What's Eric Eating Episode 94

A closer look at Houston's restaurant of the year, plus a new seafood spot

On this week's episode of "What's Eric Eating," Nancy's Hustle chef-owner Jason Vaughan and pastry chef Julia Doran join CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler to discuss the EaDo restaurant that took Restaurant of the Year at last week's CultureMap Tastemaker Awards. Backed by Vaughan's eclectic menu and top-notch service from a team led by co-owner Sean Jensen, Nancy's has been earning raves since it opened in November 2017.

Initially, Vaughan says he focused on familiar flavors that appealed to a wide variety of diners. As he discovered that Houstonians have a seemingly limitless appetite for trout roe — the key ingredient in the signature Nancy cakes — as well as specials like rabbit terrine and boudin noir terrine (served with crispy hash browns), he's been able to push the boundaries a bit.

"Even six months ago we kind of started pushing a little bit into some of those things and feeling like we had a little more room to do whatever we wanted," Vaughan says. "We played it safe in the beginning. You just want a restaurant where everyone feels comfortable. We've changed some things in the last couple of months. I feel like we can do a lot more than we did day one, or I feel more comfortable."

"I think it's also about earning people's trust," Doran adds. "Now that we've established that trust with many guests, people keep on coming back and going 'maybe I'll try something I haven't tried before.'"

The conversation touches on a variety of topics, including Vaughan's experience working for the Hogsalt Hospitality group in Chicago, Doran's preference for savory sweets, and the possibility of opening another restaurant.

Prior to the chefs joining the show, Sandler and co-host Matt Harris discuss the news of the week. They spend approximately 15 minutes discussing Houston chefs and restaurants being shut out of any finalist nominations in the James Beard Awards. Their topics include whether the city should feel snubbed, changes the Beard foundation could make to its various regions, and whether Houston chefs need to travel more to present their food to potential Beard voters.

They also briefly recap the Tastemaker Awards, discuss the potential of Ben Berg transforming Carmelo's into B.B. Italia, and quickly note that three new bars and restaurants are coming to an expansion of the Memorial City Mall complex. In the restaurant of the week segment, they some first impressions of 1751 Sea and Bar, the new seafood restaurant that replaces Star Fish.

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The signature Nancy cakes have become a staple on the menu.

Courtesy photo

The signature Nancy cakes have become a staple on the menu.

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Texas bourbon named one of 2024's top 10 whiskies

Still Austin Whiskey Co. Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey

Still Austin Whiskey Co./Facebook

Now if only we could snag a bottle...as a Christmas gift, of course.

Three cheers for Still Austin Whiskey Co.! The distillery's Bottled in Bond Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey was recognized as one of Whisky Advocate'sTop 20 Most Exciting Whiskies of 2024.

Every year, Whisky Advocate's expert panelists rank hundreds of whiskies based on their quality, availability, value for the price, and "X-factor," meaning an excitement-inducing component like a unique flavor or an innovative idea. An international panel also reviews contenders through several blind taste tests without knowing each whisky's producer, origin, age, or price.

The magazine ranked Still Austin's five-year Red Corn Bourbon No. 7 on the list with a prestigious score of 94 points. The Red Corn whiskey, which was released in June 2024, has mash bill consisting of 36 percent Jimmy Red corn, 34 percent white corn, 25 percent rye, and 5 percent barley.

According to panelist Shane English, tasting notes start big and bold with cracked pepper, dusty leather, and cocktail cherries, before moving on to a palate of chile pepper, caramel, and buttery cornbread.

"Each sip is electric — the pepper gives this whiskey a zing balanced by poundcake and glazed doughnuts," English said. "Charred oak fades to chocolate, coffee, and pecan pie on the finish."

Still Austin had the only Texas product on the list, which was fitting given the brand's recent boasting that it could match any Kentucky Bourbon. As a game day stunt when the Texas Longhorns played the Kentucky Wildcats in November, Still Austin refilled empty Kentucky Bourbon bottles with its own Cask Strength Bourbon for just $1.

When the brand isn't playfully antagonizing Kentucky fans, its Red Corn Bourbon sells for a retail price of $85 per 750-milliliter bottle, falling nearly in the middle of the price category out of all 20 bourbons on the list, with eight others priced for less.

For additional context, none of the top five bourbons fall under a $100 price tag. In fact, the most expensive bottle on the 2024 list is the Angel's Envy 2023 Cask Strength Port Wine Barrel Finished Bourbon, which ranked No. 12 and retails for $230 per bottle.

"Our top 20 whiskies represent a curated collection that deserves your attention. Each whisky on the list stands out for its superb taste, representing the pinnacle of a year filled with remarkable tastings," said executive editor David Fleming in a release. "This list features whiskies offering exceptional value, leaders in their respective styles, and superbly made expressions that are well worth seeking out."

Whiskey Advocate's 2024 Whiskey of the Year is Laphroaig Elements 2.0 Cask Strength Scotch Single Malt, which earned 95 points and retails for $165 a bottle.

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