Food and Loathing | Covering the Las Vegas Food Scene

Latest Episodes:

Farewell to Mambo Sauce Nov 10, 2023

Show notes

Al, Gemini and Rich share their dining adventures for another week, including a deep dive into Pizzafest. Al's guest is chef-turned-photographer and taste-tester Louiie Victa, who talks about her new book for Eater.com: "Eater: 100 Essential Restaurant Recipes." And... after a two-week unsuccessful hunt for McDonald's Mambo Sauce, Rich decides to make his own - and inflict it on Al! And Rich promises that will be the last-ever reference to Mambo Sauce.

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Mon Ami Gabi's F1 Plan Nov 03, 2023

Show notes

The patio at Mon Ami Gabi, the excellent French restaurant right along Las Vegas Boulevard at the Paris Hotel/Casino, could be one of the best places to watch this month's Formula One race. Al spends time with Chef Vincent Pouessel to get the lowdown on what he's offering that night, how much it costs, and how the property dealt with the demands of F1. Also: Al shares his big-deal dining of the past week, which includes Ferraro's, Ocean Prime and Lemon Tree Market and Café. Rich actually went to a couple of nice places, including Esther's Kitchen and Taste of Asia. But he once again was frustrated in his hunt for Mambo Sauce at McDonald's!

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That's Amari! Oct 27, 2023

Show notes

There's no Dean Martin singing about the moon to hitting your eye like a big pizza pie, but there is some great pizza at Brent Stanford's new place, Amari, in UnCommons on Durango Drive. From the glass-enclosed wine room, Chef Stanford shares his story of coming to Las Vegas, working in some big-deal kitchens, and making the move from The Strip to the new office/residential/commercial/food center at the 215 and Durango. And he pops out a couple of great dishes, including lobster pasta and his take on Caesar salad. Also: Al shares several interviews from the Bellagio's 25th anniversary event and hangs with the beautiful people at the Wynn Field Club during a Raiders game. Meanwhile, Rich laments the lack of Mambo Sauce at McDonald's.

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Las Vegas - Unstripped!! Oct 20, 2023

Show notes

Back after a one-year break, Vegas Unstripped was back this month. Chefs from all over Las Vegas (maybe EVEN The Strip) converged on California St. in the Arts District to show off items that are NOT on their regular menus. Among the people stopping by to chat with Al and Gemini: Rick Moonen, Bob Cranston, Gina Marinelli, Jackson Stamper, Jeff Weiss, John Arena and the always shy and retiring James Trees. Enjoy!!

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Wolfgang Puck's Arts District Adventure Oct 13, 2023

Show notes

Wolfgang Puck was the first big-time celebrity chef to open a restaurant in Las Vegas. His empire has expanded all over The Strip. But now Puck has opened a place in The Arts District: 1228 Main. Puck's culinary director for Las Vegas, Dustin Lewandowsky, joins Al, Gemini and Rich to talk about how the place morphed from bakery to pasty shop to coffee to breakfast to lunch and dinner - all before it even opened! Also: Al heads back to Fine Company in Summerlin, Gemini gets an huge salad at Leone Cafe, and Rich goes for the bargain prime rib at the honest, straight-up, non-elevated coffee shop at Jerry's Nugget.

NOTE: Do not adjust your ears. The episode is a bit muffled, which we discovered after recording. We (meaning me, Rich) will resolve it for next week.

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Main St. Provisions: A Big Change Oct 06, 2023

Show notes

Main St. Provisions owner Kim Owens joins Al to talk about the big change in the kitchen: the exit of Executive Chef Patrick Munster. Taking over is a veteran of that kitchen: Adrian Garcia. Kim talks about the changes that Patrick made in the past year, but says we'll have to wait a bit to taste what Adrian has planned. As for dining in the past week: Al talks about his visits to HaSalon at the Venetian, Jayde @ 16 at the M Resort, and the pop-up preview of Prince Street Pizza, the legendary New York City joint that's coming to the new Durango Station. Samantha shares her experiences at Chop Shop, Little Avalon, Pho OC and (in Rich's absence) Jack in the Box and McDonald's!

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Roy Ellamar, Back in the Kitchen Sep 29, 2023

Show notes

A longtime fixture of fine dining on The Strip, Roy Ellamar is now cooking in the burbs. He's running Fine Company, a new all-day spot in Downtown Summerlin. Al, Gemini and Rich sit down with Roy at the restaurant to talk about his history in Las Vegas and elsewhere, the items on the brunch/lunch menu (soon to include dinner), and what spurred his move from the very upscale "Harvest by Roy Ellamar" at the Bellagio to a more modest, more casual place in the burbs. Also: lots of dining experiences to share, including Al's visit to one of the country's great tasting menu experiences (disclosure: It's NOT in Las Vegas). And big news: Neon Feast's "Meet the Chef" is back! Listen for all the details.

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El Segundo Sol: 15 Years on The Strip Sep 22, 2023

Show notes

Al's away this week, but before he left he talked to the people behind El Segundo Sol, the venerable Tacos & Margaritas joint right on Las Vegas Boulevard at the Fashion Show Mall. Wesley Pumphrey and Ryan Richardson talk about the restaurant's recent revamp, and how they keep the prices in check. And they share insight into Lettuce Entertain You, the Chicago-based restaurant company that also owns dozens of restaurant concepts, including several in Las Vegas: Joe's, Mon Ami Gabi, Eiffel Tower, RPM Italian, and coming to the suburbs: Summer House. Meanwhile, Rich and Gemini share their dining fun of the past week and preview a couple of "interesting" events: National Taco Day and the Gordon Ramsay Rage Room!

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Texas Barbecue in Las Vegas Sep 15, 2023

Show notes

Al and Gemini sit down with Natalia Badzo and Brian Beuchner, the husband and wife team behind Big B's Texas BBQ. He's from Texas and she's from Estonia. Also: historically anti-sports Al hits not one but three sports bars, and tries the brunch at Casa Playa. Gemini, fresh from a quick trip to the mouth of the Columbia River, heads back to former podcast venue Little Avalon Coastal Café. And stick around for the news to learn all about.... The Monkey Mixer!

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Scotch 80 Prime: Making Bold Statements Sep 08, 2023

Show notes

With Chef Marty Lopez in the kitchen and Jorge Pagani running the front of the house, Scotch 80 Prime has been going strong since the Palms reopened about 18 months ago. The steakhouse is one of the brands at Palms that came long with the change of ownership after Covid. The two talk about Scotch 80 Prime's place in the Vegas steakhouse universe, and how they brought an international flair to a traditional steakhouse. Also: the mostly un-sporty Al hits two sports bars in one day. Gemini goes for the all-day happy hour at The Sundry, barbecue at Big B's, and has mixed feelings about one dish at Neighbors.

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