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    What's Eric Eating Episode 14

    Irish restaurateur's arrival in Houston and lots of new openings are hot podcast topics

    CultureMap Staff
    Aug 4, 2017 | 9:30 am

    On this week's episode of "What's Eric Eating," CultureMap's weekly restaurant podcast, Balls Out Burger owner Ian Tucker joins food editor Eric Sandler. After the native Irishman describes the rom-com-style circumstances that led to his move to Houston and his ownership of three bars and restaurants in Dublin, the duo discuss Tucker's decision to open Balls Out as a restaurant dedicated solely to serving New York diner-style cheeseburgers.

    After about two months in business, Tucker describes the process of finding the balance between responding to customer feedback in ways that fit with his concept — for example by switching from canned sodas to a soda machine even though he thinks the canned product has a superior flavor — versus those that don't, such as adding toppings like bacon or avocado.

    "We are still very much trying to educate people as to our concept and what we do so I guess before they even come they know what they're going to get and they're not coming in with expectations of different things being available that are not available," Tucker says. "In general, we're getting a very good response. I don't expect to be the burger venue of choice every time somebody wants to get a burger . . . but then on the day they want a good traditional, beef cheeseburger, come to me."

    Tucker also shares his plans for Poitín, a restaurant in the style of one of his Irish projects that will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, alongside an ambitious bar program. Diners who are particularly bullish on the restaurant can invest in it via the NextSeed platform and earn a 1.6x rate of return.

    Prior to Tucker's interview, Sandler and Urban Swank blogger Felice Sloan discuss the news of the week. Their topics include Truth Barbeque's decision to open its Houston location on Washington Avenue, Krisp Bird & Batter's expansion into the Heights, and this week's new openings, including Bernie's Burger Bus and Hughie's Vietnamese Tavern expanding to the Heights, Goode Co. Barbecue arriving in The Woodlands, and A'Bouzy, the new champagne-fueled restaurant that just arrived in River Oaks.

    In the restaurant of the week segment, Sloan and Sandler share their first impressions of South Bank Seafood Bar, the new restaurant that just replaced burger joint The Refinery in Midtown. Sloan also shares a couple of Urban Swank's top picks for Houston Restaurant Weeks.

    Subscribe to "What's Eric Eating" on iTunes or Google Play. Listen to it every Saturday at 11 am on 1560 AM.

    On this week's podcast, Ian Tucker discusses the creation of Balls Out Burger.

    Ian Tucker Balls Out Burger
    Photo by Quy Tran
    On this week's podcast, Ian Tucker discusses the creation of Balls Out Burger.
    burgerspodcasts
    news/restaurants-bars

    coming to fredericksburg

    Star Houston chef signs on to luxurious Hill Country hotel

    Eric Sandler
    Oct 22, 2026 | 3:00 pm
    Aaron Bludorn headshot
    Courtesy of Bludorn Hospitality Group
    Aaron Bludorn is opening a new restaurant in Fredericksburg.

    Houston chef Aaron Bludorn is coming to the Hill Country. The chef’s Bludorn Hospitality Group will open a restaurant and lead the culinary program at The Kimpton Fredericksburg, a luxury hotel that’s expected to open in late 2027.

    The still-unnamed restaurant will be a fresh concept from the company that’s behind five Houston restaurants — its flagship fine dining concept Bludorn, seafood restaurant Navy Blue, French-inspired Perseid at the Hotel Saint Augustine, and two locations of Bar Bludorn, including its recently-opened location in The Woodlands. Later this year, Bludorn, his wife Victoria Pappas Bludorn, and their business partner Cherif Mbodji, will open a new restaurant in San Antonio.

    “We really loved the idea of being out in Fredericksburg. With us opening in San Antonio, we’ll already have a team out there,” Bludorn tells CultureMap. “We’re a growing Texas hospitality group. We see it as a great opportunity to grow our brand with Texans in really cool spaces.”

    Bludorn adds that the restaurant will be a new concept from the company. Details, including its name and menu, will be released closer to the opening.

    “We were drawn to Aaron’s ability to create a dining experience that feels both approachable and elevated, where exceptional food and thoughtful service come together in a way that makes every guest feel welcome,” said Blake Berg, senior vice president of development & construction for hotel owner DC Partners. “We recognize that experiential dining is an important part of what makes a destination successful, particularly in a market as distinctive as Fredericksburg. Our vision is to build on the area’s existing culinary character while introducing a new level of creativity, quality and hospitality. Aaron understands that balance. His philosophy aligns with our intentional approach to The Meuse, where every element is designed to complement the community, create a lasting impression and give people a reason to return.”

    First announced in 2025, the Kimpton Fredericksburg is a 210-room luxury hotel. In addition to the Bludorn restaurant, it will offer a 10,000-square-foot outdoor pool and deck, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and more than 18,000 square feet of meeting and event space.

    The hotel will anchor The Meuse, a 22-acre mixed-use development with more than 70,000 square feet of retail space. Previously announced tenants include Houston-based Padre’s Wine Company, Texas bootmaker Lucchese, westernwear label Double D Ranch, gourmet food company Fischer & Wieser, and Jackson Ballard Gallery.

    Aaron Bludorn headshot

    Courtesy of Bludorn Hospitality Group

    Aaron Bludorn is opening a new restaurant in Fredericksburg.

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    news/restaurants-bars

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