Rare Treats
The Rare Society brand weaves inspiration from vintage Las Vegas steakhouses for a modern dining experience in The Funk Zone.
Written by CW | Photography by Sara Prince
Yes, RARE SOCIETY is a neighborhood steakhouse, but first and foremost it’s a place of comfort. The dining room is warm and usually packed, with rows of booths decorated in marble, gold, and playing-card motifs, an homage to the restaurant’s ritzy, old-school Vegas inspiration. But there’s no spot more lively than the horseshoe bar in the front room, a haven for habitués of the nearby Funk Zone. The decadent starters—ahi tuna tartare with black sesame and jalapeño ponzu; a thick-cut slab of bacon with gochujang glaze; or lobster prepared in the shell with garlic and parsley butter—are almost a distraction from the dry-aged steaks that Chef Brad Wise grills using Santa Maria-style live-fire techniques. Almost. The fire-roasted cuts pair best with more extravagance, like potato rosti covered in fondue and black truffles, or one of many strong cocktails that go above and beyond even the most discerning palate’s taste test. 214 State St., Santa Barbara, 805-335-2088, raresociety.com.
