Pet of the Week

Meet Royce, the bodacious beagle mix puppy, CultureMap's pet of the week

Pint-size puppy Royce is short, but big on love and ready to come home with you today.

Photo courtesy of Citizens for Animal Protection

Name: Royce, as in MMA legend Royce Gracie, baseball star (for a while) Royce Clayton, and R&B group Rose Royce, who hit the Top 20 with "Car Wash," which was almost as good as Jim Croce’s "Working at the Car Wash Blues."

Birthdate: March 22, 2019. I’m a young 'un. So expect the usual growing pains, and the usual to-die-for-cute.

Ethnicity: I’m a beagle-and-Dachshund-mix fella. I’ve got the typical short legs, so it looks like I’m running a mile a minute, but you could catch me walking backwards. I am super-duper friendly with all sorts of animals, especially the human kind. And I could use a little human kindness. I’m a bundle of energy until I see a couch. Hey, buddy, can you give me a lift?

As always, when you adopt me, I’ll be groomed, neutered, checked out by a vet, and gussied up like Sunday in Hooterville. I’m a puppy, which is a hot commodity here at the shelter, so don’t dawdle. I expect to see you here at 11 am Friday sharp.

As football coach Tom Coughlin used to say, if you’re not 15 minutes early, you’re late. (Total nut job. I remember whenever they showed him on the sidelines, he had a bewildered look on his face, like he had no idea what sport he was watching. Never liked him. Bill O’Brien sometimes has that Tom Coughlin look, especially in the last two minutes of a game.)

Come and get me: I'm available for adoption at 11 am Friday, July 26, at Citizens for Animal Protection (17555 Katy Freeway; 281-497-0591). Tell them, "Ken sent me."

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Dog lover? Ken Hoffman introduces you to an adorable pup available for adoption in Houston every Thursday.

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.

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

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