What's Eric Eating Episode 262

Sneak peek of Houston's new live fire steakhouse, plus the latest food news

andiron chefs for farmers michael sambrooks louis maldonado

Michael Sambrooks, left, and Louis Maldonado, second from right, are this week's guests.

Courtesy of Andiron

On this week's episode of "What's Eric Eating," Sambrooks Management Group founder Michael Sambrooks and executive chef Louis Maldonado join CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler to preview Andiron, the company's new live fire steakhouse that will open in December in the historic Star Engraving building on Allen Parkway.

The conversation begins with Maldonado, who competed on the New Orleans season of Top Chef and was named People magazine's sexiest chef in 2018, discussing the roots of his culinary career and his decision to move to Houston to work at Andiron. Sambrooks talks about the decision to open a steakhouse and how he thinks Andiron will distinguish itself from other restaurants, particularly in terms of ingredients and its use of a range of life fire techniques.

Sandler notes that steakhouses aren't typically chef-driven restaurants. He asks Maldonado what he adds to the restaurant that will help Andiron stand out.

"Honestly, it's questioning the steakhouse standard. The creative side is obvious, but also questioning, what is it? What is a steakhouse? We're going to have a sauce program. We'll have a saucier to do beautiful sauce work," he says. My role is driving the creativity, the vision."

Listen to the full interview to hear Sambrooks discuss the restaurant's different dining rooms and his expectations for the experience. Maldonado also shares some of his favorite meals in Houston so far.

Prior to the interview, Sandler and co-host Linda Salinas discuss the news of the week. Their topics include: a quick recap of the best bites at this year's Southern Smoke festival; chef Christine Ha's plans to open a new sandwich shop in Spring Branch; and Niko Niko's opening a new location in The Woodlands.

In the restaurant of the week segment, Salinas and Sandler share first impressions of Wild, the tropical-themed restaurant that just recently opened in the former UB Preserv space. Tune in to hear their thoughts on chef German Mosquera's menu and the CBD-infused cocktails.

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Subscribe to "What's Eric Eating" on Apple podcasts, Google Play, or Spotify. Listen to it Saturday at noon on ESPN 97.5.

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bring on barnaby's

Favorite Houston comfort food spot picks Garden Oaks for 10th location

Courtesy of Barnaby's Cafe

Barnaby's Cafe is coming to the Stomping Grounds this fall.

Earlier this week, real estate developer Bryan Danna promised “big news…very soon” about a new tenant for the former LuLoo’s Day & Night space at his Stomping Grounds development in Garden Oaks. That news is that Houston favorite Barnaby’s Cafe has claimed the space for a new location that will open later this year.

When a Barnaby’s decal appear on the restaurant’s door a couple of days ago, news of the restaurant’s imminent arrival spread quickly on social media. It will be Barnaby’s tenth location, joining outposts in Montrose, River Oaks, the Heights, and more.

The restaurant will occupy a 2,250-square-foot space at the Stomping Grounds. It will offer a to-go window for people hanging out in the development’s green space as well as a gated, dog-friendly patio. Houston artist Roberto Cervantes will contribute works to the restaurant’s interior.

Founded in 1992 by restaurateur Jeff Gale, Barnaby’s is known for its wide-ranging and affordable menu of classic American fare, including salads, sandwiches, breakfast items, and dinner entrees. Customer favorites include the Lebanese chicken fattoush salad, chipotle black bean burger, baby back ribs, and green eggs, which are scrambled with spinach and artichoke hearts. Dogs can snack on a special “puppy menu” of ground beef, sliced chicken breast, or scrambled eggs over brown rice.

Stomping Grounds green space A to-go window will expedite orders for people in the Stomping Grounds' green space.Courtesy of Stomping Grounds

“Bringing Barnaby’s to Garden Oaks and Oak Forest has been on my wish list for more than a decade, so I’m incredibly grateful that Jeff Gale and his team saw Stomping Grounds as the right fit,” Danna said in a statement. “Jeff and I go back to his first Heights location, which was one of Barnaby’s first big moves north of Montrose, and I have always respected what he and his longtime team have built. Thirty years in the restaurant business is a serious accomplishment. You do not make it that long unless you know how to take care of people, build loyalty, and become part of the neighborhood.”

When it opens this fall, Barnaby’s will be open daily from 11 am to 9 pm. It will join other restaurants at the Stomping Grounds, including Fat Cat Creamery, Tex-Mex restaurant La Mex, Bollo Woodfired Pizza, casual sushi restaurant Himari, Little Sister Cake Shop, and High Five Mini Bar. Earlier this week, casual Vietnamese restaurant Pho Prime announced that it had claimed the space formerly occupied by The Pho Fix for a new location that will also open this fall.

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