Food and Loathing
“Food and Loathing” is a savage journey into the stomach of the Las Vegas restaurant and bar scene – with occasional detours to explore some of the valley’s other decadent offerings (edible and otherwise). Each week, veteran food writer Al Mancini offers the lowdown on what’s new, what’s hot and what’s delicious in America’s most glamorous culinary city. Along with co-host Samantha "Gemini" Stevens and producer Rich Johnson, Al invites you into their conversations with the chefs, bartenders, journalists, and other experts who know where to go – and what to order when you get there.
Episodes
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 H...
Fresh from the drama surrounding the closings of Table 34 and Bramare, Chef Joe Valdez has taken over the kitchen at Basillico, 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...
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 Creamer...
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...
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...
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 f...
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 a...
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 Stati...
The full team is together again, with Gemini Zooming in to Al and Rich from Oklahoma City. Also on the show: From the Arts District, we have Chef Bruce Kalman at Soulbelly and Gen 3 Hospitality’s Stacia Stephens at Holsteins. Chef Steven Piamchunter tells us about the food at the new Thai spot Blue Orchid. Football legend Emmitt Smith talks butter cake. Boulder Station’s Lakeita Ahern talks about the return of ...
Diane Mina, the founder of Diane’s Bloody Mary, is hosting a Bloody Mary brunch this weekend at her husband Michael Mina’s Aria restaurant, Bardot Brasserie. She talks to Al about convincing Michael to invest in her mix. Also: Chris Clifford talks about his efforts to bring a new, restaurant-heavy development to Henderson, and the challenges he’s facing from both the city and a few of his neighbors. Our restaurant visits include th...
Rang's Concina Moderne is a small place in a strip mall on West Charleston near Jones. And it serves up Italian and Spanish dishes, but with an Asian flare courtesy of its namesake, Chef Rang Tan. Al, Rich and Rob Kachelriess sit down with Rang in the restaurant, enjoy some of her signature dishes, and get the story on the place she and her husband opened last year. Also: Restaurant reports on Pisces at Wynn, Le Spritz, Ai Pono Caf...
This week’s episode was recorded at The Legends Oyster Bar, which recently celebrated its 5th anniversary. Rich and Al have a nice long chat with founder/chef Jack Jarukasem, and devour several items from the menu. The guys share their recent experiences at William B’s Steakhouse, Coco Donuts, Sorellina, Doberman Drawing Room, La Mona Rosa, Tony Luke’s and The Empire Strips Back, as they try to hold down the fort without...
Al and Rich throw out the format for this episode, which they recorded at Vegas Unstripped at The Palms. Basically, they just walk around the big event and talk to the best chefs in Las Vegas. We begin with a bit of news and the latest Happy Hour Report. And then it's walking and talking!
This episode focuses on two programs that give back to the community, and check in with a couple of celebrity chefs.
The entire episode was recorded at the brand-new Blooming Bistro, where young people in recovery are training for careers in and around the hospitality industry. Later, we speak to Monica Garcia about the Love Yourself Foundation’s upcoming event at the Beverly Theater, focus...
It's the premier of a new feature on the podcast: the Food and Loathing Happy Hour report, thanks to our new collaboration with the site Happy Hour Vegas run by Andrew Morgan. Each week, Andrew and Al take a few minutes to run down a few of the valley's best happy hours. Like Neon Feast, they're organized by category. To kick off the new feature: Steakhouse happy hours. Also, Al talks to Metro Pizza's John Arena about his new found...
Al and Gemini take the podcast sky-high this week, recording at the Chef’s Table in Rivea by Alain Ducasse, which is located at the top of the W hotel. They’re there to speak to MGM resorts International’s Chef Justin Fredericksen about the entire MGM culinary team being honored at the upcoming Chefs For Kids gala. But while they were in the restaurant, they chatted with Rivea GM Mark Thomas, and enjoyed an in...
Rich is in Europe. Gemini is in Oklahoma. Al is in Vegas. And they have a BIG show that’s jam packed with interviews. Don’t believe us? How about these names:
DW Bistro’s Bryce Krausman; Elizabeth Blau, Nina Manchev and Lorena Garcia at the Women’s Hospitality Institute’s Leadership conference at Wynn Las Vegas; Alessandro Capuano and Morgan Basile talking about Bottiglia’s Brunch Club; M...
Al and Gemini recorded this week’s show at P.O.P.S. Philly Steak, and talked with second-generation owner Christina Walton. But she’s not the only guest. You’ll also hear from Stubborn Seed’s Jeremy Ford, pizza makers Sam Faccini and Tony Gemignani, Slice Out Hunger’s Scott Wiener, Prime Steak’s Sean Griffin and a Clark County rep telling us about the Tacos and Tamales festival. All that, plus news and restaurant reports.
Al and Rich steer the ship this week, for an episode that revolves around an interview with Chef Noe Alcala of the brand new Lucia Mexican Grill in Virgin Las Vegas. We also have interviews with Circa’s Valari Esposito, Josh Dunson of Ocean Prime, Forte’s Nina Manchev and Brandon Clark of Stew’s Sticks. There’s also lots of news, and dining reports from Nanny’s Café, NASCAR, Snooz, Ada’s, Ocean Prime, Amari and Proper Sandwich.
On this week's episode, Al pays a visit to Bourbon Steak's new executive chef, Josh Smith, to find out what he has in mind for the Michael Mina steakhouse at the Four Seasons Hotel. We also chat with Clique's Mustafa Abdi about the beginning of pool season at the Durango resort, catch up with All'Antico Vinaio founder Tommas Mazzante to discuss their current and future Vegas locations, and talk Vegas Unstripped with Kim Owens, John...
Popular Podcasts
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
The Megyn Kelly Show is your home for open, honest and provocative conversations with the most interesting and important political, legal and cultural figures today. No BS. No agenda. And no fear.