Food and Loathing

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.  

Fresh from the drama surrounding the closings of Table 34 and Bramare, Chef Joe Valdez has taken over the kitchen at Basilico, the modern, elegant Italian restaurant in the Evora Apartment complex on S. Buffalo, between Sunset & Russell. Joe explains what he's kept and what he's changed since assuming the Executive Chef role. Also: news of a big James Trees birthday event, Big B's Barbecue's West Side location, a smashburger popup at Resorts World and some big stars coming to The Golden Tiki. Also, Al, Gem and Rich recount recent visits to Taco Escobar, Delilah, Evolve Brewing, Flanker and Aromi (among many others!).   

Matt Meyer, the chef who knows all about dry-aging, sits down with Al for the centerpiece interview this week. Al also talks with Christina Ngyuen about the decision to close her pioneering Chinatown restaurant District 1. Gemini talks collaboration dinners with Bruce Kalman as he participated in just such an event in Oklahoma City. No Butcher and Sparrow + Wolf are in the news, and Al shares his visits to Bar Boheme, Craft Creamery and Nocturno.  

Al, Gem and Rich sit down in the gorgous Bourbon Steak dining room at the Four Seasons for a conversation with executive chef Josh Smith and his upcoming guest collaborator James Trees. He's the first guest chef for what will be a series of collaborative dinners called "Chef's Corner." That first one is set for July 10. Also in this episode, restaurant visits to Ai Pazz (the new Italian place at the JW Marriott fronted by celebrity chef Fabio Viviani), House of Blues, Sorrellina and Mr. Kim's Korean BBQ. And the chefs and hosts take a semi-deep dive into the fourth season of "The Bear."  

Al, Gemini and Rich feast on the food and hospitality provided by Todd Clore, the chef/owner of Henderson mainstay Todd's Uniquie Dining. Todd shares why he left The Strip to open one of the suburbs' first fine dining destinations more than 20 years ago. Also: STK's Stephen Hopcraft unveils new menu items, Lotus of Siam’s Penny Chutima talks about her mother's James Beard Award from years ago, and we dive into nearly a dozen places we've visted in the past week.   

The home of over-the-top burgers and "Bam-Boozled" milkshakes, about one year after closing its spot in the Cosmopolitan, is back in business in the Arts District. Billy Richardson, CEO of parent company Gen3 Hospitality, grabs a seat in the corner booth to share the Holsteins story with Al, Rich and guest co-host Bob Barnes. Bob also offers up a beer report -- because that's his claim to fame. Gemini joins us from Chicago, fresh from attending the James Beard Awards ceremony. Along with the usual Happy Hour report, this episode is loaded with short interviews from: French Chef Jean Joho, El Segundo Sol’s Wesley Pumphrey and Marissa Demello, Chef Marquita Duren of Tailgate Social, James Cox of Brewdog and Underdog, All’Antico Vinaio’s Zach Allen, Chef Dan Krohmer and Angeline Kuhlman of Amari.  

Superstar chef and humanitarian Jose Andres has opened another Las Vegas restaurant, and Al gets the lowdown from CEO Sam Bakhshandehpour on the pan-Mediterranean menu at Zaytinya. Natalie Young is also here, talking about her new Arts District place, Echo Taste & Sound. The big interview is with Ethan Spiezer at the new outpost of Solamete Pizza on West Sahara. Also: The Happy Hour Report looks at great deals in Fremont East. Al and Rich also share their dining experices at Main St. Provisions, Nudo Italiano, Vito's Tacos, Bar Boheme and Wild Fig. 

A classic upscale steakhouse right across from The Aztec on Las Vegas Boulevard? There is a method to that apparant madness, and Mae Daly's owner Richard Femenella explains it to Al, Gemini and Rich. Executive Chef Tomas Espino also joins the conversation, and brings a fantastic sample of Mae Daly's fantastic cuisine. Also: another wine dinner at Joe's, Chef Leticia Mitchell is bringing Leticia’s Cocina and Cantina to Boulder Station, and James Trees expands his empire to the 51st floor. Listen to find out WHICH 51st floor. And we offer Happy Hour tips in Summerlin along with dining reports from Winnie & Ethel's, Shainghai Taste, Vesta Coffee, Basillico, Flanker.