Theodore Rex

This is a complete dining experience. While the location is small and dated, they take great care to set the mood for fine dining with a quaintly modern atmosphere. The menu is short, but contains depth and breadth of profiles. The staff advised us on the dishes that were “controversial” to perhaps some less adventurous diners, but approaching every dish with an open mind led our party to incredible experiences. Our party looked at the menu and said “yes.” Our quintet ordered 13 dishes to share. The chef coursed them out over a couple of hours with a good pace that allowed for chats between gestational exploration. All of the dishes were presented beautifully by the staff, with beautiful colors and appetizing features on each plate, and recommended approaches from the chef. Not every dish hit the same, but we were glad to have journeyed through the gambit and found the surprisingly exciting flavors along the way. The strawberry buttercake was one of the most incredible desserts I’ve ever enjoyed.

I really wanted to love this place based on all the great reviews and maybe we went on an off night… but the food was just ok. The vibe of the place is intimate. The tables are seated close together so it’s easy to overhear conversations. The service was great though. Our waiter was attentive but not overbearing. And he explained every dish that was presented. The dishes were kind of inconsistent. Some of them were great and others were not good. The tomato toast was delicious and the one of the pasta dishes we tried was great. But the two fish dishes were disappointing. One had a fishy taste… fresh fish is not supposed to taste fishy. And the other fish dish’s texture was off. For a restaurant like this, I would expect every dish to be great and it wasn’t.

Idon't write this negative review lightly, but waiting 25 mins after our reservations start time for our table is unacceptable. I don't think the team tried to correct this the rest of the evening through other means nor was an apology and explantation given until the end of our meal. Truly jealous for those customers who came to the end of their working week looking forward to this meal and enjoyed it. We were in a foul mood the rest of the evening and didn't. Despite obviously being closed off we didn't feel that we were rude to any of the staff, but to not even get a thank you or goodbye while leaving really drove me over the edge. Taking out the worse customer service experience I have ever come across. The food is -okay. The tomato toast - I don't undertand why it is so popular. The pasta is of of balance with no acidity or crunch. The dumplings are good- but wouldn't come back to this neighborhood because of it. I believe the service charge should have been deducted from our bill and look forward to someone getting into contact with us...

Although James Beard Foundation Award winner Justin Yu shuttered tasting menu-only Oxheart in 2017 his cooking remains innovative and exciting in its current form at Theodore Rex, named after the Chef’s nephew. Located just off the highway in a converted building, Houston’s “warehouse district” living up to its name with few signs of activity Sunday evening, it is inside 1302 Nance Street that guests will find exposed brick and minimal adornment surrounding just twenty-eight seats. “Relaxed fine dining” by design, Chef Frank Hermosilla overseeing an open kitchen that works in silence, Theodore Rex changes its menu frequently with Foo that is aggressive yet accessible and exotic despite its roots in local Ingredients. Smartly staffed such that Chefs and servers all contribute to an experience best enjoyed at the counter, a 22% autograt assuring fair pay, most diners will begin with Yu’s famous Tomato Toast that spins “pan con tomate” as Butter-soaked Pain de Mie that’s brushed with Garlic and topped with Tomato Fondant plus a Salad of fresh Tomatoes. Gulf-focused with Asian elements, Sour Sausage spiced like Chorizo balancing Cucumbers and subtle Citrus, Yu’s Ricotta finds itself lightened as crustless Quiche perfumed with Nutmeg atop chlorophyll alongside a creamy Yolk. Less interested in large-format proteins than small-plates, though Toast-crusted Redfish ordered by a neighbor received raves, T.Rex’s Pastas shine brightly whether long ribbons flavored like dressed Oysters or filled beneath Cream and native Grapes. Torn as relates to Dessert, a female server allowed to break the tie, fans of rich flavors need look no further than Mousse that eats lighter than expected thanks to flecks of earth and sour on a bed of thick Syrup.