What's Eric Eating Episodes 318 and 319

Houston celeb dishes on his buzzy new THC seltzer, plus our trip to Barcelona Wine Bar

Washington Ho is this week's guest.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

On this week’s interview episode of “What’s Eric Eating,” Washington Ho joins CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler. One of the stars of the House of Ho reality TV show, Washington recently partnered with local trial attorney Tony Buzbee to launch HoBuzz, a line of THC-infused seltzers.

The conversation begins with Washington sharing some early memories of dining out with his family. From there, he and Sandler discuss House of Ho, which depicts the family’s lavish lifestyle and dramatic interpersonal moments. As Washington explains, seeing himself on TV inspired him to give up alcohol, which ultimately led to his interest in creating HoBuzz.

“I love to have a great time. When my family is drinking in front of me, is there a part of me that would like to be in that realm? Yeah, I like that,” he says..” What I found out is that every time I was owning my truth I was doing it because of peer pressure. Through that challenge, I needed my own drink that would put me in the space as other people but with alcohol. That’s what I created HoBuzz.”

Listen to the full episode to hear how Washington and Tony Buzbee decided to work together and what his goals for HoBuzz’s first year are. He also shares some of the new restaurants he’s most excited to try.

In this week’s news episode, Sandler and co-host Mary Clarkson discuss Mandito’s plans to open a new location in Katy. They also talk about Saint Arnold’s recent victory at the Great American Beer Festival and the new chef at its restaurant.

In the restaurant of the week segment, they share their thoughts about Barcelona Wine Bar, the Connecticut-based restaurant that just opened its first Houston location in Montrose. Listen to hear their favorite dishes and where it fits in with other wine-forward concepts. Clarkson and Sandler conclude the episode by raving about a recent meal at Nobie’s, the Montrose eatery that won Restaurant of the Year in the 2021 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards.

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

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Houston's space-themed bar will shutter after 3 years in Montrose

Photo by Becca Wright

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A space-themed cocktail bar will soon fall out of orbit. Roswell’s Saloon will close after service on Sunday, June 28.

Houston entrepreneur Shawn Bermudez explains that he has decided to shutter Roswell’s rather than renew his lease on the space at 1417 Westheimer. Instead, he’ll focus on his growing group of restaurants, which includes four locations each of The Burger Joint and The Taco Stand, as well as frozen dessert and cocktail spot Happy Go Lucky and Montrose taco and tequila concept Pistolero’s.

He and his business partner, chef Matthew Pak, will open a new location of The Burger Joint on Kirby Dr. this fall. In early 2027, they’ll welcome The Pizza Place, a new concept opening next to Happy Go Lucky.

Boondocks, Bermudez’s lively bar that’s next to Roswell’s, will remain open. He also operates Montrose clothing stores Pavement, Leopard Lounge, Money Money, and BINS.

“Roswell’s has been a labor of love, and I’m grateful for every Houstonian who came through our doors and let us take them to another galaxy,” Bermudez said in a statement. “But with everything we have going on right now between the restaurants and the retail side, it’s time to focus that energy where it’s needed most.”

Bermudez opened Roswell’s in 2023 in the former Stone’s Throw space. Designed to be an immersive, otherworldly experience, all of the floors, walls, and bartops are UV-reactive in order to react to the blacklights and neons providing illumination. The bar’s neon sign took inspiration from the Glitter Gulch, a famous Las Vegas strip club. Other details include planets, an astronaut, and other artifacts hanging from the ceiling.

Between now and Sunday, Roswell’s will maintain its normal hours of 7 pm-2 am, including its “Sunset Hour” happy hour specials of $2 off cocktails, wine, beer, and bubbles every day from 7-8 pm.