Episode 370 - Little Rey and Maximo
On today's edition of What's Eric Eating, Eric is joined by Monica Danna to discuss some of the latest new from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Monica and Eric discuss Vibrant's (https://www.wearevibrant.com/) new location in Memorial Park, the soon to be open restaurant called Blue Tuba (https://www.instagram.com/bluetubatx/) that's not quite like anything Houston has seen before, and th...
45m Apr 23, 2024
45m
Episode 369 - Nina Quincy and Sarah Dowling of Underbelly Hospitality
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Nina Quincy and Sarah Dowling of Underbelly Hospitality (https://underbellyhospitality.com/) . Nina and Sarah speak with Eric about how their respective career paths that led them to Underbelly Hospitality, what the transition period was like at Underbelly following the departure of Chris Shepherd, the current state of Underbelly Hospitality, how things ha...
46m Apr 18, 2024
46m
Episode 368 - EMA
On today's podcast Eric is joined by Chelsea Thomas of The Infatuation Houston (https://www.theinfatuation.com/contributor/chelsea-thomas) to dive into some of the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Eric and Chelsea discuss Magnol French Baking's (https://www.magnolfrenchbaking.com/) announcement of their new location in the Heights, Arizona based breakfast concept Has...
34m Apr 16, 2024
34m
Episode 367 - Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu of JŪN
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu of JŪN (https://www.junbykin.com/) . Evelyn and Henry speak with Eric about why the spot on 20th street was the right location for JŪN, what convinced Henry to come to Texas for this concept, the development of the menu, their time working pop-ups together, the moment things got real for them, what Henry has learned so far about ...
40m Apr 11, 2024
40m
Episode 366 - Bar Bludorn and Magdalena's Trattoria & Pizzeria
On the podcast today Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson to go through some of the latest news hitting the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair discuss Emmanuel Chavez of Tatemó (https://www.tatemohtx.com/) being the only chef of the 11 Houston semifinalists (https://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/james-beard-award-semifinalists-houston/) to be named a James Beard award finalist...
33m Apr 09, 2024
33m
Episode 365 - Remembering Alex Au-Yeung, Uplifting Others and His Lasting Legacy
Last week the Houston culinary scene lost one of it's most prominent chef's, Alex Au-Yeung. Alex, the owner of Phat Eatery, passed away due to cancer on March 21st at the age of 52. Today's episode is dedicated to him and celebrating his memory. Eric alongside Terry Wong, Stevie Vu, Isabel Protomartir, Felice Sloan, Thomas Nguyen, and Abbas Dhanani, share stories and memories of Alex. Plus they...
36m Apr 04, 2024
36m
Episode 364 - Prime 131 and Pizzana
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Michael Fulmer from the Houston BBQ Festival (https://houbbq.com/festivals/hou-2023/) ! Eric and Michael discussed... The results of the 2024 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards (https://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/tastemaker-awards-winners-chef-restaurant/) The opening of Houston restaurant Late August (https://www.lateaugusthtx.com/) What the...
40m Apr 02, 2024
40m
Episode 363 - Travis Tober and Karole Hardwick of Nickel City
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Travis Tober and Karole Hardwick of Nickel City (https://www.nickelcitybar.com/) . The pair speak with Eric about their respective careers in the bar industry, how Travis' travels with Aviation Gin influenced his idea for Nickel City, why they decided to bring Nickel City to Houston, opening the first Nickel City in Austin, Karole's biggest adjustment comi...
35m Mar 28, 2024
35m
Episode 362 - Duchess
It's a swanky feeling kinda day as Eric is joined by the Swanky Maven herself Felice Sloan to discuss the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Felice and Eric discuss Dozier's BBQ & Meat Market (https://www.doziersbbq.com/) closing at the end of March, the closure of Pastore Italian Kitchen (https://pastorehouston.com/) , and L.A. based Pizzana (https://pizzana.com/) opening i...
35m Mar 26, 2024
35m
Episode 361 - Jacques Varon and Max Lappe of Baso
On today's podcast Eric is joined by Jacques Varon and Max Lappe of Baso (https://www.basohtx.com/) . The pair speak with Eric about how they both got into professional cooking, how they first began working with each other, their time in California working at Angler, coming to Houston to open their own restaurant, why they decided to go with a basque style of cooking at Baso, what basque cookin...
51m Mar 21, 2024
51m
Episode 360 - PostScript and Le Jardinier
Eric is back on a regular podcast schedule this week and today he's joined by the returning Monica Danna to discuss the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair discuss Alex Padilla leaving The Original Ninfa's (https://ninfas.com/) after 18 years, Portillo's (https://www.portillos.com/index.html) opening soon in Houston with 2 locations, and a new cocktail bar call...
41m Mar 19, 2024
41m
Episode 359 - Ricardo Molina of Molina's Cantina
On today's podcast Eric is joined by Ricardo Molina of Molina's Cantina (https://www.molinascantina.com/) . Ricardo speaks with Eric about his family's history in the restaurant business, starting the business back in 1941, the changing of locations over the years, keeping a balance between staying current but also paying homage to the restaurant's roots, the evolution of the drink program, not...
36m Mar 14, 2024
36m
Episode 358 - Cinda and Armando Palacios of Palacios Murphy Hospitality
Today on the podcast, Eric is joined by Cinda and Armando Palacios of of Palacios Murphy Hospitality (https://palaciosmurphy.com/) . Cinda and Armando speak with Eric about how they first met, where the idea of combining Tex-Mex with fine dining came from, the story behind Armando getting fired from Ninfa's for giving out sopapillas, starting Armando's Restaurant (https://www.armandosrestaurant...
44m Mar 07, 2024
44m
Episode 357 - Sorrento Ristorante
On today's edition of the podcast CultureMap Editor Eric Sandler is joined by Mary Clarkson to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair speak about Tilman Fertitta's recent multimillion dollar development purchase, Harold's in the Heights (https://www.haroldsheights.com/) shuttering after 10 years, and Tacos Doña Lena (https://www.donalenatacos.com/) o...
20m Mar 05, 2024
20m
Episode 356 - Jason Ryczek of Little's Oyster Bar
Today on the podcast CultureMap Editor (yeah that's right someone got a promotion) Eric Sandler speaks with Jason Ryczek of Little's Oyster Bar (https://littlesoysterbar.com/) . Eric and Jason discuss how Jason's culinary career first began, how his time in San Francisco helped shaped him, what got Jason into caviar, coming to Houston, working with Pappas, developing the menu, keeping the menu ...
34m Feb 29, 2024
34m
Episode 355 - Amrina and Himalaya Restaurant
Today on the podcast CultureMap Editor (yeah that's right someone got a promotion) Eric Sandler is joined by Michael Fulmer to dive into the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar world. The guys discuss Katami (https://www.katamihouston.com/) topping Texas Monthly's Best New Restaurants in 2024 (https://www.texasmonthly.com/food/best-new-restaurants-in-texas-2024/) , Houston's n...
32m Feb 27, 2024
32m
Episode 354 - Julia and David Grossman of Fusion Eats & Fusion Taco
On today's podcast Eric is joined by Julia and David Grossman of Fusion Eats (https://fusioneatsgreenway.com/) and Fusion Taco (https://fusiontacomain.com/) . Julia and David speak with Eric about how they met, what brought David back to Houston from New York, Julia's interest in the food truck scene early on in her career, the early food truck days, David's time at Branch Water, transitioning ...
25m Feb 22, 2024
25m
Episode 353 - Baso
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Chelsea Thomas (https://www.theinfatuation.com/contributor/chelsea-thomas) of The Infatuation Houston (https://www.theinfatuation.com/houston) to go through some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair discuss the opening of PostScript (https://www.postscripthtx.com/) which features the return of chef Bryan Caswell, the openi...
37m Feb 20, 2024
37m
Episode 352 - Jason Gould of Common Bond and 1891 American Eatery & Bar
On this week's episode, Eric speaks with Jason Gould of Common Bond (https://www.commonbondcafe.com/) , and 1891 American Eatery & Bar (https://www.1891heights.com/) ! They discussed bringing the first classic croissant to the Houston restaurant scene, the decision to close the downtown Brasserie, trying to change the way we think about sports bars, expanding the Common Bond brand, and how the ...
28m Feb 15, 2024
28m
Episode 351 - Artisans
We're back to normal programming this week as Eric is joined by regular cohost Mary Clarkson to dive back into the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Eric and Mary discuss the bagel drama happening with Space City Bagels (https://www.instagram.com/spacecitybagels/) formerly known as Brazos Bagel (https://www.brazosbagel.com/) just a short time ago, Dominick Lee returning to ...
27m Feb 13, 2024
27m
Episode 350 - The Ultimate Houston Date Night Draft Winner Reveal with June Rodil of Goodnight Hospitality
Time to find out who won The Ultimate Houston Date Night Draft (https://open.spotify.com/episode/16AyefB5C1vxHkj0uQOvBS?si=1ybNxwaKSkOkVRPey5uJZw) ! To determine our winner, Eric has enlisted the help of June Rodil of Goodnight Hospitality (https://www.goodnighthospitality.com/) . Listen as June reveals the winner of the Date Night Draft, why [redacted]'s lineup won her over in the end, what sh...
19m Feb 08, 2024
19m
Episode 349 - The Ultimate Houston Date Night Draft
You know what your special someone deserves from you for Valentine's Day this year? You to listen to this episode of What's Eric Eating because then you'll be fully prepared to plan the best possible date night. That's right, it's the Ultimate Houston Date Night Draft on today's edition of the podcast. Join Eric Sandler, Felice Sloan, Rafael Nasr, Justin Yu, Mary Clarkson, and Evelyn Garcia as ...
51m Feb 06, 2024
51m
Episode 348 - Ernest Servantes of Burnt Bean Co. Barbecue and Robert Jacob Lerma
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Ernest Servantes of Burnt Bean Co. Barbecue (https://www.burntbeanco.com/) and Robert Jacob Lerma (https://www.robertjacoblerma.com/) . The guys speak with Eric about how they first became friends, eating birria tacos in Robert's backyard before it was cool to eat birria tacos in your backyard, how Ernest got started in competition barbecue, transitioning ...
1hr 4m Feb 01, 2024
1hr 4m
Episode 347 - Tavola
The Swanky Maven herself Felice Sloan joins Eric on today's podcast to go through some of the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Eric and Felice discuss the 11 Houston restaurants/chefs named James Beard Award semifinalists, the sudden closure of Buffalo Bayou Brewery (https://www.buffbrew.com/) , and saying their goodbyes to Clare Smith's Alice Blue (https://www.alice...
33m Jan 30, 2024
33m
Episode 346 - Felipe Riccio and Austin Waiter of Goodnight Hospitality
On today's edition of the podcast, Eric is joined by Felipe Riccio and Austin Waiter of Goodnight Hospitality (https://www.goodnighthospitality.com/) . The pair speak with Eric about the vision for Goodnight Hospitality's new concept The Marigold Club (https://www.goodnightcharlies.com/) , the status of the concept currently, what exactly is continental cuisine, the type of food customers can e...
41m Jan 25, 2024
41m
Episode 345 - 1891 American Eatery & Bar
On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by Michael Fulmer to dive into some of the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Eric and Michael discuss Common Bond (https://www.commonbondcafe.com/) claiming a spot in Tanglewood for their 5th bistro location, Layne's Chicken Fingers (https://www.layneschickenfingers.com/) opening their third Houston area location, and t...
26m Jan 23, 2024
26m
Episode 344 - Morgan Weber of HiWay Cantina
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Morgan Weber of HiWay Cantina (https://www.agricolehospitality.com/hiway-cantina) . Morgan speaks with Eric about why he and the rest of the team at Agricole Hospitality (https://www.agricolehospitality.com/) decided to change things up in the east end of Houston by closing Indianola and Miss Carousel, coming up with the ideas for HiWay Catina and Lightnin...
46m Jan 18, 2024
46m
Episode 343 - Belly of the Beast and Mi Tierra Mexican Kitchen
It's Tuesday, which means it's time to dive into the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene with Eric Sandler and this week's cohost Monica Danna. Eric and Monica talk about ChópnBlọk (https://chopnblok.co/) opening its first brick and mortar location, the new wine bar from Gr8 Plate Hospitality (https://www.gr8plate.com/) , and since Monica missed the annual Year in Review podca...
39m Jan 16, 2024
39m
Episode 342 - Benchawan Painter a.k.a. Chef G and Graham Painter of Street to Kitchen
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Benchawan Jabthong Painter and Graham Painter of Street to Kitchen (https://www.streettokitchen.com/) . The couple speak with Eric about how they first met, coming to American from Thailand, the story of Chef G's braised green curry brisket that ended up leading her to SaltAir Seafood Kitchen, Chef G's experience working at SaltAir, how Graham's stepmom go...
46m Jan 11, 2024
46m
Episode 341 - Street to Kitchen and Makiin
Eric's back! The first podcast of the new year is here and on this episode Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson to catch up on the news that we missed during the holidays from the Houston bar and restaurant scene. The pair discuss Aaron Bludorn's announcement of Bar Bludorn (https://www.barbludorn.com/) , Kaitlin Steets leaving Theodore Rex (https://trexhouston.com/) after 8 years, and the new upsca...
34m Jan 09, 2024
34m
The Ultimate Houston Burger Draft (Reair)
We're doing things a little differently. The podcast is taking time off until January 9th, but that doesn't mean no episodes until then. Eric is bringing back some of his favorite episodes to your feeds while the podcast is away. Today's episode is a reairing of Episode 310 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-310-ultimate-houston-burger-draft/id1231236807?i=1000626801273) , originall...
58m Jan 04, 2024
58m
A Conversation with Emmanuel Chavez of Tatemó (Reair)
We're doing things a little differently. The podcast is taking time off until January 9th, but that doesn't mean no episodes until then. Eric is bringing back some of his favorite episodes to your feeds while the podcast is away. Today's episode is a reairing of Episode 266 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-266-emmanuel-chavez-of-tatem%C3%B3/id1231236807?i=1000593972791) , original...
43m Jan 02, 2024
43m
The Ultimate Houston Tex-Mex Draft (Reair)
We're doing things a little differently. The podcast is taking time off until January 9th, but that doesn't mean no episodes until then. Eric is bringing back some of his favorite episodes to your feeds while the podcast is away. Today's episode is a reairing of Episode 271 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-271-ultimate-tex-mex-draft/id1231236807?i=1000599954431) , originally relea...
1hr 2m Dec 28, 2023
1hr 2m
The Ultimate Houston BBQ Draft (Reair)
We're doing things a little differently. The podcast is taking time off until January 9th, but that doesn't mean no episodes until then. Eric is bringing back some of his favorite episodes to your feeds while the podcast is away. Today's episode is a reairing of Episode 240 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-240-ultimate-houston-barbecue-draft/id1231236807?i=1000560743359) , origina...
57m Dec 26, 2023
57m
Talking The Bear Season 2 with Justin Yu (Reair)
We're doing things a little different. The podcast is taking time off until January 9th, but that doesn't mean no podcast episodes at all. Eric is bringing back some of your favorite episodes to your feeds while the podcast is away. Today's episode is a reairing of Episode 294 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-294-justin-yu-on-the-bear-season-2-plus/id1231236807?i=1000620760480) wi...
37m Dec 21, 2023
37m
Episode 340 - 2023 Year in Review
It's that time of year again! It's time to look back at the year that was in Houston food, it's the What's Eric Eating Year in Review - 2023 Edition. For this go around Eric is joined by Felice Sloan, Mary Clarkson, and Michael Fulmer to look back at some of the biggest stories, best dishes, saddest closures, best new restaurants, old favorites, and more! Plus, the group discuss ideas for food ...
1hr 6m Dec 19, 2023
1hr 6m
Episode 339 - Aaron Bludorn and Alexandra Peña of Bar Bludorn
Today on the show, Eric is joined by Aaron Bludorn and Alexandra Peña of Bar Bludorn (https://www.barbludorn.com/) . The trio discuss how the new Bar Bludorn concept came to be, coming up with the name, what type of food customers can expect, the design, the reactions they're getting from deciding to open in the Memorial area, and more. The group also discuss Alexandra's story of discovering Bl...
42m Dec 14, 2023
42m
Episode 338 - Cocody Restaurant & Bar and La Griglia
Eric is joined on today's edition of the podcast by Mary Clarkson to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair react to the recent closings of Acme Oyster House (https://acmeoyster.com/) and Common Bond's (https://www.commonbondcafe.com/) brasserie location. Plus, Eric and Mary discuss Ben Berg's announcement of the opening date of his new concept Tavol...
43m Dec 12, 2023
43m
Episode 337 - Tony Nguyen of Xin Chao and Saigon House
On today's edition of What's Eric Eating, Eric is joined by Tony Nguyen of Xin Chao (https://www.xinchaohtx.com/) and Saigon House (https://www.saigonhousehtx.com/) . The guys speak about how Tony got into the restaurant business, starting Wokker (https://www.wokkerhtx.com/) , why Tony got a cease and desist letter from Chuck Norris... yes that Chuck Norris, how he started Saigon House, where T...
30m Dec 07, 2023
30m
Episode 336 - Mi Cocina
On today's podcast Eric is joined by Monica Danna to discuss some of the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair speak about Nonno's Family Pizza Tavern (https://www.houstonsbestpizza.com/home) being named Pizza Joint of the Year as part of Esquire's Best New Restaurants in America (https://www.esquire.com/food-drink/restaurants/a45847159/best-new-restaurants-in-am...
31m Dec 05, 2023
31m
Episode 335 - Kyle Noonan of Free Range Concepts
Today on the podcast, Eric is joined by Kyle Noonan of Free Range Concepts (https://freerangeconcepts.com/) . The pair dive into how Kyle got into the hospitality business, everything that went into starting up Free Range Concepts, creating The Rustic (https://therustic.com/) , working with Pat Green, developing The General Public (https://thegenpublic.com/) , how they expanded their portfolio ...
36m Nov 30, 2023
36m
Episode 334 - Rumi's Kitchen, Comalito, and Burnt Bean Company
On today's podcast Eric is joined by Michael Fulmer. The pair dive into some of the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including the opening of Dallas-based Tex-Mex staple Mi Cocina in the River Oaks area and the beloved El Bolillo Bakery opening up their 4th location in the  Mission Bend neighborhood. In a packed Restaurants of the Week section; Rumi's Kitchen (https:/...
32m Nov 28, 2023
32m
Episode 333 - Deets Hoffman of Leaf & Grain
Today on the show Eric is joined by Deets Hoffman of Leaf & Grain (https://eatlg.com/) . Deets speaks with Eric about his high school sandwich shack dreams, his early culinary career, underestimating the day to day prep of a restaurant, the idea behind Leaf & Grain, what the first year taught him, how things work at Leaf & Grain, when it became clear that they could expand to more locations, co...
34m Nov 22, 2023
34m
Episode 332 - Hotel Lucine, The Fancy, Katami, Hudson House, and Catbirds
On today's podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson. The pair dive into some of the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Seth Siegel-Gardner becoming the new culinary and creative director for Benjy Levit's restaurants and rising star chef Tim Reading heading to Leo's River Oaks (https://www.leosriveroaks.com/) . In a jam packed Restaurants of the Week section; H...
38m Nov 21, 2023
38m
Episode 331 - Paul Petronella & Elyse Wilson of Camerata
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Paul Petronella and Elyse Wilson of Camerata. Paul and Elyse speak with Eric about a multitude of topics including Paulie's being a staple in the Houston restaurant scene 25 years later, what brought Elyse to Camerata, Elyse's culinary career before Camerata, the sorcery of sommeliers, how Camerata has stood out since it's opening 10 years ago, bringing ba...
41m Nov 16, 2023
41m
Episode 330 - Auden and State of Grace
On today's podcast Eric is joined by Monica Danna! The pair dive into some of the latest headlines from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Jonathan Levine's announcement that a second location of Jonathan's the Rub (https://www.jonathanstherub.com/) is opening in the East End, the new Washington D.C. based concept Medium Rare (https://www.mediumrarerestaurant.com/index.php) coming t...
43m Nov 14, 2023
43m
Episode 329 - Dany Kamkhagi of Mostly Chocolate & Catering
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Dany Kamkhagi of Mostly Chocolate & Catering (https://mostlyhtx.com/) . Dany speaks with Eric about his family's history in the chocolate business, working with his parents early on, becoming a chocolatier, the apprenticeship that changed his perspective, changing the way they operated, how they grew the business, the Rodeo Best Bite competition, the curre...
43m Nov 09, 2023
43m
Episode 328 - Clark's Oyster Bar
The Swanky Maven herself Felice Sloan joins Eric on the podcast today to discuss some of the latest happenings in the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair speak about La Griglia's (https://www.lagrigliarestaurant.com/) move to Montrose, Relish (https://www.relishhouston.com/) opening it's second location in the Memorial area, and The Original Ninfa's (https://ninfas.com/) bringing in some...
47m Nov 07, 2023
47m
Episode 327 - Jonathan Horowitz of the Houston Hospitality Alliance
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Jonathan Horowitz of the Houston Hospitality Alliance (https://houstonhospitalityalliance.com/) . Jonathan speaks with Eric about his recent time/career in the hospitality industry, the work he's done with Buffalo Bayou Brewing leading him to what he's currently doing with the Houston Hospitality Alliance, what the Houston Hospitality Alliance is, what the...
58m Nov 02, 2023
58m
Episode 326 - Annabelle Brasserie
On today's episode of the podcast Eric is joined by Linda Salinas to discuss some of the latest from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair discuss their expectations for the future of the Thompson Hotel (set to open in December) following their partnership with TableOne Hospitality, speak about KP's Kitchen (https://www.kps-kitchen.com/) opening their 2nd location in the Bellaire Trian...
26m Oct 31, 2023
26m