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
Episode 275 - Pace Webb of Daddy's Chicken Shack
Today's podcast opens on a sad note, Eric Sandler alongside Michael Fulmer and Matt Harris remember longtime Houston restaurateur Lee Ellis who passed away last Monday (3/6) at the age of 63. The guys reflect on Lee's career, his impact on the Houston restaurant scene, and share their memories of Lee. Eric and Matt get into other news from the week that was including Hobby airport's new concess...
1hr 21m Mar 16, 2023
1hr 21m
Episode 274 - Justin Turner of Bocca Italian Kitchen
On the podcast today Eric is joined by Linda Salinas to discuss the latest happenings from the restaurant and bar scene in Houston. The two discuss Sébastien Laval and Philippe Schmit pairing up for a new concept called PS21, the new bar and lounge concept Best Regards making it's home in the space that formerly housed Chivos, and Dallas based restaurant group FB Society bringing it's concept H...
55m Mar 09, 2023
55m
Episode 273 - Michelle Wallace of B'tween Sandwich Co
Today on the show Eric is joined by the Swanky Maven herself Felice Sloan to go through the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair discuss the closing of 1751 Sea and Bar, Ben Berg's latest concept Buttermilk Baby, and Eloise Nichols Grill & Liquors' switch to a more casual format. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Fat Boy's Pizza is featured. In the Guest of...
57m Mar 02, 2023
57m
Episode 272 - Seth Siegel-Gardner of the Southern Smoke Foundation
On today's podcast, Eric is joined by Michael Fulmer to go through some of the latest from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Dallas Tex-Mex staple Mi Cocina returning to Houston, 3 Houston area restaurants making it onto Texas Monthly's best new restaurants list, and the owners of Traveler's Table introducing a new sister concept called Traveler's Cart. In the Restaurants of the We...
1hr 6m Feb 23, 2023
1hr 6m
Episode 271 - Ultimate Tex-Mex Draft
It's a special edition of the podcast today, as Eric assembles a panel of Tex-Mex aficionados for the Ultimate Tex-Mex Draft. Eric alongside David Cordúa, Bryan Caswell, Mary Clarkson, Matt Harris, and Michael Fulmer select their favorite Tex-Mex dishes from different restaurants in the greater Houston area to create their ultimate Tex-Mex meal. The panel are picking dishes in the following cat...
1hr 2m Feb 16, 2023
1hr 2m
Episode 270 - Brooks Bassler of BB's Tex-Orleans
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Avondale Food & Wine owner Mary Clarkson to go through some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair discuss the Cle Group selecting a location for a new concept called the Post Oak Lodge, Chris Cusack bringing a second location of Betelgeuse Betelgeuse to the market, and Café Express' arrival in The Woodlands. In the Restaura...
1hr 1m Feb 09, 2023
1hr 1m
Episode 269 - Abbas Dhanani of Burger Bodega
On today's pod, Eric is joined by Matt Harris to go through the latest from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including the James Beard Foundation releasing it's list of award semifinalists that includes 10 Houston restaurants, Ben Berg's newest concept that has some questions surrounding it, and Hubcap Grill on 19th Street shuttering. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Karne is featured...
1hr 7m Feb 02, 2023
1hr 7m
Episode 268 - Sherman Yeung and Jio Dingayan of Money Cat
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by frequent cohost and co-founder of the Houston BBQ festival Michael Fulmer. The guys discuss the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Western Addition Restaurant Group bringing a new seafood concept to Houston, the iconic Spanish Village shuttering in March but the legacy will live on in another project soon, and the newest bar co...
59m Jan 26, 2023
59m
Episode 267 - Steve Rogers and Rob Wright of The Warwick
This week, Eric is joined by beverage expert/consultant Linda Salinas to go through some of the latest Houston restaurant and bar news. The pair discuss Kata Robata's Yun Cheng and chef Manabu Horiuchi teaming up to launch a new concept called Katami, some sad restaurant closures that occurred toward the end of 2022, the cocktail program at Phat Eatery that Linda rolled out, and they also share...
49m Jan 19, 2023
49m
Episode 266 - Emmanuel Chavez of Tatemó
For the first podcast of 2023 Eric is joined by the Swanky Maven herself, Felice Sloan! The pair discuss some of the latest happenings in the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Common Bond Bakery entering a new phase of growth with the Garza Management Group, Michelle Wallace leaving Gatlin's BBQ/Gatlins Finns & Feathers to pursue a new project with pop-ups on the way, and Little Pappas...
1hr 16m Jan 12, 2023
1hr 16m
Episode 265 - 2022 Year in Review with Linda Salinas, Mary Clarkson, Michael Fulmer, and Matt Harris
It's that time of year again! It's the final podcast of the year which means time to look back at the favorite restaurants and food from 2022. Eric is joined by Linda Salinas, Mary Clarkson, Michael Fulmer, and Matt Harris discuss their favorite new restaurants that opened, the dishes they remember most, their favorite classic restaurants, the saddest shutters of the year, and finally what rest...
55m Dec 29, 2022
55m
Episode 264 - John Reed of Bosscat Kitchen & Libations & Ten Sushi
Eric returns with another edition of What's Eric Eating, this week alongside frequent podcast co-host Matt Harris to talk about the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Bun B finding a permanent home for Trill Burgers, Tatemo being named one of America's best new restaurants, and Houston Restaurant Weeks bringing in a large haul for the Houston Food Bank this year. In...
59m Dec 22, 2022
59m
Episode 263 - David Cordúa of The Lymbar
After a little over a month long hiatus, Eric is back!! CultureMap Food Editor Eric Sandler is joined in his long awaited return by Avondale Food & Wine owner Mary Clarkson to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair discuss Café Louie's transformation into an Italian restaurant, Austin pizzeria Via 313 has a location locked in for Houston, and Home Sl...
1hr 2m Dec 15, 2022
1hr 2m
Episode 262 - Michael Sambrooks and Louis Maldonado of Andiron
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Linda Salinas to go through some of the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including a brief recap of the Southern Smoke Festival, Christine Ha and husband John Suh's announcement of a new sandwich concept coming to Spring Branch, and the fourth location of Niko Niko's being set for The Woodlands. In the Restaurants of the Week sec...
58m Oct 27, 2022
58m
Episode 261 - Paige Lujan of The Upside Pub
This week's pod features the return of Michael Fulmer as he joins Eric to go through some of the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including an analysis on the Houston Chronicle's top 100 restaurants list, Artisans' new location in the Galleria-area, and the team behind Gatsby's Steakhouse opening a new casual concept at the beginning of next year. In the Restaurants o...
1hr Oct 20, 2022
1hr
Episode 260 - Chris Bianco of Pizzeria Bianco
This week on the pod, Eric is joined by Matt Harris to discuss the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including a new concept called Cali is heading to Northwest Houston this fall, Dallas based sports bar Boomerjack's Grill & Bar coming to Houston with 2 locations, and Hungry's has a 3rd location now in Tanglewood. In the Restaurants of the Week section Lagniappe Kitchen and ...
1hr 15m Oct 13, 2022
1hr 15m
Episode 259 - Aaron Bludorn, Cherif Mbodji, & Jerrod Zifchak of Navy Blue
Today's podcast features the long awaited return of Rebecca Masson of Fluff Bake Bar! Eric and Rebecca dive into the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Café Express' River Oaks location reopening after finishing up their upgrades, how excited we should be to have a chef like Jerrod ZIfchak coming to Houston, Top Chef alum Louis Maldonado being named executive chef a...
1hr 29m Oct 06, 2022
1hr 29m
Episode 258 - Morgan Weber and Matt Tanner of EZ's Liquor Lounge
Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson to discuss the latest happenings in the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Frank's Americana Revival relocating to a new spot, Zanti Cucina Italiana opening a 2nd location in River Oaks, and LA based ramen restaurant Killer Noodle has it's first Houston location locked in. In the Restaurant of the Week portion Mala Sichuan Bistro and ...
1hr 8m Sep 29, 2022
1hr 8m