They do still cook the steak a bit when it is rare. Are you thinking of raw? It is dark blood red in most of the center portion, maybe the lighting is a bit off in the photo?
ICan’t wait to go back. Everyone I have recommended it to has loved it.
You guys are inspiring me to go back! Went there shortly after open, had an excellent meal. Went back end of March with another couple and lucked into an aged duck! Thank you FTC for letting us know it existed. Best duck ever. Much deeper more complex flavor than I’m used to. As a bonus, Citrin himself was there that night, and decided to play dumb private before letting us know who he was. Totally charming, and loved that we loved the duck. There’s something really appealing about a chef owner walking the room and chatting with everyone, even folks who are not obvious big machers.
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You lucky duck! My only disappointment is that I never manage to get a duck there =(
Just call before and confirm it is available. You can also reserve it in advance.
Finally got a chance to try Charcoal, Chef-Owner Josiah Citrin’s (Melisse) new restaurant, which is an ode to all things cooked by charcoal.
With a pedigree like Melisse (classic French fine dining, white tablecloth, etc.), Charcoal is much more casual, although the menu prices are on the pricier side, slightly at odds with its relaxed look and feel.
They have a prominent glass meat case, featuring some of the cuts they’re serving. As you can see, they have plenty of 21-Day Aged Liberty Ducks. 
Cabbage Baked in the Embers (Yogurt, Sumac, Lemon Zest):
The outside is completely charred black (purposefully) as it cooks the inside of the Cabbage all the way through. The idea is interesting, and even peeling away the outer charred leaves, it imparts a smoky quality to the soft, cooked-through Cabbage. Which is great, except that even with the Yogurt Sumac dipping sauce, it tasted a bit bland. I liked it, but it wasn’t amazing.
Blue Fin Tuna Tartare (Avocado, Pickled Cucumber, Citrus Vinaigrette):
Since our mains were going to be on the heavier side, we opted for something lighter and healthier of the 5 types of Tartare they had on the menu. This was delicious, with the creamy Avocado, and crunchy textural contrast with the Pickled Cucumber and the Tuna Tartare.
Smoked Lamb Ribs:
Thanks to @Thor for the rec! The Smoked Lamb Ribs were indeed fall-off-the-bone tender, deeply smoky, lightly sweet, but savory and the gaminess of the Lamb was just right. Delicious!
18oz Prime Ribeye:
Served a perfect medium-rare, the USDA Prime Ribeye was excellent. It was tender, meaty, with a nice chew. Great char on the outside. Most of my friends and I aren’t much into the whole steak & potatoes dinners, but it was generally enjoyable. I’m curious how the Angus Beef NY Striploin is.
Housemade Sauces: Smoked Paprika Mustard Chimicurri, Red Wine Chipotle Sauce, J-1 Steak Sauce, and Basque Vinegar:
Charcoal features 4 different types of condiments to enjoy with your food. I thought all 4 were interesting, but my favorites were the J-1 Steak Sauce (a more complex housemade version of an “A1 Steak Sauce”), and the Smoked Paprika Mustard Chimichurri, which was the most savory of the sauces.
Steak Fries with Homemade Ketchup:
It should be noted that their Steak Fries are awesome! I’ve never had Melisse before, but they probably have been making Frites there for a while, perfecting the recipe perhaps. These Steak Fries were so crisp and slightly crunchy on the outside and piping hot, fluffy, soft on the inside! 
21 Day Aged Half Liberty Duck:
I have to thank @Thor @CiaoBob for the great suggestion: I’ve never had 21 Day Aged Liberty Duck before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would it be like Dry Aged Beef? How would the flavors change?
The first thing to note is that the outside Duck Skin has been crisped (always a good thing! , and as @CiaoBob mentions, the fat has been rendered down a lot (there’s still a bit of fat, but far less than a standard fresh Duck).
But the interesting part is the taste: The 21 Day Aged Duck has an intense, deep poultry taste. I’ve never tasted anything like it. But it should be noted it’s an acquired taste. 2 of my friends didn’t like the flavors at all, feeling it was a bit disconcerting. They didn’t hate it (they loved the crisped Duck Skin, and general tenderness), but the aging on the Duck seems to have been too foreign for them.
I liked it, but I’d want to eat it a few more times to get used to the flavors. It’s intense, but also tender, and generally delicious.
Charcoal seems like a generally great place, and I’d want to try more of their items like the NY Striploin, their other charcoal-cooked Veggies, and the 35 Day Aged Lamb Shoulder. It’s a bit pricey, though - ended up at about $100 per person (no drinks tonight) (so it felt like we were easily in the same range as getting an Omakase course at Shunji) - but there were enough good dishes to warrant a return.
Charcoal Venice
425 Washington Blvd.
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Tel: (310) 751-6794
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How early did you arrive to get a duck?
I also wonder how their bison ribeye or pork porterhouse is, particularly the bison though.
Hi @Aesthete,
We were there around 7:30 p.m., so it wasn’t early, and their case had plenty of Ducks. Call ahead first I’d say and see if you can reserve one.
I was curious about the Bison as well.
The case always has ducks in it though, so you can’t judge it by that.
Yeah, I will have to call them up when I hit it up next, did you call to confirm before going there?
Also, was it busy? They are usually dead when I go, but I go really late, at like 9:30-10 usually.
Exactly right - I have been there when the cases were full but the ducks were still aging.
I think it gets hard to get one, the later you go, unless you reserve it in advance.
Ah interesting. Makes sense that they have ducks at various stages of aging in the case.
On a side note, “no,” we didn’t reserve one ahead of time. Just showed up and ordered one.
It was about 80% full. Thanks.
damn that duck is cooked so perfect. Mad skills.
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I think Charcoal would be a nice place to sit at the bar with a friend for drinks and share maybe an entree and a couple apps. Its not to loud to talk and an easy way get out of there in a more affordable manner.
shhhhhhhhhhhhh
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Definitely true, but I never find it to be that expensive there really. I think I usually spend about $100?
My last meal could almost have fed two though, so really it could be closer to $50/person probably, which would be shockingly affordable haha
I have somehow never convinced anyone else to go with me; I go and work at the bar or one of the large tables while eating my steak. Kind of funny.
LOL, after our visit there, I was thinking I could easily just walk in after work, sit at the bar, order a duck and one of the 10 oz portions of the prime cuts and have a very rewarding after work dinner.
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Charcoal also has a “bar only” menu that includes a really good burger…though I believe the burger is also on the regular menu for weekend brunch.
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Thanks.The duck is huge. I don’t know too many folks that could eat one alone. And paired with something else…fuggetaboutit
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A friend of mine went on my recomendation. They called first and were told there was no duck. I called back for them and spoke to the manager who spoke with the chef and allowed them to serve 18 day aged duck which got rave reviews.
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