As maître d' Frank Perez oversees crisp-jacketed servers in the dining room of TRIBUTE, one is drawn into an experience worthy of the restaurant’s location. A perfect complement to four decades of cuisine and service found at The Houstonian, this is a step back in time to a place where dining became known as a classic.
Here, chefs are creating “Tex-Lex” cuisine with flavors inspired by Texas, Louisiana, and Mexico in a style well-known since the days of President and Mrs. George H. W. Bush, who called The Houstonian home. As Tex-Lex cuisine is defined, Executive Chef Neal Cox hails from north of the Rio Grande River, and TRIBUTE Sous Chef Juan Tuch is from the south. TRIBUTE Chef de Cuisine Jeff Boudreaux is from east of the Sabine River. These gentlemen curate food that is authentic and inspired by these regions, and they believe their food is precisely what southeast Texans love to eat.
The Post Oak wood-fired, fresh Gulf Coast Oysters with chorizo butter, is a favorite, and the Kings Inn Salad “established in 1945” is created from tastes Cox found on family trips to Baffin Bay. Guests enjoy Bacon Wrapped Bander Quail, which received high marks from notable quail hunting guide Don Wright, from El Mirador Ranch in La Pryor, Texas. The Smoked Blue Crab Fingers with tomato butter dish is a heartfelt thank-you to Chef Michael Cordúa, who is seen by many as a mentor in the culinary community.
The Wood-Grilled Redfish with smoky cascabel sauce was discovered in Mexico City at Contramar restaurant, and the savory Puerco Pibil hails from the Yucatán Peninsula and pays homage to the ancient art of slow-roasting in an underground oven.
Lunch goers have their picks such as Boudreaux’s Po-Boy, the chef de cuisine’s own family’s crispy shrimp with remoulade, folded in a buttered baguette. The Smoked Chicken Salad with guacamole and slaw is served on famous restaurateur Levi Goode’s jalapeño cheese toast.
The wine story begins with dazzling rows of back-lit wine lockers greeting guests at the entrance. Private moments are celebrated in the wine room with over 3500 bottles, creating Houston’s most intimate wine room experience. The space seats up to four guests.
“Our dining room is well known for serving dealmakers, dignitaries, and those from all over the world since the 70s. While TRIBUTE is beautiful, it was acoustically designed to allow this legacy to continue,” said Hotel General Manager Steve Fronterhouse.
TRIBUTE offers complimentary luxury sedan transport for River Oaks residents and is located at 111 North Post Oak Lane. Reservations may be made by calling 713-685-6713.
