What's Eric Eating - TopPodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

Episode 285 - Mary Cuclis of Kriti Kitchen Jun 01, 2023

Show notes

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 this year's iteration of the Hot Luck Festival. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Triola's Italian Kitchen and Bari are featured. In the Guest of the Week section Eric is joined by Mary Cuclis of Kriti Kitchen. Mary speaks with Eric about how she got into the world of professional cooking, her time in Hong Kong, how she made her way to Pondicheri, what about Pondicheri has resonated for people over the years, how she came to the decision to move on from Pondicheri to create her own business, how the pandemic caused a switch in her initial plan, what she learned about people's expectations for Greek food in Houston, why the space for Kriti Kitchen was perfect for what she wanted, how things are going at Kriti Kitchen so far since opening, the dishes people are loving so far, introducing people to Greek wines, getting into wine dinners, the goals for Kriti Kitchen, the desire to do a fine dining concept down the road, and more!
Follow Eric on Instagram and Twitter, plus check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com:

Episode 284 - Ben Berg of Berg Hospitality Group May 25, 2023

Show notes

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 de Agua is featured. In the Guest of the Week portion Eric is joined by Ben Berg of Berg Hospitality. Ben and Eric rundown the entire list of concepts coming from Berg Hospitality Group. Ben gives updates on everything from La Table to Turner's Cut and more! Listen as Eric and Ben have an extended conversation about all the concepts from Berg Hospitality Group.
Follow Eric on Instagram and Twitter, plus check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com:

Episode 283 - Adyson Alvis and German Mosquera of Wild May 18, 2023

Show notes

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 Preserve and Andiron are featured. In the Guest of the Week section Eric is joined by Adyson Alvis and German Mosquera of Wild. The guys speak with Eric about how they got into the culinary world, how German came to Houston, how Adyson went from Grinder coffee to Wild, why they're taking on this larger type project with Wild, why this was the right next move for German, coming up with the menu, the story they want to tell with the food, how cannabis factors into the menu, what customers have been enjoying the most so far, how they've integrated cannabis into the food, the difference in adding CBD to drinks compared to food, what the CBD/THC bring to the food, how they're able to use Delta 9 THC, what ingredients work well with the fusions with THC, what they're doing with the drink program, and much more!
Follow Eric on Instagram and Twitter, plus check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com:

Episode 282 - Dan Mesches of Picnik May 11, 2023

Show notes

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 podcast, Graffiti Raw is featured. In the Guest of the Week portion Eric is joined by Dan Mesches of Picnik. Dan speaks with Eric about how he got started in the hospitality business, working with the Hopdoddy Burger brand, how he got started with Sprinkles, where did the connection between Picnik and Sprinkles come from, the decision to come to Houston, the neighborhood they're in, how he defines Picnik, offering comfort food that's good for you, how people should approach the menu, the beverage options, why butter coffee, how things are going at Picnik so far since opening, how they differentiate themselves in the market, staff culture, expectations for the future, expansion plans, and more!
Follow Eric on Instagram and Twitter, plus check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com:

Episode 281 - Josh Deleon of Underground Creamery May 04, 2023

Show notes

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 of the Week section Mandito's and Verde Garden are featured. In the Guest of the Week portion Eric is joined by Josh Deleon of Underground Creamery. Josh speaks with Eric about the decision behind making his own ice cream, starting out with ice cream equipment from the likes of Amazon, the initial recipes, sharing it with others, how his style has grown, getting to the point of joining a commercial kitchen space with Emmanuel Chavez, selling discreetly, how the company was born from a call about the Health Department, moving into a dedicated space, developing the ideas for the different ice cream flavors, balancing customer demand with developing flavors, why the current model works for selling the ice cream works for him, whether he has future plans to expand, whether he would consider a larger production model, and more!
Follow Eric on Instagram and Twitter, plus check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com:

Episode 280 - Peter Nolan of Permission Whiskey Apr 27, 2023

Show notes

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 Garden. In the Restaurants of the Week section, March and Mimo are featured. In the Guest of the Week portion Eric is joined by Peter Nolan of Permission Whiskey. Peter speaks with Eric about how he started his career in the hospitality industry, shaping the program at Federal American Grill, opening Permission Whiskey during the pandemic, the challenges he faced, the atmosphere they create at Permission Whiskey, the neighborhood, the cocktail program offerings, what it's been like hosting celebrities promoting their liquor brands at Permission Whiskey, what they do for their signature Derby Day Party, future plans, and much more!
Follow Eric on Instagram and Twitter, plus check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com:

Episode 279 - William Farley and Nick Nguyen of Padre's Wine Shop + Bar Apr 20, 2023

Show notes

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 featured. In the Guest of the Week section Eric is joined by William Farley and Nick Nguyen of Padre's Wine Shop + Bar. The guys deep dive with Eric about South American wines plus what brought them together for Padre's, how William went from the energy/investment banking industries to the wine business, why this was the right next step for Nick, why William wanted to do a retail space rather than doing wholesale, what people can expect when they visit Padre's, how Padre's stands out in the market, customer response so far, being located in a unique bar/restaurant area, the food offerings at Padre's, what customers have been gravitating towards from the retail offerings, goals for Padre's, and much more!
Follow Eric on Instagram and Twitter, plus check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com:

Episode 278 - Alec Varnell and Hoffie Ferreira of J-Bar-M Barbecue Apr 13, 2023

Show notes

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 Week portion, Eau Tour is featured. In the Guest of the Week section Eric is joined by Alec Varnell and Hoffie Ferreira of J-Bar-M Barbecue. The guys speak with Eric about the unexpected changes at J-Bar-M last year, how they've kept things rolling after the major changes, Alec's background in the restaurant industry, Hoffie's road to J-Bar-M, why they like doing more things compared to what other BBQ restaurants offer, changing how they do their steaks, rolling out their new brunch menu, making J-Bar-M more of an oasis for a broader audience than just a BBQ place, how they would like to see J-Bar-M evolve, goals for them, and much more!
Follow Eric on Instagram and Twitter, plus check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com:

Episode 277 - June Rodil and Felipe Riccio of Goodnight Hospitality Apr 06, 2023

Show notes

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 from Ben Berg, and the Top Golf of baseball opening it's first location in Houston. In the Restaurants of the Week section Kuji Kitchen is featured. In the Guest of the Week portion Eric is joined by June Rodil and Felipe Riccio of Goodnight Hospitality. The pair speak with Eric about how March has evolved in the 2 years since it's been open, the service experience for diners at March, collaboration that goes on at March, why Felipe is the Dave Grohl of March, what June's day to day is like as CEO, what was the inspiration for The Marigold Club, the criticism that's thrown at fine dining, why Houston is right for their concepts, nice things about Sean Gawle, and much more in a long interesting conversation!
Follow Eric on Instagram and Twitter, plus check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com:

Episode 276 - Lindsay Burleson of I'll Have What She's Having Mar 30, 2023

Show notes

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 Theodore Rex are featured. In the Guest of the Week portion, Eric is joined by Lindsay Burleson of I'll Have What She's Having. Lindsay speaks with Eric about what I'll Have What She's Having is, what the organization does, how prevalent the healthcare problem is in the hospitality industry, the initiatives they focus on, expanding their help men's health as well as women's health, programs they've started following SB 8, other organizations they work with, having mental health discussions, what the process is like for people seeking preventative healthcare, they're upcoming events, and much more! To learn more about the organization or find more about the different help they provide, visit I'll Have What She's Having website now to get all the information and details that Lindsay spoke about in this episode.
Follow Eric on Instagram and Twitter, plus check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com:

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

What’s Eric Eating

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected