On this week's episode of "What's Eric Eating," chef Alex Au-Yeung joins CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler to discuss Phat Eatery. Opened a year ago in the Katy Asian Town development, the Malaysian restaurant's bold flavors and creative dishes have made it a hit.
The conversation touches on a number of topics, including the chef's transition from the car business to restaurants, learning to cook in Malaysia and Hong Kong, and the lengths some people will go to try and shorten the wait for a table at Phat Eatery. One year in, the restaurant has been successful enough that Au-Yeung has plans to expand his dining room.
With regulars coming from as far away as The Woodlands, Sandler asks the chef if he's considered opening a second location.
"If one day I'm ready for the second location, it's the day I can leave the restaurant for 60 days. No phone call, no nothing," Au-Yeung says. "Then I'm ready for a second location. It's happening slowly but surely. ... If I had a second location, I would love to be in The Heights."
Your move, landlords.
Prior to the interview with Au-Yeung, bartender and beverage consultant Linda Salinas and Sandler discuss the news of the week. Their topics include: Michelin-starred dim sum restaurant Tim Ho Wan's plans to open in Katy, the team Chris Cosentino has assembled for Rosalie Italian Soul, and the opening/expansion plans for State Fare, Fatburger, and Torchy's Tacos.
In the restaurants of the week segment, the two hosts share some first impressions of Bravery Chef Hall, the newly opened downtown food hall that contains five restaurants and three bars. They also discuss a recent bar crawl that took them to Lotti Dotti, Penny Whistle Pub, and Two Headed Dog.
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From top right: Beef rendang, mango prawn, Kang Kung, and roti.
