Rex's Seafood and Chop House Opens in Lakewood

Rex’s Seafood and Chop House, the much-anticipated expansion of the original Rex’s, opened in Lakewood last week. If you’ve been to the Lovers/Inwood location, you pretty much know what to expect. The new location features similar chalkboard specials, the same Fridays-only lobster rolls, a small market where you can purchase fresh seafood and sauces to take home, plus two bonuses: a bar and a patio.

In the larger space of its new digs, this location feels like a more grown-up version of the original. Still casual and an easy go-to spot, the new Rex’s is a bit more upscale and elegant. The coastal feel comes across through accents of blue, and natural light shines across the bar, flooding the more spacious dining room. 
In contrast with nearby neighborhood favorite Big Shucks, the vocabulary here is more “seared” and “grilled” than “fried.” For lunch, you’ll find salads, sandwiches and fish tacos. The dinner menu features a prime filet mignon, Maine lobster tail and Alaskan king crab legs. You’ll want to study the chalkboard menu for tempting specials such as Tasmanian trout with honey-lime glaze. Sides include choices such as grits, sautéed spinach, slaw and dirty rice. For dessert, take your pick between bread pudding, pie (including Key lime, buttermilk and pecan) or ice cream.

Service is warm and family-friendly. Hostesses eagerly await to invite you to your table and servers scribble down your order with the charm of a Mel’s Diner Flo. Always affable, they even gracefully accommodate unique requests like helping to rock a baby to sleep so a tired mom and dad can eat (but seriously, don’t ask them to do this unless you plan to tip a month’s salary).
As Rex’s awaits its liquor license, the beer and wine list is still in the works. This might work out well for you; until they can sell it, they’re giving it away. Surely, this will be of some comfort if the coveted lobster roll is sold out.