What's Eric Eating Episode 26

Chef in the middle of World Series action, new restaurants are hot podcast topics

On this week's episode of "What's Eric Eating," chef Danny Trace joins CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler to discuss his new role overseeing both Potente and Osso & Kristalla, the fine dining and casual Italian restaurants from Astros owner Jim Crane and Reef partner Bill Floyd. After opening quietly shortly before the Super Bowl, the two establishments have garnered more attention thanks to both their proximity to Minute Maid Park and the food Trace is serving.

Trace discusses the food he's serving at Potente as an Italian-style evolution of the Creole food he became known for during his long stint as the executive chef at Brennan's of Houston.

"To me, I'm continuing to do the same things I've done and put my stamp on and am known for," Trace says. "I'm using seasonal products. I'm using all the same purveyors and farmers and fishermen. It's just more Italian-influened, which, Creole and Italian go hand-in-hand. It's kind of easy for me."

Trace also discusses what its been like to be in the middle of the World Series crowds, how he feels about working for Jim Crane, and what he's done to make Osso & Kristalla appealing to diners.

Prior to the interview, local restaurant consultant Nathan Ketcham joins Sandler to discuss the news of the week. The two discuss Cafe Annie's new, steak-oriented direction, the official announcement that Feges BBQ is coming to Greenway Plaza in 2018, and note news out of Austin that James Beard Award winners Tyson Cole (Uchi) and Aaron Franklin (Franklin Barbecue) have teamed up on Loro, a new barbecue concept that will blend both chefs' skills.

In the restaurant of the week segment, Ketcham and Sandler discuss their visit to Pokeworks, the rapidly expanding New York City-based chain that opened its first Houston location near the Heights. Sandler also shares his experience trying the omakase at Kukuri; the new sushi restaurant on Washington Avenue is lead by chef Shimao Ishikawa, who comes to Houston from New York City’s Michelin-starred Jewel Bako.

Subscribe to "What's Eric Eating" on iTunes or Google Play. Listen to it every Saturday at 11 am on SportsMap 94.1.

Danny Trace is this week's guest on "What's Eric Eating."

Courtesy photo

Danny Trace is this week's guest on "What's Eric Eating."

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a laugh riot

Houston comedy club perks up Washington with new coffee shop and cafe

Courtesy of The Riot Comedy Club

The Riot Cafe seats 50 people inside.

A recently-relocated Houston comedy club is adding a daytime component to its offerings. Beginning this Saturday, October 17, The Riot Comedy club’s cafe will be open daily for coffee, meals, and more.

Beginning at 7 am Monday-Saturday and 8 am on Sunday, the Riot Café will serve coffee made with beans supplied by Houston-based roasted Katz Coffee alongside a menu of pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and similar fare. At lunch, dinner, and late night, the menu will include items such as pizza, panini, and shareable dishes.

General manager Seth Fair also created The Riot’s beverage program, which includes coffee, beer, wine, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails. The Roast, the venue’s signature cocktail, is made with mezcal, tequila, cold-pressed pineapple juice, lime juice, agave, and fire tincture. Zero-proof options include the Open Mic, made with Fever-Tree ginger beer, Southern Style Lemon Up, lime juice, and pineapple juice. Specialty juice shop MEP Cold-Pressed Juice supplies all of The Riot’s juices.

On a recent episode of CultureMap’s “What’s Eric Eating” podcast, The Riot owner Brian Grendon explains how the cafe sets itself apart from the other coffee shops on Washington Ave.

“We have wi-fi. We encourage you to stick around,” he said. “It’s really set up for comedians to come and write and congregate. Use our podcast studio. We are incentivizing people to come and hang out with us.”

Not only does the cafe offer 50 seats inside, it has a 20-seat covered patio that’s lit at night. In addition, online ordering and dedicated parking spots expedite picking up to-go orders.

“We wanted the café to have its own personality while still feeling like a natural part of The Riot,” Fair said in a statement. “The menu brings together a mix of familiar favorites and nostalgic items, along with comedy-inspired drinks, and partnering with Katz Coffee and MEP Cold-Pressed Juice was a great way to bring Houston local businesses into the mix.”

On Saturday, The Riot will celebrate the cafe's opening withcomplimentary light bites, coffee tastings and cocktail samples, a DJ, photo opportunities, and free refillable Riot coffee tumblers — good for $1 off coffee on future visits — for the first 50 people.

Courtesy of The Riot Comedy Club

The Riot Cafe seats 50 people inside.

The Riot occupied the upstairs room at Rudyard’s from 2022 until this summer, when it moved to a new home at 1925 Washington Ave. (next to Julep). The 2,200-square-foot room seats 170 people and hosts a mix of local, regional, and national acts.

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