Food and Loathing | Covering the Las Vegas Food Scene

Latest Episodes:

EP 78 - Getting to Know Jonathan Wright Nov 25, 2022

Show notes

Al used to do it, backing up the legendary Heidi Knapp-Rinella. Now, the sole food writer at the Las Vegas Review-Journal is Jonathan Wright. He sits down with Al to talk about the dream of getting paid to eat and share. Also: Al, Rich and co-host Rick Moonen share a long list of things done in the past week. And the news is all about three venerable bars that are all decked out for the holidays.

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EP 77 - Pizza and More Pizza Nov 18, 2022

Show notes

Al didn't talk to every pizza maker in Las Vegas. It only seems like it as he wades through the Las Vegas Pizza Fest, microphone in hand. Also: Samantha Gemini Stevens has a less-than wonderful lunch at a Summerlin Mexican place, Rich Johnson has the best cheesesteak ever, and all three are ready to plunk down some big dollars for fresh stone crabs.

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EP 76 - Italian Soul & a Salt Bae Rant Nov 11, 2022

Show notes

It's not quite the State of the Union Address or a Donald Trump rally, but Al does spend a lot of time this week on his visit to Nusr-Et, the steakhouse fronted by social media superstar Nusret Gokce, aka 'Salt Bae.' There is a lot to unpack when it comes to a $2,200 Tomahawk. Also, Chef Shawn McClain talks about his new place, Balla Italian Soul inside the Sahara. We also taped the episode inside the gorgeous restaurant. And Rich recounts his hits and misses in New Orleans, and his visit to Crossroads Kitchen.

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EP 75 - The Wine is Fine! Nov 04, 2022

Show notes

Al Mancini is back and ready to dish on his dining and drinking in San Jose Del Cabo. Samantha Gemini Stevens shares tales of the pop-up burger event at Featherblade and the 13-hour brisket from her back yard. Producer Rich Johnson's week consisted of a great donut and a not-so-great Italian Beef. But the centerpiece of the episode is thanks to our recording venue host: Eric Prato of Garagiste Wine Room and Merchant in the Arts District. The wine bar/wine store just celebrated its third anniversary. Eric shares stories of transitioning from front of the house guy to Certified Sommelier, and moving from Buchon Bistro to his own place.

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EP 74 - While the Host's Away... Oct 28, 2022

Show notes

...the help is at play! Samantha Gemini Stevens and producer Rich Johnson share a few experiences from the week while Al gets in a proper vacation. Of course, Al being Al, he left enough material for nearly an entire show -- including comments from chefs at the Evening of Hope gala at Wynn, to benefit the University Medical Center Foundation. Also: a conversation with John Baez, the new Executive Chef at Border Grill, and Donald Contursi on his upcoming Finger Licking Food Tours' pizza tour. And there's news of a series of food festivals coming to Tivoli Village, a combination Chicken joint and pickleball venue coming to Henderson, and Rakkan Ramen, which hopes to make a difference with its plant-based broth.

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EP 73 - Feeling Autumnal Oct 21, 2022

Show notes

Autumn is in the air in Las Vegas - meaning it's down to the mid 80s during the day! Fall food events are springing up all over, to mix our seasons. Al enjoyed the seasonal pop-up Fall at the Terrace at Green Valley Ranch. Both Rich and Gemini enjoyed the monthly serving of Jackson's Chicken at Ada's Wine Bar. Al tried, but failed, to get to the Grand Reopening of Hard Hat Lounge under new owner and Detroit style pizza guy Robby Cunningham. And there's news about more than one Mediterranean restaurant coming to The Strip.

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EP 72 - The Well-Traveled Vegan & the (Honey) Salt of Summerlin Oct 14, 2022

Show notes

It's a huge anniversary for a Summerlin institution. Honey Salt at Boca Park is ten years old, and Al talks about the major milestone with owner Elizabeth Blau. And another F&L favorite, Vegans Baby webmaster Diana Edelman, was in town for a conversation - including details of her vegan safari! Also: Wolfgang Puck stops by, Echo & Rig staffs up its second Vegas Valley location, and Green Valley Ranch opens its fall patio pop-up.

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EP 71 - Cake Boss & Mob Bosses Oct 07, 2022

Show notes

It's a deep dive into the Las Vegas of the late 60's, and a fictional battle for control. On one side, the mob. On the other, the Mormons. What? It's fiction, and it's the latest novel by P Moss, owner of the Double Down Saloon and Frankie's Tiki Room. "Dead Ringer" is Moss's fifth book - a thoroughly researched trip back in time. The places are real. The story is fiction. Also: Cake Boss Buddy Valastro gets the Key to The Strip, Honey Salt celebrates ten years, Samantha Gemini Stevens recounts her taco marathon, and Rich hits Allegiant Stadium for Rebels football.

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EP 70 - Restaurant Residency? Sep 30, 2022

Show notes

It's a beyond-packed episode as Gemini recounts her end-of-summer multi-animal roasting party. Al caught up with new cocktails at the Cosmopolitan, a new hockey bar at M Resort, new pizza at Atomic Liquor and a New World Order at the venerable Henderson eatery Table 34. Oh, and Rich had hot chicken and KFC. We recorded in the party room at Vegas Valley Winery, and talked to Tasting Room Manager Crystal Torres. Anchoring this episode: Al talks to Chef Alicia Shevetone, creator of the culinary entertainment company Dink Cuisine, and Gemini hangs with Nina Manchev of Forte Tapas and Chef Josh Bianchi. He'll be taking over Forte starting this Sunday for a two day a week "residency restaurant" called Binky's. What's a "residency restaurant?" Listen and learn.

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EP 69 - Dive Bars, Bacon & Recovery Sep 23, 2022

Show notes

It's tough, this restaurant business. It's been romanticized in books, movies and TV. But the reality is not so romantic. And now some restauranteurs are trying to help their people with their struggles. Al talks to Sparrow & Wolf's John Anthony about that. And he talks to the new co-owners of The Hard Hat Lounge, one of the area's premier dive bars - if 'premier' and 'dive bar' even belong in the same sentence. Also: Samantha Gemini Stevens shares her recent restaurant experiences - along with a semi-big scoop about Anima by EDO. And Rich talks food carts after his latest visit to food cart heaven, Portland. But Al got the best perk of all: a preview of Bacon Nation, the new bacon-centric 24-hour joint coming to The D on Fremont St.

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