The second location of the Trust Restaurant Group’s Rare Society steakhouse, their homage to the infamous Las Vegas steakhouse, is now open (and we’re thrilled!) in the heart of Cedros in Solana Beach – the restaurant group’s first foray into North County.
Rare Society wants to be your ‘neighborhood steakhouse’ that you’ll return to regularly – for their premium proteins, grilled on an open flame using red oak by acclaimed Chef Brad Wise, and complemented by iconic sides, elevated cocktails and wines, and classic seafood dishes – and for service and atmosphere that is refined, but approachable.
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The Space
The first thing that will stand out to anyone familiar with Cedros is that Rare Society’s design is unlike anything else in the neighborhood – it’s definitely bringing an elevated style to the area. We’re thrilled! While Cedros is an amazing district to grab coffee or a beer and a casual bite while doing some shopping, it’s never been an area to go out for a nicer dinner. That’s obviously changing.
Envisioned by frequent collaborator GTC Design, the 2,800 square foot dining room accommodates 72 and is designed to evoke the lore of Rat Pack gatherings and raucous Sinatra dinner parties. Polished walnut tabletops feature a gold inlay around the edge with infamous Vegas newspaper headlines carved along the side. An oversized wooden high-top near the front of the restaurant acts as a communal table when it’s bustling. Lucky Table 99, covered in gold coins and reserved for high-rollers and groups, offers guests unparalleled views of the action in the exhibition kitchen.
To take advantage of our year-round, near-perfect weather, a roll-up door connects the dining room and the 600 square foot, fully covered patio with seats for 20 ensures a comfortable experience from warmer days to chillier nights near the sea.
The fully stocked, 18-seat bar, which is half inside-half out, connects the spaces, offering two distinct dining experiences. For a more casual meal, the bar’s grey leather chairs are comfortable, meant for one to sink into, enjoy a cocktail, a steak, and stay awhile.
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The Culinary Program
The culinary program builds upon the original in University Heights while still holding true to the ethos of an iconic steakhouse. Premium proteins, such as dry-aged ribeyes, Australian wagyu, and filet mignon, are grilled on an open flame inside the exhibition kitchen. Burning American Red Oak harvested nearby ties the menu back to California, the central coast, and Chef Brad’s passion for Santa Maria-style grilling.
Building upon the shared style of dining that has come to define Trust Restaurant Group, Chef’s meat boards, dubbed The Associate and The Executive, offer guests the opportunity to sample multiple cuts of beef alongside a variety of house-made sauces and accoutrements.
Starters and sides are everything you’d expect from a classic steakhouse, reimagined by the kitchen to showcase bolder flavors, finer ingredients, and modern techniques. Raw offerings, including oysters, whole Maine lobster, and an ahi tuna tartare, are served alongside a Caesar salad that features, “a lot of pecorino,” and parker house rolls served drenched in truffle butter and a smattering of fresh herbs. Indulgent touches include luxurious caviar service, a seafood tower, and a decadent dessert selection.
You’ll get a selection of dishes unique to the coastal location such as dry-aged meatballs with gochujang glaze, pickled onions, frisée, and herbs; roasted bone marrow with chimichurri, beet & currant preserve, charred lemon and grilled baguette; and a coconut shrimp with honey Aleppo pepper and charred pineapple chutney.
The expanded protein offerings include swordfish, ahi bluefin tuna au poivre, rack of lamb, and fried chicken.
And, of course, a meal at Rare Society wouldn’t be complete without Executive Pastry Chef Jeremy Harville’s legendary desserts! New additions include a banana fosters cheesecake and a German chocolate cake.
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The Cocktail Program
The cocktail program, helmed by Beverage Manager Colin Berger, seeks to pay homage to the traditional steakhouse concept while adding his own signature twist. With experience helming Michelin-starred programs from New York to California, Rare Society Solana Beach is Colin’s first collaboration with Trust Restaurant Group.
While the core cocktails adhere to the model of throwback libations, Colin has elevated the offerings. Nowhere is this on display better than the signature old fashioned. It’s thoughtfully crafted with a dry-aged, fat-washed bourbon, rosemary citrus oleo saccharum, gentian bitters, and garnished with charred rosemary, crispy bacon, lardo, and a wagyu bourboned cherry.
The fat washing process takes over 24 hours, leading to a drink that mirrors those same flavors so prevalent in the culinary program. The sipping experience is meant to layer steak on top of steak, a rich, indulgent experience that defines this space.
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The Wine Program
Wine Director Ben Zuba built a wine program that highlights “Great American Reds” – small producers and recognizable names found throughout California, with an emphasis on the central coast, considered the birthplace of Rare Society’s style of cooking.
An unpretentious, approachable list of nearly 100 bottles profiles not only the Old-World wines from Italy and France but feature bottles all the way up the coast to the Pacific Northwest. Each was picked to complement Chef Brad’s menu of timeless chophouse fare.
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See you there!
Founded by Chef Brad Wise in 2016, Trust Restaurant Group currently operates four neighborhood eateries, a butcher shop, and a storefront ice cream shop across San Diego.
Rare Society Solana Beach is open for dinner Wednesday – Sunday starting at 5PM. Distinct from the original, the Solana Beach location will also serve lunch to feed the mid-day cravings of area locals, with lunch and daily happy hour offerings in the works to be unveiled in early 2022.
For reservations, visit here. Get social with Rare Society on Facebook and Instagram.
See you there (a lot), San Diego!
