Foods from The Rex

Comments

2016 Jul 4
A hidden gem, tucked away on a residential sidestreet at the south end of Preston. Cozy and comfortable atmosphere to enjoy some higher end food.

They serve dinner two nights a week, and up until May, they put together a unique menu every week based on a concept/theme -- now, it looks like they're making new menus on a monthly basis (May's was spring picnic/bbq, June was Mediterranean).

Every menu change is creative and mouth-watering, though we've only splurged once to date, on their Indian set (www.therexottawa.com). This was back in February, but can remember how great and warm the curried coconut soup felt. We each tried a main (chicken skewers and lamb), and both were very good-- not quite what you'd get at an Indian restaurant, but with a kind of Canadian tint. The lime tart and pear+cardamom creme brulee were an excellent finish.

Dinner there will be a treat again sometime in the future, but I have plans to try it for lunch sometime soon.. their sandwiches and poutine sound amazing.


2016 Apr 29
We ate dinner at the Rex last weekend. It was excellent. The restaurant is nicely done inside, we were not rushed, had lots of water refills, even after we stopped drinking and were still chatting.

For dinner the theme was craft beer, so each course was made around one of the local Ottawa beers. The starters were chicken wings or homemade pretzels with pork schnitzel, the two mains that night were fish & steak, and dessert was donuts or brownie. The menu changes each week and is generally based on a theme.

Everyone loved their meal. The price for 3 courses is $40, which was more than reasonable. With booze, each couple spent $120 (includes tax but before tip).

The steak was cooked perfectly for each person who ordered it (everyone except myself).

I phoned to make a reservation and told them I was a vegetarian. The waitress put the chef on the phone to discuss my options and he offered a selection of foods and was open to discuss based on what I wanted. I really appreciated this extra touch.

We will definitely be going back again. They are in the process of putting in a new front patio for summer, so great spot to eat and then stroll around Dow's lake.

2014 Jul 10
We saw the review in the Citizen today and decided to come here for lunch. As we were not getting there around 1:30 we did not anticipate problems getting a table and we were right. DH had the porchetta and bacon sandwich, which came with three potato chips, and cauliflower soup. He said the soup was well made although he is not big on cauliflower. He said the sandwich was pretty good but could have used more meat. He also had a Vern and Harvey's root beet which he enjoyed. I had the egg special which consisted of 2 poached eggs on a hash on beef short rib meat, corn and Brussels sprouts. Potato wedges cooked in duck fat (YES!!!) and some house made ketchup completed the plate. It was sublime. These plates are $12 each. Potions are not huge but are adequate and good value for the price and quality of the food.

2014 Mar 14
Had lunch here on Tuesday with a friend. LOVED the reasonable portion size as she ordered Mac and Cheese and I ordered Shepherd's Pie. Big dishes at lunchtime! Both were excellent.

The Mac & Cheese was properly creamy and gooey with several cheeses as well as broccoli. The Shepherd's Pie was made with beef short rib. Absolutely great. Came with their signature cauliflower soup and home made potato chips.

We shared the desert - a butter tart served warm with house made maple ice cream. Totally worth the calories. We will be back!

Service was top notch. Love getting a committed, experienced server. This one from the former Urban Pear, not surprisingly!

2014 Feb 15
Had to settle for take out from here as the Friday I went for lunch the place was packed. Ordered the "Grilled Cheese" and loved the mixture of cheese, mushrooms and spinach. It was slightly grilled and by the time I got it home it was no longer hot but still tasted wonderful. Was blown away by the homemade potatoes chips in the brown paper bag – a delicious addition. All four sandwiches and one salad option on the take out menu are $10 and include the sandwich or salad, potato chips and a pop.

I would have liked to have tried their soup but it’s not available on the take out menu (the server told me they don’t have the proper containers).

I was actually surprised at how sophisticated the place was. For some reason I thought it was more of a lunch counter kinda place, but the grey, black and white colour scheme is quite stylish. They serve dinner Fridays and Saturdays.

2014 Jan 15
And cheap beer! $5 pints / $2.50 half pints!

2014 Jan 15
I stopped in for lunch the other day and I really liked the place. The servers were very nice and efficient and the general mood of the place was good. I had the braised rib shepherd's pie which was great. There was so many great things on the menu it was hard to choose. I also liked the fact that they had a solid take out option for those of you short on time.

2014 Jan 15
The Rex is owned by Cody Starr, former sous chef from Urban Pear.

Lunch review from Anne DesBrisay

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