What's Eric Eating

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Avondale Food & Wine owner Mary Clarkson to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and food scene including Night Heron making changes, El Segundo Swim Club's grand reopening bash, Chris Shepherds new cookbook Cook Like a Local. In the Restaurants of the Week section The Toasted Coconut and Savoir are featured. In the Guest of the Week portion of the podcast Eric is joined by chefs Chris Williams of Lucille's and Dawn Burrell of Kulture to discuss the Food Apartheid Dinner Series that they're collaborating on, alongside chefs Dominick Lee of Poitín and Jonny Rhodes of Indigo. Eric, Chris, and Dawn discuss how the dinner series came about, colloborating with each other, what a food apartheid exactly is, and more. Plus the group discuss how Chris got into the restaurant industry, his latest projects, how Lucille's has evolved, the latest happenings with Dawn at Kulture, Chris' work internationally, and much more.

Today on this very special edition of the podcast Eric is joined by Linda Salinas and Matt Harris to discuss the release of Eric's Top 100 Restaurants in Houston. Eric, Linda, and Matt discuss the process behind creating the list, visiting the restaurants, the restaurants that were overrated and underrated, who might be angry, and much more! In the Guest of the Week portion of the podcast, Eric is joined by Nicolas Jammet of Sweetgreen. Eric and Nicolas discuss how Nicolas went from a college kid at Georgetown to being the co-founder of Sweetgreen, bringing Sweetgreen to Houston, learning the Houston food scene, working with Chris Shepherd, and more!

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by frequent contributor to the podcast and beverage consultant Linda Salinas to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Eric and Linda discuss Jonny Rhodes' restaurant Indigo being named to Time Magazines World's Greatest Places list, the latest food hall entering the Houston food scene, and Antone's Famous Po-Boys partnering with Houston luminaries for a H-Town Original Series. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Craft Pita is featured. Eric and Linda also discuss some of the latest food trends... there's some interesting ones. In the Guest of the Week segment, Eric is joined by Ignacio Torras and Luis Roger of BCN and Mad. Eric, Ignacio, and Luis discuss how Ignacio and Luis met, getting Luis to move to Houston, what set BCN apart from other restaurants, how BCN has changed over the years, the decision to open a 2nd restaurant, the possibility of opening a 3rd restaurant, and much more!

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Felice Sloan of Swanky Maven to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston bar and restaurant scene. Eric and Felice discuss the new ice house coming to Rice Military, Federal Grill opening a 2nd location, and chefs Dawn Burrell, Dominick Lee, Jonny Rhodes, and Chris Williams joining together for a special food event. Then in the Restaurants of the Week portion, Warehouse 72 is featured along with a discussion regarding the food hall scene in Houston. In the Guest of the Week segment Eric is joined by chef Adam Dorris. Eric and Adam discuss what Adam's been up to at Coterie, the early years of his career, where is journey in food has taken him, establishing himself, goal for his latest project, recalculating his priorities, taking care of himself and his family, and much more!

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Avondale Food & Wine owner Mary Clarkson to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Eric and Mary discuss Ibiza officially announcing the date the concept will close, the new ambitious concept taking over the old Aqui space, La Calle opening a 2nd location, and Tom N Toms coming to the Galleria area. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Penny Quarter and Theodore Rex are featured. In the Guest of the Week section of the podcast Eric is joined by Chris Cosentino of Rosalie Italian Soul. Chris speaks with Eric about his journey from family cooking to professional cooking, going to school on the east coast, working on the west coast, what inspired him, doing food TV projects, bringing Rosali to Houston, the story behind the name, having access to different foods in Houston, the Houston food scene, and much more!

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by frequent co-host Linda Salinas to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including the Katy area getting a new dim sum restaurant, Chris Cosentino picks his chef for Rosalie, and some new expansion news for State Fare, Fatburger, and Torchy's Tacos. In the Restaurants of the Week section Bravery Chef Hall, Two Headed Dog, and Penny Whistle Pub are featured. In the Guest of the Week section Eric is joined by Alex Au-Yeung of Phat Eatery. Eric and Alex discuss what brought Alex from the automotive performance industry to the restaurant industry, what prompted his interest in Malaysian food, going on his own to open in Katy, opening Phat Eatery, the most successful dishes at the restaurant, attention to detail, biggest challenges in the 1st year of operation, particpating in Houston Restaurants Weeks, adding more items to the menu, what techniques he's bringing from his time in Hong Kong, and more!

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Matt Harris to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Crawfish Cafe heading to the Heights, The Rustic opening a 2nd location, and Mark Holley making his return. In the Restaurants of the Week section, Cielito Cafe, The Gypsy Poet, and Bamboo House. In the Guest of the Week portion Eric is joined by Ellen Chen and Mario Del Pero of Mendocino Farms. Eric discusses with Ellen and Mario how they went into business together, creating Mendocino Farms, what elevates a sandwich, being in Rice Village, collaborating with other chefs like Chris Shepherd, being involved in day to day operations, growing a company, choosing to expand in Houston versus other cities, the Houston food scene, plans for other Houston locations, expanding to other Texas cities, and much more!

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Fluff Bake Bar owner Rebecca Masson to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including some of the restaurants participating in Houston Restaurants Week, Chris Shepherd unveils the new version of One-Fifth, and the closure of Pizza Motus. In the Restaurants of the Week section, Sweet Green and Mendocino Farms are featured. In the Guest of the Week portion, Eric is joined by Nick Wong of UB Preserv. The guys discuss how Nick got into cooking, going to University of Cal, pursuing a culinary career, working with David Chang, working with Chris Cosentino, coming to Houston, learning the Houston food scene, the whirlwind of media attention/recognition in the first year at UB Preserv, getting more freedom to be creative, how UB Preserv evolved, becoming more of a media figure, and more!

In this week's jam-packed podcast, Eric is joined Ryan Lachaine of Riel Restaurant but this time as the co-host for the episode. Listen as Ryan and Eric discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Goodnight Hospitality adding some serious culinary talent to their upcoming concepts, Pappas Restaurants quietly testing a new menu for a concept, and Restaurant Indigo getting more national recognition. In the Restaurants of the Week portion New York Deli & Coffee Shop is featured. In the Guest of the Week segment, Eric and Ryan are joined by Robin Wong, Terry Wong, and Quy Hoang of Blood Bros. BBQ. The guys discuss how brothers Robin and Terry and their longtime friend Quy started working together with karaoke bar Glitter, switching their focus to barbecue, doing pop ups/events, getting to do things differently with a brick and mortar spot, expanding their menu, customer reactions, the media attention, barbecue culture, and more!

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Fluff Bake Bar owner Rebecca Masson to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Eric and Rebecca react to Billy Boyd and Lindsay Rae joining together to open a new bar called Two Headed Dog, Loam Agronomics suspending customer operations, and California based Mendocino Farms coming to the Houston very soon with not 1, not 2, not 3 but 4 locations in the area. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Taste Bar and Kitchen is featured. In the Guest of the Week segment Eric is joined by Austin Simmons of Tris and Jordan Beeman of HeartBrand Beef. Austin and Jordan speak with Eric about their partnership, the new program HeartBrand Beef has started, coming up with the idea together, the difference between the beef consumers normally versus the beef you get via HeartBrand's new program HeartBrand X, the growing market for the program, educating customers about the program, expanding the brand, and much more!

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Avondale Food & Wine owner Mary Clarkson. Eric and Mary discuss the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Bar 5015 closing with Turkey Leg Hut set to take over the space, Understory soft opening with pasta and burgers, and Gelazzi shutting it's doors. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, MAD and Loch Bar. In the Guest of the Week section Eric is joined by Mike Sammons of How to Survive on Land and Sea. Eric and Mike discuss what Mike has been up to, taken a step back on his other projects to focus on his new project How to Survive on Land and Sea, the latest info regarding the concept, the menu, types of wines that they plan to serve, opening in EaDo, getting back to the grind, Mike focusing on his own vision, and much more! Plus Mike brings Eric a gift!!

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by frequent co-host Linda Salinas to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Gabe Medina's return to the scene with Click Robot Run, Dallas based concept Bishop Cidercade coming to Houston, and reaction to Governor Abbott signing the "Beer-to-Go" bill. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Ninfas in Uptown and Lotti Dotti. In the Guest of the Week section, Eric is joined by Charles Clark and Grant Cooper of Clark Cooper Concepts. Eric discusses with the guys about they met, getting the business started, finding success and longevity in the Houston scene, the ideas behind their different concepts, identifying up and coming talent, working with some of the best, how the Houston restaurant scene has changed over the years, and much more!

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by co-host Felice Sloan of Swanky Maven! Eric and Felice discuss some of the latest news happening in the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Whataburger selling out... I mean Whataburger selling the majority stake of the company to a Chicago investment bank, Chef/Owner Marco Wiles putting the building that houses Dolce Vita up for sale, and pick some of their most anticipated concepts opening in Houston this summer. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Elliot's Table and B.B. Italia Kitchen & Bar are featured. In the Guest of the Week section, Eric is joined by Troy Guard to discuss Troy bringing Guard and Grace Steakhouse to Houston, why he chose Houston, how he fell into cooking, his travels around the world, setting up in Denver, getting mentored, the idea/concept behind the steakhouse, the Houston steakhouse scene, his other concepts, and much more!

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by frequent co-host Mary Clarkson of Avondale Food & Wine. Eric and Mary discuss some the latest news from the Houston bar and restaurant scene including Chris Shepherd being named best chef in the world by the Robb Report, burger-chan opening a second location, Austin based restaurant Be More Pacific Filipino Kitchen and Bar coming to Houston, new concept coming to the Indika space, star chef Aaron Bludorn leaving New York for Houston, and more! In the Restaurants of the Week portion the original Ninfa's and nightclub (yes nightclub) Base are featured. In the Guest of the Week portion Eric is joined by Ben Berg of Berg Hospitality. Eric and Ben discuss the latest moves and news from Berg Hospitality's line up of restaurants.

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by frequent co-host Felice Sloan of Swanky Maven to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston bar and restaurant scene. Eric and Felice talk about Indika closing after 18 years, the owners of Tejas Chocolate & Barbecue opening a burger joint, and 2 new concepts coming to the Houston area from Atlas restaurant group - Ouzo Bay and Loch Bar. In the Restaurants of the Week, Tropicales and Reef are featured. In the Guest of the Week portion of the podcast Eric is joined by Matt Marcus, culinary director of 8th Wonder Brewery and possibly a long lost brother of Eric. Eric and Matt discuss Matt's start in the culinary world, his schooling at the Culinary Institute of America and CIA's California Campus, coming back to Houston, traveling to Europe, starting the Eatsie Boys food truck, Matt's love of Poker & the band Phish, the menu at 8th Wonder, and more!