San Diego's rapidly growing Trust Restaurant Group finished converting its former Hundred Proof concept into Rare Society, a modern take on the classic American steakhouse opening this week in University Heights.
The team made up of Chef/Co-Owner Brad Wise, GM/Co-Owner Steve Schwob, and Pastry Chef Jeremy Harville are all Eat.Drink.Sleep (JRDN, Decoy Dockside) alums that branched off in early 2016 for the opening of Trust Restaurant within design guru Jonathan Segal's neighborhood-redefining "Mr. Robinson" building on the corner of Park and Robinson in Hillcrest. Trust immediately received rave reviews and became one of San Diego's most popular dining destinations, resulting in the team expanding in 2017 with the opening of Hundred Proof - a more casual bar & restaurant located four blocks north of Trust. In January 2019, the team now dubbed Trust Restaurant Group unveiled the 3,400+ square foot Fort Oak within developer Jonathan Segal's The Fort mixed-use building in Mission Hills. Earlier this year, the hospitality company also partnered with Small Bar in San Diego's University Heights in an attempt to revive the flailing neighborhood gastropub, but that relationship ended last month. The company also took over the Mission Hills space that last housed Brooklyn Girl Eatery and will open Cardellino, an all-day restaurant, bakery, marketplace, and ice creamery set to open in early 2020.
After shuttering Hundred Proof this past summer, the Trust Group tasked GTC Design to redesign the space to become Rare Society, which opens this Wednesday, November 6 at 5pm. Offering a Mad Men-style vibe, Rare Society has a lengthy wood-fired steakhouse menu with items ranging from appetizers to pastas to seafood and steak. Highlights include filet mignon carpaccio with arugula, pickled onions, parmesan, horseradish, fried capers and toast; steamed clams with garlic white wine butter sauce, parsley and garlic bread; oyster Rockefeller with béchamel, spinach, arugula, fennel and breadcrumbs; a 14 ounce 40 day dry-aged New York strip steak; and of course, plenty of sides and dessert options. There is also a shareable platter perfect for sharing and sampling an array of the menu. The restaurant also offers a full bar with classic cocktails, nightcaps, draft beer and a lengthy wine list.
Rare Society is located at 4130 Park Boulevard on the border of University Heights and Hillcrest. For more information, including the full menu, visit raresocietysd.com.
