating was comfortable and inviting, and the atmosphere was sophisticated without feeling overly formal. It remains a beautiful place to spend an evening, and the service remains a strong point. I only wish the food were presented with the same level of care and elegance as the restaurant itself. With a little more attention to execution, seasoning, and presentation, Rare Society could once again deliver the exceptional dining experience I've come to expect from it. read more

Rare Society - Chocolate Dessert - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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I've been to this place 3 times and just realized that I never leave any review,So here it is. Vibe : Classic,Cozy,Warm and inviting. Service : Always great! Never once experience a bad service here.Keep up the good work guys! Food : Steak were great! Cooked to perfection and what temperature you want that's what you will get! Amazing! Appetizer like crab claws or pork belly were yummy as well.Lobster were amazing and the best part was the meat already came off the shell,Which make it less messy for us! Don't forget creme brule' to finished your meal and you'll thank me later. Definitely my go to spot every time I visit Santa Barbara. read more

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Best steak I've had on the Central Coast, and I don't say that lightly. The wood-fired grill is the whole show here -- you can smell it from the sidewalk on State Street, and the crust it puts on a dry-aged ribeye is something you just don't get from a pan or a gas broiler. We started with the Caesar and the bone marrow, both excellent, then split a 30-day dry-aged bone-in ribeye and the wagyu tri-tip. The ribeye was cooked a perfect mid-rare edge to edge with that deep, funky, buttery flavor good dry-aging gives you. Sides are family-style and worth the real estate on the table -- the creamed corn and the potatoes were both gone before the steak was. Service was sharp without being stuffy. Our server knew the cuts cold, steered us right on portion size, and paced the meal so we never felt rushed or forgotten. Cocktails and the wine list lean local, which I appreciate in a town with this much good juice around it. It's not a cheap night out, but it's priced honestly for what you get. Great spot for a celebration or a client dinner when you want to impress without any pretense. Already planning the next visit. read more

Rare Society - Mixed platter of meats - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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We weren't here spur of the moment for a big birthday celebration. It was a Wednesday night and they were nice enough to sit us in a comfy boooty. It was perfect right from walking in. The ambiance, the service and the food smelt amazing. Our server and the host were so sweet and accommodating. I ordered probably 5-6 of the house made lemonade. It was fantastic. I got the swordfish with the yummy beurre blanc. My hubby chose the Ribeye. It was cook and seasoned perfectly and the meat was very tender and moist. No gristle. Top 3 steaks he's had out. The sides we opted for mashed potatoes which were seasoned perfectly and the consistency was spot on, Mac and cheese and some amazing asparagus dish with an amazing sauce and something crispy textured on top to balance it out. Everything was fantastic and there was not 1 dish I could complain about. It was timed perfectly and the food was hot. The gave us a complimentary homemade scoop of ice cream and I also got the crème brûlée. Only feedback for the crème brûlée was, the custard itself was hot not cold like traditional. Other than that, everything was above and beyond. We were happy we sporadically chose this place to celebrate and we will make sure the recommend it to our friends and family and we will be back! Oh! They even signed a birthday card from the whole staff working that night! What a nice and thoughtful touch! We can't wait to come back to SB for another wonderful 5 star dining experience. read more

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This place is a must! The happy hour menu pops off!!! The dynamite shrimp is so good and I don't even like shrimp! Only shrimp in the world I will eat cause it's that good! The patio is super cute and the dinner menu is sooo good! The steak melted in my mouth and the rolls were soooo delicious! The service is great!! come here everytime I'm in Santa Barbara and can recommend it enough!! 10/10!!! read more

Rare Society - Steak and mashed potatoes - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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1 Star Very disappointing experience, especially because we came here to celebrate my birthday with my wife and our 1-year-old child. We were told to leave our baby's stroller in the restroom area. I explained that I was not comfortable with that because I did not consider it a safe or appropriate place for my child's stroller, with people constantly going in and out. I told them that if this was not okay, we would leave. They initially said it was fine, so we sat down. Just 2-3 minutes later, a manager came over and told us again that the stroller had to be moved. When I refused because of the safety concern, we were told we could not stay. We were there for a special family celebration, and unfortunately the way this situation was handled completely ruined our birthday experience. If there was a stroller policy, we should have been told before we were seated. Very disappointing customer service and not an experience I would want to repeat. read more

With all of the great food options there are in the "funk zone" of Santa Barbara, we were torn on where we wanted to celebrate my wife's birthday dinner as there's almost every option available within walking distance of our hotel. She decided she wanted to go to a steakhouse so we asked a bartender at a local bar what his recommendation would be and he mentioned Rare Society. Although I'd never been to Rare Society before, it wasn't the first time I'd heard the name. We actually have a couple of them down here in San Diego and though I've never been there, had heard good things about it. We made a reservation for that evening but the only thing available was on the patio. We arrived about 15 minutes prior to our reservation and the weather already began to cool off. As we walked towards the door we were greeted by the hostesses who also saw that it was my wife's birthday and they wished her happy birthday. We acknowledged that our reservation was on the patio but asked if it was possible to move to inside and they were quickly accommodating to this request. There was no wait even though we were a little early and we were led inside to a corner L-shaped booth. As we were reviewing the menu we were welcomed in by our server Tara who brought us water, offered us drinks and ran down some of the menu items available. For cocktails to start the evening my wife had a manhattan and I had a Woodford old fashioned. Both cocktails were expertly crafted and tasted great. For our appetizer, we had the hamachi crudo which was finely sliced hamachi with a perfect compliment of toppings including pickled pineapple which brought out the flavor of it all. For our main course, we decided to go with "The Associate" board which was recommended by Tara. It is served with three different cuts of steak, bone marrow, and three sauces. All of the cuts were prepared perfectly and the sauces and bone marrow were the perfect compliment. For sides we got broccolini with a creamy lemon sauce, miso glazed carrots and creamed spinach. All the sides we tried were great, but the broccolini and miso glazed carrots were definitely our favorite. To wind down the evening, Tara brought us a dessert menu to look over and although we were very full from dinner we did order two carajillos to sip on. Our dessert drinks were brought out quickly along with a perfect portion of ice cream with which I believe also had some sort of cracker inside of it. I don't recall exactly but it tasted great and was enough for us to split. This being our first experience at a Rare Society location was nothing short of stellar. The service from every employee from the time we approached the front door was exceptional, the food was amazing and was the quality that one would expect at the price point and the cocktails we had were top-tier. This was our first time up to Santa Barbara and I'm not sure when we'll be back, but our experience at Rare Society gives me reason to check out the one down by us as well next time we're looking for a perfect steak dinner. read more

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The food here is amazing This is one of the places that you come once if you're life unless you're rich If you're rich here in SB then come back for food occasions because this is An amazing place The food takes a second but it's overall great and the best sauces you are going to get Come back for sure or to impress someone Parking is a little hard but not too much read more

Rare Society - Lollipop lamb chop - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Great as always. I'm trying to go keto but I slipped up and ordered rolls. Not the best idea for trying to get shredded abs. The best salad I've ever had. Dry aged ribeye top notch. Also, it's walking distance to spearmint rhino if you're looking for dessert. Service is impeccable and restaurant is immaculate. read more

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Overrated and a Big Flop This was our first trip to Santa Barbara, and we wanted to end our weekend with a great steakhouse dinner. Unfortunately, this spot missed the mark. We booked an outdoor table on OpenTable, then called to request indoor seating but never received a call back. When we arrived, the staff brushed off our request even though we later saw plenty of empty indoor booths. Our server was friendly, but the service overall was inattentive--especially disappointing for the prices here. The dry-aged steak was overpriced, dried out, and served with a blackened bone. The asparagus and mac 'n' cheese were tasty but overly salty. We enjoyed the Faust wine, but for the cost, having to pour it ourselves most of the night felt ridiculous. The final straw was the state of the women's restroom: one stall out of order, one without toilet paper or seat covers, and another clogged. It clearly isn't maintained well. Overall, this was a one-and-done experience for us. We won't be returning, and we can't recommend it. A huge letdown. read more

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The storefront caught our eye, so we checked it out online and grabbed a reservation for the evening. On Resy, it looked like earlier slots were only for the patio, so we booked 8 PM to make sure we got indoor seating. The service was excellent and as professional as you'd expect from a classy spot. We ordered the Apprentice Board because we liked the idea of trying different cuts, not many steakhouses offer a sampler like that, so it was a fun choice. The beef was delicious and even came with three of their signature dips. We also added the truffle potatoes and the lamb popcicles. The bone marrow on the apprenticeship board was nice change of pace since I haven't had it in a while. One random tip: sodas have unlimited refills, but they aren't listed under the non-alcoholic section on the menu. My only real complaint was that our plate was pretty cold when it was served. I'm not sure if the plate warmer wasn't working, but it definitely felt off for a steak dish. Other than that, everything was great and we managed to finish it all. read more

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Amazing food, amazing oysters , amazing service. The ambience is awesome. Must try Fried Brusells Sprouts read more

Rare Society - Patio sitting - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I celebrated my birthday at Rare Society in Santa Barbara and let me tell you.... The whole staff made me feel so special! We were greeted by the very polite hostess with a warm smile and a "happy birthday"! Our table also had a greeting card signed by the staff. Our waitress was top class! Our choice of food from the menu was off the Board section. We choose to go with the Associate. Which is selection of the chef determined cuts of the night. (Highly recommend) Along with a side of whipped mashed potatoes. Absolutely delicious! The ambience of the restaurant set the mood! Loved every moment of this dinning experience! Thank you Rare Society Santa Barbara! read more

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Made it to Rare Society in Santa Barbara and it was a great experience. The Caesar salad was hands down one of the best I've had, and the espresso martini was a nice nightcap. Between the food, the atmosphere, and the service, it made for a great date night. read more

This place is super excellent food is amazing and the service is incredible good everyone was very attentive to serve us this place is a ten out of ten thank you Will come back and definitely will recommend the place. read more

Rare Society - Executive plate - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Simply delicious. We were famished after a private event in Montecito. We started with the Parker Rolls drenched in butter so good and the perfect way to begin. Shared the ribeye and broccolini, both cooked perfectly and full of flavor. The vibe was cool and casual. Such a great spot for a quick meal. Reasonably priced, excellent service, and overall just a really solid experience. Definitely recommend checking it out. read more

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Excellent fun bar with great cocktails and top notch service. After my awful meal at Oku we stopped in here for drinks. The music had a great beat, lively crowd and an attentive bar tender. After several experiences in places here in Santa Barbara with poor service, the attentive bar tender was greatly appreciated. I saw folks having some eats and I saw on the menu the lamb pops. Since my food at Oku was not edible I ordered that and omg, amazing lamb!! The relish it was in was delicious and lamb full of flavor and perfectly cooked. Our cocktails were wonderful. This saved my evening for me!! read more

Food was great! The lamb lollipops are amazing. Our server was great- really nice and funny and was very helpful with the wine selection. The restaurant is gorgeous- my boyfriend and I have been to the bar before and the drinks were amazing Great date night spot or GNO dinner spot read more

Appetizers (Tuna & rolls) were great Main course was cooked as ordered Wine was good. Cocktail had too much ice Service was stellar Desserts (banana cheese, chocolate cookie and the butter cake) all were amazing! The decor is classy and elegant read more

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Amazing ambiance and menu at this newish trendy steakhouse in Santa Barbara. The executive meat platter is the way to go. Ribeye New York strip and fillet on one platter. Add a wood fire lobster to indulge in a fantastic meal. read more

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Really happy I was able to finally try Rare Society as I've had them bookmarked for a while. Always love a steakhouse that has a happy hour menu so it seemed safe to venture in for a late afternoon snack and cocktail. Really enjoyed sitting at the bar. Nice views either of the kitchen or the main drag outside the window. The bar was clean and spacious, making it a great spot to converse and watch the cocktail magic. Our bartender and server was Kai who was absolutely lovely. I appreciate a bartender who is willing to chat, make recommendations and be a little silly (in a good professional banter way of course). Service felt very attentive and genuine. Was impressed and would say service and ambiance are easily 5 stars worthy. The team that works here all seemed very friendly and easy to talk to. I love when a steakhouse doesn't give off pretentious vibes and truly the vibes and service are immaculate here. Another bonus is that their cocktails and cold seafood options were stellar. My friend's classic martini and my amaretto sour were spot on! Well crafted drinks, perfectly boozy and balanced. Also I'm a sucker for a cold seafood tower and presentation was A+. We ordered a variety of oysters and their old bay cold shrimp cocktail which was beautifully plated for us. A showstopper for sure. I found the oyster and shrimp to be tasty. Primarily the reason I just can't give this spot a full five stars is the price point. For many they'll dine here and not give it a second thought but as a single income girly, spots like this are more of a treat and can't be on my regular rotation. I own it. While the quality and service was there, I still found it to be a bit pricy given some of the items we ordered were on happy hour menu. Essentially oysters, one shrimp cocktail and a cocktail a piece ran us a bill of $100+. While delicious, not filling or a full meal. I appreciate rare society for what they are. An elevated meal which at least has service and ambiance to back it up. I'm happy I tried them, had a good time, but there are more affordable spots for seafood and cocktails in the area. read more

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The lighting inside was a dim but kind of a bit too dim. The workers were super attentive! And now we go onto the food... we started with the house rolls and wow they were amazing we ended up ordering 2 orders of these! The creamy spinach was delish. And we ended up getting the Executive Board & an extra order of the cedar River prime bullseye ribeye. Each meat was so so good & cooked perfectly! We came with a party of 6 of us (4 adults and 2 kids) and this food amount was perfect enough for us. It was definitely on the pricier side but still worth it in my opinion! We were actually celebrating mine and my gf's engagement and we got a nice complementary cup of champagne! read more

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Our 2nd time here. Levi was our server today. Great at explaining menu options. Handled our questions with grace. Explained menu options well. They knew from a previous visit that I had a shellfish allergy. Our food was excellent. read more

Rare Society definitely lives up to its name. We arrived early for our reservation and were happily greeted by the manager and hostess. They got us seated right away. Service was impeccable and the music was perfect, not too loud but perfect for having a conversation and not be screaming. Our food was beyond amazing. We both had steaks and they were out of this world. I highly recommend the ribeye, it's so full of flavor. We are so glad we got the opportunity to celebrate my husband's Birthday and our Anniversary dinner at Rare Society. They really set the bar high , for a perfect Dining experience. We can't wait to try other locations in the future. read more

Service is great and the restaurant is beautiful, the food is good but not amazing it's overpriced. Glad I tried it but I wouldn't grave the food. I would Come back for drinks and maybe an appetizer because of the sexy bar read more

Rare Society - Bill - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Rare Society isn't just my go-to--it's become my happy place with a menu. Great food? Always. Impeccable service? Every time. And State Street views that come with a side of good people-watching? The cherry on top. But what truly elevates this place above the rest of Santa Barbara's dining scene isn't just the vibe or the view--it's the people. And I'm not talking about the diners (though they do put on a good show). I'm talking about the dream team behind the bar: Derek, Greg, and Kai. These three aren't just bartenders--they're cocktail whisperers, mind readers, and all-around hospitality wizards. Their drinks are crafted with precision, their timing is borderline psychic, and their warmth never crosses into overbearing. They don't just serve you--they curate your evening, turning a simple meal into one of those nights where you're already planning your next visit before you've even paid. And it's not just the bar team--every single staff member I've encountered has been a genuine pleasure to interact with. Shout out to Trevor, Liz, Drew, JC, Adrien and Julio for their exceptional service. And the food? Do yourself a favor and order the Parker House rolls, the grilled artichokes, the Wagyu Denver, lobster, oysters, swordfish and - non-negotiable - dessert. You can't go wrong here, but my personal favorites are the Butter Cake and Bananas Foster's Cheesecake. read more

Please be careful because they tend to add an additional tip without your consent. Although I had a great experience at this place, the aftermath of the pending charges on the card weren't so great. Our bill was over $200 so we paid $100 in cash and paid the rest on the card. We left a cash tip and made sure to mark the receipt that we left a cash tip. We noticed a few days later that the charges were $35 more than what was spent. Turns out they added a $35 tip on their own. It's very disappointing to know that this establishment does these things to their own customers. read more

Everyone in the group enjoyed a nice night out with a meat board, swordfish, and tons of appetizers and starters. We all loved the broccolini and wedge salad. Plus, we even agreed that we could just come for various vegetables and the onion rings without the meat. The service was great, and helped recommend options for each person. The s'mores birthday ice cream at the end was a winner along with sitting outside under the heater and people watching on a Saturday night. If there is one dish to try that you can't find in SB regularly, go for the lamb lollipops with chimichurri sauce. read more

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Honestly wasn't expecting much, lots of great places to eat in SB but my husband is a picky eater so steak is always a safe bet. It was one of the best steak meals we've had. The shrimp cocktail was flavorful and tender, not chewy at all as it can be at some places. We got the Parker rolls, so soft and buttery. The associate was enough food for 3 people probably, great idea to get a variety of cuts - we liked the filet the best. The shell mac and whipped potatoes were the perfect sides to complement the meal. read more

This place is top notch!! Since we walked in everyone was really nice and welcoming Our server was super helpful and she answered all of our questions. We ended up ordering the Meat board enough for 4 people and some side which were incredibly tasty and well prepared. The bread rolls are soft and delicious. This place is elegant, classy and modern all in one. Perfect for a special occasion or just for a nice dinner with the family. Definitely worth it! read more

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Had a lovely experience here! My boyfriend and I had a reservation for about an hour before they close on a Monday. We were a little worried about coming in close to closing but the service was great. We were seated immediately and there were only a few other tables in there. Our server was very attentive, but we didn't feel rushed. He helped us make good decisions regarding what to order. Drinks were really good. I had the Wild Card which has red bell pepper, interesting concept but I was pleasantly surprised. Most of their drink options seem less sweet and more on the refreshing side. My favorite part were the appetizers. The Ahi Tuna Tartare was so fresh with great proportions. We also loved the Wood Grilled Lamb Lollipop. We ordered two, and they came together with the best Chimichurri sauce and a good amount of meat on the bone. My boyfriend had the 20oz NY Strip, and added the black truffle. So good and cooked to perfection. I had the Pacific Swordfish which came with a really nice sauce. Celebrating our anniversary, they brought us a complimentary drink. Was a really nice finishing touch. Overall pleasant experience! Definitely on the pricier side, but it was a great way to celebrate. read more

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A big thank you to everyone at Rare Society for such a warm welcome and exceptional service. From the moment we arrived, the team made our evening feel truly special. The ambiance inside was classy and set the tone for a wonderful meal. Everyone was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and helped guide us to the perfect selections. The executive platter of dry-aged meats was outstanding--and even better knowing we had delicious leftovers the next day. The pickled fried onion rings were a surprising standout (wouldn't have expected that combo, but it worked beautifully!), and the potatoes au gratin were absolutely spot on. We're already looking forward to returning on our next trip to Santa Barbara. See you again soon! read more

Rare Society - The Executive Board with dry aged meats, bone marrow and sauces to compliment. - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Stopped in for Happy Hour because the menu was intriguing. Can't say enough good about our appetizers, grilled artichoke and Brussel sprouts, plus drinks. The seasonings were beyond expectations. Our waiter, Levi, was attentive and helpful. Highly recommend this place. The entire staff was interested in our experience and the food was exceptional. Hope to return sooner than later. read more

Unfortunately we only sat at the bar for drinks since we couldn't get reservations but just seeing the interior it is very modern, hip, dark and romantic. Being a steakhouse it is a on the pricier side just like drinks but the bartenders were talkative and creative. Great decor and drink selections with pairing offerings for your meal. read more

Rare Society - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We were looking for a pitstop, and we came here for Monday happy hour. Great spot for anyone looking to enjoy an upscale feeling experience. The place looks modern and gold-accented sleek, with a touch of dark, wooden charm that makes it a little sophisticated. The menu focuses on premium cuts of steak, but we're here for the oysters with cocktails to spice up the night. We ordered the signature burger to make sure we got full, and it definitely rounded up the meal. The service was great with friendly staff, and the location is convenient to walk from wine tasting at the Funk Zone! read more

Rare Society - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Steak was sad, salad was smothered in cheese, sides were okay. Service was excellent Main issue with this place is the price. Almost $300 for 2 people, one drink per person. If you're going to charge top dollar, food better be excellent. Sadly this type of low quality, high cost dining is becoming the norm. Will not be coming back read more

Took my wife here for her birthday. Had the filet mignon , broccolini, wedge salad, petit lobster and potatoes au gratin. Loved every bite. For sure you must get the potatoes au gratin. Great job Rare Society! read more

Rare Society - Wedge Salad . - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California