Food and Loathing | Covering the Las Vegas Food Scene

Al, Gem and Andrew Morgan get together at D'Agostino's, the cozy spot in Southwest owned by Dan and Brandi Thompson. Also: Bryce Krausman is doing another 'Bruch with Bryce' popup, this time at Main St. Provisions. Al talks to Gina Paul, owner of the new JP's Brasserie and Sports Den. Gemini and Andrew report on Picinic in the Alley. And, of course, a Happy Hour Report.

How 'on brand' is that for Nevada to have an official state cocktail? The Picon Sour is one of just three official state cocktails (Massachusetts and Maryland are the others), and the namesake ingredient is made by Reno's Ferini Distillery. Gemini flew up to Reno to talk to owner Joe Canella about how he acquired the rights to make Picon (pronounced: pih-KONE). Meanwhile, the rest of the show is taken over the all the guys: Al, Andrew Morgan with a Happy Hour Report, Bob Barnes with a special Beer Report, and producer Rich Johnson who is back from another year-long out-of-town exile. Al also talks brunch at Jing in Summerlin with chef Thomas Griese. And we have restaurants reports from Lee's Sandwich Shop, Cin Cin Brewhouse, China Poblano, Bottiglia and - because Rich is back in town - car wash burritos.

Gino Ferraro, founder of the landmark Ferraro's Ristorante, joins us this week to talk about his new autobiography, "From Calabria, An American Dream." Other guests include Hard Hat Lounge owner Frank Sidorios, and the CEO of the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas, Dr. Bobbi Damrow. We also have restaurant reports from Gemini and Al, a Happy Hour report from Andrew Morgan, news and more.

The big race is coming, and two of the big-deal restaurants at Paris Las Vegas are all set. Al drops by Eifell Tower to check the packages available for The Big Race on Nov. 21. Meanwhile, at street level, Mon Ami Gabi is rolling out a new Happy Hour menu, and Al got to enjoy a few samples. You'll also hear from Ocean Prime's head chef Gino Rappa on the new items he just added to their menu, and Rumi Room's executive chef and partner Mamat Nafissi share the thinking behind his decision to move the Persian Indopak restaurant out of the Evora complex, into the Bend. Also as usual: news, restaurant visits and a Happy Hour Report from Andrew Morgan.

We pay a visit to The Legends Oyster Bar this week for an extended interview with Chef/Owner Jack Jarukasem, and head to MGM's Drink festival for interviews with Chefs Brian Howard, Carlos Guia, Dan Krohmer, Kimmie Mcintosh and Mary Sue Milliken. Other interviews include Chef Nicole Brisoon at her off-Strip spot Amari, and Metro Pizza's Joe Verhoest at the Grand Opening party for Sliceteria. All of that, plus news, special events, restaurant reports and a Happy Hour Report.

Gemini and Al are at 595 Craft and Kitchen, talking with the entire team and sampling some new menu items. Among the topics: new brunch service and a Southern Highlands location. You'll also hear about their experience at The Feast at Revelry by Wynn, where Gemini spoke with Wynn VP Christopher Lee and Al spoke with Casa Playa's Chef Sarah Thompson. Al visits the new Resorts World pizza spot Amici to speak with Chef Ricky McCormick. And of course, restaurant reports, a Happy Hour report and the news.

Fontainebleau's Cantina Contramar hosts Gemini and Al this week, with Chef Gabriela Cámara joining them for an extended interview about The Strip's new Mexican hotspot. We also check in with Norm's CEO Mark Politzer at the Las Vegas location's Second Anniversary Party, and speak with Paris Las Vegas' Vice President of Food And Beverage Aymeric Brillaud about the brand new afternoon tea service at The Bedford by Martha Stewart. And Jeff Ramsey of Wynn's Mizumi shares his thoughts on one of the best parts of the Revelry Festival, The Feast. Plus a Happy Hour Report, news, restaurant reports and more.

Al sits down with Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken to discuss the renovations at Border Grill, their history in Las Vegas, and bringing their food to Allegiant Stadium. And the team from Amari Italian Kitchen shares the details on the "Make-Your-Own-Amaro" class. Al and Gem also have restaurant reports, a Happy Hour report and some news.

The celebration of all things food is back on the weekend of September 18th at Wynn Las Vegas. Al gets a preview from Chef Jeff Ramsey of Mizumi. Also in this episode: Chef Chris Santos reflects on ten years of Beauty & Essex at The Cosmopolitan. And we get a preview of Ri-Ra's unique tradition, "Halfway to Paddy's Day," from Ri-Ra's Jennifer Spriggs. Al and guest go-host Don Chareunsy share some recent dining experiences, and they comment on word that Lotus of Siam and Naxos Taverna & Oyster Bar are closing. And, as always, a Happy Hour Report from Andrew Morgan.

We love 'em. We hate 'em. We have put together a podcast that is a dictionary definition of 'mixed feelings.' Al and Gemini share their thoughts about the first Michelin Awards in Las Vegas in 17 years. And they bug a lot of the winners for their thoughts! They include: Bruce Kalman of Soulbelly BBQ, James Trees of Esther's Kitchen, Jeremy Ford of Stubborn Seed, Joe Mikulich and Roberto Liendo of Anima by EDO, Nicolas Kalpokdjian and Yuri Szarzewski of Partage, and Victor Ratliff of COTE.

Al, Gem and Rich are together via the magic of the internet for some intense talk about great meals. Well, Al and Gem are having intense meals. Rich is at home making beef stew and egg bites (suggestions for both always welcome). The center of the show is pair of conversations with Paymon Raouf and David Wondrich. Paymon is celebrating 38 years of feeding Las Vegas at Paymon's Fresh Kitchen and Lounge, while David was the latest guest mixologist at The Bank in Bellagio. Al also shares his farewell dinner at Le Cirque, we have news about a new late-night menu at Petite Boheme, plus the 'secret' all-you-can eat fish and chips Fridays at The Irish Spot. And, as always, a Happy Hour Report from Andrew Morgan.

This week we're in Chinatown chowing down at 00 Pie & Pub and talking to Erica Bell. Also: Al previews next week's long conversations with Paymon Raoff and David Wondrich. You'll also hear from Jean Francoise Blais of Lester's Deli at its grand opening. Chefs Matt Silverman and Matt Piearski give us an audio tour of the construction on their new spot, Significant Other. And of course, a Happy Hour Report from Andrew, some news and some restaurant reports.

Gemini, Al and Andrew are at Monzu Italian Oven this week, getting the lowdown from owner/chef Gio Mauro on the restaurant's new summer menu and an unlimited pasta and pizza special. You'll also hear local chefs Brian Howard, Erica Bell, Gary LaMorte and Lorraine Blanco Moss comment on the new Anthony Bourdain movie, "Tony." And Wayne Herman will explain Brezza's digestif cart. Beyond that -- a Happy Hour Vegas report, and the news.

Al, Gem and Andrew are chowing down at Durango Social Club, courtesy of owner Dan Krohmer and new Executive Chef Crystina "Mama" Nguyen. Interviews this week include Chef Floriana Pastore, who finally has a NON-pop-up pizza place to call home: Signora Pizza Lab. Also: news of another MyTai Summer, in which the bar becomes a Tiki Lounge. Sparow + Wolf's Brian Howard previews the watch party for the new Anthony Bourdain biopic. There's new of a community block party at the Neighborhood Food Hall inside The Resort at Summerlin. And, of course, a Happy Hour Report.

It's a full house at Aroma Latin American Cocina. Al, Gemini, Bob Barnes and Andrew Morgan pay a visit to sample chef Steve Kestler's cuisine, and chat with him about his recent move from Henderson to just outside of Chinatown. We also check in with Ceselia Berumen and Chef Keris Kuwana at the new monthly Soiree event in Liam's Den at The Palazzo, get a beer report from Bob and a happy hour report from Andrew, and chat with Sam Facchini about the new Sliceteria by Metro Pizza.

Emeril Lagase has opened Meril, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, at the M Resort. Our Bob Barnes gets a rundown from the man, himself, about the restaurant named after his daughter. It's part of a guest-packed show, in which Al and Gem talk to:

• Las Vegas Distillery's Kari Richardson, Ada's Wine Goddess Kat and Chef Jackson Stamper about their upcoming rum dinner
• Legendary barman Joaquín Simó about 'Naked and Famous,' the cocktail he invented in 2011
• Palms' Lindsay Aguilar about 'Camp Palms' and its outrageous campground cuisine
• Manish Vora on the new Museum of Ice Cream branch in Las Vegas
• Drew Belcher of Sorry Not Sorry and its role at the Museum

And, of course, the sharing of the restaurant experiences and a Happy Hour Report from Andrew Morgan.

Gyu+ Japanese Sandos and Rice Boxes is the setting for this week's episode. Al, Gem and Andrew Morgan enjoy a sampling of the products, and talk to the principles: Freddie Paloma and Luis De Santos. They spent years plotting how to bring authentic Japanese food to Las Vegas. They also get treat from Chef Yuka Takamizawa, the Lead Pastry Chef at Gyu's sister property, Moignet Café. Andrew shares the latest additions to his Happy Hour Report website. And we have restaurant reports from Bar Boheme, Rare Society and Monzu.

Food and Loathing has been the voice of the Las Vegas food and restaurant community for five years and counting. And in this anniversary episode we're sharing our takes on some of the biggest stories and issues we've examined in that time. Starting with a discussion of Strip casinos' attitudes towards local culinary talent, we move on to:

- - Big chefs coming to big new casino - Vegas Unstripped - Summerlin becomes a food destination - Fine dining in a strip club - The well-being of the community - The growth of women in the business - Jose Andres' impact on Las Vegas

It's far from everything we've covered and everybody we've interviewed over more than 265 episodes, but it's a good representation. We hope you enjoy it.

Al is back in town after a nearly two-week vacation in Italy. But not soon enough, so Gemini and Rich have hijacked the show once again. Gem scores the first interview with Las Vegas's own Floriana Pastore of Signora Pizza since it was named "Best Street Pizza" by THE BEST PIZZA AWARDS broadcast from Milan Italy. She also talks to Jake Yorgensen minutes after Bar Boheme's first Sunday Bake Shop event sold out -- in about one hour. Gem also shares a few Vegas restaurant visits, Rich is loving the World Cup vibes in Seattle, and Al has a cameo appearance on the Happy Hour Report with Andrew Morgan.

We ask because it's been a while since we've seen evidence of the late, great gourmand in Sin City. But our long shutout streak is over! Sarah Thompson, executive chef of Casa Playa at Wynn Las Vegas, won for Best Chef: Southwest. Gemini was there, and talked to Thompson. She also cored a conversation fellow Best Chef nonminee Brian Howard of Sparrow + Wolf. Rich Johnson checks in from Seatle, where the grip of World Cup Fever is tightening. This show is dropping just a few hours before the US takes on Australia. And Rich sets the sad scene outside the stadium, where unlicensed hot dog stands have set up -- often just feet away from a legit vendor. Al left us a Happy Hour Report recorded before flying to Italy. And Rich and Gem scrape up a few interesting foodie events that are coming soon.