What's Eric Eating Episodes 441 and 442

Meet the chef duo behind downtown Houston's buzzy new restaurant

On the most recent episode of “What’s Eric Eating,” chefs Christian Hernandez and Priscilla Trevino join CultureMap editor Eric Sandler to discuss Barbacana. Recently opened in downtown, Barbacana is earning attention for Hernandez’s tasting menu, which draws inspiration from Houston’s immigrant culinary traditions.

As CultureMap reported last year, Hernandez brings extensive experience to Barbacana. His resume includes time at pioneering restaurant Oxheart, working at New York City’s Contra when it earned a Michelin star, and serving as the opening chef de cuisine for Mediterranean-inspired fine dining restaurant March. While those fine dining experiences led him to serve a tasting menu, a desire to offer diners more affordable options prompted Hernandez to serve an a la carte menu at both lunch and dinner.

One of the ways Hernandez aims for Barbacana to distinguish itself is by committing to sustainable practices. For example, Hernandez and Trevino found a way to use all of a grapefruit by making items like fruit leather and marmalade rather than just the segments.

“All of that stuff is really important for me,” Hernandez says. “To make a more sustainable, well thought out restaurant concept where we could recreate those influences and those procedures.”

Listen to the full episode to hear Trevino discuss her time at restaurants such as Bludorn and Georgia James. Hernandez also reflects on whether his experiences at Michelin-starred restaurants makes earning a star one of his aspirations for Barbacana.

Courtesy of Barbacana

Using scorpion fish in its crudo is one way Barbacana demonstrates its commitment to sustainability.

In another recent episode, Sandler and co-host Michael Fulmer discuss some recent restaurant news. Their topics include the Houston restaurants that received semifinalist nominations for this year’s James Beard Awards; the owners of Leaf & Grain opening two new restaurants in Memorial; and Koffeteria bringing a satellite location to Spring Branch.

In the restaurant of the week segment, Fulmer and Sandler discuss their recent meals at bol and Pok Pok Po, the two new fast casual restaurants in Midtown from the chef and owners of Amrina, an Indian fine dining restaurant in The Woodlands. Tune in to hear each restaurant’s relative strengths, as well as which they’re more likely to return to first.

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2-acre Houston patio bar rebrands with new name and family-friendly menu

Photo by Sean Rainer

The bar's patio includes 10,000-square-feet of turf.

A bar in Houston’s Near Northside neighborhood is switching things up with a new name and revised menu. Effectively immediately, Woodland Social is now known as White Oak Social.

Simply put, the new name is designed to end confusion about the bar’s location, which many people assumed was in The Woodlands. In fact, it’s located next to popular concert venue White Oak Music Hall, which is reflected in the new name.

“We wanted a name that truly represented where we are and the community we serve,” the bar’s owners said in a statement. “Many guests thought we were located in The Woodlands, so renaming the business to White Oak Social makes our location clear and aligns our brand with the neighborhood we love.”

Along with the new name comes a few improvements. They include an outdoor playground that’s designed to appeal to area families, many of whom are already regulars.

In addition, the restaurant has broadened its menu. While pizzas still remain, White Oak Social now offers burgers, chicken tenders, more entrees, and a kids menu. An all-new brunch menu includes updated cocktails and more options for kids.

Piper’s Hospitality Group (Preslee’s Southern Good Eatery) opened Woodland Social in 2024. Originally named for the Woodland Heights neighborhood, the two-acre property has an 8,000-square-foot main bar area, a 15,000-square-foot outdoor patio that includes 10,000-square-feet of turf, and more than 100 parking spaces.

“We’re excited for this next chapter,” the group said. “The new name, the expanded menu, and the playground show our commitment to being a neighborhood gathering place for all ages.”

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