What's Eric Eating Episodes 355 and 356

Meet the caviar-obsessed chef behind Houston's best new seafood restaurant

Chef Jason Ryzcek is this week's guest.

Photo by Arturo Olmos

On this week’s episode of “What’s Eric Eating,” chef Jason Ryzcek joins CultureMap editor Eric Sandler to discuss Little’s Oyster Bar. The seafood restaurant has been a smash hit since it opened, earning CultureMap Tastemaker Award nominations for Best New Restaurant and Wine Program of the Year.

Ryzcek begins the conversation by explaining the path that led him to become a chef. From there, he looks back on his time in California and the experiences that eventually led Pappas Restaurants to hire him Little’s executive chef. He also shares the experiences that led to his esteem for making and serving caviar.

Fans of the restaurant will enjoy hearing Ryzcek discuss some of the highlights of the menu, including the signature yellow edge group and farmed Texas red fish that have become customer favorites. While many of the dishes have been popular, he’s ready to switch things up.

“What scares my bosses the most is telling them that, as much as we have some winners on the menu, part of it is replacing some winners on the menu with new winners,” he says. “I don’t want people to come here on the menu [and say] ‘oh, they have the same stuff.’ Even those these last six months have been trying with not making changes, it was with the understanding that we’d have more changes this year. We have our six major changes planned out based on what I’ve come to learn.”

Listen to the full episode to hear the chef’s take on being named Houston’s top restaurant by venerable Houston Chronicle food critic Alison Cook. He also shares his take on whether Pappas should seek to replicate Little’s in other locations.

In this week’s other episode, Sandler and co-host Michael Fulmer discuss the news of the week. Their topics include the Houston representatives on Texas Monthly’s list of the state’s best new restaurants; the opening of the Conservatory Galleria food hall — with an assist from show producer Michael Carrell; and what Sandler’s new role as city editor for CultureMap Houston means for the podcast’s future.

In the restaurant of the week segment, Fulmer and Sandler share their thoughts on meals at two Indian restaurants. First, they explain why inner loopers should be making the drive to fine dining restaurant Amrina in The Woodlands. They conclude by praising Himalaya, the Southwest Houston staple that celebrated its 20th anniversary last week.

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Subscribe to "What's Eric Eating" on Apple podcasts, Google Play, or Spotify. Listen to it Sunday at 8 am on ESPN 97.5.

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What's Eric Eating Episodes 518 and 519

Meet the men behind River Oaks' new destination for bowls and broth

Photo by Becca Wright

Find Honest Mary's in the River Oaks Shopping Center.

On this week’s episode of “What’s Eric Eating,” Honest Mary’s founder Nelson Monteith and COO Andrew Wiseheart joined CultureMap editor Eric Sandler to discuss the Austin-based restaurant that just opened its first Houston location in the River Oaks Shopping Center (2047-A West Gray St).

Monteith shares that he started the restaurant in 2017 in order to fulfill his vision of a restaurant which could serve food that’s fast, fresh, and affordable. A trained chef who operated pioneering Austin restaurant Contigo, Wiseheart joined the group to bring both culinary expertise and operational acumen to the grouping company.

Part of what sets Honest Mary’s apart is that diners can add cooked vegetables to the rice and proteins at the heart of every bowl. The “Market Sides” section includes an array of roasted vegetables — including sweet potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, beets, and Brussels sprouts — as well as black beans, maple-glazed carrots, and green lentils. Bowls can be further enhanced with toppings such as Texas pecans, crispy chickpeas, goat cheese, avocado, and apples as well as sauces such as creamy poblano, cashew lime crema, sesame vinaigrette, spicy peanut, chimichurri and apple cider vinaigrette

Monteith explains that looking at the ingredients on display usually inspires him when he’s deciding what to eat at Honest Mary’s.

“I will almost always look at the line and see what looks fresh and good,” Monteith says. “Today, I got the salted kale with white rice. Then, I got garlic-pepper steak. I added on lentils — they’re my go-to in the winter. They blend everything together, and I love it Then Brussels sprouts looked green. I got some jalapenos. Avocados, cause that’s healthy. Then I got the chimichurri sauce.”

Honest Mary’s is also known for its hearty broths, a classic chicken and a vegetarian option made with seaweed and mushroom. Sandler raves about the chicken broth to Wiseheart, who shares how it’s made.

“We spent six or seven months testing recipes and drinking it ourselves to see if it’s a good idea,” Wiseheart says. “I talk about it as a great complement to the menu. It’s healthy. It’s really simple. Most of the kitchens I came up with were rooted in French cuisine. This is just chicken stock with salt in it.”

Listen to the full episode to hear more about Honest Mary’s plans for additional locations in Houston and Dallas. Then Monteith asks a Sandler a few questions about the Houston dining scene.

In this week’s other episode, Sandler and co-host Mary Clarkson discuss the news of the week. Their topics include Home Slice Pizza opening a new location in the Heights; the closures of Brett’s BBQ Shop in Katy and Killen’s Barbecue in The Woodlands; and Esquire including ChòpnBlok on its list of America’s best new restaurants.

In the restaurant of the week segment, the two friends discuss their recent meal at Hypsi, the Italian restaurant in the newly-opened Hotel Daphne. Listen to the episode to hear their favorite dishes and other thoughts on the meal.

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Subscribe to "What's Eric Eating" on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Hear it Sunday at 9 am on ESPN 97.5.

Photo by Becca Wright

Find Honest Mary's in the River Oaks Shopping Center.

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