What's Eric Eating Episode 123

The dish on a popular restaurant's future, plus a visit to Montrose's new Tex-Mex spot

On this week's episode of "What's Eric Eating," Dish Society founder and CEO Aaron Lyons joins CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler to discuss the current state of his growing restaurant. Since Lyons' previous appearance on the show in 2017, Dish Society has added locations in The Heights and Finn Hall; the restaurant recently announced it will open its sixth location in the Southside Commons mixed-use development.

Lyons catches Sandler up on all of those developments, as well as the steps that Dish Society is taking in response to changing trends in the restaurant business. For example, delivery has become such a major component of the restaurant's sales that Lyons says he's exploring up the possibility of opening up delivery-only "ghost kitchens" that would expand the company's reach across the city. Similarly, he also discusses plans to expand to Austin and Dallas.

The conversation turns to Finn Hall. Only open a year, the food hall has already replaced its pizza vendor and bid farewell to acclaimed Chinese restaurant Mala Sichuan. In addition, real estate development firm Midway quietly assumed control over the hall's operations at the beginning of November. Sandler asks Lyons' about his company's experiences operating at the location.

"It's been great for us . . . exceeded expecations from a financial perspective. We've doubled our projections," Lyons says. "We went in there thinking this will be an experiment, probably won't make any money, but it will be a brand builder downtown . . . It's just so wildly popular, huge demand for what we do down there. A lot of the other operators in the space same thing."

Listen to the full interiew to hear Sandler propose an off-the-menu twist on the restaurant's chicken pot pie as well as Lyons' answers to the ligthning round.

Prior to the interview, Swanky Maven blogger Felice Sloan joins Sandler to discuss the news of the week. Their topics include: the sudden closure of Midtown seafood restaurant Reef; Food & Wine naming Cleburne as the best cafeteria in America; and Sing closing in The Heights.

In the restaurants of the week segment, Sandler and Sloan discuss their recent meals at Rosalie Italian Soul and Candente.

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Dish Society founder and CEO Aaron Lyons.

Photo by Kimberly Park

Dish Society founder and CEO Aaron Lyons.

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dine by the vines

Exclusive Texas Hill Country winery restaurant named best in the world

Stout's Signature restaurant at Grape Creek Vineyards in Fredericksburg

Photo courtesy of Grape Creek Vineyards

Stout's Signature is Grape Creek's members-only restaurant, but a small number of reservations will be offered to non-members.

The Hill Country has no shortage of vineyards and wineries that serve bites with their vintages, but only one Fredericksburg vineyard boasts a restaurant that measures up against the best in the world.

The industry experts at Wine Enthusiast have declared Stout's Signature at Grape Creek Vineyards one of the 57 best destination restaurants in the world. It's the only Texas restaurant to make the cut.

The new honor also elevates Grape Creek Vineyards' reputation as one of the best wineries in the Hill Country region, and its tasting tours are also recognized among the best in the country.

Stout's is a hidden gem restaurant where patrons can enjoy Hill Country-inspired cuisine with their wine tastings, from light bites to a hearty meal, all while the sprawling Grape Creek vineyard beckons from beyond the tables.

Signature dinner dishes like the tenderloin bolognese and meatballs made with veal, pork, and ground beef are must-try picks, but Wine Enthusiast reserves the most praise for its weekend brunch.

"[Stout's] boasts the region’s best Sunday brunch, with tables laden with dishes like Bourbon shrimp and grits with homemade andouille sausage and a breakfast burger with egg, bacon, and avocado," Wine Enthusiast wrote. "A mini pancake stack for the table is a must. Pair it with their Cabernet Trois, a bold blend of Cab Sauvignon, Cab Franc, and Ruby Cabernet."

Wine tasting at Grape Creek Vineyards Pair a pour with an app or an entree.Photo courtesy of Grape Creek Vineyards

Stout's has traditionally been a members-only institution for the Grape Creek Wine Club, but non-members now have a chance to dine at the exclusive restaurant. A limited number of Friday and Saturday evening dinner reservations will be offered to the public after the winery's regular closing at 5:30 pm.

"Stout's Signature has always felt like one of our best-kept secrets, and we wanted to give more people the chance to experience it, especially after being named one of the best winery restaurants in the world by Wine Enthusiast this summer," said Heath Family Brands CEO and founder Brian Heath.

Stout's Signature is located at 10587 US-290 in Fredericksburg. Non-member reservation availability is limited, and can be booked by calling 830-644-2710, opt. 3, or online via heathfamilybrands.com.

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