Rare By Drai's Opens On The Sunset Strip
Once the home of the famous Le Dome and more recently BLT Steak, the new Rare by Drai's reinvents the classic steakhouse. Created by acclaimed restaurateur and nightlife impresario Victor Drai, the Sunset Strip restaurant imparts a Vegas vibe to the traditional genre.
The ambiance is masculine with a dark red color scheme, dim lighting, art deco paintings, large round chandeliers and lots of candles. Chef Patrick Florendo's menu is French inspired, serving up steakhouse classics with a twist. Standouts include a whole roasted loup de mer, scented with lemon and thyme and roasted on a bed of fresh aromatic fennel, pan roasted Wagyu hanger steak, New Zealand rack of lamb, steam bouchet mussels and a roasted whole range free chicken. In addition to Drai's signature dishes, the menu features all prime-grade aged steaks, (butchered in house and ranging from 7 oz. to 36 oz.), fresh seafood options, as well as appetizers and salads which pay homage to the classics. "We have the most delicious traditional steaks for the true meat aficionados, but we also have a selection of amazing signature items such as the that will be deconstructed and then re-constructed for a shared table experience," explains Victor Drai.
In addition to the entrees, the menu at Rare delivers appetizer options such as the Spicy Tuna Tartare with chili, crispy shallot, crunchy taro, and avocado, a grilled Skuna Bay salmon, a selection of farm-to-table salads, seasonal soups and more than a dozen hand-crafted side dishes. Desserts include house made ice creams and sorbets and the Godiva candy bar, featuring three layers consisting of a chewy caramel, a Godiva mousse and crunchy peanut butter.
The bar and lounge is led by acclaimed spirit manufacturer Chris Hewes, and features a selection of classics, as well as Hewe's own creative drinks and cocktails. The bar and lounge at Rare houses 33 seats, a DJ and access to the patio.
The expansive restaurant features 220 seats split between the main dining room, private dining room, bar and lounge and patio over-looking Sunset Blvd. Rare by Drai's is a partnership with ESquared Hospitality, an international restaurant and hospitality group owned by Jimmy Haber and Keith Treyball.