Rare Steakhouse - Milwaukee

Review summary

1. J

   James

   San Francisco

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   Horrible service; half our meal was not placed by the server resulting in mains that arrived a full 20 minutes before the sides. We were then left with the choice to either eat our main without sides, or allow the main to go cold and wait for the sides to arrive. A truly unacceptable experience for a restaurant that structures itself like a luxury destination. While the sides were eventually comp’ed it took an escalation to the manager for any action to be taken; and the mistake by the server was never acknowledged by him. We will not return to Rare, and will happily choose any of the other steakhouse restaurants in Milwaukee over it in the future.
   

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2. A

   Anna

   Milwaukee

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on December 21, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We had been looking for the perfect opportunity to try this restaurant for years. When we planned to attend a show downtown, we decided it was finally time. We made a reservation and were promptly seated upon arrival. Our reservation was a bit early to accommodate the timing of the show, but it worked out perfectly. Although the restaurant is relatively new, it exudes the timeless charm of a classic steakhouse, complete with elegant dining booths and low lighting that creates a cozy and sophisticated atmosphere. The menu is well-curated--not overwhelmingly extensive but offering a variety of options. While we didn't receive a separate wine or cocktail menu, there were several appealing choices integrated into the main menu. Given the impressive wine cellar visible near our table, we assume a dedicated wine list might typically be available. For those not in the mood for steak, there's a decent selection of alternative entrees, though we opted for the steakhouse staples. We began our meal with soup--lobster bisque for me and French onion soup for my husband--both of which were excellent. For our main course, we chose steaks accompanied by sautéed mushrooms and truffle butter. Before our meal arrived, we were served warm, flaky popovers with maple butter, which were absolutely delicious. The lobster bisque was rich and flavorful, and the steaks were perfectly cooked and juicy. Every bite was a delight. The staff was attentive and thoughtful, ensuring we stayed on schedule for our show without feeling rushed. Though we briefly considered dessert, we decided against it since we didn't think we'd be able to finish. Still, the options sounded tempting. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our experience--the ambiance, service, and food exceeded our expectations. We'll definitely return!
   

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3. J

   Jodie

   Milwaukee

   7 reviews

   5.0

   7 reviews

   Dined on December 21, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The food was absolutely outstanding! Everything we had was just as great as the next. The steaks were seasoned and cooked perfectly! But beyond the food, the service was top notch. Thank you, Davonte, for all of your help. We had the most amazing night! And Jake was fabulous at the bar! I can’t say enough great things!
   

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4. M

   Michele

   Milwaukee

   15 reviews

   5.0

   15 reviews

   Dined on December 20, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Have dined at Rare several times over the years. The food and service is consistently good. Especially love the popovers!
   

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5. M

   Michelle

   VIP

   Milwaukee

   6 reviews

   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined on December 12, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Mia was amazing at the bar, she is so sweet and one of the friendliest bartenders in the city. Raj was our server and totally made our night fun! The general manager saved our night and was so helpful! Thank you for a wonderful evening! We will be back!
   

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6. n

   nick

   Milwaukee

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on December 1, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   I love the bottleneck steak and the lobster bisque and the east coast oysters it was very good
   

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7. E

   Edward

   VIP

   San Francisco

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on November 22, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 4

   Overall the food was very good but the service was unsatisfactory. The Oysters Rockefeller and Gem Wedge salad were delicious starters, accompanied by flavorful bread. For entrees we both had Fillet Mignon, which was perfectly cooked and tasty, followed by the chocolate cake for dessert. We also had a nice bottle of Bordeaux that paired perfectly with the beef. Despite the great food, the service was unsatisfactory. After our entrees arrived at our table our server did not check on us and we did not have either of the two sauces (au poivre, horse radish) that we ordered for our beef. I had to ask another staff member for assistance and they left to check on our sauces, returning with the horse radish sauce but informing us that the kitchen was out of au poivre sauce and making more. I've never been to a steak restaurant that ran out of au poivre sauce, especially on a slow weekday evening, but it eventually arrived. Our server did not refill our water and there were no other staff nearby, so I eventually had to leave our booth to ask the hostess for assistance, which she did provide. Also, our wine glasses were only refilled once and I had to do it myself the other times. Not a huge complaint, but it's a nice touch when a server refills wine glasses. So, the staff needs training, particularly for servers to check on their tables after the food arrives to ensure the patrons have everything they need. This is a critical time of the meal and should be emphasized. Also, not refilling water glasses needs to be addressed. I hope that our experience with service at Rare Steakhouse was unusual.
   

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8. T

   Tracy

   Milwaukee

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on November 13, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   We had a lovely experience and a delicious dinner.
   

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9. K

   Kevin

   Milwaukee

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on November 1, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The staff and food are amazing. Highly recommend going for date night.
   

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10. D

    Donald

    Milwaukee

    26 reviews

    5.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on October 31, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Rare is a unique, upscale steakhouse in the heart of downtown Milwaukee. We would dine there again for a special occasion.
    

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