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    What's Eric Eating Episode 234

    Meet the talented team bringing the biggest vibes to hot Houston restaurants, plus the latest food news

    CultureMap Staff
    Mar 31, 2022 | 1:44 pm
    Gratify offers a dramatic setting for dining.
    Gratify offers a dramatic setting for dining.
    Photo by Kirsten Gilliam

    On this week's episode of "What's Eric Eating," Grant Cooper, Josep Prats, and Marc Cantu join CultureMap food editor to discuss The Big Vibe Group. Formed earlier this year out of Clark Cooper Concepts, Big Vibe operates Rice Village restaurants Coppa and Gratify as well as Flora, a new Mexican restaurant that recently opened in the former Dunlavy space on Allen Parkway.

    The conversation begins with Cooper briefly discussing his amicable split with longtime business partner Charles Clark. From there, they turn to Gratify, the neighborhood bistro that's been a smash hit since it opened last year.

    Much of the discussion centers around Flora. Cooper says the concept has been on his mind for 10 years. It draws inspiration from a number of places, including restaurants in Mexico City and Tulum. Prats notes that the restaurant's cooks, many of whom immigrated from Mexico, contributed ideas to the menu. Sandler also asks about the company's future plans, which include Graffiti Raw, a new concept that will open in the Montrose Collective mixed-use develop, and Daddy's Burgers, a pop-up Cooper operated for a short time in 2020. Ultimately, Big Vibe sees itself expanding beyond the Bayou City.

    "I certainly feel like with Marc and Josep and the rest of our team, we have great people that work with us. I feel like it's my obligation to expand our company, and everybody can benefit from that growth," Cooper says.

    "I think we know what people in Houston like, and I'll be looking at other opportunities within Houston. I've been looking at Austin. Mostly, I like to go to places where I like to go, so Miami would be a good destination."

    Prior to the interview, Sandler and co-host Michael Fulmer discuss the news of the week. Their topics include: Cabo Bob's opening three new locations across the Houston area; all of the changes at The Chocolate Bar; and the Bludorn team revealing the name and concept for their new Rice Village restaurant.

    In the restaurants of the week segment, Fulmer and Sandler share their first impressions of Patton's, the intimate steakhouse that opened inside Savoir. They also discuss Roberta's, the Brooklyn-based pizzeria that just opened inside Post Market.

    -----

    Subscribe to "What's Eric Eating" on Apple podcasts, Google Play, or Spotify. Listen to it Saturday at 1 pm on ESPN 97.5.

    The partners behind Gratify Neighborhood Bistro are this week's guests.

    Gratify restaurant interior
      
    Photo by Kirsten Gilliam
    The partners behind Gratify Neighborhood Bistro are this week's guests.
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    Massive, German-inspired beer garden coming to new Energy Corridor project

    Eric Sandler
    May 13, 2025 | 5:31 pm
    Katy Beer Garden outdoor patio
    Photo by Eric Sandler
    The new beer garden will be similar to Katy Beer Garden.

    One of Houston’s most successful bar operators is bringing his talents to the Energy Corridor. Steven Salazar is opening Ashford Beer Garden at the Ashford Yard mixed-use development.

    Slated to open in early 2026, Ashford Beer Garden will build on the success Salazar has had with Katy Beer Garden, the project he opened last summer at The Dryer, a mixed-use development on the property of Katy’s historic Cardiff Rice Dryer. Like KBG, Ashford Beer Garden will be large — roughly 21,000 square feet — divided into a 10,000-square-foot indoor beer hall with a companion cocktail bar and a 11,000-square-foot outdoor beer garden that’s shaded by trees.

    “We’re sticking with that Bavarian charm,” Salazar says about his vision for Ashford Beer Garden. “Bring your family. It’s really relaxed. The kids are playing. You have multiple generations hanging out. It’s worked well in Katy. We’re excited to bring it to a new area.”

    Of course, the new project will make some improvements on the original. Most importantly, Ashford will have a full kitchen (KBG mostly relies on food trucks and a nearby food court). Salazar says he’s looking for a chef to lead the kitchen.

    In response to customer demand for private event space, Ashford Beer Garden will also have a larger second floor patio than KBG does. The beer garden will have a larger screen to make it easier for people to watch sports.

    Located on the site of a former Schlumberger campus near the intersection of Dairy Ashford Rd. and Briar Forest Dr., Ashford Yard is a 12.7-acre development that will include apartments, restaurants, and retail tenants. Salazar says he found his values aligned with the projects developers, Houston real estate firms Market Square Companies and Tenon Property Company.

    “We have a similar vision of quality for the community and creating a space and having great neighbors. Not being a strip center but a true development that’s above and beyond what the area has to offer,” Salazar says. Later, he adds, “It seems great for us to be surrounded by companies such as Shell and Baker Hughes and all these great neighborhoods."

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