Food and Loathing

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.

  This week's episode helps you gear up for football season, as Al speaks to representatives of Flanker, Ri Ra, Dawghouse and Stadium Swim to find out what they're planning, and lists seven other great venues for viewing sports. Andrew Morgan continues the football-centric episode with a look at sports bar happy hours. Jeremy Ford talks about Stubborn Seed's a la carte menu, we speak to one of the partners at the brand new Pachi Pachi, Paymon Raouf tells us about Paymon's entertainment schedule and introduces us to one of the musicians, and we revisit an interview with Ellie Parker as the Main St. Provisions chef announces she's headed to Hell's Kitchen. Plus: lots of news, and restaurant reports from Partage, Durango Social Club, Stubborn Seed and more.  

This week's episode was recorded at the brand new Alebrijes by Chef Paco in Neonopolis, where Al, Gemini and Hapy Hour Vegas' Andrew Morgan sample the menu (including grasshoppers and ants) with Chef Francisco "Paco" Cortes. Al and Paco also chat about the weekend Drag Brunch the restaurant hosts. And we have interviews with Chef Lanny Chin and Irv's Burgers CEO Lawrence Longo, plus restaurant reports from Todd's Unique Dining, La Madre Canyon Grill, The Stove, Alexxa's and Herbs and Rye.  

Al talks to local chefs who operate food stands in Allegiant Stadium to get the scoop on what's new for Raiders games in 2025. Among them: Anthony Andreason of Pizza Rock, Samantha Bandy of Fremont Street's Evel Pie, Soulbelly BBQ's Bruce Kalman and Border Grill's Yancy Perez. Andrew Morgan's Happy Hour Report goes sky high to sample the offerings of The Foundation Room. Al and Gemini also play favorites when discussing their latest meals at several places that are friends of the podcast: Main St. Provisions, Bar Boheme, Tamba, Stray Pirate, Wineaux, Echo & Rig in Henderson, Hong Kong Garden and more. Plus: Anthony Carron tells about the $49 steak & martini deal at Cheri Rooftop.        

The former head of Las Vegas Test Kitchen, who's now working her magic with Fortune Events, catches up with Gemini. They are especially excited about the upcoming edition of Picnic in the Alley, the woman-centric food event in downtown Las Vegas. With Al on vacation, Gem carries the show, with a little help from once-again vagabond Rich Johnson, who shares the "fun" of driving from Las Vegas to Seattle in an EV. Also, visits to Sparrow + Wolf, Basillico, Petit Boheme and Echo Taste + Sound. Andrew Morgan checks the new happy hour at Echo & Rig's Henderson location, and Al (even on vacation) updates the upgrade coming to the Food & Loathing website.   

Las Vegas' home-grown superstar chef is celebrating a birthday, and all the chefs from all of his restaurants are contributing to the celebration. But we got them all in one place -- Bar Boheme -- to talk shop. And what a talk it is, featuring: James Trees Adam Rios, Sean O'Hara, Jordon Dunewood, Joe Swan, Jake Yergensen and Jackson Stamper. Also: Al shares his "Friends Experience," as well as stops at Pepper Club, Ri-Ra and Hard Hat Lounge. Plus: Andrew Morgan's Happy Hour Report from MGM Grand. 

Meet the future of Las Vegas food journalism, as we interview 11-year-old food writer Kingstyn Majors, and get his take on the profession and the local restaurant scene. Trust us, this kid is amazing!  Other interviews this week include Chef Adam Rios of Al Solito Posto, Sparrow + Wolf's Brain Howard (discussing the upcoming Fauna collaboration), Bryan Bass of Bottled Blonde, Durango Social Club's Chef Dan Krohmer and Sorellina's Stephen Jerome, as well as a surf-n-turf Happy Hour Report.