Food and Loathing | Covering the Las Vegas Food Scene

Al has a long chat with Chef Brian Howard, co-creator of Sparrow + Wolf and Half-Bird Chicken & Beer. They talk about Half-Bird's coming expansion and new items on the menu at Sparrow + Wolf. But the focus is on Brian and partner John Anthony's efforts to make their places safe spaces for their people. Both were recently featured in Fortune magazine for their work on breaking the cycle of mental i...

Al, Gemini and Rich pig out with perfect pig, and many other delights, atop the Whiskey Bar inside Mizunara, which is inside The Sundry Food Hall at UnCommons - the new restaurant/residential/office complex at Durango, just off Interstate 215. The Executive Chef of the entire food hall, David Varley, explains how they reinvented the concept thanks to Covid. Yes, he says, you will have to use a QR...

All three of the Cocktail Collective bars at Venetian and Palazzo are getting makeovers. But Dorsey also has a new name: Juliet Cocktail Room. Al, Gemini and Rich hang out on the comfy couches of Juliet and talk to the man who made the switch: Ryan Labbe of 8182 Group. Also: Al shares his thoughts on lunch at Amari in the UnCommons development. He also speaks with Buddy Valastro on the 10th annive...

Bad Beat Brewing is the site of today's episode thanks to founder/owner Nathan Hall and head brewer Tom Harwood. Both share their journey to Henderson's Booze District - both starting out as home brewers who now profit from their passion. Gemini finally gets to Sundry, and samples a lot of items at the new food hall near the Durango Curve. Al shares lots of thoughts about HaSalon, the new Israeli/...

Al, Gemini and Rich are in the same room for the first time in nearly two months, and are celebrating by breaking open a bottle of Frey Ranch's new "Farm Strength Uncut Bourbon." That means 124 proof, or more than 62% alcohol. Rich returns from his world tour by hitting two semi-new Chinese joints inside casinos - with mixed results. Gemini is all over the map, sampling Mexican, sushi, Irish, and...

That's right. We're slaves to Search Engine Optimization. But Al also did talk to Guy about his latest Vegas enterprise. Guy is one of several guests on a guest-packed episode that also includes Sam Marvin, Geo Mauro, Sean Christie and more! As for dining: Al and Gemini share their experiences at Archi's Thai, Vicki's Diner, Half Bird Chicken and Beer, a party at Delilah and Al's vacation in Cabo....

Champion pizzaiolo Michael Vakneen shares the news of his latest adventure: ∅∅ Pie & Pub on Spring Mountain Road. The genius behind Pop-Up Pizza at The Plaza is joining the excellent offerings in the same strip mall as Half-Bird and The Golden Tiki. And he shares his journey to pizza greatness with Al. Meanwhile, Gemini gets the first-hand download on Lemon Tree Café from its chef/owner Patrick Li...

That Girl is actually the founder of "Girls Can Grill," Christie Vanover. Her longtime Vegas presence gets some big-time national exposure, as she's a contestant on the new season of Discovery's "Barbecue Brawl." Al and Gemini recorded this episode at Little Avalon, the coastal cuisine casual joint in Village Square, the shopping complex at West Sahara & Fort Apache. Also: Gemini shares her trips...

While Rich continues his world tour, Al and Gemini take the show to Area 15, the sprawling arts and entertainment district located just west of The Strip. They chat with representatives of the complex about all the experiences it has to offer – especially the food and beverage options. COO, Dan Pelson provides an overview of all the attractions, from Omega Mart to Wink World and everything in betw...

We are doing Vegas all over the valley this week, as Al and Gemini come to you from Carson Kitchen, the O.G. of Carson St. cuisine. VP Andrew Weintraub and Executive Chef Scott Simon keep the food coming. Al goes serious top shelf at the new Ocean Prime on The Strip, speaking to owner/CEO Cameron Mitchell. And Gemini talks to Stephan Parker and Ethan Spitzer, the geniuses behind Solamente Pizza &...

Well, it's not Puck, himself cooking at 1228 Main St., his new place in the Arts District. But Al is definitely on a big-time rant. Not about the restaurant, but about all the privileged food snobs trashing the Wolfgang-adjacent place just hours after its very soft opening. Al and Gemini go back and forth on that. And back. And forth. And back again. And maybe one more forth. Also: Diana Brier get...

Gemini joins us from Chicago, sharing her impressions of the James Beard Award ceremony, and reveals what it was like to serve as a volunteer judge for the awards. Later in the show, it's Gemini with the big interview in the latest seafood trend. Call it a tin. Call it a can. Call it 'conserva.' It's how people have preserved food, especially seafood, for centuries. And now there's a tinned fish c...

No, it's not a new, hip greeting that all the cool kids are doing. Istorya is a community-based Filipino pop-up that's more than just food. Al gets the full download from Walter Castillo. And while we're discovering new words, Fermantato is coming to town. It's a series of culinary classes you can enjoy at Ellis Island. The first two: BBQ and Charcuterie. Gemini has more information on her newest...

OK, nobody but us is old enough to remember that homage to big, chair-filled barber shops. But this episode feels like the old days, as Al gets the downloads for Bruce Kalman, Candace Ochoa, Min Kim, Lorena Garcia, Roy Ellamar and Tai Ronnen. This episode is so big we lost count! Also: visits to La Strega, Monzu Italian Oven, The Legacy Club, Aromi, The Baguette Cafe and neighborhood Chinese mains...

If you haven't been to Sparrow & Wolf lately, it's a good time to get back to Brian Howard's Spring Mountain Road joint. He's just back from a tour of New Zealand, South Korea and Vietnam. And what he learned is already showing up on the menu. Also: Al talks to the Voltaggio brothers about their one-year pop-up at Mandalay Bay. Al and Gemini wax poetic about Spaghetty Western in Southern Highlands...

Al pays a visit to the valley's premier food bank, Three Square, to get an update from Katie Gaines on its programs, challenges and triumphs. Maryland's famous Voltaggio brothers are now in business - for a year - at Mandalay Bay with their elevated retro concept. Want to buy out an entire hotel when Formula 1 comes to town? We'll tell you where, and the price. Also: Gemini goes Asian, Rich goes R...

Al takes a deep dive into what Carver Road Hospitality is doing these days on the heels of Carversteak's success at Resorts World. Also: Al gets wet and eats well at Green Valley Ranch and Palms, co-host Samantha Gemini Stevens shares the "joys" of delivery while hold up with Covid, and Rich goes for the fast food hat trick. There's also news of some great Cinco de Mayo events, and our favorite Ko...

Yep, it's a thing. And you can light your fire with that very same lighter at an exclusive cigar night at Ferraro's. Sotto Le Stelle with El Septimo Cigars will be presenting some of his finest, complete with - well, listen to the podcast to find out! Also: Co-Host Rick Moonen sings the praises of Red Rock's latest restaurant and lounge additions (and Rich seconds that motion), and Al goes crazy f...

It's a huge buffet of food and food items this week, including a preview of Picnic in the Alley, the big food even by women... for everyone! Al talks to the Mob Museum's Senior Food and Beverage Director Clint Thoman about five years for The Underground speakeasy. Al, Samantha and Rich also share several upcoming food events, including Italian wine tasting, a tasty Mother's Day meal, a tequila and...

We sit down with Canyon Ranch Spa's executive Chef Pete Ghione to discuss his experience helping people battle cancer with a healthier diet, and how he's working to raise $100,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. We also discuss recent meals at Toast Society, Crafthaus Brewery's Arts District taproom, Taste of Asia, Zai, Born and Raised, Anima and a Winnie & Ethel's pop-up at the Huntridge T...

In this week's episode, Al and Gemini sit down with Renee Guglielmetti, Crystal Momii and Vic Vegas of Chefs For Kids, to talk about the work they do educating and feeding at-risk Las Vegas school kids, and their upcoming fundraising dinner. Vic also shares some news about his work with the nonprofit. Al and Gemini also discuss their recent visits to Toast Society, Le Café du SUD, the newest Wahlb...

It's Pizza Expo time, and Al talks with two of Vegas' best, John Arena and Tony Tony Gemignani. Gemini goes in-depth with the proprietors of two downtown pop-ups, Hemant Kishore and Antonio Nunez. Congrats to the James Beard Foundations nominees from Las Vegas (listen to find out who). And Rich shares some non-Vegas stops on his Pacific Northwest trek - angering Al when it comes to duck fat frites...

Live (on tape (well, on digits)) from Ada's Food and Wine, Al and Gemini dive deep into the joint's new name with Executive Chef Jackson Stamper, Wine Goddess Kat Lilly and the shy and retiring owner James Trees (we kid because we love). Also: a new cocktail menu has debuted at Chinglish Cantonese Wine Bar, and Chef Chris Santos has revived his iconic New York City restaurant with a slightly new n...

It's an action-packed episode featuring some serious chefs! The man who brought Asian cuisine to public TV, Martin Yan, has opened his new place at Horseshoe. St. Patrick's Day is going to be an all-weekend affair at Ri-Ra and many other Irish joints. "Picnic in the Alley" is returning to Downtown Las Vegas, thanks to our friend and badass superwoman in culinary, Jolene Mannina. Also: Al hits Marc...

A major addition at Brezza! It - well, you'll just have to listen to find out which of the valley's most celebrated chefs is joining Chef Nicole Brisson at the elevated Italian eatery in Resorts World. Also: Al has a lot to say about truffle burgers at Shake Shack, and Rich bores everyone with his XFL/UFC/NASCAR weekend. There's big burger news at Half-Bird. and some craft brewers do some lobbying...