What's Eric Eating - TopPodcast.com

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Episode 430 - Tim Reading of Leo's River Oaks Dec 12, 2024

Show notes

On today's podcast Eric is joined by Tim Reading of Leo's River Oaks. Eric and Tim discuss Tim's journey into the culinary scene, his time in Boston, coming to Houston, working with Hugo Ortega, what he would have changed with his first solo concept, his mission at Georgia James Tavern, the golden age of roast chicken (I couldn't not put that quote in the description), how the relationship with Culinary Concepts began, overseeing the construction of Leo's, why the layout of the concept works so well, the menu offerings at Leo's River Oaks, the reception from customers so far, and much more!
Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com:

Episode 429 - Medium Rare Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston bar and restaurant scene. The pair discuss Esquire naming Late August one of the best new restaurants in 2024 and Mary shares major news regarding a new venture she's embarking on. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Medium Rare is featured.
Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com:

Episode 428 - Leo's River Oaks and Mandola's Deli Dec 03, 2024

Show notes

On the podcast today Eric is joined by Monica Danna to go through some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair discuss Chef Shawn Gawle's announcement of his first solo project called Camaraderie which is set to open in the Heights in 2025, Austin based concept Honest Mary's setting it's opening in Houston window to fall 2025, and restaurants affected by I-45's expansion Kim Son on Jefferson. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Leo's River Oaks and Mandola's Deli are featured.
Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com:

Episode 427 - Ultimate Houston Bar Draft Results Nov 27, 2024

Show notes

On episode 427 of What's Eric Eating, host Eric Sandler was joined by Brad Moore of 'Big Star Bar' and 'Grand Prize' fame, and Lindsay Rae Burleson of 'Two Headed Dog' to have them judge, and declare a winner from the 'Ultimate Bar Draft' from the day before.
His two guests also gave their own picks as to which categories, and bars were wrongly left undrafted.
Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com:

Episode 426 - Ultimate Houston Bar Draft Nov 26, 2024

Show notes

On a special episode of What's Eric Eating, host Eric Sandler is joined by 6 industry experts for an Ultimate Bar Draft, picking from topics...

Best neighborhood bar, like a dive or casual bar
Best cocktail bar
Favorite martini, and favorite margarita
Best bar food
And a wildcard pick that can be anything, from any bar!

His guests are Lawton Driscoll, Sean Fitzmaurice, Lainey Collum, Mary Clarkson, Chelsea Thomas, and Bobby Heugel.
Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com:

Episode 425 - Stephanie Velasquez and Nicolas Vera of Ema and Papalo Taqueria Nov 21, 2024

Show notes

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Stephanie Velasquez and Nicolas Vera of Ema and Papalo Taqueria. Stephanie and Nicolas speak with Eric about how they both got into the culinary scene, meeting/working together at Xochi, how they bonded over their passion for food/working in restaurants, how dining at a restaurant in Mexico became the inspiration for their own concept ideas, getting their first incubator space, how the idea for Papalo Taqueria evolved, opening Papalo 2 weeks before the pandemic, how they adapted to survive the pandemic, how Ema came to be, where the idea for Ema came from, the community response so far, the familial roots for the name Ema, their reaction to being included in the Michelin Guide, and much more!
Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com:

Episode 424 - Ishtia and Emma Jane Nov 19, 2024

Show notes

On today's podcast Eric is joined by Michael Fulmer to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair discuss the removal of one Houston restaurant from the Michelin Guide, what they'd like the Michelin Guide to improve upon in the future, the Houston Chronicle's Alison Cook announcement that she's leaving the Chronicle with her last day set for November 27th, and The Burger Joint/The Taco Stand coming to the Memorial City area. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Ishtia and Emma Jane are featured.
Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com:

Episode 423 - 3 Texas Michelin Star Winners: March, CorkScrew BBQ, & Hestia Nov 14, 2024

Show notes

Michelin Guide coverage continues on the podcast this week, with today's episode featuring 3 Texas Michelin star recipients: March, CorkScrew BBQ, and Hestia. First up, Eric is joined by June Rodil and Felipe Riccio of Goodnight Hospitality, then Nichole and Will Buckman of CorkScrew BBQ stop by, and finally Tavel Bristol-Joseph of Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group closes out the show. They all share with Eric their reactions to the Michelin Guide announcement ceremony, experience the event, what receiving the honor meant to them, what it means for their respective concepts going forward, how things have already picked up for all of them, and much more!
Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com:

Emergency Pod: Michelin Guide Reactions Nov 12, 2024

Show notes

The Michelin Guide has announced it's selections for Texas, time to break it all down. On this episode, Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson, Monica Danna, and Michael Fulmer to discuss/react to the selections. Did Michelin get it right? What they think of the restaurants awarded stars? Which restaurants did the guide miss? How this sets up for future guide announcements? The group answers all those questions and more on this special edition of the podcast.
Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com:

Episode 421 - Brittany Vaughan of Garnish Design Nov 07, 2024

Show notes

Brittany Vaughan of Garnish Design joins Eric on the show today. Brittany speaks with Eric about how she developed an interest in restaurant design, pivoting into restaurant design after working front of house for years, the common things that people don't think about when it comes to designing a restaurant (where are we putting the trash cans?), the subtle touches added to the design of Nancy's Hustle to make it feel relaxing/welcoming for patrons, how important acoustics are, how Covid changed the design plans for Tiny Champions, how she started working with Benjy Levit, why Maximo was challenging to design, the inspiration for Milton's, the status of the new Lee's Den, her next project, and much more!
Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com:

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