Rare, the old-school steakhouse at 833 E. Michigan St., introduced lunch service earlier this month. And that means there’s yet another Downtown spot that’s perfect for your next business lunch … or that girls' afternoon out, complete with a few great glasses of wine and appetizers.
Lunch service takes place Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and options include a variety of items from appetizers, salads and sandwiches to full-blown entrees.
Starters
Starters include classic options like crab cakes and shrimp cocktail. But, there’s also crispy, lightly battered calamari with thinly sliced peppadew peppers and dipping sauces including a sweet chili aioli and curry mayonnaise ($12).
Lobster bisque is served tableside and features a crisp crostini with cool water lobster salad ($15).
Business lunch
Moving on from there, the sandwich selection is lovely – from a French dip made with hand carved prime rib ($14) to a classic tavern burger ($12), an oyster po boy ($12) and a Maine lobster roll ($14), options showcase both the meat and seafood sides of the restaurant. Each are served with your choice of duck fat frites or a wedge salad.
If you’re looking for a classic steakhouse experience, or something hearty to impress your favorite client opt for the "Business Lunch," offered on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. You’ll reap the benefits of Rare’s prime rib cart featuring hand-carved prime rib, au jus, horseradish cream sauce, seasonal vegetables and whipped potatoes. The business lunch is $25 and comes with a wedge salad or soup of the day.
Salads
The wedge salad could be a meal in and of itself (it’s not on the menu as a separate offering; however, it’s available if you ask), topped liberally with Jones bacon lardons, grape tomatoes and a combination of French and bleu cheese dressings ($12).
On a similar note, there are also numerous entree-style salads from which to choose. Priced between $12 and $20, they include strip steak, tuna nicoise, or the Pittsburgh, featuring sliced filet, chopped romaine, duck fat frites, aged cheddar, hard boiled egg and buttermilk ranch dressing ($18).
Meanwhile, the composed chopped salad features pan-seared crispy Scottish salmon, lettuce, corn, roasted red peppers, avocado, red onions and mozzarella cheese ($20).
Entrees
Among entrees, you can go classic steakhouse with an 8-ounce filet ($38) or even a 22-ounce bone-in dry-aged ribeye ($62). But, there’s also a vegetarian farmer’s plate prepared daily (just ask your server what’s being featured). Or you can opt for Scottish salmon served up with beluga lentils, haricot verts and sofrito ($18) or pan-seared bone-in chicken breast with Brussels sprout hash ($17).
The bar is open weekdays beginning at 11 a.m., so you can also get that cocktail, beer or glass of wine you’ve been craving.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
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