What's Eric Eating What's Eric Eating

On today's episode Eric is joined by Itai Ben Eli and Yotam Dolev of Októ. 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 Mediterranean food is more than just Greek food, the research they did in Spain, why Montrose Collective was the right spot for Októ, when they plan to open the concept will open, how a meal will go at Októ, the ambience diners will feel when entering the restaurant, what they think about the Michelin guide coming to Houston, and more! Plus, they give a bit of a tease about what they're working on in Austin. 

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:


Predicting 14 Houston Restaurants That Should Earn a Michelin Star
'Stupid Hot' Austin Chicken Chain Tumbles Into Memorial City
Houston Eatery Known for Lobster Tacos Picks Cypress for 4th Location
Good Morning America Surprises Houston Cafe with $15,000 in Beryl Relief
Michelin Guide Finally Confirms Texas Edition, Should Anyone Care?

No news/restaurants of the week on this Tuesday episode, today it's all about the Michelin guide finally coming to Texas. In this special roundtable free flowing discussion of the podcast, Eric is joined by Emmanuel Chavez of Tatemó, RJ Yoakum of Georgie, Ryan Lachaine of Riel, and Misha Govshteyn to discuss what this means for Texas restaurants now, why it's a huge deal, whether they would change things to chase Michelin stars, how important is it to have a Michelin star, how many restaurants could receive Michelin stars in Houston, which Houston restaurants could be candidates for Michelin stars, the possibility of a barbecue spot getting a star, what Emmanuel thinks of the possibility of Tatemó getting a star, 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:


Michelin Guide Finally Confirms Texas Edition, Should Anyone Care?
Ken Hoffman, CultureMap's Consummate Houston Columnist, Passes Away
Houston Eatery Known for Lobster Tacos Picks Cypress for 4th Location
November Reservations Now Available for Montrose's New Boutique Hotel
Good Morning America Surprises Houston Cafe with $15,000 in Beryl Relief

Time to find out who the winner is of The Ultimate Houston Steakhouse Draft with Michael Sambrooks of Sambrooks Management (Andiron, The Pit Room, & Candente). Michael gives his reasoning as to why selected [redacted] as the winner of the draft as well as give his 2nd and 3rd place finishers, what he thought of the selections all around, what he would have selected, what he's learned since opening his own steakhouse with Andiron, why there's no such as too many steakhouses in Houston, the possible opening for a more casual/lower price point steakhouse concept, and more! Plus, Michael updates Eric on how the new location of The Pit Room is going.

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:


Ken Hoffman, CultureMap's Consummate Houston Columnist, Passes Away
14 Eateries Serving Houston Restaurant Weeks Menu for the First Time
Michelin Guide Finally Confirms Texas Edition, Should Anyone Care?
Chris Shepherd Kicks Off New Charity Dinner Series with an Italian Feast
Shaquille O'Neal's Chicken Chain Takes Flight with Heights-Area Opening

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 show got right in it's representation of the kitchen experience, whether they'd eat at The Bear, the idea of legacy explored in season 3, and more! Plus the guys discuss what's been happening at Justin's restaurants as of late, especially after Hurricane Beryl. 

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:


Ken Hoffman, CultureMap's Consummate Houston Columnist Passes Away
Michelin Guide Finally Confirms Texas Edition - Should Anyone Care?
Embattled Houston Hospitality Group Negotiating Sale of its Signature Steakhouse
Chris Shepherd Kicks Off New Charity Dinner Series with an Italian Feast
Coffee Shop Known for Kindness Opens Third Houston Cafe This Weekend

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 steakhouse experience. 

Here's what the teams will be drafting: appetizer, salad, steak, non-steak entree, potato, dessert, and a wild card which is any specific dish that's served at a steakhouse. All of which must come from a Houston-area bar/restaurant.

The Draft Rules
Rule 1: All of your selections must be from different restaurants. For example, you may not take a potato and a dessert from the same restaurant.
Rule 2: Once a restaurant has been selected for a certain category, no one else may pick it for the same category. I.e., only one person will get to pick Vic & Anthony's — and its crab cake — for their appetizer, but someone else could select Vic & Anthony's for potato or dessert (etc.).
Rule 3: You may only select dishes from steakhouses in the Greater Houston area. That means it has a menu of entrees that are primarily different cuts and portions of steak. It may have a meat-centric name that includes words like "steak," "butcher," or "chophouse," or tout its beef sourcing (dry-aged USDA prime, Australian wagyu, etc). Restaurants with only one or two steaks on the menu are not steakhouses and are not eligible. I will be the sole arbiter on whether or not a restaurant qualifies as a steakhouse. 
Rule 4: Snake draft format. The draft order will go one through six in round 1 then go backwards six through one in round 2.
Rule 5: Categories may be selected in any order. 

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:


Ken Hoffman, CultureMap's Consummate Houston Columnist Passes Away
Embattled Houston Hospitality Group Negotiating Sale of its Signature Steakhouse
Chris Shepherd Kicks Off New Charity Dinner Series with an Italian Feast
Coffee Shop Known for Kindness Opens Third Houston Cafe This Weekend
Shaquille O'Neal's Chicken Chain Takes Flight with Heights-Area Opening

On today's podcast Eric is joined by Aaron Lyons and Brandi Key of Dish Society and Daily Gather. 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, the current rush of restaurants opening in the area, the menu at Dish Society, why they decided to close the Dish Society location on San Felipe, the possibility of more Dish Society locations in the greater Houston area, how things are going at Dish Society's first location in Austin, the chances of expanding their brands in the Austin area, how the Austin market compares to the Houston market, their breakfast options, possible expansions of Daily Gather, 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:


Modern Piano Bar with Lounge Vibes Strikes a Chord in Montrose
Favorite Chicago Hot Dog Shop Portillo's Reveals 2 More Houston Outposts
Innovative New Restaurant Fires Up Modern Indigenous Cuisine in Kemah
Favorite Houston Cafe Opens in Tanglewood with Cookies, Burgers, and More
Ben Berg Unveils Ultra Luxurious Steakhouse and New Downtown Bistro