What's Eric Eating Episodes 308 and 309

Bobby Heugel dishes on his big Montrose bar rescue, why Houston needs to shake up cocktail pricing, and more

Bobby Heugel is this week's guest.

Courtesy of Through Fare Hospitality.

On this week’s interview episode of “What’s Eric Eating,” Thorough Fare Hospitality co-founder Bobby Heugel joins CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler to discuss his latest projects. It’s been five years since the veteran restaurant and bar owner made his last appearance on the show, so the duo have much to discuss.

The conversation begins a discussion about Catbirds. Earlier this month, Heugel announced he had acquired the assets and name of the iconic Montrose dive from former owner Shelly Wilburn. At the time, he hadn’t made a decision about whether to reopen the space with a new name, but he confirms to Sandler the bar will reopen as Catbirds — hopefully in mid-November. He also shares that his friend and collaborator Peter Jahnke will be a co-owner of the bar.

“The two of us have been in there personally cleaning up Catbirds . . . We’ve been getting rid of some clutter. Other than that, we don’t plan to change very much,” Heugel says about his plans for the casual, neighborhood spot.

“I think when people come back to the bar. They will go, this is Catbirds, and they’ll be able to point out a few things we changed. I think for the most part it will be the bar they’ve known for a very long time,” he says.

The conversation covers a range of other topics, including the decision to open Refuge last year as a companion to Anvil, the evolution of Better Luck Tomorrow as Heugel and Yu make plans for a second location, and the ways Montrose has changed over the years. They also discuss the current state of cocktail prices in Houston. All of Heugel’s bars offer generous happy hours. It’s a topic he feels strongly about.

“A double digit happy hour is ridiculous to me,” Heugel says. “I’m sorry if any of my friends are running bars with double digit happy hours. $10 is not a happy hour price, and I see it all the time. There’s nothing happy about that. It’s a sad hour. $10? That’s ridiculous. It’s not a happy hour.”

On this week’s first episode, Sandler and co-host Michael Fulmer discuss the news of the week. Their topics include Texas Monthly’s list of the state’s 25 best new barbecue joints; Pho Binh Trailer closing after 40 years; and Granger’s, an elevated neighborhood restaurant coming to the Museum District next year.

In the restaurants of the week segment, they discuss two restaurants where they recently ate brunch. First, they praise Dante’s River Oaks, a new Italian restaurant, for its porchetta sandwich, octopus salad, and polish service. Then, they rave about the huevos rancheros, barbacoa taco, and breakfast margarita at Goode Co. Kitchen & Cantina’s location in the Heights.

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coming to fredericksburg

Star Houston chef signs on to luxurious Hill Country hotel

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.

Courtesy of Bludorn Hospitality Group

Aaron Bludorn is opening a new restaurant in Fredericksburg.

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