Food and Loathing | Covering the Las Vegas Food Scene

James Trees was the star of the second "Meet the Chef' Event at Element Home Gallery. If you didn't make it, you can catch up as James talks his way through making agnolotti. We also have news of a new chef taking over the venerable Chef's Roma Kitchen, who's the guest at the next Som Sunday at Ada's Wine Bar, and the special burger event at Half Bird. Also: Al, Gemini and Rich share their weeks i...

The OG, Mac Daddy real deal publicist to legendary rock stars for decades, Mitch Schneider is now a Las Vegas resident and part-time foodie. He's writing about the food and arts scene for Casino.org, and has more than a few stories to tell. He did that at Spiedini Fiamma, the six-month old Italian restaurant inside the Rampart Casino at the JW Marriott hotel. Chef Paula Smagacz enhanced our record...

With Samantha Gemini Stevens a late scratch, Al and Rich make due by entertaining each other with hospital and fast-food stories. But two of our mainstays show up to make this episode worth a listen. Gio Mauro talks about the new Industry Night at Monzu. Nicole Brisson runs down the revised menu at Bar Zazzu at Resorts World. And Al offers high praise for those times when a restaurant can feel lik...

While Al is away, Rich Johnson and Samantha Gemini Stevens hijack the podcast! Gemini shares the fun of her trip to NeNe Japanese Contemporary Bistro for lunch and Oscar's Steakhouse at The Plaza for dinner. Rich follows up on last week's mention of Farm Basket, and reviews the three-piece fried chicken lunch. He also goes ga-ga for the technology at Kura Sushi. Al left a little appetizer: a few m...

Two Las Vegas institutions are the centerpieces of this episode. Well, three, if a chef can be an institution. Bradley Ogden, longtime star at Caesars Palace, is back on the line - in the burbs. Al talks to Bradley about his new gig at Marche Bacchus. And one of the valley's venerable home-grown fast food joints - The Chicken Basket - is doubling in size. Which means it's growing from one store to...

Al, Gemini and Rich get a preview of the best cocktail class in the valley coming next month. After a more than two years hiatus, Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits is reviving its cocktail academy. Two of the instructors stop by Southern's $2,000,000 classroom: a long bar outfitted with cameras, monitors and four rows of custom lighted comfy seating for students. You need to listen to learn how yo...

Al and Gemini stalk the floor of the Fancy Foods Show during its second visit to Las Vegas. Some of the podcast's best friends were also there, and stopped by to chat: Nicole Brisson, Michael Stamm and LeAnne Notabartolo. Specialty Foods Association president Bill Lynch was in the house, as well as folks hawking whiskey made from whey and ice cream from Turkey. And about that cheese. Gemini found...

It's a celebrity-filled episode, and not just celebrity chefs! Al chats with 80s pop star Tiffany, who's coming to Las Vegas next month for a combination music and food event with Chef Alicia Chevetone. And two big names are back on the scene. Al was surprised when the mastermind behind Stripsteak (and so many other first-class restaurants) Michael Mina was at the re-opening of the legendary place...

Thanks to the miracle that is Zoom, Al reconnects with former colleague (and former nemesis) Corey Levitan. He's back in the journalism game covering gaming and Vegas for casino.org. Corey shares his journey from being laid off by the Las Vegas Review-Journal to freelancing, PR, community papers and now back doing what he loves for the same site that backs Vital Vegas. Also: Al's back in restauran...

Al shares some of the biggest conversations of the year, with some of the biggest deal chefs of this or any year: Buddy V, Marc Vetri, Martin Yan, Shawn McClain, Michael Symon and the always shy and retiring James Trees. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a long time getting it all together at Vegas Test Kitchen, Yukon Pizza is open on its own. The shop in the Huntridge complex is the brainchild of Alex White, who sits down with Al to explain it all -- including his family's 100+ year old sourdough starter! Also: Samantha Gemini Stevens does cocktails, the Sand Dollar at checks out a VTK newbie. Rich found a new Strip-to-Strip Mall story at t...

Al is under the weather, so Gemini and Rich run amok with news of holiday specials, Feasts of the Seven Fishes -- and some Festivus grievances. Before he tapped out, Al got serious with Eat's Natalie Young about doing more to improve the mental health of those in the hospitality business. Also: Carversteak is offering up a great bargain for locals. Ferraro's and Gaetano's are doing big 'Feast of t...

Newly-renovated Table 34 is under new ownership, and Al got the lowdown over lunch. Meanwhile, it's a new generation in charge of the family-owned Gaetano's Ristorante in Henderson. And Al learned all about it from chef/owner Nick Palmeri. Co-host Samantha Gemini Stevens shares the joys of a new smart refrigerator, as wall as several dining experiences this past week. Rich Johnson shares his relie...

The namesake of the fabulous Vetri Cucino atop The Palms sits down in the gorgeous restaurant to talk about the agony of closing during Covid, more agony when Station Casinos decided not to re-open after Covid, the ecstacy of finally re-opening under Palms' new owners. Also: holiday happy hours and the American Dream history of Roberto's Taco Shop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastch...

Al used to do it, backing up the legendary Heidi Knapp-Rinella. Now, the sole food writer at the Las Vegas Review-Journal is Jonathan Wright. He sits down with Al to talk about the dream of getting paid to eat and share. Also: Al, Rich and co-host Rick Moonen share a long list of things done in the past week. And the news is all about three venerable bars that are all decked out for the holidays....

Al didn't talk to every pizza maker in Las Vegas. It only seems like it as he wades through the Las Vegas Pizza Fest, microphone in hand. Also: Samantha Gemini Stevens has a less-than wonderful lunch at a Summerlin Mexican place, Rich Johnson has the best cheesesteak ever, and all three are ready to plunk down some big dollars for fresh stone crabs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastc...

It's not quite the State of the Union Address or a Donald Trump rally, but Al does spend a lot of time this week on his visit to Nusr-Et, the steakhouse fronted by social media superstar Nusret Gokce, aka 'Salt Bae.' There is a lot to unpack when it comes to a $2,200 Tomahawk. Also, Chef Shawn McClain talks about his new place, Balla Italian Soul inside the Sahara. We also taped the episode inside...

Al Mancini is back and ready to dish on his dining and drinking in San Jose Del Cabo. Samantha Gemini Stevens shares tales of the pop-up burger event at Featherblade and the 13-hour brisket from her back yard. Producer Rich Johnson's week consisted of a great donut and a not-so-great Italian Beef. But the centerpiece of the episode is thanks to our recording venue host: Eric Prato of Garagiste Win...

...the help is at play! Samantha Gemini Stevens and producer Rich Johnson share a few experiences from the week while Al gets in a proper vacation. Of course, Al being Al, he left enough material for nearly an entire show -- including comments from chefs at the Evening of Hope gala at Wynn, to benefit the University Medical Center Foundation. Also: a conversation with John Baez, the new Executive...

Autumn is in the air in Las Vegas - meaning it's down to the mid 80s during the day! Fall food events are springing up all over, to mix our seasons. Al enjoyed the seasonal pop-up Fall at the Terrace at Green Valley Ranch. Both Rich and Gemini enjoyed the monthly serving of Jackson's Chicken at Ada's Wine Bar. Al tried, but failed, to get to the Grand Reopening of Hard Hat Lounge under new owner a...

It's a huge anniversary for a Summerlin institution. Honey Salt at Boca Park is ten years old, and Al talks about the major milestone with owner Elizabeth Blau. And another F&L favorite, Vegans Baby webmaster Diana Edelman, was in town for a conversation - including details of her vegan safari! Also: Wolfgang Puck stops by, Echo & Rig staffs up its second Vegas Valley location, and Green Valley Ra...

It's a deep dive into the Las Vegas of the late 60's, and a fictional battle for control. On one side, the mob. On the other, the Mormons. What? It's fiction, and it's the latest novel by P Moss, owner of the Double Down Saloon and Frankie's Tiki Room. "Dead Ringer" is Moss's fifth book - a thoroughly researched trip back in time. The places are real. The story is fiction. Also: Cake Boss Buddy Va...

It's a beyond-packed episode as Gemini recounts her end-of-summer multi-animal roasting party. Al caught up with new cocktails at the Cosmopolitan, a new hockey bar at M Resort, new pizza at Atomic Liquor and a New World Order at the venerable Henderson eatery Table 34. Oh, and Rich had hot chicken and KFC. We recorded in the party room at Vegas Valley Winery, and talked to Tasting Room Manager Cr...

It's tough, this restaurant business. It's been romanticized in books, movies and TV. But the reality is not so romantic. And now some restauranteurs are trying to help their people with their struggles. Al talks to Sparrow & Wolf's John Anthony about that. And he talks to the new co-owners of The Hard Hat Lounge, one of the area's premier dive bars - if 'premier' and 'dive bar' even belong in the...

There's a new guy on Main Street - or rather, there's a new guy IN Main Street - as in Main St. Provisions. Samantha Gemini Stevens has a long talk with its new executive chef, Patrick Munster. And we get a preview of a new steakhouse coming to Henderson thanks to Chef Matt Meyer. Also: the fall menu's nearly in place a Piero's, Al talks to Marche Bacchus owner Jeff Wyatt about the wine-centric re...