Insider Pages Reviews for Rare

5 Stars: Rare is unbelieveably good (by audra p.)

audra p. — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:06:00 GMT

BEST BURGERS EVER!!!!! I have had several and believe it or not my favorite is the Chicken Burger withthe sun dried tomato spead.- NO bun needed!

5 Stars: Best burger ever!!! (by CSMobileUser)

CSMobileUser — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:00:00 GMT

I'm a burger man, and thought I new a good burger, then I had one here. That was the 9 dollar buger....

4 Stars: Damn Good Dirty Brunch (by ZacharyBinx)

ZacharyBinx — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I had been perusing CitySearch for a good brunch place around Grand Central...I came across Rare, which I thought was just a burger joint, and curiously checked out their menu. They had the most unhealthy, greasy, dirty, and DELICIOUS menu...So I had to check it out...
The following meals were what we ordered (along with descriptions):
-Kobe Beef Omelet: Did I say Dirty and DELICIOUS?! This thing was huge, greasy and scrumptious. It came with a well dressed salad AND a big bowl of fruit (which we dipped in the Honey Maple sauce- I'll explain later)
-Texas Omelet: Sloppy and SCRUMPTIOUS! Not as good as the Kobe omelet, but different and very tasty! Also came with a salad.
-Brunch Banana Waffles: Oh My God... While I WILL say, the waffle itself was a bit dry (next time, I'd totally get the french toast, also served with the bananas), the bananas on this thing were INCREDIBLE!!! They were made "Banana's Foster" style and were simply outstanding!
-As a side to share with the whole table (though it wasn't needed...HUGE portions), we ordered the sweet potato fries which were really good and came with this Honey Maple sauce that honestly could induce an org@sm (we even dipped the fruit in it and my friend put some on her waffles)

Overall, we had a great experience. And I didn't even mention the FREE cocktails! Great (and strong) Bloody Mary's, and a good Mimosa too...All included with our meals, and just one gave us a good buzz.
All this food & drink cost us only $50. DEFINITELY coming back soon!

The only reason I'm not giving this place 5 stars, is simply because we had to wait a long time to get our food...we were starving and it was SO hard to watch and smell everyone around us eating this amazing food.

BTW- For all you late risers, their brunch lasts til 4PM!!!

4 Stars: Great Rooftop Bar (by Sharyn G.)

Sharyn G. — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 07:19:00 GMT

I haven't sat down to eat here but I have experienced the rooftop desk for drinks. Great city views from here. Definitely a busy bar scene with a good balance of men and women. Lot's of seating and places to put your drink down. Very $$ but isn't everything in Manhattan?

4 Stars: great spot (by Bonnie A.)

Bonnie A. — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 07:17:00 GMT

fun, relaxed bar area and restaurant next to it - good, small burgers and calamari is great too. Upstairs outdoor bar area a real treat to find in this city.

4 Stars: Great roof deck bar, overpriced bar food (by Adena E.)

Adena E. — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:18:00 GMT

The upstairs roof deck bar is great when the weather is nice but during prime times (Thursday night happy hours) be prepared to wait. Great atmosphere and great views of midtown. The downstairs restaurant has an excellent burger but it's just an overpriced regular bar with regular bar food.

4 Stars: Great after work place! (by Destiny T.)

Destiny T. — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:55:00 GMT

I go to Rare at least once a week with a co-worker and I love it here. The staff is very friendly, atmosphere is relaxing (but fun!), and the food is excellent. I have had the Mexican Burger, as well as the fries sampler more then once and I have never been disappointed. The drinks are good (especially the mojitos), but they are on the pricy side. This place gets pretty crowded, especially on Thursday nights. If you visit during the summer, you can go upstairs to Rare View and have a drink while looking at the NYC skyline.

4 Stars: breathtaking views (by Iris W.)

Iris W. — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:31:00 GMT

This was the perfect way to relax after a long couple of days at the office. The view from this rooftop bar is gorgeous - it does get crowded, but so does every other good bar in Manhattan. It's worth checking out.

4 Stars: Good burgers but kinda expensive (by kitdluca)

kitdluca — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I went there with my parents and they had an awful good time at the bar before I got there chatting it up with the bartender and another patron. Once we were ready to eat we were seated promptly and this was at 6:30 on a wednesday. We ordered an appitizer and burgers and sweet potato fries. I loved my burger. My dad got the sloppy joe or something like that and didnt find it good. The waiter brought the wrong fries to the table and smelled a little bit. Overall a good experience.

3 Stars: just the patty (by clmuratore)

clmuratore — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 09:00:00 GMT

i had been looking forward to going to Rare to enjoy the fried pickles and burgers. Unfortunately, the fried pickles were non-existent and the burger was sub par. The actual patty was, well, Rare. What was more disappointing was the bun that it was served on. It was too small for the burger and almost hard in a stale sense. Not sure what type of rolls they are using, but i would recommend they try another type. Also the drinks are ridiculously expensive. ($15 mojhito?). It was also cramped and the service was a bit slow.
Overall-- i may recommend that if you are craving a burger to order in.

4 Stars: Pretty good...but no fried pickles (by nycgal86)

nycgal86 — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Had a nice lunch here. Great, cozy atmosphere on a chilly day. The burger was okay but came out too rare (guess I should have paid more attention to the name of the restaurant). Love the cheese - a weekly special from Murray's (this week is Irish cheddar). Note they no longer have fried pickles - something I was excited to try after reading the review. Service was a little slow but overall a not-too-crowded, relaxing place to meet a friend for lunch to catch up.

5 Stars: Great food .... Great atmosphere.....And now a Jazz Club (by berlew)

berlew — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I love Rare. The food is great and the service is excellent. Great place to hang out after work. Now they.ve added a jazz club . It's called the Lexington Lounge, Had a great dinner last week with my girlfriend, and after dinner we went next door to the Jazz Club. They had this real cool Jazz quartette with a real hip female vocalist.. She was great singing all Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Holiday favorites etc, among others. I understand they change the groups every night. A couple sitting next to us who live in the neighborhood said they enjoy the club and it's the best addition to the neighborhood in a long time. They come twice a week.. Couldn't agree with them more. By the way.... No Cover Charge or Music Charge. We're going back next week ...Jazz every Thurs, Fri and Sat.

5 Stars: great sweet potato fries, good burgers and they serve hoegarden (by chcor70)

chcor70 — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 09:00:00 GMT

got to get the sweet potato fries my gf eats almost all of them and me the pickles. The pickles are a little salty for my taste but i still like them a lot. The M&M burger is delicious only there are no M&M's anywhere near the thing which is bad because i like chocolate. jk. Get a basket of fries, m&m burger and wash it down with a hoegarden and lemon you'll think your in heaven. Oh yeah the service here is incredible always always always on point. Dont miss

4 Stars: great twists on the classics (by veggie2001)

veggie2001 — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 09:00:00 GMT

we sat at a bar table and had burgers and fries with awesome toppings and dips for the fries. yummy.

4 Stars: Great Service, Good Food, but Overpriced for Burgers (by ilovefood30)

ilovefood30 — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Went for dinner last night with my boyfriend and was in a bit of a rush (heading to watch Agassi in the Open). The service was fabulous. Our waitress was very attentive and the busboys noticed anything and everything they could pick up off the table (the paper holding the rolled up napkins, the paper from the straws, a used, dirty napkin, etc.). The Trio of Fries Basket was good, though we would have preferred some seasoning on the Cottage Fries. The dipping sauces were tasty and quite different from one another, allowing for a variety of tastings. I had the Portobella burger (stuffed w/ spinach, goat cheese and peppers, I believe) which was very good and served with a side salad with a light dressing. My boyfriend had the Mexican Burger which he enjoyed, but while eating it told me that on our next visit, he'll try the M&M Burger.

We will definitely be back to try other "burger" offerings but will probably not go crazy with the French Fry Basket as it was big enough for 4 or more people. A side of fries will do the trick.

While we enjoyed our experience, we did have one complaint....2 burger/sandwiches, a french fry appetizer and 3 beers and we left with an $80 tab. The food isn't THAT good to charge such crazy prices for burgers.

2 Stars: 9.2 out of 100 (by rwl)

rwl — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Bottom line:

1) Burgers are mediocre at best.

2) Drinks are overpriced.

3) Service is slow.

4) Everything is overpriced.

5 Stars: Great Service & Great Burgers! (by geecie)

geecie — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I have been eating at Rare for a while, and I can't believe that people are writing negative things about the service and the management. I guess people need something to complain about! EVERY time I am there we are treated very well and the food is consistently great! If you're in the mood for a turket burger or a chicken burger, the ones at RARE are the tastiest and most moist I have eaten!

5 Stars: Great burgers, amazing roof top bar (by lauranallove)

lauranallove — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 09:00:00 GMT

wow....a great rooftop for cocktails with views of the city and then a fabulous burger joint down below. The veggie burger is great as well as the Kobe beach. The sampler of french fries should not be missed either!

1 Stars: Horrible Food, Appalling Service (by pinklady_amy)

pinklady_amy — Mon, 01 May 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Came here for lunch, ordered the Kobe Wellington, medium. When I cut it open, it was blood red, stringy, and basically rare. Asked for it to be cooked a little more so I wasn't eating raw meat. After 10 minutes, a new patty came out, and alas, it was EVEN BLOODIER THAN THE FIRST TIME. The manager comes over and tells me, "It's the lighting. You're sitting under an orange light." I was in disbelief. He was patronizing and unapologetic. I didn't want to ruin my lunch break, so I simply asked if they could cook it once more. By the time my burger came out for the 3rd time (everyone was done eating), it was hard, dry and past well-done. Apparently at RARE, they don't know how to cook burgers "medium."

1 Stars: The service ruined my night (by illyjack)

illyjack — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I have been to this restaurant many times - was excited to have dinner there w/a pal of mine who I hadn't seen for a while. Sat at 6:30pm - ordered a full dinner - drinks, appetizers, entree, dessert & coffee (over $100+). We were rudely pushed out once the clock passed 8pm. Was shocked as I have dined in 100's of NY restaurants/have never been treated so poorly. I complained twice. Their response "it's a busy night - you can sit at the bar". None of the people seated near us could believe it either. It's not as though we were lingering -we had just finished coffee and I was polishing off a glass of wine. The night was ruined. The owner is a complete moron. I will never go there again. I am still in disbelief. It's a real shame.

2 Stars: mediocre at best (by jedd101)

jedd101 — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 09:00:00 GMT

i cannot comprehend why some believe this establishment should be considered in the upper-echelon of NYC burger joints. the french fries were good, but the burger was marginal, thus the title of my review....

1 Stars: Pricey (by jbarlowe)

jbarlowe — Wed, 15 Mar 2006 09:00:00 GMT

made the mistake of passing by this place and actually stopping in for food. The people were nice but the place is too expensive for what you get.

1 Stars: What has happened here? (by jasminerok)

jasminerok — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I used to be a regular at Rare, best burgers in the city!!! Sad that the food and service have taken such a turn for the worse. I had a horrible time there over the weekend. The food we ordered was just wrong on so many levels - nothing was cooked correctly. Service was just so bad, I might as well have been at a fast food joint. What happened?

5 Stars: Must go, best burgers in the city! (by nicole_r_seale)

nicole_r_seale — Fri, 09 Dec 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Went to try their burgers after reading Zagat review and was blown away! Went and had a feast. All my friends ordered different burgers and we had to try each other's because they all looked so good. The bison burger was delicious as was the mexican burger. The Ahi Tuna burger was also great. You can only describe their HUGE basket of fries with 3 different dipping sauces as AMAZING. One of the owners, I think his name was Ross, was really nice and the service was great. If you like burgers you have to go to this place!

2 Stars: not that great (by jydnyny)

jydnyny — Wed, 02 Nov 2005 09:00:00 GMT

The place does not live up to its billing and needs new management.

1 Stars: Burnt (by foodie85)

foodie85 — Wed, 21 Sep 2005 09:00:00 GMT

This was a very disappointing experience. The burgers were burnt and the drinks were over priced. The whole place is a tourist trap; Citysearch should not give this place such a high score.

1 Stars: Stop the madness- Overcooked, Overrated (by djshakes2)

djshakes2 — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 09:00:00 GMT

I was very disappointed after my first trip here, so I tried it again and was even more disappointed the second time around. The burger was overcooked on the outside but not in the inside. It had a burned taste. The fries are decent. And any burger fan should be insulted to be charged for pickles, even if they are from "the lower east side". Yet another Manhattan media creation.

1 Stars: not good at all (by jdelmitrio)

jdelmitrio — Tue, 23 Aug 2005 09:00:00 GMT

wow this was the worst. went there for dinner over the weekend and was treated rudely right away by what I think was a manager who was doing anything but managing. service was downright awful, the menu items were not prepared properly, and when we asked to speak to someone about it we were basically ignored by the waitress who did not even ask if we wanted more to drink during our "meal" if you can call it that. we will not be back nor will any of our friends.

4 Stars: Great burger but expensive (by kevrunr)

kevrunr — Thu, 18 Aug 2005 09:00:00 GMT

The burger was great even though it didn't come with fries. For the price they should include some fries. Our waitress seemed very stuck up, she needed to be a little more friendly and less pretencious. Atmosphere was good but it took a while for our meals to come.

3 Stars: don't bother (by staceylaflamme)

staceylaflamme — Sat, 13 Aug 2005 09:00:00 GMT

First experience was during the lunch rush. The wait for a table was short, but the wait for food was way too long for the typical hour lunch break. The place was packed (we got the last open table) and the main dining area was so loud we couldn't hear the server tell us the specials and couldn't hear each other without screaming. Once the crowd left it was much better. We ordered burgers and a salad (mediocre) and the best thing was the fries. I definately won't bother going there again.

5 Stars: Very happy (by spiff637)

spiff637 — Tue, 02 Aug 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Was very happy with the entire experiance. From walking in the door, being promptly seated, very friendly staff, who went out of they're way to serve. HUGE fry basket.. which crippled at least on of our lunch party... Good all the way around! Sweet potato fries were excellent, and i don't think they do the kobe burger original style anymore.. but they did have a kobe wellington that was EXCELLENT. Go hungry, and walk back to the office.

5 Stars: A Rare Gem (by pixframe)

pixframe — Mon, 13 Jun 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Try Rare's burger sampler. It's the best way to
acquaint yourself with the wonderful food they
offer.

4 Stars: A Carnivore's Delight (by smankoff)

smankoff — Tue, 15 Mar 2005 09:00:00 GMT

My burger maven friend and myself headed here to taste their beef and were very pleased with our Kobe Beef burger - the most expensive on the menu, but migthy tasty. The onion rings were crunchy and had just the right saltiness and the french fries were also quite tasty. The menu of burgers is huge, but they're all done well. It's well-priced but it is a notch above a Soup-Burg in decor - dark lighting, very sports-bar like - so not date recommended, but definitely for a pig, er - cow-out!

5 Stars: So simple... (by jerryc21)

jerryc21 — Mon, 14 Mar 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Who would have thought? My friends have been bugging me to try this place, and I have resisted. Well, they finally won out, and I went this past sunday. Service was great and tack-sharp - we felt relaxed, not rushed, just a great sunday afternoon. We didn't have to ask for anything, refills were there, sauces, everything. The food was spectacular as well, I had a classic burger and sweet potato fries. everything was perfect! Thank you for making the day wonderful.

5 Stars: Friday dinner (by marlin79)

marlin79 — Mon, 07 Mar 2005 09:00:00 GMT

My wife and I had dinner at Rare on Friday, 3/4/05 and we thoroughly enjoyed it. I had the black bean and beef chili and my wife had the day's special, chicken noodle soup. The chili was loaded with beef and was served on a plate overflowing with strips of multi-colored taco chips. The chicken noodle was a winner too, loaded with chicken and noodles. But the best was the burgers, two Rare classics, with sweet-potato fries. The burgers were large, jucy and cooked to perfection. The fries were really different, we ate every last one! Service was great. Atmoshpere was fun. All-in-all a satisfying, fun evening. I will be back.

5 Stars: amazing (by jeffnyc2)

jeffnyc2 — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 09:00:00 GMT

All I can say is amazing. I had the Kobe burger, my friend had the classic. We shared a sampler of their fries, with different dipping sauces for each one. Service was top noch, it was good before, seems to be stepped up, both the food and service. We didn't feel rushed, just a nice and relaxed sunday afternoon. The place just feels good - something different, don't know if it was the music or lights or something else, but we will be back very soon.

5 Stars: BEST BURGERS (by jerseytim)

jerseytim — Mon, 07 Feb 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Went there on Saturday between lunch and dinner but they let us sit in the dinning room anyway. Best cheeseburger we ever had. Onion Rings great too.

1 Stars: Dry Tasteless Burger (by muscle)

muscle — Sun, 06 Feb 2005 09:00:00 GMT

I waited over half an hour for the Rare Classic Burger. My friend and I both order the burger to be medium. The burgers came out to be dry and tasteless, like eating paper. The sweet potato fries was not that good also. I am very disappointed at the food and service. I don't understand where the high rating come from. I think I deserve a much better burger. I won't go back there again.

5 Stars: Great Restaurant. (by bernie l)

bernie l — Sun, 19 Dec 2004 09:00:00 GMT

Had a birthday party for a friend, 10 people. We were seated promptly and they accomodated our group, by putting two tables together. The service and attention was great. My wife had the Kobe burger She said it was out of this world. I had the shrimp crab burger, loved it.. We ordered appetizers, calamari, spinach dip, wings.. That was great. Every one at the table raved about their meal. The wine and drinks and service was out of this world. All in all we had a great evening and I'm coming back.

2 Stars: rude manager (by deirdre511)

deirdre511 — Wed, 27 Oct 2004 09:00:00 GMT

I can't believe this place is known for its hamburgers! There are definitely much better, less expensive hamburgers in NYC. On top of that, the manager was extremely rude. Will definitely not go back.

5 Stars: AWESOME (by southernkate2004)

southernkate2004 — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 09:00:00 GMT

This is not your normal hotel restaurant or burger joint! This place was awesome! Very creative menu and selections....They have all types of burgers, beef, checiken, veggie, so it appeals to all palates...Very impressive! Highly reccomend to anyone looking for a laid back evening, with good food.

5 Stars: awsome (by mage)

mage — Sat, 21 Aug 2004 09:00:00 GMT

i have been eating at rare for almost a year now and it keeps getting better and better. this summer the roof was a great after dinner place to unwind. a rooftop bar with no cover and the best view of any other bar. upstairs or downstairs rare is the place to be

5 Stars: Rare (by lisalu)

lisalu — Sun, 15 Aug 2004 09:00:00 GMT

While it's true the drinks upstairs are a little pricey, it's worth it to take in the view on the roof and then go downstairs to the bar for a more reasonably priced apricot martini. There are all sort of burgers to choose from though I usually go for the Classic and then add on any of the numberous great toppings. My husband likes the burger salad and the salmon burger as well, and I just had the ahi tuna salad which is a another great burger alternative. For dessert, the chocolate bread pudding is a terrific indulgence to be shared. The atmosphere is always great and the staff friendly and helpful. We've made it our neighborhood place. Just writing this puts me in the mood for a cheese burger with an order of shoe string fries. See you there tonight!

2 Stars: Not worth it (by yanciespr)

yanciespr — Tue, 03 Aug 2004 09:00:00 GMT

Between the overcooked food and inability of the staff to calculate a bill that came close to prices on the menu, I will not be back. Service was SLOW. Can't imagine coming with more than 2 and eaing in under 3 hours. The rooftop bar staff is nice eye candy, but rude!!! And drinks are WAY overpriced. Hopefully they improve to what their staff posts here.

5 Stars: A GREAT TIME (by gman1234)

gman1234 — Sun, 01 Aug 2004 09:00:00 GMT

I have had nothing but good times at rare. the burgers variety and flavor is soooo delicicious.
when waiting in the bar for a table the Hostess and manager are always very accomodating and polite. i'ts always well worth the wait. i cant imagine eating a burger anywhere else, and after dinner the view on the roof is great for unwinding and having a cocktail

4 Stars: Great Burger (by mrbaskims04)

mrbaskims04 — Fri, 23 Jul 2004 09:00:00 GMT

I dined here after work, determined to decide for myself whether the hype was worth it. I had the Mexican burger and my colleague had the Rare cheesburger. They were both cooked to perfection and excellent. The frickles weren't very good. The service was good and our waitress very friendly. The prices were average for food, but the drinks were expensive. All in all, it was a RARE treat to have such a good burger

5 Stars: what out McD (by abcohen)

abcohen — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 09:00:00 GMT

look for almost the same price as a 2 bigMac meal you can get an amazing dinner at rare... the service it top notch... I was one of the first customers and i still go back... the menu changes and the dishes are getting better and better...

1 Stars: Terrible (by kapy3)

kapy3 — Mon, 19 Jul 2004 09:00:00 GMT

Do not go to this place. I've been there twice now and I will never go back. The first time was good enough that I was willing to give them a second chance, but my second visit was as bad as it gets. The waitstaff was very rude, it was impossible to get my water refilled, they messed up the check, they messed up the order, and to top it all off, the burgers were WAY overcooked. Even if the food does come out ok, its still overpriced. Bottom line - don't chance it by going here. The potential for a terrible meal greatly outweighs the the marginal enjoyment that could come from a good meal.

5 Stars: SPECTACULAR (by fuel)

fuel — Sun, 18 Jul 2004 09:00:00 GMT

I've been to rare may times. When i go at night the bar is usually packed with gorgeous women which makes the wait for a table seem small. Althought the food takes some time to get to the table, it is well worth the wait. Rare's variety of burgers is unmatched by any other spot in the city. the people who have written poor food reviews obviously have alterior motives. For burgers and a great place to meet women Rare and Rare View is the place to be.

1 Stars: This restaurant couldn't be any worse (by skatcher)

skatcher — Fri, 16 Jul 2004 09:00:00 GMT

Went to lunch with a colleague and was seated promptly. After that it took over an hour for our lunch and the restaurant was not crowded. Mine burger was underdone and my colleauge's overdone. When the bill came it said that one of the things we ordered was $12, the menu listed it as $9. The restaurant apparently changed the price but did update the the menu. We tried to get the manager who flatly refused to come to our table and discuss the problem with us. We ended up having to follow him into the bar area.

1 Stars: Disappointed (by lunchtime)

lunchtime — Fri, 16 Jul 2004 09:00:00 GMT

Service was awful! If it had been crowded it would have been understandable but we had to flag down a waiter just to get a glass of water. The waitress was rude when asked where our food was and then to top it off we were overcharged! If the menu lists a price - that is the price - not some other number. The most confusing thing - the manager refused to come speak with us when we asked the waitress to have him come over. I spoke with him on the way out and he seemed to be suprised that I thought that was strange. While the burgers were good, I can make better at home, and certainly don't need the rude treatment and poor service at Rare. I will not be back.

2 Stars: Overrated and Full of Posers (by deasul)

deasul — Tue, 13 Jul 2004 09:00:00 GMT

I want to bet that all the good reviews were written by the owner. Seriously, I've been here 2 times - for lunch and for happy hour on the roof. Lunch: we were all excited for "the best burger ever" and we all walked away saying that they were "just ok" and extremely slow (it was almost a 2 hour lunch). Needless to say we never went back. Roof: very nice space (although I know 5 other rooftop bars just as good), but the crowd was a bunch of posers and the owner was a tool. Give a geeky guy a popular bar and watch him start thinking he is the coolest. Apparently they are too hot to reserve space for birthday parties (even though it could've brought them in a ton of money and publicity = short-sighted). All in all I left with a bad vibe.

5 Stars: Rare Rules (by john94)

john94 — Tue, 29 Jun 2004 09:00:00 GMT

Man, I was really impressed with Rare and Rare View. FYI, Rare has the best burger I have had in a long time (blows corner bistro away) and the scene in this place was awesome. Hot chicks EVERYWHERE and great service too! I was also impressed with how friendly the owners of this place were which is a "rare" find in this city! This place is no doubt going to be my new spot to chill, Rare and the roof (Rare View) are the bomb!

5 Stars: Excellent!! (by arose1)

arose1 — Mon, 28 Jun 2004 09:00:00 GMT

Superb is the only word to describe my experience at Rare. Delicious food, exemplary service and incredible ambiance. Before dinner we had drinks at Rare View on the roof which has an amazing view of the city and is the quintessential place to share cocktails with friends! Rare and Rare View are absolutely great additions to the Murray Hill neighborhood!

5 Stars: Brilliant (by hill31)

hill31 — Mon, 28 Jun 2004 09:00:00 GMT

I'm shocked at the negative reviews of this place. They are completely erroneous. I have to say this is absolutely the best burger I have had in NY or anywhere else. The food was amazing, the service terrific and the fries were the BEST! My friends and I have been to Rare on many occastions and each time is better than the last!

5 Stars: Extraordinary (by jmurr)

jmurr — Mon, 28 Jun 2004 09:00:00 GMT

I cannot say enough about how fantastic Rare is! The food is phenomenal, the service is outstanding & the atmosphere cannot be beat. It is very difficult to find a restaurant with a cool vibe, absolutely no pretension and superb food. The crowd was a great mix of people too. I was very impressed with Rare and loved their roof deck, Rare View (amazing views of the city!) I absolutely recommend this place.

5 Stars: Fabulous! (by hbw)

hbw — Sun, 27 Jun 2004 09:00:00 GMT

Hands down, Rare has the best burgers in town. Not only was the food incredible but the service was great too. The french fry sampler was amazing! Clearly the owners of this establishment know what they are doing bc the place was packed and buzzing. It's refreshing to find a restaurant with a cool vibe, delicious food and friendly service. I will definitely be back.

5 Stars: Love this place! (by ewk)

ewk — Sun, 27 Jun 2004 09:00:00 GMT

Rare is truly one of the best restaurants that I have been to an a long time. I went with a group of friends who all agreed! The service was extremely friendly, ambience was impressive and the food was fabulous. The burger trio was delicious, a must try! After dinner we had drinks at Rare View on the roof and the view was incredible & the scene was amazing. We will absolutely be back!

5 Stars: Out of this world (by kerry31)

kerry31 — Sun, 27 Jun 2004 09:00:00 GMT

Truly the best burgers in the city! I have never seen such an amazing variety of burgers. I was with a group of friends and we each tried a different burger. The kobe burger and the crab burger were so unique and delicious. I will definitely be back to try all the rest! It is refreshing to find a place where the service is both curteous and friendly. Without doubt an enjoyable experience that I look forward to repeating!

1 Stars: Horrible Service (by swirby)

swirby — Mon, 21 Jun 2004 09:00:00 GMT

I met a group of friends at Rare, because Rare View was closed due to rain. None of us were able to get drinks in a timely fashion, and the bartender was EXTREMELY rude to us. I have been a bartender and a server, so I pride myself in understanding the plight of those in these industries. There is never an excuse for a bartender to yell at a patron, and then ask for an additonal tip!

1 Stars: stay away (by redmeat101)

redmeat101 — Fri, 18 Jun 2004 09:00:00 GMT

Rare's burger is pitiful. No exaggeration. Dry and tasteless meat. Their burger is not even in the *ballpark* of Corner Bistro. You're better off going to Wendy's, for god's sake. I can't believe some of the positive reviews I'm reading on this site. Also, the fries are sorry. They were soggy -- drenched in oil [hint to kitchen staff: raise the temperture on your frier]. However, the redhead bartender is way cute and very friendly.

5 Stars: Best Burger in town and now Jazz too (by bersu)

bersu — Thu, 03 Jun 2004 09:00:00 GMT

What a pleasant surprise. My girlfriend and I are regulars at Rare . We love it there. The food, service and management are always great. Now they've added a Jazz club next door. What a great place to hang out after a great meal. Cozy atmosphere and a great Jazz quartet. Piano, bass, drums and a cool female vocalist. I understand they change the groups every day. Thurs, Fri and Sat. Drinks are reasonable and the music is fantastic. No cover, No min. and second drink is free, We were sitting next to an elderly lady sipping her drink and she said " This is the best thing that's happened in this neighborhood". I understand she comes in 2 or three times a week and she lives in the neighborhood. I couldn't agree with her more.

5 Stars: THE BEST IN NEW YORK (by jjjnine)

jjjnine — Sat, 22 May 2004 09:00:00 GMT

I think the bugers here are much better than at Corner Bistro. Flavorful, juicy, inventive... i like the chicken burger...
the new bar on the roof-- Rare View is STUNNING!! a must see... amazing view... great drinks...

4 Stars: First Impression (by stinkels)

stinkels — Wed, 19 May 2004 09:00:00 GMT

The only thing hotel about this burger joint is the entrance. With a dark, sexy ambiance and buzzing small bar chatter, the atmosphere is surprisingly sharp. Tight quarters when your table is ready, although not uncommon to the Manhattan dinner crowd, and an impersonal wait staff may ruffle the feathers of the particular guest. The burgers are big and juicy, with a variety of flavors and opportunities. The female I was with was disappointed in the Frickles (fried pickles), thinking they were going to be "french fry pickles", when in fact they were more like fried pickle dumplings. To be fair, we went after a stressful day at work, and although we enjoyed ourselves, we would probably have been better served at a more quiet, intimate location. Definitely a must stop on the Manhattan burger circuit. The Rare View bar on the roof of the hotel...magnificent outdoor venue.

5 Stars: Gilliebean (by berlom)

berlom — Sat, 15 May 2004 09:00:00 GMT

This is a great restaurant. Problem is some people complain about service. This place is hot and service can be slow.. Actually the wait is worth it.
Every good restaurant in town has slow service when they're busy. Be prepared for slow service on a busy night. But enjoy the ambience , the music etc etc.. I love this place.. Best hamburgers in town, best atmosphere, Best ambience.. Owners and managers are very obliging and care about you.. You must go to the roof, for a pre dinner cocktail.. (Rare View) I love Rare and my compliments for a great neighborhood "watering hole" Keep up the good work. I'm a "happy and content come on back patron"

5 Stars: Best We've Had (by astaugal)

astaugal — Fri, 14 May 2004 09:00:00 GMT

This was by far one of the best meals I've had in NYC. As a frequent visitor, because of business, I am continually looking for an affordable, yet comfortable restraunt/bar in the city.

The best turkey burger I've ever had was at Rare and I would highly recommend the sweet potato fries. Not only was the beer cold, the service great and the food out of this world - but the atmosphere is casual, yet sophisticated.

This will be a spot I frequent.

3 Stars: Nothing Special (by mayscafe)

mayscafe — Mon, 03 May 2004 09:00:00 GMT

The burgers at Rare are great as well as the basket of mixed fries. However, the service could use improvement. I didn't enjoy waiting half an hour for the fries as an appetizer and I surely did not appreciate being rushed out of the restaurant and then asked to leave the moment the restaurant picked up. That was pretty rude considering we spent lots of $$$ of beers and food. If you like burgers, eat here, but eat fast!

5 Stars: YUM (by lauranal)

lauranal — Mon, 26 Apr 2004 09:00:00 GMT

A great, convenient neighborhood spot for a lite bite and a beer!

1 Stars: Extremely disappointing service (by pam27)

pam27 — Thu, 22 Apr 2004 09:00:00 GMT

Given the high prices, I'd expect much better. My boyfriend and I went early on a Tuesday night and asked to sit at a 3 person booth. The restaurant was empty, yet we were told they were expecting a rush and only parties of 3 could sit there. Twenty minutes later they seated another couple there, and when we left much later the so called rush had never come. As for our waitress, she only had 3 tables to watch, yet did an excellent job of ignoring all of them. We spent half the meal waiting for a side of onion rings that finally came after our entrees were finished. The food was pretty good, but I will never go back as they treat their fictional customers much better than their actual ones. This place needs a reality check or else it certainly won't last.

5 Stars: Great Place! (by Lauranal)

Lauranal — Wed, 31 Mar 2004 09:00:00 GMT

I might not eat meat but I can proudly say the best veggie burger in NYC is at Rare! And if I were to eat meat again, I would have a burger from Rare. My friend who ordered a burger, never put it down on the plate! The beer selection rocks too!

4 Stars: Upscale burger joint (by lilstar21)

lilstar21 — Sun, 23 Nov 2003 09:00:00 GMT

Rare is one of the rarest things: Affordable food in a neighborhood not known for affordable options. The service here is great and the decor is cozy. They have interesting sides like the frickle (fried pickles) and a fried fry sampler featuring 3 types of fries and sauces.

5 Stars: A Rare Find (by rlomb)

rlomb — Fri, 14 Nov 2003 09:00:00 GMT

After eating at just about every burger place in New York it has become apparent that Rare Bar & Grill blows the other burger joints away. A sexy atmosphere with great service will make this my new home.

4 Stars: More casual than fabulous (by cmr)

cmr — Thu, 23 Oct 2003 09:00:00 GMT

RARE is more of a small sports/hotel bar with a dimly lit dining area. I was expecting a trendy or upscale restaurant after reading reviews in CitySearch & TONY. The $21 "All American Protein Meal" is acclaimed - a Kobe beef patty w/ mushrooms and garlic sautéed spinach on the side. I thought the meat was perfect, but that was it. The spinach, side of fries, and house salad were all disappointing. However, I will try it again b/c I am such a meat lover.

4 Stars: Pretty darn good. (by mattyp)

mattyp — Wed, 01 Oct 2003 09:00:00 GMT

Man, the guy who posted before me can't spell to save his life. But anyway, I had a good experience at Rare. The burger, to my taste, was quite good, and was helped by the excellent roll on which it was served (I think the menu said the rolls are from Eli's). I probably wouldn't do the roquefort-stuffed again--it was a little too rich for my blood--but the burger itself was perfectly cooked. Atmosphere was cool too--no complaints at all about that. Burgers were under $10 (at least the non-fancy ones were), so why all the griping on here about price? My personal fav for burgers is still Wollensky's Grill, but Rare can hold its own. Only complaint: Sweet potato fries were bland and greasy.

4 Stars: Salmon burger worth it (by nkysinn)

nkysinn — Tue, 23 Sep 2003 09:00:00 GMT

WEnt for a nice lunch with a friend. The waitress was really nice and helpful. The burgers were really good especially the salmon burger. Mouth watering. Nice burger joint.

5 Stars: Finally an upscale burger place!!! (by seacow)

seacow — Fri, 19 Sep 2003 09:00:00 GMT

I LOVE rare so much I'm actually afraid to post anything because I don't want too many people to know about it. But seeing as they should be doing MUCH better than they are currently (lots of tourists at night, empty during day), I'll do my part to clue other red meat lovers in on this great new burger place.

I've been going here since it opened and am never disappointed. The salads are great -- try the caesar, it's a meal in itself. The burgers are fabulous -- I usually get the Rare Classic with mushrooms and sautéed onions. Big and juicy with perfectly cooked top-quality beef.

Another thing I love about this place -- it's really really comfortable. Their booths are huge and soft, and there's enough space between them you don't have to listen to anyone else's conversation.

4 Stars: midtown treat (by georgev)

georgev — Wed, 17 Sep 2003 09:00:00 GMT

Good place for burger in midtown..worth the price.Atmosphere and service very good.

4 Stars: Pretty Good! No match for Island Burger (by bedstuygirl)

bedstuygirl — Wed, 17 Sep 2003 09:00:00 GMT

I have the Mexican burger with guac, salsa and a black bean spread. The burger was pretty good, but I still contend Island Burger is simply the best NYC has to offer. Still worth trying if you're into burgers.

4 Stars: It's Just Burgers (by indahill34)

indahill34 — Sun, 07 Sep 2003 09:00:00 GMT

Went here on a quiet weekday afternoon.
The burgers really arent that special. I had the RARE classic burger, which was just a typical burger. I heard good things about the burgers here and expected some sort of amazing taste....but it was just a burger like you can make at home. You can get anything you want on your hamburger, but the base price starts at $8 and goes up once you start adding anyhting to it. So you end up with a hamburger that costs over $10.
The atmosphere is ok, service decent.
If you love hamburgers, then go here.

5 Stars: good food, slightly older crowd (by erineleone)

erineleone — Mon, 18 Aug 2003 09:00:00 GMT

The food was excellent, I practically licked my plate clean. Although their specialty Frickle was weird (don't try it, it's a battered and fried pickle). The crowd was a bit mixed, ranging from older folks to tourists (probably because it's inside a hotel) and the music was easy-listening style. We went for a work dinner and I would have preferred a younger, hipper crowd and atmosphere but for a nice dinner with tasty and relatively inexpensive burgers, this place is really good.

5 Stars: Have the Salmon Burger!!! (by direwolff)

direwolff — Tue, 12 Aug 2003 09:00:00 GMT

Calling this a burger is a stretch, but eating it is a dream, and one that you should have. Couple that w/a super friendly and attentive staff (both waiters & bar keeps), and excellent prices, and you're in for a great treat. Imagine hitting this place by accident and being treated to this wonderful experience, well that's what happened to me and now I want others to hear about it too!

5 Stars: Rare Treat! (by mrgaeabz)

mrgaeabz — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 09:00:00 GMT

What a treat! no nonsense just great burgers and fries and salads! and the nicest welcome in the neighborhood.

5 Stars: GRRRREAT Burgers!!!! (by bzeitzer)

bzeitzer — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 09:00:00 GMT

Great burgers! great welcome, Good service! we had a ball!

5 Stars: RARE is the BEST (by kayko)

kayko — Thu, 03 Jul 2003 09:00:00 GMT

I live in the neighborhood and just discovered a gem of a place. I first visited rare a couple weeks ago and have been back 4 times now and never disappointed. They have one of the BEST Turkey burgers I have ever eaten(and trust me im very picky about my turkey burgers). The restaurant is beautiful and the staff are friendly and delightful. I will keep coming back because this is a "RARE" find!!! KKO

5 Stars: Rarely Impressed... LOVED this place (by templeton)

templeton — Wed, 23 Apr 2003 09:00:00 GMT

It is RARE for me to find a restaurant that combines food and atmosphere...

Let's start with the food: Hands-down, the best burgers in the City. I went with a group of friends, and we were treated like royalty (I think it is connected to the Shelbourne Hotel). It might be a crime to miss out on the burgers.

This place will easily become a neighborhood hot-spot, although as it becomes more popular it might have to deal with being TOO popular (good for dates, business, groups etc.). I'm RARELY impressed - but this is my new favorite place north of 14th Street. Can't go wrong by going to Rare...