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    What's Eric Eating Episode 272

    Meet the culinary mind behind Chris Shepherd's Southern Smoke Foundation, plus hottest food news

    CultureMap Staff
    Feb 23, 2023 | 4:45 pm
    Seth Siegel-Gardner

    Chef Seth Siegel-Gardner is this week's guest.

    Photo by Moe Lerma

    On this week’s episode of "What’s Eric Eating," chef Seth Siegel-Gardner joins CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler. Best known as the co-owner of The Pass & Provisions, Siegel-Gardner now serves as the culinary director for the Southern Smoke Foundation, the Houston-based non-profit that provides emergency assistance to hospitality workers in crisis situations.



    The conversation begins with the chef sharing how an interest in cooking professionally ultimately led him to work for celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson in New York at his restaurant Aquavit. Eventually, he returned to Houston where he launched the Just August pop-up with chefs Terrence Gallivan, his partner at The Pass & Provisions, and Justin Yu. That success paved the way for The Pass & Provisions, widely considered one of Houston’s best restaurants during its run from 2012-19.

    After moving to Marfa and opening the Marfa Spirit Co., Siegel-Gardner returned to Houston and joined the Southern Smoke Foundation. As culinary director, he works with the chefs who participate in the foundation’s annual festival to source any ingredients and equipment they need, among other responsibilities. It’s a role that keeps him tied to the culinary world even though he’s no longer working in a restaurant.

    “Not being in a restaurant can be good and hard at the same time. It’s very weird not to be in a kitchen all day every day,” he says. “Getting to work with Southern Smoke is a great opportunity to be connected to the industry and giving back as well. It was a great part to continue being part of the industry.”

    Prior to the interview, Sandler and co-host Michael Fulmer discuss the news of the week. Their topics include: Dallas-based Tex-Mex restaurant Mi Cocina’s plans to open in Houston; Texas Monthly’s list of the state’s best new restaurants; and Traveler’s Cart, the fast casual sibling of Montrose restaurant Traveler’s Table that’s opening later this year.

    In the restaurant of the week segment, Fulmer and Sandler share their thoughts on LuLoo’s Day & Night. Listen to the full episode to hear their thoughts on the sandwich shop and bakery from the team behind Blood Bros. BBQ and pastry chef Alyssa Dole.

    -----

    Subscribe to "What's Eric Eating" on Apple podcasts, Google Play, or Spotify. Listen to it Sunday at 10 am on ESPN 97.5.

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    This week in eating

    9 things to know in Houston food right now: Openings, closings, and more

    Brianna McClane
    Mar 12, 2026 | 9:15 am
    banana sundae hai hospitality hai for her
    Photo by Hai Hospitality
    Uchi and Uchiko are offering an $11 banana sundae for March, with a percentage of proceeds benefiting Girls Inc.

    From po’boys to fibermaxxing, Houston eateries and chefs continue to flex their culinary chops. Read on to find out how Brennan’s of Houston is commemorating its anniversary, which two restaurants are now under one roof, and which Houston classic has added breakfast enchiladas to its menu.

    Openings and Closings

    Maggie’s Coffee has opened in Energy Tower II, an office building in the Energy Corridor. Named after Mac Haik’s beagle, the former football pro’s restaurant group developed the project, with Gin Braverman as designer. The cafe sources its beans from Independence Coffee Co. in Bastrop and offers bites from local Kraftsmen Bakery. Open Monday–Friday from 7 am–3 pm, Maggie’s Coffee is located at 11720 Katy Freeway.

    Crawfish Cafe and Pho Prime, two concepts from Houston's Mamba Hospitality Group, have combined into a newly renovated, 10,000-square-foot space in Chinatown. The full-service, dual-concept restaurant provides diners with menus for both Crawfish Cafe’s New Orleans–inspired fare and Pho Prime’s traditional Vietnamese dishes. The two dining rooms feature cultural accents from Vietnam and New Orleans, including two 20-foot, side-by-side murals by Houston artist Donkeeboy. The restaurant is open daily from 11 am-10 pm at 11209 Bellaire Boulevard.

    Pie Tap Pizza has tapped out of its only Houston location. The Dallas-based restaurant announced on Facebook that it had closed as of Friday, March 6. Open less than a year in the Novel Residences luxury apartment building, the restaurant made its pizza with dough that uses a 96-hour fermentation process.

    Events

    Thursday, March 12

    Bayou City Po’boys on Parade
    Local chefs are putting a spin on the classic sandwich for this six-week pop-up presented by Blue Plate Mayo. The event kicks off at Blood Bros. BBQ on March 12 from 12–2 pm and wraps up April 2 at Eunice with a crawfish boil. Winnie’s, Killen’s in the Heights, BB’s Tex-Orleans on White Oak, and Josephine’s are also participating.

    Monday, March 16

    Eastward Bound: A Farewell Collaboration
    There’s only one night left of this two-night event featuring a five-course meal that showcases the flavors of Burma, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Suu Khin of Burmalicious, Sherman Yeung of Tobiuo Sushi, Willet Feng of Borrowed Goods, and Christine Ha of The Blind Goat and Stuffed Belly are joining together to honor their Asian heritage and bid farewell to Feng and his wife Diane as they leave Houston for a new endeavor in Taiwan. Tickets are $100 per person for the Monday, March 16 dinner, which begins at 5 pm. The Blind Goat (8145 Long Point Road) is hosting the event.

    Throughout March

    Brennan’s of Houston Anniversary
    The Houston mainstay is celebrating its March 5, 1967 opening with a $67 three-course menu featuring turtle soup, pecan-crusted Gulf fish, and demi strawberry shortcake. Diners can pair the meal with a $67 bottle of Chardonnay or Cabernet. The special is available for lunch, brunch, and dinner throughout March. Brennan’s of Houston is located at 3300 Smith Street.

    Hai for Her at Uchi and Uchiko
    Hai Hospitality is honoring Women’s History Month with the launch of its fifth annual Hai for Her initiative. Uchi and Uchiko are offering a special banana sundae for March, with a percentage of proceeds benefiting Girls Inc. The $11 dessert combines banana sorbet with candied coconut, coconut caramel, crispy plantains, black sesame salt, and brûléed banana. Uchi is located at 904 Westheimer Road., and Uchiko is at 1801 Post Oak Boulevard.

    New Menus

    Bellagreen
    Joining the “fibermaxxing” movement, Bellagreen’s spring menu is fiber-forward with dishes like gluten-free lemon blueberry cheesecake with a coconut hemp crust and the Golden Glow roasted veggie bowl with quinoa and pumpkin seeds. The seasonal menu is available through May 31. The restaurant’s gluten-free mac and cheese has also returned as a permanent fixture, along with a “build your own mac” option with vegetables and proteins.

    Goode Co. Taqueria
    The Tex-Mex restaurant has overhauled its menu for the first time in seven years, with a fresh lineup featuring street tacos, tostadas, loaded fries, and a crispy chicken sandwich. Breakfast offerings include the Saddle Up Enchiladas topped with two eggs and the LG Special taco with chorizo, egg, refried beans, and cheddar. The menu is available now at 4902 Kirby Drive.

    banana sundae hai hospitality hai for her

    Photo by Hai Hospitality

    Uchi and Uchiko are offering an $11 banana sundae for March, with a percentage of proceeds benefiting Girls Inc.

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