Episode 402 - Granger's and Balboa Surf Club
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 pair speak about State of Grace (https://stateofgracetx.com/) undergoing some major changes, Southern Living's (https://www.southernliving.com/) list of The South's Best New Barbecue Joints of 2024 (https://www.southernliving.com/new-barbecue-restauran...
31m Aug 27, 2024
31m
Episode 401- Lance McCullers Jr., Nico Baizán de Aldecoa, & Juan Carlos Martinez de Aldecoa of Maven Coffee + Cocktails
On today's edition of the show, Eric is joined by Lance McCullers Jr., Nico Baizán de Aldecoa, & Juan Carlos Martinez de Aldecoa of Maven Coffee + Cocktails (https://www.mavenhouston.com/) . The guys speak with Eric about the development of Maven, why Lance decided to pursue this as a venture outside of baseball, Juan Carlos' family's long legacy in coffee, how they went about this process back...
34m Aug 22, 2024
34m
Episode 400 - Guard and Grace & Turner's Cut
Today on the podcast, Eric is joined by Monica Danna to dive into some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Eric and Monica discuss Truth BBQ (https://truthbbq.com/) opening in NRG Stadium, Hungry's (https://hungryscafe.com/) opening it's first new location in 40 years, and the Malibu Barbie Cafe (https://bucketlisters.com/experience/malibu-barbie-cafe-houston) making i...
38m Aug 20, 2024
38m
Episode 399 - Matt Gottlieb of il Bracco and Balboa Surf Club
On today's edition of the show, Eric is joined by Matt Gottlieb of Western Addition Restaurant Group (https://westernaddition.com/) . Their concepts include il Bracco (https://www.ilbraccorestaurant.com/) and Balboa Surf Club (https://balboasurfclub.com/) . Matt speaks with Eric about how he got started in the culinary industry, what he learned from his time at Houston's (https://www.houstons.c...
47m Aug 15, 2024
47m
Episode 398 - Azumi
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by the returning Swanky Maven herself, Felice Sloan. Eric and Felice dive right into the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Mi Luna (https://www.milunatapasbar.com/) finding a new home in Montrose, the 3 nightlight veterans who are teaming up for a new cocktail bar concept called Melrose (https://www.melrosehtx.com/) (also coming ...
34m Aug 13, 2024
34m
Episode 397 - Ronnie Killen of Killen's Restaurants
May 4th, 2017, episode 2 of What's Eric Eating released with special guest Ronnie Killen of Killen's restaurants. A lot has changed in the 7 years since his last appearance, so after years of being Ronnie returns to the show to catch Eric, and the listeners, up on what's been going on with him and his restaurants. Ronnie speaks with Eric about his health issues the past 3 years, his near death ...
58m Aug 08, 2024
58m
Episode 396 - The Marigold Club
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson to go through some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Eric and Mary discuss Molihua (https://www.molihuahouston.com/) closing to reconceptualization after being opened for 3 months inside the Blossom Hotel (https://www.blossomhouston.com/) , the announcement of a 4th location for Jonathan's the Rub (https://www.jona...
36m Aug 06, 2024
36m
Episode 395 - Teppay
On today's podcast Eric is joined by Chelsea Thomas of The Infatuation Houston (https://www.theinfatuation.com/contributor/chelsea-thomas) to talk about some of the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair discuss the owners of Bari Ristorante (https://www.bariristorante.com/) reportedly taking over day to day operations of Georgia James (https://georgiajamessteak.c...
38m Jul 30, 2024
38m
Episode 394 - Itai Ben Eli and Yotam Dolev of Októ
On today's episode Eric is joined by Itai Ben Eli and Yotam Dolev of Októ (https://www.instagram.com/oktomediterranean/?hl=en) . Itai and Yotam discuss with Eric how Októ fits in with the rest of the Sof Hospitality concepts, what Októ is, the dishes they're developing, the types of techniques they're using that are different from their other concepts, why the want to showcase that Mediterranea...
39m Jul 25, 2024
39m
Episode 393 - The Michelin Guide is Coming to Texas, What Does This Mean for the State's Restaurants?
No news/restaurants of the week on this Tuesday episode, today it's all about the Michelin guide finally coming to Texas (https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/article/news-and-views/the-michelin-guide-expands-to-texas) . In this special roundtable free flowing discussion of the podcast, Eric is joined by Emmanuel Chavez of Tatemó (https://www.tatemohtx.com/) , RJ Yoakum of Georgie (https://georgied...
47m Jul 23, 2024
47m
Episode 392 - The Ultimate Houston Steakhouse Draft Winner Reveal with Michael Sambrooks of Sambrooks Management
Time to find out who the winner is of The Ultimate Houston Steakhouse Draft (https://open.spotify.com/episode/3t5nl18AJGNk7uSceVps8V?si=WUfWAtr2Qomr8_miyvwmVQ) with Michael Sambrooks of Sambrooks Management (Andiron (https://www.andironhtx.com/) , The Pit Room (https://thepitroombbq.com/) , & Candente (https://www.candentehtx.com/) ). Michael gives his reasoning as to why selected [redacted] as...
22m Jul 18, 2024
22m
Episode 391 - The Bear Season 3 Spoiler Discussion with Justin Yu
Finish season 3 of The Bear on Hulu and wanting to talk about it? Well, you're in luck because today's episode is all about The Bear season 3! Eric and special guest Justin Yu dive into a full spoiler discussion about season 3. Eric and Justin give their overall thoughts on the season, how Justin was able to relate to this season, the practicality of changing your menu every night, what the sho...
51m Jul 17, 2024
51m
Episode 390 - The Ultimate Houston Steakhouse Draft
If you're thinking "I could really go for a good steak right now, but I don't know where to go" then this is the podcast for you because we're about to highlight a bunch of steakhouses. It's The Ultimate Steakhouse Draft on the podcast today! Listen as Eric, alongside Rafael Nasr, Mary Clarkson, Chelsea Thomas, Aaron Bludorn, and Michael Fulmer make their selections to create the ultimate steak...
1hr 6m Jul 16, 2024
1hr 6m
Episode 389 - Aaron Lyons and Brandi Key of Dish Society & Daily Gather
On today's podcast Eric is joined by Aaron Lyons and Brandi Key of Dish Society (https://dishsociety.com/?gad_source=1) and Daily Gather (https://www.dailygather.com/) . The pair speak with Eric about how things have been going at Daily Gather since it opened, how Daily Gather's menu evolved over time, how they're able to stand out in CITYCENTRE (https://www.citycentrehouston.com/) , the curren...
33m Jul 04, 2024
33m
Episode 388 - Blue Tuba and Toca Madera
Michael Fulmer returns to the podcast to jump into some of the latest headlines making waves in the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Eric and Michael discuss the new piano bar/restaurant concept called The Kennedy (https://www.thekennedyhouston.com/) taking over the former Muse/Emmaline space, Portillo's (https://www.portillos.com/index.html) announcement that it's bringing 2 more locations to...
49m Jul 02, 2024
49m
Episode 387 - Austin Waiter, Felipe Riccio, & June Rodil of The Marigold Club
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Austin Waiter, Felipe Riccio, and June Rodil of The Marigold Club. The team behind The Marigold Club speaks with Eric about the influences behind The Marigold Club, how things have evolved with the concept over the past 6 months, why this was the right next move for Austin after Tony's, the road they've gone down to go from the initial inspiration of Mayfa...
44m Jun 27, 2024
44m
Episode 386 - Jonathan's the Rub
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 the closure of historic Italian restaurant Damian’s Cucina Italiana (https://www.damians.com/) , both Buffalo Grille (https://www.thebuffalogrille....
35m Jun 25, 2024
35m
Episode 385 - Dawn Burrell of the Sound & Color Dinner Series
Eric is joined today by Dawn Burrell of the Sound & Color Dinner Series (https://chefdawnburrell.square.site/) . In her fourth appearance on the podcast she speaks with Eric about what she's been up to as of late, her upcoming Sound & Color dinner series, working with Marcus Samuelsson on a freelance project in Ethiopia, how Marcus helped her following her exit from Late August/Lucille's Hospit...
27m Jun 20, 2024
27m
Episode 384 - Haywire
On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by the Swanky Maven Felice Sloan to discuss the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair discuss Houston's only James Beard Finalist Emmanuel Chavez of Tatemó (https://www.tatemohtx.com/) not winning at this year's awards, the announcement of a 3rd location of The Taco Stand (https://tacostandhtx.com/) coming this tim...
40m Jun 18, 2024
40m
Episode 383 - Kevin Lee of Phat Eatery
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Kevin Lee of Phat Eatery. The pair discuss how things at Phat Eatery have been since Alex Au-Yeung's passing, maintaining a community focus, honoring Alex's legacy, Kevin's career, what brought him to Phat Eatery, when he knew they had something with Phat Eatery, how the restaurant has evolved over the years, how the Woodlands location is coming along, wha...
27m Jun 13, 2024
27m
Episode 382 - Bar Bludorn
This week on What's Eric Eating, Eric and this week's co-host Mary Clarkson, owner of Avondale Food & Wine, talk about all the big news, and goings on with the Houston restaurant scene! Including... The modern Vietnamese restaurant Xin Chao closing months after celebrity chef Christine Ha ("MasterChef" winner) left the restaurant. Veteran restaurateur Benjy Levit, the restaurateur behind Loca...
32m Jun 11, 2024
32m
Episode 381 - Chris Williams of Lucille's Hospitality Group
Chris Williams of Lucille's Hospitality Group (https://lucilleshospitalitygroup.com/index.html) returns to the podcast for the first in quite some time. Chris and Eric catch up on the latest happenings with the group. The pair speak about the development of Late August (https://www.lateaugusthtx.com/) , how things are going with Late August so far, how Chris started working with chef Sergio Hid...
39m May 30, 2024
39m
Episode 380 - Októ Coming Soon, and 'The Fancy' in Galveston
On today's edition of What's Eric Eating, Eric is joined by Monica Danna to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Monica and Eric discuss Doris Metropolitan owners' revealing new plans to open a new Mediterranean restaurant called Októ. Plus, The Clé Group opening an upscale cocktail lounge called Fancy's (https://www.instagram.com/fancyshouston/) , that al...
29m May 28, 2024
29m
Episode 379 - Roberto Espinosa and Eric Wilkerson of Tacodeli
Today on the podcast, Eric is joined by Roberto Espinosa and Eric Wilkerson of Tacodeli (https://www.tacodeli.com/) . The guy speaks with Eric about how they began working together, why Roberto decided tacos was the right route to go, Eric going from Y2K consulting to tacos, the direction they took with their tacos with both traditional/non-traditional options, how they grew the business, why t...
26m May 23, 2024
26m
Episode 378 - Dipping Tiger Phở and Tsujita Artisan Noodle
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 the sudden closure of Love Buzz Pizza Pub (https://lovebuzzpizza.com/) , the newly announced second location of Brian Ching's soccer bar Pitch 25 (...
22m May 21, 2024
22m
Episode 377 - Food Writer and TV Host Ali Khan
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by food writer and TV host Ali Khan (https://alikhaneats.com/) . You might recognize Ali from his show Cheap Eats, which ran for 5 seasons on the Cooking Channel, or on shows like Ali vs The Dome, Food Network's Spring Baking Championship, Chopped, The Best Thing I Ever Ate, and more. Ali joins Eric to discuss how his career first started, his time writing ab...
49m May 16, 2024
49m
Episode 376 - Birdie's and Nickel City
On today's podcast Eric is joined by frequent cohost Mary Clarkson. The pair dive into some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including chef Christian Hernandez bringing his new restaurant Barbacana (https://www.instagram.com/barbacanahtx/) to downtown Houston and country music star Koe Wetzel bringing a new location of his Koe Wetzel's Riot Room (https://houston.koew...
29m May 14, 2024
29m
Episode 375 - Michael Posey of Wild Sol
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Michael Posey of Wild Sol (https://wildsol.co/) . Michael speaks with Eric about how he began working with Alex Bregman, why they decided to transition off the Breggy Bomb branding, what Wild Sol is, how Wild Sol is different from other salsas out there on the shelves, how involved Alex and Reagan Bregman's involvement, the flavor depth of Wild Sol's salsa...
28m May 09, 2024
28m
Episode 374 - Late August and The Pit Room
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Michael Fulmer to go through some of the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The guys discuss Gulf Coast Distillers' (https://gianttexas.com/) announcement that they're taking over the former Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company facility for their Tejas Beer (https://www.instagram.com/tejasbeer/) brand, Noble 33 (https://www.noble33.com/)...
35m May 07, 2024
35m
Episode 373 - Brock Wagner of Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Today on the show Eric is joined by Brock Wagner of Saint Arnold Brewing Company (https://www.saintarnold.com/) . It's Saint Arnold Brewing's 30th anniversary this year so Brock takes Eric back down memory lane to discuss the early days of Saint Arnold Brewing. The guys talk about how hard it was starting up a craft beer company 30 years ago, doing tastings at grocery stores, when Brock knew he...
44m May 02, 2024
44m
Episode 372 - MF Lobster & Ceviche
On today's episode Eric is joined by the Swanky Maven herself Felice Sloan to discuss some of the latest happenings in the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The duo speak about the new concept coming from Aaron Bludorn and his team, Gold Tooth Tony's (https://goldtoothtonys.com/) heading to Bellaire for it's second location, Prego's (https://www.prego-houston.com/) surprising announcement that ...
33m Apr 30, 2024
33m
Episode 371 - Patrick Pham and Daniel Lee of Duckstache Hospitality
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Patrick Pham and Daniel Lee of Duckstache Hospitality (https://www.duckstache.com/) . The guys speak with Eric about how they got into their respective culinary careers, what brought them together, how they came up with the idea for Kokoro (https://www.kokorohtx.com/) , why Kokoro has proven to be a staple of Bravery Chef Hall (https://www.braverychefhall....
34m Apr 25, 2024
34m
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