Episode 325 - Keath Jacoby and Leila Ortiz of Hotel Lucine
Eric is joined today by Keath Jacoby and Leila Ortiz of Hotel Lucine (https://www.hotellucine.com/) in Galveston. Keath and Leila speak with Eric about the inspiration behind Hotel Lucine, why open the boutique hotel in Galveston, why this was the right next step for Leila, what patrons can expect from the Fancy, the Fancy being available to hotel guests and the Galveston community at large, ho...
37m Oct 25, 2023
37m
Episode 324 - Coastline Artisan Pizzeria
On today's episode of the podcast Eric is joined by Michael Fulmer to discuss some of the latest from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair dive into the Houston Chronicle's top 100 restaurants of 2023 (https://www.houstonchronicle.com/projects/2023/best-houston-restaurants/) list, speak about Kaiser Lashkari opening up his own cooking school, and Street to Kitchen's (https://www.stree...
34m Oct 24, 2023
34m
Episode 323 - Andrew Smith of Savory Fund
Andrew Smith of Savory Fund (https://savory.mercatopartners.com/) joins the show today. Andrew speaks with Eric about the creation of Savory Fund, going from a few units to over 100 in a span of 10 years, identifying what brands are good to become a Savory Fund restaurant, how the process works, discovering Saigon Hustle (https://saigonhustle.com/) through their $1 million restaurant launch, Sa...
33m Oct 19, 2023
33m
Episode 322 - Norigami
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Monica Danna to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair speak about City Cellars HTX (https://www.citycellarshtx.com/) opening it's new location in the massive scale East River development, Agricole Hospitality (https://www.agricolehospitality.com/) opening it's new bar concept Lightnin’s Good Times (https://www....
33m Oct 17, 2023
33m
Episode 321 - Rob Wright and Jabril Riddick of Rockhouse Southern Kitchen
Eric welcomes Rob Wright and Jabril Riddick of Rockhouse Southern Kitchen (https://www.rockhousehtx.com/) to the podcast today. Rob and Jabril speak with Eric about getting Rockhouse Southern Kitchen started, Jabril's early career, what brought Jabril to the project, how the concept has evolved since opening, the menu they've developed, the live music aspect of Rockhouse Southern Kitchen, how t...
32m Oct 12, 2023
32m
Episode 320 - Dough Zone Dumpling House
Linda Salinas joins Eric on the podcast today. The duo discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including La Cruderia (https://www.lacruderiabar.com/) coming to Spring Branch for their 2nd location, Dumpling Haus (https://www.instagram.com/dumplinghaushtx/) closing in Sawyer Yards, and Jane Wild's (https://www.janeandthelion.com/) new pop-up dinner series. In th...
18m Oct 10, 2023
18m
Episode 319 - Washington Ho of HoBuzz and House of Ho
Reality TV star Washington Ho of House of Ho (https://www.max.com/shows/house-of-ho/ae1ceff1-2efd-4de2-9d6c-be80ee90cde1) and one of the co-founders of HoBuzz (https://hobuzzco.com/) joins the show today! Washington speaks with Eric about the restaurant that stirred on his love for food, his favorite fine dining experience, how House of Ho got started, showcasing Houston on the show, how he's p...
32m Oct 05, 2023
32m
Episode 318 - Barcelona Wine Bar and Nobie's
Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson today to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The duo discuss Mandito's Tex-Mex (https://www.manditostexmex.com/) opening a location in Katy, Saint Arnold Brewing Company (https://www.saintarnold.com/) winning at the Great American Beer Festival (https://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/) , and Saint Arnold hiring Chase Reid...
36m Oct 03, 2023
36m
Episode 317 - Alain Verzeroli and Felipe Botero of Le Jardinier
Chef Alain Verzeroli and Chef Felipe Botero of Le Jardinier (https://lejardinier-houston.com/) at MFAH (https://www.mfah.org/) join Eric on today's show! Alain and Felipe share with Eric stories from the early days of their respective careers, what brought Alain from Tokyo to America, the culinary philosophy of Le Jardinier, the importance for Le Jardinier to have a connection with nature with ...
43m Sep 28, 2023
43m
Episode 316 - Balboa Surf Club
It's Wednesday... wait it's Wednesday and there's a What's Eric Eating podcast?! Yep, Eric is joined by the Swanky Maven herself Felice Sloan to discuss why the Wednesday podcast. Plus the two discuss the latest news from the Houston Restaurant and bar scene beginning with the New York Times naming 2 Houston restaurants to it's list of "The 50 Places in the United States We're Most Excited Abou...
31m Sep 27, 2023
31m
Episode 315 - Sara Brook of Dessert Gallery
Sara Brook of Dessert Gallery (https://www.dessertgallery.com/) stops by the podcast today! Sara speaks with Eric about what it was like when she first started Dessert Gallery 28 years ago, why she wanted to open a pastry shop, how Dessert Gallery was different than most when it first started, developing the menu, dessert trends, recognizing a wide array of communities through dessert offerings...
26m Sep 21, 2023
26m
Episode 314 - Nonno's Family Pizza Tavern
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Monica Danna to go over the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair discuss chef Emmanuel Chavez of Tatemó (https://www.tatemohtx.com/) being named to Food & Wine's Best New Chef's (https://www.foodandwine.com/2023-best-new-chefs-7852273) list for 2023, Levi Goode going solo for 2 new projects under his personal brand, and Dough Zon...
36m Sep 19, 2023
36m
Episode 313 - Joe Cervantez and Raz Halili of Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House
Joe Cervantez and Raz Halili of Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House (https://www.pier6seafood.com/) join Eric on today's show. Joe and Raz speak with Eric about how things have changed since they were last on the podcast back during the height of the pandemic, the vast amount of offerings they have at Pier 6, what they've added to their menu, their bungalow additions, getting nominated for a James Be...
29m Sep 14, 2023
29m
Episode 312 - Moon Rabbit and Best Regards
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Linda Salinas to discuss the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair discuss Reserve 101 (https://www.reserve101.com/) 's rollout of their new vintage spirits program, Dak & Bop (https://www.dakandbop.com/) returning to it's original Museum District location, and Betelgeuse Betelgeuse (https://www.betelgeusehou.com/) opening i...
30m Sep 12, 2023
30m
Episode 311 - Ultimate Houston Burger Draft Winner Picked by Abbas Dhanani of Burger Bodega
In the epic conclusion of the Ultimate Houston Burger Draft (https://open.spotify.com/episode/5rmaX6CBUwRSHSA6LR3Jzn?si=o8IWyzkGTKiSGjZXxBPEAg) we find out who won the draft as picked by Abbas Dhanani of Burger Bodega (https://www.burgerbodega.com/) . Abbas explains to Eric why [redacted]'s line up won, what he thought of the selections all around, what he would have selected had he participate...
15m Sep 07, 2023
15m
Episode 310 - Ultimate Houston Burger Draft
It's football season so that means fantasy football is in full swing... which doesn't mean much for this show because it's all about burgers! Specifically drafting the most delicious burger lineup possible from Houston area burger restaurants. Join Eric Sandler, Mary Clarkson, Michael Fulmer, Monica Danna, Ryan Lachaine, and Bobby Matos as they select their ultimate burger lineup! Here's what ...
45m Sep 05, 2023
45m
Episode 309 - Bobby Heugel of Thorough Fare Hospitality
Bobby Heugel of Thorough Fare Hospitality (https://www.thoroughfareco.com/) makes his return to What's Eric Eating. Bobby speaks with Eric about the acquisition of Catbirds, keeping Catbirds as an affordable neighborhood bar, when Catbirds will reopen, the story behind the creation of Refuge, the atmosphere at they wanted to create at Refuge (https://www.refugehouston.com/) , thoughts on the Mo...
46m Aug 31, 2023
46m
Episode 308 - Dante's River Oaks and Goode Co. Kitchen & Cantina
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Michael Fulmer to discuss some of the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including the 4 Houston restaurants named to Texas Monthly's new and improved BBQ joints list, the sudden closure of the iconic Pho restaurant Pho Binh Trailer (https://www.phobinh.com/) , and Ryan Granger's new full service concept heading to the Museum Distr...
34m Aug 29, 2023
34m
Episode 307 - Nick Stone of Bluestone Lane
On today's edition of the podcast, Eric is joined by Nick Stone (https://bluestonelane.com/nick-stone/) of Bluestone Lane (https://bluestonelane.com/) . Nick speaks with Eric about his journey from investment banker to café owner, how he knew the Bluestone Lane approach to coffee shop dining would appeal in New York when first getting it started, growing the brand, his assessment of Houston, Bl...
29m Aug 24, 2023
29m
Episode 306 - Benny Chows & Tim Ho Wan
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson to go through some of the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar world. The pair discuss the announcement of Batanga's owners converting their Market Square restaurant into a new concept called The Big Casino Kitchen + Bar (https://www.thebigcasinohouston.com/) , ChòpnBlọk (https://chopnblok.co/) owner Ope Amosu's Chopd & Stewd...
34m Aug 22, 2023
34m
Episode 305 - Pak Tsui of Fat Bao, Ka Sushi, & I Know The Owner
On today's edition of What's Eric Eating, Eric is joined by Pak Tsui of Fat Bao (https://www.fatbaohouston.com/) , Ka Sushi (https://www.kasushi.com/) , and I Know The Owner (https://www.iktohtx.com/) . The pair discuss how Pak Tsui got into professional cooking, where he learned to make sushi (spoiler: it wasn't at a restaurant initially), coming up with the concept of Fat Bao, introducing wha...
25m Aug 17, 2023
25m
Episode 304 - Stuffed Belly & Narwhal Jousting Club
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Linda Salinas to discuss the latest happenings in the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Peter Nolan of Permission Whiskey (https://permissionwhiskey.com/) taking over operations at The Ready Room, Saint Julian's Social Club (https://www.instagram.com/saint_julians_social_club/) temporarily setting up in the Quiote (https://www.instagram.com/quiote...
25m Aug 15, 2023
25m
Episode 303 - Sébastien Laval of Laval Hospitality & PS-21
Today on the podcast Eric speaks with Sébastien Laval of Laval Hospitality (https://www.lavalhospitality.com/) and PS-21 (https://www.ps21htx.com/) . The pair discuss what brought Sébastien to America, his culinary background, getting started in Houston, why he didn't want to work in France anymore, what brought him to the world of consulting, his work with Albi (https://albihouston.com/) and B...
38m Aug 10, 2023
38m
Episode 302 - Golfstrømmen and CAPS Supper Club & Bar
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Monica Danna to discuss the latest happenings in the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Bobby Heugel saving Catbirds, Agricole Hospitality (https://www.agricolehospitality.com/) shuttering 2 of their concepts, and Underbelly Hospitality announcing that it's bringing a taqueria concept to the Houston Farmer's Market (https://thehoustonfarmersmarket....
42m Aug 08, 2023
42m
Episode 301 - Travis McShane of Ostia
Travis McShane of Ostia (https://www.ostiahou.com/) makes his What's Eric Eating podcast debut this week. Travis speaks Eric about his journey that took him from Kingwood all the way to working in New York for Jonathan Waxman (https://www.jonathanwaxman.com/) . Plus Travis talks about the decision to come back to Houston, why go with an Italian concept when he came back, how Ostia has evolved o...
48m Aug 03, 2023
48m
Episode 300 - Rado Market & Rockhouse Southern Kitchen
Eric celebrated his 10 year anniversary with CultureMap! Listen as Eric reflects a bit about this milestone with the Swanky Maven herself Felice Sloan. The pair then discuss some of the latest headlines from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including, the 6 new tenants announced for the West on West shopping center in West Houston, City Cellars closing but soon reopening in a new location, ...
28m Aug 01, 2023
28m
Episode 299 - Gin Braverman of Gin Design Group
Eric sits down with Gin Braverman to catch up on the last few years of her namesake hospitality interior design studio, Gin Design Group (https://www.gindesigngroup.com/) . Braverman shares some of her recent favorite projects such as Jūn (https://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/jun-by-kin-asian-american-restaurant-heights-evelyn-garcia-henry-lu-1/) , Lymbar (https://houston.cultur...
37m Jul 27, 2023
37m
Episode 298 - Pastore
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson, the pair discuss the latest headlines from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Street to Kitchen (https://www.streettokitchen.com/) moving to a new development in the Second Ward called The Plant, that same development getting a new concept called Neighbors Pizza Bar (https://www.instagram.com/howtosurvivehtx/) from chef Angelo Em...
34m Jul 25, 2023
34m
Episode 297 - Terrence Gallivan of Elro Pizza + Crudo
On this week's guest episode, Eric sits down with Terrence Gallivan, chef-owner of the new Montrose-area pizza and crudo restaurant, ElRo (https://www.elrohtx.com/) . They discuss Gallivan’s time in New York City working with chefs like Gordon Ramsay, as well as how he met his former business partner Seth Siegel-Gardner (https://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/whats-eric-eating-pod...
27m Jul 20, 2023
27m
Episode 296 - The Pho Fix & Houston Restaurant Weeks
It's a Tuesday, so that means it's time for Eric to go through some of the latest headlines from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Today he's joined by Michael Fulmer to discuss the New York Times' recent article listing out the top 20 best new generation barbecue joints (https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/03/dining/best-texas-bbq-restaurants-new-generation.html) which includes 5 Houston area ...
31m Jul 18, 2023
31m
Episode 295 - Sunny Vohra of the Meat + Cheese Project & Thunderbirds
Eric speaks with chef Sunny Vohra (https://www.instagram.com/chefsundeep/) about his career roots in LA, his current concepts in Railway Heights food hall (https://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/06-18-21-railway-heights-new-food-hall-market-bar-washington-avenue-timbergrove-company-of-nomads/) , and everything in between. Vohra shares details about his insatiable hunger for learni...
45m Jul 13, 2023
45m
Episode 294 - Justin Yu on The Bear Season 2, Plus Josephine's Gulf Coast Tradition
Are you watching The Bear on Hulu? Well you should be, especially if you want to listen to the first half of today's show because we go full season 2 spoiler discussion on today's podcast. Eric is joined by the great Justin Yu to discuss season 2 of The Bear (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5U-w1yL4r0) , how it compares to the real life culinary world, comparisons to Justin's own culinary jour...
50m Jul 11, 2023
50m
Episode 293 - Alex Au-Yeung of Phat Eatery
ICYMI: The What’s Eric Eating podcast is now two episodes per week, with the news and restaurants of the week section dropping on Tuesdays and the guest of the week section on Thursdays. Have feedback on the change? Message Eric on his socials linked below, or email him at eric@culturemap.com (mailto:eric@culturemap.com) . After a few years since being on the podcast, Eric checks in with Alex ...
32m Jul 06, 2023
32m
Episode 292 - Elro Pizza + Crudo
ICYMI: The What’s Eric Eating podcast is now two episodes per week, with the news and restaurants of the week section dropping on Tuesdays and the guest of the week section on Thursdays. Have feedback on the change? Message Eric on his socials linked below, or email him at eric@culturemap.com (mailto:eric@culturemap.com) . Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson to discuss the la...
25m Jul 04, 2023
25m
Episode 291 - The Wine Guy Chris Shepherd of Southern Smoke Foundation
ICYMI: The What’s Eric Eating podcast is now two episodes per week, with the news and restaurants of the week section dropping on Tuesdays and the guest of the week section on Thursdays. Have feedback on the change? Message Eric on his socials linked below, or email him at eric@culturemap.com (mailto:eric@culturemap.com) . This week, Eric invites James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd o...
51m Jun 29, 2023
51m
Episode 290 - Citizens of Montrose & Musaafer
On today's podcast Eric is joined by Linda Salinas to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair discuss the major changes coming to El Topo, the announcement of a 4th location of The Burger Joint coming to Kirby next year, and the closure of CounterCommon Beerworks & Kitchen after 1 year. In the Restaurants of the Week segment, Citizens of Montrose (htt...
34m Jun 27, 2023
34m
Episode 289 - Jane Wild
ICYMI: Beginning this week, the What’s Eric Eating podcast is releasing two shorter episodes per week, with the news and restaurants of the week section dropping on Tuesdays and the guest of the week section on Thursdays. Have feedback on the change? Message Eric on his socials linked below, or email him at eric@culturemap.com (mailto:eric@culturemap.com) . In this week’s guest episode, Eric c...
34m Jun 22, 2023
34m
Episode 288 - Andiron & The Blind Goat
Wait, it's Tuesday and there's a What's Eric Eating Podcast available? Yep that's right, beginning this week What's Eric Eating is releasing episodes on Tuesdays and Thursdays now! Moving forward, the news and restaurants of the week section will be their own episode that's released on Tuesdays. Then the guest of the week portion will be its own episode that's released on Thursdays. So instead ...
37m Jun 20, 2023
37m
Episode 287 - Andrew Geisel of Citizens of Montrose
On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined Mary Clarkson to discuss some of the latest headlines from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair discuss Chef Benchawan Jabthong Painter taking home the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Texas, Bun B opening the first brick-and-mortar location for Trill Burgers, and the trio of French culinary industry professionals who are opening a Fre....
1hr 13m Jun 15, 2023
1hr 13m
Episode 286 - Joshua Weisman of Construction Concepts
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by the Swanky Maven herself, Felice Sloan! The pair discuss the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Atlas Restaurant Group revealing what it has planned for the former Ouzo Bay space (spoiler alert Eric was right), Culinary Khancepts unveiling big plans for The Woodlands, and EZ's Liquor Lounge being named to Esquire's 2023 list of...
1hr 16m Jun 08, 2023
1hr 16m
Episode 285 - Mary Cuclis of Kriti Kitchen
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Becky Masson of Fluff Bake Bar to discuss the latest headlines in the Houston restaurant and bar world. The pair discuss the team behind Nobie's opening a new pizza tavern concept in Montrose, the new spacey bar coming to Montrose as well but from the team behind The Burger Joint, the NY based cake bakery that has made it's way to the Galleria area, and th...
1hr 1m Jun 01, 2023
1hr 1m
Episode 284 - Ben Berg of Berg Hospitality Group
On today's podcast Eric is joined by Linda Salinas to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The duo discuss the new owners of Weights + Measures trying to rejuvenate the well-known brunch spot, the Australian inspired NYC café coming to Houston, and Bobby Heugel's cocktail bar Refuge adding coffee/wine to the menu. In the Restaurants of the Week section Ojo ...
1hr 16m May 25, 2023
1hr 16m
Episode 283 - Adyson Alvis and German Mosquera of Wild
Mary Clarkson joins Eric on today's podcast to go through some of the latest headlines from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair discuss a new taqueria concept from State of Grace owner Ford Fry coming to Houston in 2024, the new IG-worthy Dallas concept that's coming to Houston this fall, and Pappas Restaurants opening Little's Oyster Bar. In the Restaurants of the Week portion The P...
1hr 6m May 18, 2023
1hr 6m
Episode 282 - Dan Mesches of Picnik
On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by the Swanky Maven herself, Felice Sloan to discuss the latest headlines from around the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair discuss Ouzo Bay's closure, Concura Italian Bites shuttering to transform into a new concept under new ownership, and the closing of New York Eatery in Bellaire. For the Restaurants of the Week section of the podcas...
59m May 11, 2023
59m
Episode 281 - Josh Deleon of Underground Creamery
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Michael Fulmer to discuss the latest from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The two speak about Izakaya transforming into a new gulf coast seafood concept, historic Houston area barbecue restaurant The Swinging Door closing it's doors permanently, and acclaimed Houston chef Anita Jaisinghani's James Beard nomination for her cookbook. In the Restaurants...
1hr 16m May 04, 2023
1hr 16m
Episode 280 - Peter Nolan of Permission Whiskey
Today on the podcast, Eric is joined by Linda Salinas to discuss some of the latest news happening in the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair discuss restaurateur Chris Williams' new concept opening in the historic Eldorado Ballroom in Third Ward, Seattle based restaurant Dough Zone Dumpling House coming to Houston with 2 locations, and the Kirby Group's new Tex-Mex concept called Verde ...
1hr 2m Apr 27, 2023
1hr 2m
Episode 279 - William Farley and Nick Nguyen of Padre's Wine Shop + Bar
On today's podcast Eric is joined by Matt Harris to discuss the latest happenings in the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The guys discuss this year's CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, Angelo and Lucianna Emiliani changing things up at Louie's Italian American, and the surprising announcement from Bobby Heugel and Justin Yu. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Oheya by Uchi and MUSE are featur...
51m Apr 20, 2023
51m
Episode 278 - Alec Varnell and Hoffie Ferreira of J-Bar-M Barbecue
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Michael Fulmer to go through some of the latest headlines from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The guys discuss MF Sushi chef/owner Chris Kinjo's announcement of 2 new concepts that he's bringing to the city, the debut of Mandito's Tex-Mex from the Palacios Murphy Hospitality group, and Dish Society's expansion into Austin. In the Restaurants of the ...
54m Apr 13, 2023
54m
Episode 277 - June Rodil and Felipe Riccio of Goodnight Hospitality
On today's edition of the podcast, Eric is joined by the Swanky Maven herself Felice Sloan to go through some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair discuss the 3 Houston chefs/restaurants that were named James Beard finalists, the upscale tavern concept coming to the Memorial area from Aaron Bludorn,  the announcement of the New England seafood concept coming fr...
1hr 42m Apr 06, 2023
1hr 42m
Episode 276 - Lindsay Burleson of I'll Have What She's Having
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson to discuss the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including the new grocery store chain that's making it's debut in Houston, Dessert Gallery set to open a new location in The Woodlands, and Muse from the Sundown Entertainment Group opening in the former Emmaline space. In the Restaurants of the Week section PS21 and T...
1hr 6m Mar 30, 2023
1hr 6m