Food and Loathing | Covering the Las Vegas Food Scene

Latest Episodes:

Too Hot Tamales: Drive-Thru! Jan 19, 2024

Show notes

The legendary chefs of Border Grill, Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken, are expanding their empire to the Las Vegas suburbs. Barbecue Mexicana is opening at The Bend. The concept is already in place right across the hall from Border Grill, in T-Mobile Arena and Allegiant Field. But this will the group's first stand-alone fast-casual property. Also: Gemini goes all-out at 00 Pie & Pub, while Al tries the sorta Cuban sandwich at The Chef Truck, the faux food truck in the hall just outside the casino at Park MGM.

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Bel-Aire Lounge Scores at Durango Jan 12, 2024

Show notes

Al, Gemini and Rich dive into a great mid-day feast at Bel-Aire Lounge in the new Durango Casino & Resort, courtesy of Keith Eure of Clique Hospitality. Between bites of a tuna roll, burgers, churros, shrimp and more, Keith told us all about Clique's restaurants at Durango, Bel-Aire Lounge, Mijo Modern Mexican and Mijo's speakeasy, Wax Rabbit. Also: Lots of dinners to share, including comments from some of the winners of the Slow Foods USA "Snail of Approval" awards.

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Dom DeMarco's Pizza: From Brooklyn to Las Vegas Jan 05, 2024

Show notes

One of the valley's groundbreaking pizza parlors has, for 12 years, sat in a strip mall nestled between a pet store and a grocery store. But the history of Dom DeMarco's Pizza stretches years before, and all the way to Brooklyn. Owner Albert Scalleat tells the fascinating tale of coming out of retirement and convincing one of New York City's premier pizza makers, the owner of Di Fara Pizza, to cooperate. Eventually he did, and Scalleat honored Dom DeMarco by naming the Las Vegas outlet for him. In all modesty, it's one of the best stories we've presented on Food & Loathing!

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The Best of 2023 - Just Not Ours Dec 29, 2023

Show notes

Al and Gemini spend much of this yearend episode reviewing the reviewers. They critique the 'Best Of' lists complied by Desert Companion, Las Vegas Weekly and Eater. Also, stunning news from the owner of two popular Asian restaurants. Chef Bank Atcharawan is stepping down from Lamaii to focus on his health and his future.

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New Owners, New Plans Dec 22, 2023

Show notes

Table 34 has been under the Batch Hospitality brand for nearly a year. There is also new ownership at Graze Kitchen, the plant-based joint at South Buffalo and Warm Springs. Al talked to the owners of both establishments about their plans for 2024, from new menus to new restaurants. And, as usual, Al, Gemini and Rich share their recent dining experiences.

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Judy Joo's Seoul Food in Las Vegas Dec 15, 2023

Show notes

Seoul Bird Korean Street Food serves up fried chicken strips, sandwiches and more inside the Proper Eats Food Hall at Aria. It's Chef Judy Joo's first Vegas venture after two successful outlets in London. Joo is also a cookbook author, an Iron Chef in the UK (despite being a born and bred New Jersey girl), and a veteran of the flagship restaurants of both Gordon Ramsay and Thomas Keller. Gemini sits down with Joo at Proper Eats, and does some proper eating of Seoul Bird's signature dishes. With Al away for family time, Rich and Gem also share their dining of the past week - including Main St. Provisions, Hanu Korean BBQ, Snooze and the buffet at Rampart Casino.

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Durango is Good to Go Dec 08, 2023

Show notes

The first ground-up casino in years built especially for locals is up and running. Station Casinos opened Durango Casino and Resort earlier this week. Al got a big preview of the property's food and beverage offerings from Executive Chef Danny Ye. And Rich was there for the ribbon-cutting and very "cozy" slot and video poker play in the huge space that's filled to capacity with machines. Also: It's Patisserie Manon and Sammy's for Gemini, The Hard Hat Lounge and Kura Revolving Sushi for Al, and McDonald's for Rich. But it's the "new improved" burgers! Really! The press release said so, and would it lie????

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Todd Harrington, Cutting-Edge Knife Maker Nov 30, 2023

Show notes

It's been about three years since Chef Todd Harrington challenged himself to make a knife - with no knowledge of how to do it. Now, his one-of-a-kind works of art are the prized tools of chefs and cooks all over. Al went to Chef Todd's home to get the full story - and, it turns out, a knife! Also: news of two sudden closings, some holiday wine paring events, and of course, lots of sharing by Al, Gemini and Rich about meals of the past week.

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Las Vegas Thanksgiving Leftovers Nov 23, 2023

Show notes

The holiday week is a good time to share a couple of interviews about new items on Zouk's patio and the first expansion of The Golden Steer in decades. Al, Gemini and Rich share several restaurant experiences in the past week, including yet another great breakfast place and a 'Spukie,' a Chicago-inspirated Polish dog and Italian Beef. And Al shares the Facebook post that inspired hundreds of shares and likes: his 'post-game' comments on Formula One's visit to Las Vegas, and what F1 needs to do to make it a more inclusive experience.

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Winnie & Ethel's is Open! Nov 17, 2023

Show notes

F & L has been talking about it since before it was barely an idea. And now the winners of J Dapper's "win a diner" contest are open for business. Winnie & Ethel's co-owner Aaron Lee sits down with Al, Gemini and Rich to explain the journey: learning about Dapper's contest, preparing their entry, making the finals, cooking some of their creations and winning the prize: a spot in Dapper's Huntridge development for a classic Vegas diner. And, after sampling a few items, it's clear to all that Lee and co-owner (and his wife) Mallory Gott have achieved the goal. Also: a couple of Thanksgiving dinner ideas, Al gets a tour of the Peter Lugar aging room, Gemini's not happy with a dumbed-down Korean fast-food place and Rich is looking for healthy places - for an important reason.

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