Food and Loathing | Covering the Las Vegas Food Scene

Al talks to Gio Mauro, the chef/owner of Old School Pizzeria and Monzu Italian Oven & Bar, about being named Nevada Chef of the Year. Al also shares his conversation with Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken. The owners of Border Grill have been very busy, with the staff of their Southern California restaurants, feeding firefighters and others since the huge blazes destroyed hundreds of homes and o...

This week's episode was recorded on location at the 2025 Winter Fancy Food Show, with Rich and Al reporting on the big trade show, while Gemini was under the weather. They speak to dozens of exhibitors at the show, get serenaded by a candy maker, and share Chef Scott Conant's big announcement from his keynote address. We share restaurant reports on visits to  Rosalie French Café, The Cheongdam Foo...

It's a very happy episode, despite the absence of Samantha Gemini Stevens, because our main focus is happy hours in Las Vegas Joining us is the founder of HappyHourVegas.com, Andrew Morgan. Other interviews include Sammy Hagar, Clique Hospitality's Corey Nigrelli, Station Casinos' Casandra Northwick, Sam Facchini of Metro Pizza and Vincent Rotolo of Good Pie. We share news of some Vegas relief eff...

Mark Steele, founder of the Restaurant Hospitality Institute, sits down for a long talk with Al about how his organization helps front of the house staff and managers maximize their potential. Steele also shares news of the newest course RHI is offering on allergens and food sensitities. Rich reports from the Consumer Electronics Show and leads a discussion on the best food-related films. And Gemi...

Chicken Zamboni? Yes, it's a thing at Vegas Golden Knights games, and Al has the full description (Spoiler: it's chicken fingers!). But this first-of-the-year episode is anchored by Al's conversation with Keith Bracewell and Jonah Gibbs, the guys on the front line of Petite Boheme, the soon-to-be French place from James Trees. Al also talks to veteran Vegas chef Eric Luhlier, who's taken over the...

Happy holidays. With Gemini celebrating in the Southern Hemisphere, and Las Vegas in holiday mode, Al and Rich avoided the temptation to take a week off, and put in just enough effort to create an abbreviated episode. But it's still packed with good stuff – especially if you're a fan of Michael Mina. Al talked to Mina just hours before the new Bourbon Steak in the Four Seasons resort opened its do...

On this week's episode, Vegas CityCast's Rob Kachelriess sits in for the traveling Gemini, and joins Al and producer Rich Johnson at Dom DeMarco's Pizzeria and Wine Bar. Rob tells us about his recent experiences Craftsteak (with Tom Colicchio in the house) and Dominique Ansel Marche (with Dominique Ansel in the house). Rich will share culinary highlights from his road trip from Chicago to Vegas. A...

Al and Gemini were invited to spend two days at the judging sessions for the 2024 Proof Awards spirits, wine and beverage competition -- where local and national booze buyers sampled hundreds of products to grade, and perhaps purchase for their companies. And, much to Rich's chagrin, they had so much fun they decided to create a gigantic episode featuring some of their favorite conversations. They...

December is here, which means the arrival of National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, as well as the launch of several holiday pop-up bars/menus. And we take a deep dive into both in this week's episode, alongside a few restaurant reports and some news. You'll get the lowdown on the NFR festivities at Easy's in Aria's Proper Eats, Gilley's in TI and Emmitt's at the Fashion Show Mall, thanks to intervie...

We have lots of Vetri in this week's episode, with a nice long interview with Chef Marc Vetri in the center of the show, as well as Al's restaurant report on his meal at Vetri Cocina. Other interviews include Andy Wang of L.A.'s Industry Only, Chef Sterling Buckley of Palate and Solamente Pizza's Ethan Spiezer.  There's a bit of news, and Al and Gemini will fill you in on their recent visits to Br...

Longtime friend of the podcast Chef Gary LaMorte talks about his new company Fortune Events, which is creating several high-end VIP events for this year's Las Vegas Grand Prix.  Al pays a visit to the Las Vegas Pizza Festival, and chats with a few of our favorite pizza pros.  Also: a full report on the Masters of Mixology competition at Clique, including an interview with the winner, and an interv...

On this week's episode, Al and Gemini offer options for your gourmet Thanksgiving dinner at home (or in your hotel room) if you don't want to cook. The show centers around reps of Barry's Downtown Prime, Big B's Texas BBQ, Echo & Rig, Table 34 and Basilico telling us about their take-home Thanksgiving options, as well as what they're doing in the restaurants on the holiday. Also, Gemini covers a h...

This week's episode was recorded at Ciao Vino in Boca Park, and centers around an interview with three representatives of HUKL Hospitality: Corporate Chef Lupe Avila; Cia Vino Chef Joel Myers; and Marche Bacchus Chef Avian Tun. They'll share news on all of their restaurants and talk about their new partnership with Count's Vamp'd Rock Bar and Grill. Also in the show, interviews with Bryce Krausman...

The gang is back together this week, with Gemini, Al and Rich recording the episode together at Dom DeMarco's Pizzeria and Wine Bar. At the center of the show, Al has an extended interview with Other Mama Chef/Owner Dan Krohmer, recorded at his new breakfast and lunch restaurant Chamana's Café; Gemini explores the new cocktail menus at Chandelier Bar with The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas' lead mixolo...

Gemini is back from Greece and Turkey, and dives right back into the Vegas food scene with meals at Moko Ramen, Dom DeMarco's, Bramare and more. Al lived to tell the tale of his Main St. brewery crawl, along with a meal at Giada and a preview Gina Marinelli's 5th Anniversary Witches Gala at La Strega. In the show's centerpiece, Al talks about the start of stone crab season with Dave Quillen of Joe...

As Gemini continues her world tour, longtime friend of the pod Rick Moonen steps in to share his many comings and goings -- including escaping Hurricane Milton. In the centerpiece interview, Al sits down with Christina Dylag of Velveteen Rabbit. Also: news from Chef Michael Mina, Chef Steve Kestler of Aroma Latin American Cocina and Vincent Rotolo talks about the new branch of Good Pie in Henderso...

Al and Rich hold down the fort while Gemini is traveling. But they've called in some friends to fill out the show. The episode centers around two extended interviews: Michael Symon discussing the changes that have come to Mabel's Bar & Q in The Palms, and Keris Kuwana explains the Teatime In Wonderland experience she's offering at The Electric Playhouse in The Forum Shops. Also this week: HUKL Hos...

Al and Gemini get the download on the Proof Awards from Michele Tell and Michael Politz, creators of the event to honor Vegas-based spirits. You will also hear about Al going large at the Four Sixes Ranch Steakhouse popup at Wynn, and doing breakfast with developer J Dapper. Meanwhile, Gemini parties down at Esther's upstairs room and does the deed at Munch Box Breakfast Burrito (eating being the...

Al and Gemini are at Ada's Food + Wine in Tivoli Village to hang with James Trees and Chef Jackson Stamper, and especially Wine Goddess Kat Thomas. All three are back from London, where Ada's won the award for "Most Original Wine Line" in THE WORLD!! Also: new items on the menu at Spago and Carversteak, and a look back at the 2nd Picnic in the Alley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcast...

Gemini and Al recorded this week's episode at Social Station, on Eastern Avenue in Henderson. It features an interview with one of the owners Kelley Jones, who talks about the restaurant, the menu and its charity initiatives. Also on tap: Roy Ellamar at his farewell dinner at Amari, and Bruno Marini at the 25th anniversary party for Canonita in the Grand Canal Shoppes. You'll hear from Michael Cla...

Gemini takes over while Al is on vacation and invites her friends and food authors Kim Foster (The Meth Lunches) and Sarah Lohman (Endangered Eating, Eight Flavors) to talk about why food is important in communities, where food and food ideas come from, and what it means to use food to uplift people. In all the seriousness, there are plenty of laughs, revelry and talking over one another as they t...

It's a jam packed show this week, centering around Al's conversation with Chef Sterling Buckley of Palate in the Arts District. Also joining the fun: Chuck Fromer of John Mulls Meats and The Roadkill Grill, Soulbelly BBQ's Chef Bruce Kalman, Chef Leticia Mitchell of Leticia's, Letty's and the brand new Carmelita's, 1228 Main's head baker Chef Noel Rosello, Eiffel tower Restaurant partner Sharon Bo...

Al and Rich anchor the show this week. But have no fear. Gemini is on board for the big centerpiece interview with Evan Glusman and Chef Joe Valdez. We also have an extended interview with former 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea Chef Taylor Persh, discussing a very intense pop-up she's bringing to the Palms. Other highlights include conversations with both Elizabeth Blau and Circa's O'Ceana Clemens, t...

Border Grill's Yancy Perez gives Gemini and Al a crash course in Mexican wine, while Al shares some stories about some super-cool Italian champagne glasses he discovered in San Francisco. Also, you'll learn about Gemini's recent meal at Boom Bang, her exploration of Allegiant Stadium's dining options, and Al's California pizza adventures. And we have interviews with Cheri Rooftop's Chef Anthony Ca...

In this week's episode, Al shares the full interview with Jose Andres Group CEO Sam Bakhshandehpour that he previewed last week, and the pair discuss the new Bazaar Mar in The Shops At Crystals. There's an extended interview with longtime Las Vegas barman David Cooper, discussing his new vodka brand, Spur. Also: the founder of Angie's Lobster, explains how they can sell a lobster roll for $9.99, a...