On this week’s episode of “What’s Eric Eating,” Paige Lujan joins CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler to discuss the Upside Pub. Recently opened in the former Shepherd Park Draught House/Tres Amigos space in Garden Oaks, the Upside Pub serves an eclectic menu of comfort food paired with wine, cocktails, and craft beer.
The conversation begins with Lujan explaining why she and her husband/business partner Andy decided to leave Southern California to open their bar in Houston. From there, she discusses the overall concept — a friendly place where neighborhoods can gather over food and drinks — and creating a menu that nods to her New Jersey roots, her time in California, and her new home in Houston.
Sandler asks how she feel like it’s going after more than two months of being open.
“It’s going great. My favorite part about the whole thing . . . It’s super cheesy to say, but it does feel like Cheers sometimes. We knows the names of at least half the people coming in here. We know about their kids already and their businesses. We starting bicycling groups and football groups. It really is that vision we had for what it is, and we’re hoping we can continue to grow on that community feeling.”
Listen to the full episode to hear how Lujan is giving back to the community with a monthly program to assist local non-profit Kids’ Meals. She also explains why the bar serves more drink options than just craft beer.
Prior to the interview, Sandler and co-host Michael Fulmer discuss the news of the week. Their begin by discussing the Houston Chronicle’s new list of the city’s top 100 restaurants. They debate whether a food hall restaurant deserves to be ranked as the city’s best restaurant. Then, Sandler throws out about a dozen missing restaurants that he thinks could have been included. The news segment concludes with a discussion of Artisans’ plans to move to the Galleria area and that the team behind Gatsby’s Steakhouse will open a more casual grill concept in the former Acadian Coast space.
In the restaurants of the week segment, they head to two newly opened Italian restaurants near Highland Village. The first, Numero 28, features Neapolitan-style pizzas, a full bar, and a show stopping presentation for its cacio e pepe. Davanti Ristorante, their second stop, offers well-executed pasta dishes by chef Roberto Crescini and affordable prices.
Photo by Dylan McEwan
Paige Lujan is this week's guest.
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