Restaurateur and nightlife impresario Victor Drai took the classic staple of the steakhouse, but made it sophisticated and sexy with Rare by Drai’s (8720 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069). It’s a modern, stylish steakhouse in Sunset Plaza with a DJ spinning as soon as you walk through the door. The restaurant is set to open in early December, 2013.
For the past two decades, Victor Drai has been known for setting trends; from his iconic La Cienega restaurant which opened nearly 20 years ago to his latest nightclub creations in Las Vegas, Drai has always raised the bar with his unique experiences. At Rare by Drai’s, expect a French-inspired menu serving the classics with a fresh, modern twist. Meats and seafood will, of course, take center stage, but Executive Chef Patrick Florendo and Drai have designed a menu that goes beyond the ordinary and features his personal favorite: a Whole Roasted Loup de Mer, with lemon and thyme and roasted on a bed of fresh fennel. In addition to Drai’s signature dish, 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.
Appetizer options include 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 will be made in-house along with ice creams and sorbets. Try the “The Godiva Candy Bar,” featuring three layers consisting of a chewy caramel, a Godiva mousse and crunchy peanut butter.
The bar and lounge at Rare, led by Chris Hewes, will feature a selection of classics, as well as Hewe’s own creative drinks and cocktails. The bar and lounge at Rare will seat 33 and have a DJ and access to the patio.
Open Sunday – Thursday, 6:30-11 pm; Friday & Saturday, 6:30 pm-1 am.
