Food and Loathing

Gemini is back!  She and Al are hosting together, in person. They're at the Las Vegas Distillery, where they get the lowdown on the place's history, products, vibe, distribution and more from Cody Fredrickson and Jonny Verplank. We also have interviews with Jason Vega of The Flamingo (talking Salt & Straw), Rio's Andi Van Willigan (talking Kitchen Table), Bellagio's Warren Richards (talking the Mayfair Supper Club) and Gyu+'s Freddie Paloma (talking about the new location), and restaurant reports from Ada's, Big B's Texas BBQ, St. Felix Sin City, With Love Always and Union Biscuit.

Don Chareunsy of VegasPublicity.com sits in for Gemini this week, joining Al at the new steakhouse Butcher & Thief. In addition to having a nice long conversation with chef/owner Cory Harwell, they sample a large portion of the menu. Other interviews this week include John Arakaki of St. Felix, Lilli's Tyler Vorce and Darren Walters of South Point. You'll also get a Happy Hour Report, a few dining reports, and some news.

Al sits down with Robbie Cunningham, the brain behind Guerrilla Pizza Company, the new downtown joint that's serving up what it calls "Detroit-style deep dish" pies. Al also goes on a big rant about the price of parking in The Arts District -- and incorrect enforcement, to be kinda polite. Producer Rich Johnson hangs out from  his listening post in Seattle, celebrating the start of the commercial Dungenness crabbing season and regretting all the years he went without Banh Mi sandwiches. And he finds concrete evidence that Dubai Chocolate is over. And, as usual, Andrew Morgan's Happy Hour Report.     

Al, Gemini and Happy Hour Vegas' Andrew Morgan are together in the Arts District for the final episode of 2025, coming to you from Bjork Caviar on Main Street. Owner Christian Sandefeldt shares all of the basics on sturgeon roe, so you'll be comfortable making the indulgent treat part of your New Year's celebration. We also have restaurant reports from Amador Cocina Fina, Le Club by Partage and Butcher & Thief as well as interviews with Ellie Parker of Main St. Provisions, Keith Glynn of Nacho Daddy and Gabby Goodman of How Ya Dough In.    

Just in time for Christmas Eve, we're talking Feast of the Seven fishes. We share interviews with Chefs Nicholas Beesley of Triple George Grill near The Downtown Grand, Nicole Brisson of Brezza in Resorts World and Mimmo Ferraro of Ferraro's about their versions of the Italian tradition. We also have a tour of Yurt by Dan Coughlin. Shuchi Patel explains Henderson's Taste of Gujarat. Cory Harwell tells us about Butcher and Thief. And Rob Baker explains the changes at Circa's Project BBQ. Also, a Happy Hour Report from The Arts Distrcit, restaurant reports and news.

Al and Las Vegas' premier guy Bob Barnes dive into this week's episode, which is Japan-centric. The centerpiece is with Chef Winston Matsuuchi of Omakase Kyara Sake Bar. Chef Winston is the son of the founders of Las Vegas' first Japanese grocery store, and has put his bi-cultural upbringing to good use, fusing Japanese and American cuisines. Also in this episode, comments by Masaharu Morimoto on his revamped signature restaurant at MGM Grand, and details of the Sand Dollar's pop-up pizza series. 

It's Al, guest co-host Rachel Diehl and Happy Hour Vegas' Andrew Morgan coming to you from Du-par's in the Suncoast this week. The resort's executive chef Christopher Nicholson feeds them loco moco, Chinese chicken salad and the California import's famous pancakes. You'll also get restaurant reports, some news, and interviews with Metro Pizza's John Arena and Toddy Shop's Hemant Kishore. And Gemini Stevens delivers a message, bringing people up to date on her recent absences.  

Andrew Morgan sits in for Gemini Stevens, and producer Rich Johnson connects from Seattle. At the center of the show this week: a nice long interview with Hell's Kitchen contestant Ellie Parker, as well as interviews with Chefs Jose Andres, Wolfgang Puck, Masaharu Morimoto, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Michael Mina, Michael Voltaggio, Bryan Voltaggio and Dave Beran at F1's Fountain Club. Also: former French Laundry chef Tyler Vorce talks about his new off-Strip popup. We're dropping the episode early this week, so you can enjoy it as you prepare your holiday dinner, or drive to Grandma's house. Please enjoy.

City Cast Las Vegas' Rob Kachelriess keeps the co-host chair warm for the ailing Gemini this week, sharing his experiences exploring the cuisine of Las Vegas' relatively new Filipino Town on Maryland Parkway. Rob also discusses his recent meal at High Steaks in The Rio and lets us know where we can find an airport version of The Durango Resort's Summer House. At the center of the show, Al shares interviews with Vincent Rotolo, John Arena, Ricky Wilson, Tony Gemignani and James Trees, recorded at the Las Vegas Pizza Festival. We also have interviews with Cory Harwell of Butcher & Thief and Gene Samuel of SMKD BBQ.  

Gemini and Al were in Centennial Hills this week to record this episode with Anthony Jameson at Casa De Juliette. The man who helped bring The Sand Dollar Lounge back to its past glory talks about serving Mexican food in the 'burbs, and his own return to the kitchen. You'll also hear interviews with Dan and Donny Thompson at the D'Agostino's Grand reopening party, SunCoast's Pearl Brecia on the Du Par's reopening, Lyle Tolhurst talking about Formula 1 race weekend at Eiffel Tower Restaurant, Circa's Oceana Clemens explaining Bourbon & Blues, and Happy Hour Vegas' Andrew Morgan on Arts District deals.       

Al and Gemini are back together this week, with an interview-heavy episode recorded on the newly extended patio of Nine Fine Irishmen in New York New York. In addition to chatting the Irish Pub's Senior Restaurant Operations Manager, Teague Smith, they also share conversations with Echo Taste & Sound's Natalie Young, author Kim Foster, Durango Social Club's Dan Krohmer, In Limbo's Steve Lee, Joe's Prime Seafood Steak and Stone Crab's Dave Quillen and the comedic, wine-guzzling stars of "In Pour Taste," Sweeney Preston and Ethan Cavanagh.

Gemini and Al are reunited this week (via Zoom, but we'll take it). It's a great episode that includes interviews with Chefs Jose Andres, Shawn McClain and Oscar Amador as well as representatives of Cabinet of Curiosities and a company called Sadie that builds AI to anser the phone at restaurants. We also have restaurant reports, news, and a Happy Hour Report by Andrew Morgan.

Al Mancini and Happy Hour Vegas' Andrew Morgan handle the hosting duties this week, as Al also muddles through as recording engineer. They both attend the 15th anniversary celebration at Weera Thai, where they observe a blessing by Buddhist monks before interviewing owner Sasi Phothidokmai and manager Chollada "Bo" Hendrix. Other interviews include Chef Mimmo Ferraro, Christina Ellis, the Hard Hat Lounge's  Frank Sidoris, Brezza's Chef Nicole Brisson and White Whale's Walter Cortez.

Gemini and Al helm the show together this week. Al joins baker Korey Wells at her shop, Whiskful Thinking Cakes, in the center of the shoe. Among the topics: painting with buttercream, fake cakes vs real ones and baking on TV. Other interviews include Chef Fabio Viviani, The Mob Museum's Clint Thoman, Gjelina's farm liaison Bethanny Harris, the Charitable Hospitality Foundation's Michael Kennedy and Chef James Trees on the opening of High Steaks atop the Rio. And of course, we have a Happy Hour Report, plenty of restaurant reports, and a bunch of news.

Gemini is back this week, and she's brought Chef Jamie Tran with her. Actually, she's brought Al to Chef Jamie's restaurant, The Black Sheep, to record the episode. In addition to feeding the pair lots of new menu items, Chef sat down to chat. Also on this episode: restaurant reports from The Legends Oyster Bar, Red Dwarf, Al Solito Posto, Joel Robuchon and more, as well as a Happy Hour report, news, and a discussion of salmon-gate.

For this week's episode, Al joined Chef Gio Mauro and musician Naomi Mauro at their restaurant, Monzu Italian Oven. He was there to speak to them about the music at the restaurant, as well as the new seasonal menu. When Gemini found herself unable to make the recording, the Mauros were kind enough to sit in as co-hosts for the entire show, sharing  some of their favorite Las Vegas restaurants and chiming in on the news.

With Gemini out of the country, Al is joined by Bob Barnes at the brand new Leticia's Cocina and Cantina in the Boulder Station Hotel & Casino. In addition to an extended interview with chef/owner Leticia Mitchell, we have an extended beer report by Bob, as well as an interview with Joel Robuchon executive chef Eleazar Villanueva discussing the restaurant's 20th anniversary celebration. And, of course, Andrew Morgan with a Happy Hour Report.   

This week's episode features City Cast Las Vegas' Rob Kachelriess sitting in for Gemini, recording at the Double Down Saloon. He and Al chat with the iconic punk rock bar's owner P Moss, about Ass Juice, Bacon Martinis, Puke Insurance, and his brand new novel, "Screwing Sinatra."  We also drop by the Girls Scouts' annual "Dessert Before Dinner" gala, and tour the construction at D'Agostino's Trattoria.

Al gets immersive at Picnic in the Alley, the annual event celebrating the women who make Las Vegas' culinary community so special. Al talks to more than a dozen women who took part, including Nicole Brisson, Ellie Parker, Gina Marinelli, Erica Bell, and the former Vegas resident who is the very first Yes Chef Champion, Emily Brubaker. The event wouldn't happen without the leadership of many women, including our own Gemini, who hosted three panels. Also: Al samples the new customer-influenced tacos at Mae Daly's, Hash House A Go Go celebrates 20 years, a new dining deal at Resorts Worlds' Famous Foods Street Eats, and some great deals to celebrate Mexican Independence Day. In fact, Andrew Morgan's Happy Hour Report focuses on the best early deals at Mexican restaurants.     

This week's episode was recorded at Havana 1957 at The Flamingo, where Al, Gemini and guest co-host Don Chareunsy (of the brand new VegasPublicity.com) have an amazing tasting of Cuban cuisine. They also talked to Chef Michael Torres. You'll hear restaurant reports on Amari, NeNe Contemporary Japanese Bistro, Wineaux, Lao Kitchen, and the new 888 Japanese BBQ location (among other spots). Also, as usual: Andrew Morgan's Happy Hour Report and the news.