What's Eric Eating Episode 277

Powerhouse Houston hospitality team dishes on exciting new Montrose supper club — and why fine dining still matters

On this week's episode of "What's Eric Eating," master sommelier June Rodil and chef Felipe Riccio join CultureMap food editor to discuss Goodnight Hospitality, the Houston restaurant group behind Montrose Cheese and Wine, Rosie Cannonball, March, and the upcoming Marigold Club.

The conversation begins with a deep dive into March, the fine dining restaurant that crafts tasting menus around different regions in the Mediterranean. In 2021, Esquire magazine named March that sixth best new restaurant in America. For the spring of 2023, the restaurant is serving a menu inspired by Greece that includes its interpretations of dishes such as spanikopita, moussaka, and souvlaki.

The trio cover a range of topics about March, including how the restaurant developed its refined service, how Riccio and the culinary team develop their menus, and Rodil's role in choosing the wine pairings. From there, the conversation turns to the status of the Marigold Club and what Rodil and Riccio think of the criticisms of fine dining leveled in popular culture by The Menu and The Bear.

"I'll tell you why March started the way it did. We want to be an incredible restaurant with accolades and all that for our team, to make sure our team is excited to work where they do, and have a great income. It's not about my name being out there," Riccio says.

"Look at the best restaurants in the world, Noma, Eleven Madison, El Bulli . . . they have self-imposed limits . . . Our limits are going to be staying within the Mediterranean, trying to go deep, and trying to give Houston a different perspective on what food and dining can be while treating our team well."

Prior to the interview, Sandler and co-host Felice Sloan discuss the news of the week. Their topics include: Houston's three James Beard Award finalists; Aaron Bludorn's plans to open a new restaurant in Memorial; Ben Berg's plans to open a new seafood restaurant downtown; and the opening of Home Run Derby, a baseball entertainment complex in Katy.

In the restaurant of the week segment, Sloan and Sandler discuss Kuji Kitchen, the new Caribbean restaurant from chef Keisha Griggs. Listen to the full episode to hear why it reminds Sandler of Street to Kitchen.

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Subscribe to "What's Eric Eating" on Apple podcasts, Google Play, or Spotify. Listen to it Saturdays at 2 pm on ESPN 97.5.

Goodnight Hospitality March Felipe Riccio June Rodil

Photo by Julie Soefer

Felipe Riccio and June Rodil are this week's guests.

podcasts news-you-can-eat

coming swiftly

Tex-Mex and craft coffee coming to historic Heights development

Courtesy of Escalante's

Escalante's is known for Tex-Mex fare such as outside skirt steak fajitas.

Houston real estate developers Radom Capital and Triten Real Estate Partners have announced the first two restaurants coming to The Swift BLDG, their new mixed-use project in the historic Swift & Company Packing Plant that’s located near the Heights Hike & Bike Trail.

They are:

Escalante’s: The Houston-based Tex-Mex restaurant
Merit Coffee: The San Antonio-based coffee shop and roaster

Founded in 1993 by Pat Torres and Kopi Vogiatzis, Escalante’s is known for its upscale Tex-Mex fare such as outside skirt steak fajitas, house made flour and corn tortillas, tableside guacamole, and its signature queso blanco, as well as the fan favorite Bavarian cream–filled churros. A full selection of margaritas, beer, and wine rounds out the experience. At Swift, Escalante’s will occupy a 4,500-square-foot space with two patios.

“Each of our restaurant spaces takes on unique elements from the communities they serve, and this one is no different,” said John Iannucci, CEO of Mas Mex, Escalante’s parent company. “It’s an honor to share Escalante’s heritage in a place that carries more than five decades of rich history itself. Our family recipes and authentic Tex-Mex traditions have made the brand popular with residents in communities across the city. We’re appreciative of the opportunity to expand into one of Houston’s most up-and-coming and family-friendly areas.”

As CultureMap reported last week, Merit is making its debut in the Houston market with an outpost at Swift as well as a former Starbucks location near West U. Merit’s physical locations are built with their neighborhoods in mind, giving patrons a place to come everyday. In addition to all the usual espresso beverages, the shop is known for speciality items such as the cereal milk cold brew topped with crushed Fruity Pebbles cereal, strawberry matcha, and hot and iced teas.

“We’re beyond excited to finally bring the Merit café experience to Houston,” added Merit CEO Bill Ellis. “This is something our customers have been asking for, and we’re thrilled to create new community spaces where our guests can enjoy world-class coffee, thoughtfully designed environments, and genuine connection.”

The Swift Building BLDG mixed-use development The Swift BLDG is expected to open next fall.Courtesy of Radom Capital

On track to open to the public in fall 2026, The Swift BLDG will offer more than 30,000 square feet of office space along with 30,000 square feet of restaurant and retail tenants. The two companies previously partnered on M-K-T, the Heights mixed-use development that’s near the Swift project. Radom is known for a number of other Houston developments, including the Montrose Collective and the historic Tower Theater property and its adjacent buildings.

“We’re thrilled to announce these exciting additions to the Heights dining scene. We cannot wait for Houstonians to welcome Merit to the city. We’re honored they selected Swift for [one of] their first locations,” said Radom Capital’s Barton Kelly said. “Houston cannot get enough Tex-Mex and we know the Heights will embrace Escalante’s at Swift.”

openings news-you-can-eat the-heights tex-mex coffee