What's Eric Eating Episode 244

Houston food insiders reveal the city's best seafood restaurant, plus the hottest dining news

1751 Sea & Bar is the restaurant of the week.

Photo by Shannon O’Hara

On this week's episode of "What's Eric Eating," CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler and Houston Barbecue Festival co-founder Michael Fulmer discuss the latest food news and their recent meals at two local restaurants.

The episode begins with an in-depth review of Top Chef Houston. They debate whether the episodes provided viewers with enough context about the city. From there, the conversation turns to local cheftestant Evelyn Garcia, who became the second Houston chef to reach the final episode. Finally, they assess season winner Buddha Lo and where he ranks among the Top Chef champions of seasons past.

Their conversation continues with thoughts on Gatlin's Fins & Feathers, the new comfort food restaurant from Gatlin's BBQ owner Greg Gatlin and executive chef Michelle Wallace. Overall, they're excited about the new addition to Independence Heights and look forward to dining there.

The news segment concludes with a few memories of Rice Epicurean. The luxury grocery will close its only remaining location in July.

In the restaurants of the week segment, Fulmer and Sandler describe their recent meal at 1751 Sea & Bar, the upscale seafood restaurant from Pit Room owner Michael Sambrooks. Tune in to hear whether dishes such as crawfish johnnycakes and lobster chawanmushi left the duo with the conclusion that it's Houston's best seafood restaurant.

This week's episode concludes with their thoughts on Flying Fish. A recent meal at the fast casual restaurant in The Heights impressed both of them, and they've resolved to revisit soon.

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

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farewell, fleming's

Steakhouse chain's Upper Kirby outpost will shutter after 25 years

Fleming's/Facebook

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The Upper Kirby location of a popular steakhouse will soon say goodbye. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar will close on April 18.

In response to CultureMap’s request for comment, Elizabeth Daly, director of media & community relations for Fleming’s parents company Bloomin’ Brands, writes that the restaurant chose not to renew its lease at 2405 West Alabama Street.

“Team members will have the opportunity to transfer to another restaurant,” Daly adds. “We appreciate the community’s support the past 25 years and hope to serve them at one of our other Houston-area Fleming’s locations.”

Those other Houston-area locations are in Town & Country Village (788 W. Sam Houston Parkway North) and at The Woodlands Mall (1201 Lake Woodlands Drive, Suite 305).

As Daly notes, Fleming’s opened its Upper Kirby location in 2002. In the early days, it benefitted from the leadership of Maeve Pesquera, who worked for Tony Vallone prior to joining the company. Sam Governale followed, eventually leaving in 2017 to open River Oaks-area restaurant Emmaline.

Between now and April 18, the restaurant’s fans have time to visit for specials such as its Tomahawk Tuesday promotion —a 35-ounce steak with salads, sides, and dessert for $165 — as well as a two-course, Easter brunch on Saturday, April 4, and Sunday, April 5.

Fleming’s is only the latest Houston steakhouse to close. In January, Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille closed its location in the River Oaks Shopping Center. Last year, Andiron, an upscale steakhouse from the owner of The Pit Room and Candente, shuttered after only two years.

closings flemings steakhouse news-you-can-eat