Food and Loathing | Covering the Las Vegas Food Scene

Latest Episodes:

Fighting Cancer with Good Food Apr 14, 2023

Show notes

We sit down with Canyon Ranch Spa's executive Chef Pete Ghione to discuss his experience helping people battle cancer with a healthier diet, and how he's working to raise $100,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

We also discuss recent meals at Toast Society, Crafthaus Brewery's Arts District taproom, Taste of Asia, Zai, Born and Raised, Anima and a Winnie & Ethel's pop-up at the Huntridge Theater's sign lighting.

Rich shares his culinary highlights from the Pacific Northwest. There's also news on Vegas Test Kitchen, Tacotarian, The Golden Monkey, Jaleo, and a collaboration between Big B's Texas BBQ and Crust & Roux, as well as interviews with Jolene Mannina, Kristen Corral, Natalia Badzjo and Aaron Lee.

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Chefs for Kids Apr 07, 2023

Show notes

In this week's episode, Al and Gemini sit down with Renee Guglielmetti, Crystal Momii and Vic Vegas of Chefs For Kids, to talk about the work they do educating and feeding at-risk Las Vegas school kids, and their upcoming fundraising dinner. Vic also shares some news about his work with the nonprofit. Al and Gemini also discuss their recent visits to Toast Society, Le Café du SUD, the newest Wahlburgers, 7th & Carson, Good Pie and Basilico. Also: a disappointing attempt to dine at Nightmare Café. And we share news on Buddy Valastro, Retro by Voltaggio, Cathédrale and Evel Pie.

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Wahlbergers, Pizza & Pop-UPs Mar 31, 2023

Show notes

It's Pizza Expo time, and Al talks with two of Vegas' best, John Arena and Tony Tony Gemignani. Gemini goes in-depth with the proprietors of two downtown pop-ups, Hemant Kishore and Antonio Nunez. Congrats to the James Beard Foundations nominees from Las Vegas (listen to find out who). And Rich shares some non-Vegas stops on his Pacific Northwest trek - angering Al when it comes to duck fat frites!

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Stanton Prime, Ada's and Chinglish Mar 24, 2023

Show notes

Live (on tape (well, on digits)) from Ada's Food and Wine, Al and Gemini dive deep into the joint's new name with Executive Chef Jackson Stamper, Wine Goddess Kat Lilly and the shy and retiring owner James Trees (we kid because we love). Also: a new cocktail menu has debuted at Chinglish Cantonese Wine Bar, and Chef Chris Santos has revived his iconic New York City restaurant with a slightly new name: Stanton Prime, now open at Caesars Palace.

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Martin Yan Opens, Jolene Mannina Picnics & Paymon Serves It Up! Mar 17, 2023

Show notes

It's an action-packed episode featuring some serious chefs! The man who brought Asian cuisine to public TV, Martin Yan, has opened his new place at Horseshoe. St. Patrick's Day is going to be an all-weekend affair at Ri-Ra and many other Irish joints.

"Picnic in the Alley" is returning to Downtown Las Vegas, thanks to our friend and badass superwoman in culinary, Jolene Mannina.

Also: Al hits Marche Bacchus, Chinglish, the new Echo & Rig, Monzu, Nobu and Naxos Taverna.

Gemini cooked steak from one our favorites, Featherblade. She also judged a student culinary competition, and had time to have breakfast, sushi and libations at Golden Tiki.

And all this happened during a venture to Henderson and Paymon's French Kitchen and Lounge on Eastern Avenue.

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Big Brezza News! Mar 10, 2023

Show notes

A major addition at Brezza! It - well, you'll just have to listen to find out which of the valley's most celebrated chefs is joining Chef Nicole Brisson at the elevated Italian eatery in Resorts World. Also: Al has a lot to say about truffle burgers at Shake Shack, and Rich bores everyone with his XFL/UFC/NASCAR weekend. There's big burger news at Half-Bird. and some craft brewers do some lobbying in Carson City.

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EP 92 - Professor Trees' Class is in Session Mar 03, 2023

Show notes

James Trees was the star of the second "Meet the Chef' Event at Element Home Gallery. If you didn't make it, you can catch up as James talks his way through making agnolotti. We also have news of a new chef taking over the venerable Chef's Roma Kitchen, who's the guest at the next Som Sunday at Ada's Wine Bar, and the special burger event at Half Bird. Also: Al, Gemini and Rich share their weeks in dining. Their very, very, very long weeks in dining.

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EP 91 - Mitch Schneider in the House! Feb 24, 2023

Show notes

The OG, Mac Daddy real deal publicist to legendary rock stars for decades, Mitch Schneider is now a Las Vegas resident and part-time foodie. He's writing about the food and arts scene for Casino.org, and has more than a few stories to tell. He did that at Spiedini Fiamma, the six-month old Italian restaurant inside the Rampart Casino at the JW Marriott hotel. Chef Paula Smagacz enhanced our recording session with some of the best items from her excellent menu. And we may never go back to non-food-enhanced podcasting!

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EP 90 - Who's Sick Now? Feb 17, 2023

Show notes

With Samantha Gemini Stevens a late scratch, Al and Rich make due by entertaining each other with hospital and fast-food stories. But two of our mainstays show up to make this episode worth a listen. Gio Mauro talks about the new Industry Night at Monzu. Nicole Brisson runs down the revised menu at Bar Zazzu at Resorts World. And Al offers high praise for those times when a restaurant can feel like home - even when you're not there.

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EP 89 - When the Al's Away... Feb 10, 2023

Show notes

While Al is away, Rich Johnson and Samantha Gemini Stevens hijack the podcast! Gemini shares the fun of her trip to NeNe Japanese Contemporary Bistro for lunch and Oscar's Steakhouse at The Plaza for dinner. Rich follows up on last week's mention of Farm Basket, and reviews the three-piece fried chicken lunch. He also goes ga-ga for the technology at Kura Sushi. Al left a little appetizer: a few minutes with Sam Marvin talking about his now-open second Echo & Rig - this one in The District at Green Valley Ranch.

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