146 episodes

“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 a wide variety of co-hosts, 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.

Food and Loathing Al Mancini

    • Arts
    • 4.8 • 45 Ratings

“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 a wide variety of co-hosts, 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.

    Esther's Kitchen, Bigger & Better

    Esther's Kitchen, Bigger & Better

    Al and Gemini record an entire episode on location at the restaurant everyone is talking about this week, the newly opened Esther’s Kitchen. They’re joined by the restaurant’s top chef, and owner, James Trees. In addition to telling them all about his new digs, Trees reminisces about his early days in The Arts District, and reflects on Esther’s success to date. He also shares what’s next, and announces the name of the new restaurant that will be moving into the original Esther’s Kitchen space – an all-tasting-menu affair he refers to as “The Quentin Tarantino Film of restaurants.”
    Also: UNLV’s Marc Sandoval previews the Viva Careers event aimed at anyone who would like advice on how to pursue a career in hospitality. And Al and Gemini tell us about recent visits to the new Cheongdam Food Hall, The Hard Hat Lounge, Sushi Tanuki, Anima by EDO, Piero’s and Hofbräuhaus.
    Finally: How you can win a free dinner for two at Joel Robuchon, in a new contest from Neon Feast!
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    • 1 hr 16 min
    Smoke & Mirrors

    Smoke & Mirrors

    Al and Gemini do a semi-serious test-drive of the first cannabis lounge in the valley, Smoke & Mirrors. It's the first cannabis consumption lounge to open under Nevada's new regulations for those businesses. Consultant Chris LaPorte helped build the place, and he explains it all. As for dining, it's a gallery of the usual (and excellent) suspects for Gem: Ada's, Marche Bacchus and Winnie & Ethel's. Al shares his recent experiences at Wally's, Fiorella Pasta Bar and BBQ Mexicana - the latest creation of superstars Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken.
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    • 1 hr 11 min
    Have Another Donut!

    Have Another Donut!

    And we did... at the brand new Federal Chicken & Donuts, next to the food hall at Red Rock Resort. The Philadelphia-based chain is putting out four varieties of chicken sandwiches, chicken strips and more than a dozen kinds of fancy donuts. Also: Al gets schooled in all things Parma and Iberico at "Cure Camp," EAT's Natalie Young is not happy with downtown street work, and another effort to help those in the hospitality industry deal with stress and mental health.
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    • 1 hr 14 min
    Portnoy's Pizza Picks

    Portnoy's Pizza Picks

    We're back at Dom DeMarco's Pizzeria & Wine Bar on West Charleston for, what else? More pizza talk! And the big topic is Barstool Sports' Dave Portnoy doing is famous "One Bite Pizza Reviews" in Las Vegas during Super Bowl week. Of the four places Dave visited, Dom DeMarco's got the top review. We talk to owner Albert Scalleat, as well as Good Pie's Vincent Rotolo. Also: reaction from two other subjects of Portnoy's reviews. Keep listening for word of another unfortunate closing, Leap Day specials at the Lev Group's restaurants, and first word of Pizza Expo's annual charity event Slice Out Hunger.
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    • 1 hr 9 min
    Super Bowl Hangover

    Super Bowl Hangover

    Al, Gemini and Rich share their experiences before and during the big game, including the NFL's signature charity event, Taste of the NFL, which benefits GenYouth and its "End Student Hunger" fund. Rich spoke to some of the superstar chefs that took part. Al and Gemini got to "Toast by Tostitos," which featured, well, Tostitos. Gemini got to 00 Pie & Pub, while Rich split his Super Bowl watching between the Sand Dollar Downtown and the bar at Barry's Downtown Prime. And Al shares reaction to one local restaurant's public disappointment with Guy Fieri's Super Bowl event.
    But the centerpiece is an extended interview with the Golden Tiki’s Adam Rains, who shares a feast from their new food menu and tells us about U2’s recent visit. Other interviews this week include Chef Lorena Garcia, Patrick Anthony Munster, Olivier Dubreuil, Andrew Pollard, Chef Carla Hall, DJ Flores, Rashad Jennings, Locale Italian Kitchen's Andy Hooper and the first broadcast interview with Whataburger CEO Ed Nelson about their first Las Vegas location.
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    • 1 hr 9 min
    Super Bowl in Las Vegas

    Super Bowl in Las Vegas

    After years of shunning us, the NFL is finally letting Las Vegas host its first Super Bowl. And several local chefs will be involved - and just about every joint in the valley will be doing something football-related on Sunday. Also: Al shares several conversations in this episode, including Chefs Leticia Mitchell, Stephanie Sandfrey, Joe Komiski, Sam Pulliam and more. Al also shares his first taste of Michael Mina's new place at Mandalay Bay, Orla. Rich has an excellent lunch at a small French place he'd been avoiding for a while: Oh-La-La. And there's news of a long-delayed celebrity-fronted steakhouse opening soon, and a change of ownership for Gambit in Henderson.
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    • 1 hr 13 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
45 Ratings

45 Ratings

OrionLV ,

Just what Vegas F

I love tuning into Food

Hotwifecouple ,

Fun list for foodies!

Just started listening to Fear and Loathing and have been really enjoying it. Great info and interesting guests. Love hearing about the Vegas food scene as a local.

daynamr ,

Must listen!!

Al Mancini knows Las Vegas! An excellent food writer for many years, he knows the food and restaurant scene like no other. I’m so happy to see Al enter the podcast world with this great podcast. Along with Jason Harris, it’s the perfect podcast for FOOD & FUN!

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