What's Eric Eating Episode 138

The best wines to pick up in Houston, plus a fabulous French meal to-go

Antonio Gianola.

Photo by Carla Gomez

On this week's episode of "What's Eric Eating," sommelier Antonio Gianola joins CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler to discuss his career working in Houston and his current role as general manager of Houston Wine Merchant. With experience at Houston restaurants such as Da Marco and Catalan, Gianola oversees the store's day-to-day operations and makes buying decisions for French, Italian, German, and Austrian wines.

In response to social distancing requirements, Houston Wine Merchant has closed its store to customers, but they can order over the phone or online for curbside pickup. Sandler asks about what people are buying during a time they're required to stay home.

"Before the pandemic, I would say people were regularly in the $30-70 range was the sweet spot of what people were looking for. Now, I think people are looking for wines they don't have to cellar, and they're drinking them all, most in the $20-35 range tends to be the biggest movers right now. . . Instead of buying a bottle or two, people are buying half a case or a case."

Listen to the full interview to hear Giancola recall working with chefs Marco Wiles and Chris Shepherd. He also offers a few buying suggestions for people looking to pick up something tasty from Houston Wine Merchant.

Prior to the interview, Rebecca Masson joins Sandler to discuss the news of the week. The pastry chef starts off by talking about the process of reopening Fluff Bake Bar in its new home near The Heights and then fires back at people who leave negative Yelp reviews during a challenging time for restaurants.

Special guest Adam Brackman joins the show to discuss the Payroll Protection Plan, a provision of the recently passed CARES Act that provides restaurants and other small businesses with the opportunity to apply for forgivable loans equal to two times their monthly payroll. Brackman says he plans to apply for a loan to support Axelrad, his ultra-popular bar in Midtown.

In the restaurants of the week segment, Sandler and Masson share some of the places they've ordered takeout from. Masson's choices include Pizaro's Pizza and Chow Wok, a Chinese restaurant in west Houston. Sandler raves about a recent meal from Galleria-area French restaurant Étoile.

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

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blooming orchard

East End move powers growth for popular Houston cider maker

Courtesy of City Orchard

City Orchard's current taproom will close on November 22.

Houstonians’ love for cider has prompted a local brewery to make a big move. City Orchard is relocating its brewery from Sawyer Yards to a new facility in the East End, but it will maintain a presence in the area.

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Beginning in January, City Orchard will move to the Gulf Coast Distillers complex (5610 Clinton Dr.) where it will have both a production facility and a new taproom. Its ciders will also be available at Tejas Brewery, the Sawyer Yards facility that’s also owned by Gulf Coast Distillers. In addition to a larger room and increased capacity, the move will allow customers to taste different combinations of cider, beer, and spirits at both locations.

City Orchard will remain at its current location through the weekend of November 21 and 22. Its new East End facility will open on January 15, 2027, which also marks its seventh anniversary.

“Our growth across Texas means we need a larger production facility, and this move gives us room to expand our capabilities with a partner that also has a passion for craft beverages,” co-founder Patrick Kwiatkowski said in a statement. “Moving production also means finding a new home for our taproom. We’re excited to partner with Tejas Brewery to bring our flagship taproom to Summer Street and to welcome guests at our East End taproom at Giant Texas Distillers. These partnerships give us more ways to share our ciders and connect with our customers.”

Kwiatkowski and Mat Smith founded City Orchard in 2020. Its current, 8,000-square-foot facility offers 82 seats; a 50-foot, marble-top bar; and 24 taps pouring cider and beer. Its ciders use fruit grown on family-owned farms in West New York’s apple country. Its core menu also includes Mr. Green, a single-varietal cider made with Rhode Island Greening apples.

Gulf Coast Distillers opened Tejas Brewery in 2024. Its located at 2101 Summer Street, formerly home to Buffalo Bayou Brewery. Even with the move, City Orchard remains an independently-owned business, according to a release.

“We’re proud to welcome City Orchard and bring more of Houston’s craft beverage talent together. We see tremendous opportunity to grow alongside one another and give our guests even more to come out and enjoy,” said Carlos de Aldecoa, president and CEO of Gulf Coast Distillers.

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