Oprah's Big Night Out

Oprah's big night out in Houston: Superstar has a close encounter at trendy restaurant

Oprah Winfrey was busy in Houston over the weekend at her big Oprah's The Life You Want Weekend at the Toyota Center, but a girl's gotta eat.

Wearing little makeup and with little fanfare, the superstar entertainment mogul headed to nearby Reef Saturday night. Owner/chef Bryan Caswell and his wife, Jennifer, posted pictures on Twitter of Winfrey with the couple's newborn at the restaurant located several blocks from the arena where the two-day seminar was held.

When asked if Winfrey ordered the restaurant's famous crab cakes, referencing the 2010 lunch in which hip hop superstar Jay Z famously told Caswell the restaurant's crab cakes were "legit," Jennifer Caswell tweeted, "nope! Fried mac n cheese though!"

@Oprah just snuggled baby J @ReefHouston #oprah #reefHouston @Wholefish pic.twitter.com/XeoxBNbn6W

— Jennifer Caswell (@jenniferdell) October 19, 2014

Oprah @ReefHouston tonight. Rapped w/ my bride @jenniferdell then scooped up young Jennings #ReefHouston pic.twitter.com/s7cuxWI3yR

— Bryan Caswell (@Wholefish) October 19, 2014

Caswell tells CultureMap in a text message that group, which included four college students from Africa, started with gumbo. On Instagram, Oprah posted a photo of the group and said it was their first taste of the Creole classic.

My girls had their first taste of gumbo last night at REEF in Houston!

View on Instagram

As for the chance encounter with his infant son, Caswell explains. "My wife comes up for dinner every Saturday night. Kind of like an in-house date night. (They) just happened to be leaving at the same time. I introduced them, and she went straight for young Jennings."

Update: Reef co-owner Bill Floyd emailed that Winfrey did sample the crab cake. "It was quite the scene when she left, but she was so gracious with everyone. She loved the crab cake and gumbo and had all good things to say about Houston," Floyd reported.

On Friday, Winfrey's best friend, Gayle King, posted a photo on Instagram of Winfrey working out at a Houston hotel while watching CBS This Morning, which usually features King. The duo had just returned from Italy where they were photographed doing some heavy-duty shopping in Rome and touring the Sabatino Truffle factory in Umbria.

Oprah Winfrey stopped by Reef restaurant on Saturday night and posed for a photo with Jennifer and Bryan Caswell's infant son, Jennings.

Wholefish Twitter

Oprah Winfrey stopped by Reef restaurant on Saturday night and posed for a photo with Jennifer and Bryan Caswell's infant son, Jennings.

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What's Eric Eating Episodes 406 and 407

Houston's Block Captain previews his West African eatery in Montrose

Courtesy of Chopd & Stewd

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On this week’s episode of “What’s Eric Eating,” ChòpnBlọk owner Ope Amosu joins CultureMap editor Eric Sandler to discuss the imminent opening of his new restaurant in Montrose.

It’s been about four years since Amosu’s last appearance on the show. Since then, not only has ChòpnBlọk emerged as one of the most popular vendors at the Post Houston food hall, but the concept has been basking in the national spotlight. Earlier this year, Amosu earned a James Beard Award semifinalist nomination in the Emerging Chef category.

While that earned him praise from his peers — Amosu mentions a congratulatory phone call from James Beard Award winner (and CultureMap wine guy) Chris Shepherd — it took something a little closer to home to convince his parents that ChòpnBlọk had truly made it.

“My mom, she doesn’t really know what James Beard is if I’m being honest,” Amosu says. “What she does know is the Houston Rockets. When we had that night to takeover concessions at the stadium, you would have thought that she thought I’d made it to the NBA. Seeing our food at an NBA stadium — for what we know it’s the first time that’s ever been done — there’s so much pride.”

Listen to the full interview to hear Amosu discuss his plans for the restaurant. He previews some of the new dishes that will be added to the menu as well as the cocktails he’s created with consultant Alexis Mijares. He also describes the interior created by Gin Design Group and AMAO Creative.

On this week’s other episode, Sandler and co-host Mary Clarkson discuss the news of the week. Their topics include the sudden closure of Texas comfort food restaurant Wild Oats; Nando’s Peri-Peri’s plans to open a Montrose location; and Postino WineCafe adding cocktails to its offerings.

In the restaurant of the week segment, Sandler and Clarkson share thoughts on their meal at Kira, the new hand roll restaurant from the team behind acclaimed omakase counter Neo. Listen to hear their take on the 15-seat restaurant’s design as well as their favorite dishes.

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Subscribe to "What's Eric Eating" on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Hear it Sunday at 10 am on ESPN 97.5.

podcasts interview chefs news-you-can-eat openings chopnblok