Food and Loathing | Covering the Las Vegas Food Scene

Sue Mancini fills in for the traveling Gemini Stevens this week in the show's first ever husband-wife co-hosted episode, and the pair are excited to talk about Sahara's new Caribbean Steakhouse, Maroon. In addition to delivering a report on their meal, Al interviews the restaurant's celebrity Chef Kwame Oanwuachi. Other interviews include local Black historian Gwen Walker discussing the history of African-American cuisine in Las Vegas, and a short preview of a conversation with pro skateboarder Neen Williams at NADC Burgers.

Gemini takes over the pod! Or, at least, the centerpiece with "Girl Dinner," the brainchild of Scotch 80 Prime Chef Marty Lopez. Also, Al talks to the OG of TV chefs, Martin Yan, who came to town for Lunar New Year at the Suncoast. We get the lowdown on the latest at D'Agostino's with Dan Thompson, another pop-up coming from Walbert Castillo, listen in on the grand opening of SMKD in Henderson with Alex Reznick and learn from Eric Gladstone all about the 8th edition of Vegas Unstripped coming in April. And, of course, Andrew Morgan has a Happy Hour Report.

Al and Gemini are at Ellis Island, the longtime locally-owned value-forward casino, hotel and restaurant complex just east of The Strip. Owner Christina Ellis shows off the new rooftop deck - known for a few more days as "Cupid's Deck." We also talk to Barbara Valle about the new tiki bar at Excalibur, get the lowdown on the new burgers offered by Naked City Pizza, and preview two big Lunar New Year events at Hakkasan and China Poblano. And, as usual, The Happy Report and lots of restaurant visits.

It's a reunion show as Al, Gemini, Rich and Andrew all gather for pizza at How Ya Dough'n, the new joint atop the new BLVD shopping and eating venue on The Strip right across from City Center. We talk to GM Vince Lawrence about the small pizza chain's first expansion outside its home base of Miami. The episode was recorded the day after we all gathered at the new Ada's in the Arts District, where we ate through most of the menu. Al shares more about the Hell's Kitchen watch party at Main St. Provisions, and the celebration of Chef Ellie Parker's victory. Plus a Happy Hour Report and lots of other restaurant reports.

Gemini is back! She and Al are hosting together, in person. They're at the Las Vegas Distillery, where they get the lowdown on the place's history, products, vibe, distribution and more from Cody Fredrickson and Jonny Verplank. We also have interviews with Jason Vega of The Flamingo (talking Salt & Straw), Rio's Andi Van Willigan (talking Kitchen Table), Bellagio's Warren Richards (talking the Mayfair Supper Club) and Gyu+'s Freddie Paloma (talking about the new location), and restaurant reports from Ada's, Big B's Texas BBQ, St. Felix Sin City, With Love Always and Union Biscuit.

Al sits down with Robbie Cunningham, the brain behind Guerrilla Pizza Company, the new downtown joint that's serving up what it calls "Detroit-style deep dish" pies. Al also goes on a big rant about the price of parking in The Arts District -- and incorrect enforcement, to be kinda polite. Producer Rich Johnson hangs out from his listening post in Seattle, celebrating the start of the commercial Dungenness crabbing season and regretting all the years he went without Banh Mi sandwiches. And he finds concrete evidence that Dubai Chocolate is over. And, as usual, Andrew Morgan's Happy Hour Report.

Just in time for Christmas Eve, we're talking Feast of the Seven fishes. We share interviews with Chefs Nicholas Beesley of Triple George Grill near The Downtown Grand, Nicole Brisson of Brezza in Resorts World and Mimmo Ferraro of Ferraro's about their versions of the Italian tradition. We also have a tour of Yurt by Dan Coughlin. Shuchi Patel explains Henderson's Taste of Gujarat. Cory Harwell tells us about Butcher and Thief. And Rob Baker explains the changes at Circa's Project BBQ. Also, a Happy Hour Report from The Arts Distrcit, restaurant reports and news.

It's Al, guest co-host Rachel Diehl and Happy Hour Vegas' Andrew Morgan coming to you from Du-par's in the Suncoast this week. The resort's executive chef Christopher Nicholson feeds them loco moco, Chinese chicken salad and the California import's famous pancakes. You'll also get restaurant reports, some news, and interviews with Metro Pizza's John Arena and Toddy Shop's Hemant Kishore. And Gemini Stevens delivers a message, bringing people up to date on her recent absences.