ed for congress?

Ken Hoffman gets to the bottom of whether or not Ed Emmett will run for office

Many Houstonians would like to see Emmett (pictured with wife, Gwen) back in an official capacity.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

As your hard-hitting political pundit, here’s a tidbit that will have a major impact on the 2020 race in Texas 7th Congressional District.

Former Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, perhaps the most popular Republican figure in the Houston area, and maybe the only Republican who would be favored to win, will not challenge incumbent Democrat Lizzie Pannill Fletcher.

“I have absolutely no interest in running for Congress. I am teaching at Rice University, and I’m doing some consulting work. But mostly, I intend to spend the next two years working on my tennis game,” Emmett tells me during an exclusive interview ... between sets of our weekly match at Judson Park in West University Place.

The 7th Congressional District, one of the most affluent districts in Texas, includes West University Place, Bellaire, Southside Place, Jersey Village, the Med Center, and other parts of Houston. While Republican Emmett was caught in a Democrat tidal wave in Harris County in 2018, he out-performed every Republican on the ballot in Harris County. He lost to Democrat rookie candidate Lina Hidalgo by only 18,000 votes.

However, if you just count the 7th Congressional District, he received more votes than any candidate, Democrat or Republican. He won 66 percent of the vote in West U, and 61 percent in Bellaire.

I ask Emmett: “What would you do if President Trump calls you and says, ‘I want you to run for Congress. The Republicans must win that seat if we are going to take back the House. I need you, and your party needs you’? Will that change your mind?”

His response: “No.” Then, he adds: “My political interests now are more at the state level.”

He also swears up and down that he has no desire of a return match against Hidalgo for Harris County Judge in 2022.

My guess, technically a hunch, based on nothing but my infallible crystal ball: He will run for Harris County Judge. I’ve lost too many tennis sets to him after leading 5-3 to believe he doesn’t want his old job back.

politics series568795650

What's Eric Eating Episode 285

Meet the gifted chef showcasing authentic, home-grown Greek fare to Houston, plus hottest food news

Photo by Ajna Jai

Chef Mary Cuclis is this week's guest.

On this week's episode of "What's Eric Eating," chef Mary Cuclis joins CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler to discuss Kriti Kitchen. The Pondicheri veteran opened the family-friendly Greek restaurant in January.

The conversation begins with Cuclis explaining how she entered the world of professional cooking. Prior to opening Kriti Kitchen, she trained at Bo Innovation, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Hong Kong, and spent 10 years working for James Beard Award finalist Anita Jaisinghani at Pondicheri, the acclaimed, Indian-inspired restaurant in Upper Kirby.

At Kriti Kitchen, she honors her Greek heritage by serving dishes she's experienced when visiting family in Greece. Sandler asks her about the ways in which her cooking is different from Houston's other Greek restaurants.

"A lot of the Greek food I found in Houston was very delicious but very much street food. The kind of food I'm wanting to portray is more homestyle, things that I eat with my relatives," she says.

"For example, when you go to a taverna in Crete, a lot of times it's a couple running the whole thing. They invite you back into the kitchen to smell the stew. It's stewed meat and a lot of fresh vegetables with beans and lentils. I don't think too many people see that side of Greek food. I wanted to share a little bit of what I see with my family and what we eat when we're there."

Listen to the full interview to hear Cuclis explain why Kriti Kitchen offers both dine-in options during the day as well as heat-and-serve options that customers can pick up for dinner. She also discusses her goals for the future.

Prior to the interview, Sandler and co-host Rebecca Masson, chef-owner of Fluff Bake Bar, discuss the news of the week. Their topics include: Nobie's owners Martin and Sara Stayer's plans to open a new pizzeria; Roswell's Saloon opening in Montrose; New York City's Lady M establishing a permanent presence in the Galleria; and Masson's experiences during Austin's Hot Luck food festival.

In the restaurants of the week segment, Sandler and Masson share their thoughts about meals at two new Italian restaurants. First, they recount the highs and lows of a meal at Triola's Kitchen. Then, they share first impressions of Bari Ristorante, a new restaurant in River Oaks District that serves classic Italian dishes.

Photo by Ajna Jai

Chef Mary Cuclis is this week's guest.

-----

Subscribe to "What's Eric Eating" on Apple podcasts, Google Play, or Spotify. Listen to it Saturdays at 2 pm on ESPN 97.5.

podcasts chefs news-you-can-eat