Rare Steakhouse

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  8     

I visited rare for a friends birthday on Saturday night. After having trouble finding it (it's tucked away down a little laneway) I hoped it was going to be worth it. We all agreed it was! The steaks were amazing, all perfectly cooked, juicy and tender. The place was very busy, but the service was still fantastic, friendly and efficient. Chocolate cake to finish was delicious, served with a mars bar sauce, will be trying to make that at home! We will all definitely be back!

Dec 04, 2011 

2.8 Not Recommended

Food  5      Ambience  3      Service  2      Value  1     

Eating at Rare on Saturday night was a complete debacle. Every dish placed before my lady friend and I was completely wrong.

We placed an order for:

Stuffed mushrooms with herb butter
a 200 gram eye fillet cooked medium with mushroom sauce (the ladies order)
a 300 gram eye fillet cooked blue with green pepper sauce (my order)

Delivered to our table we got:
Stuffed mushrooms with garlic butter
a 200 gram Eye fillet cooked rare with garlic sauce (for the lady)
a '200' gram Eye fillet cooked blue with mushroom sauce.

Every dish placed before us was wrong and the sauces were gluey and rather unpalatable. Needless to say we will not be going back.

Avoid this one like leprosy unless you're in the mood for disappointment and an overwhelming sense that people don't really listen.

Thanks,
Ben

Sep 12, 2011 

6.3 Average

Food  5      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  5     

The steak was below the standard you would expect from a restaurant specialising in steak. The porterhouse wasn't bad, though it wasn't a particularly good cut - a bit gristly and not of uniform thickness. If I'd received that steak from a regular restaurant, for $25 I'd be quite happy. But from a steakhouse, I think one can expect better. Overall, not great value but nor is it terrible. Non-steak main dishes are limited, and the menu lists only one unimpressive-sounding vegetarian meal.

The wine and salads unfortunately weren't very satisfying either. The wine list lacks detail, and is dominated by Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, with only a handful of other choices. The Woodcutters Shiraz that we tried was not good value for $38, although one of the cheapest on the menu. The greek salad is a disappointing garden salad with fetta added, and not the authentic thing.

Aug 07, 2011 

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  8     

Business dinner for 4 on a Tue night was the scene. Funnily enough each of us had a minor heart attack when we arrived to see the front in Little Collins St closed before each of us realised the entrance was in the lane. It was not that busy as it was Tuesday but the staff also light. This in fact led to my only complaint which turned out to be a misunderstanding as I shall explain.

We took a while to get the attention of the staff to order drinks and also when we wanted to order our meal. The look on the face of the waitress when she realised we had been kept waiting was encouraging as we found out she thought we were expecting another 2 people, the table was set for 6. Turns out the host thought 6 of us were coming not 4. So easily explained that they were waiting for the others.

Food was delicious. Steaks were very tender and marbled. Salad and sides also good. We only had mains and no coffee so didn't have a full experience. We ordered a good Coonawarra wine that was on special and it was great value. All up a good experience and recommended.

Dec 11, 2010 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  7     

This is my favourite Melbourne restaurant, every trip I visit Rare for a meal and so far have not been disappointed. From a pre dinner cocktail to the great dessert menu I have always enjoyed the food and the experience. The space has been thoughtfully decorated with a low key elegant feel. The steaks have always lived up to the expectations of my memory and the blue cheese sauce is heaven!

Mar 02, 2010 

2.5 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  5      Service  2      Value  1     

The only good thing about this restaurant is the decor. We visited saturday night sat down at 6.30 pm. It took along time to get a drink and we were constantly asking for water and water that we were charged for but never ordered. The food was ordinary, any steakhouse that has to season the steak do they know what they are doing, I do not think so.

Feb 17, 2010 

5 Average

Food  3      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  4     

Ok I read the reviews of this place and came here. I'm writing this review while eating my dinner. First the good. Cool spot. Staff awesome. Now the bad but I will make a disclaimer. I'm from the states (funny comment here) and I've ate at every steakhouse you can imagine. I've only written 2 reviews. One for the best and now one for the worst.

First. Guys you put a $48 dollar steak on a Teflon plate that makes the worst noise when you cut through? It's like fingernails on a chalkboard. The steak is at best something you can get from a chain which I never go to. But I understand you don't have the population ie demand for super quality meats so I will stop there along with stop eating my steak.

Nov 17, 2009 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

Steaks were good. Ambience great. Little pricey but overall a good meal. Ribs are also good. Bought some steakmate for $15 and used on my BBQ was a good outcome. Onion rings and sauces excellent.

Nov 11, 2009 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  8     

Excellent steak and very good service at this hip inner city steakhouse. Nothing was too much trouble and while the service was a bit frazzled, the staff were keen and friendly. As a beef producer, I am not really keen on Cryvac meat or as they call it "wet aged' but the chef knows how to treat the meat before cooking it so you do not get that nasty cryvac after taste. The decor is fresh and interesting and the wine list is great. Loved it.

Sep 28, 2009 

7.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  6     

For a steakhouse, they don't seem to do great steak (which they need to at their prices). Three of us were dining and all had medium rare steaks, which did not turn out the same, one of my companion's steak turned out to pretty close to rare. Add to that the fact they seem to need to add a mysterious "steakmate" baste to enhance the flavour, at the price they are charging, I expect the meat to be good enough to hold its own. The fries were mediocre. A side of grilled vegetables were good.

Otherwise, nice atmosphere and decor, helpful and friendly staff, decent wine. But basically not good enough for the price.

Jul 12, 2009