Food and Loathing | Covering the Las Vegas Food Scene

Jolene Mannina, Kristin Whittemore and Lindsay Geddes are the main guests this week, talking about the Sip & Savor Grand Tasting that will cap off the Women In Hospitality Leadership Conference. Meanwhile, LeAnne Notabartolo subs for Gemini in the co-host seat. You'll also hear from Todd Clore of Todd's Unique Dining, Andrew Morgan with a Happy Hour Report and the teams at a pair of Thai restaurants: Blue Orchid and Amata Modern Thai. And we have restaurant reports from Ole Manny's Seafood Shack, Las Vegas Brewing Company, Esther's Kitchen, Rare Society and more.

Al, Gemini and Happy Hour Vegas' Andrew Morgan are coming to you this week from Ocean Prime, the seafood-forward steakhouse located within 63 CityCenter. They spend some time chatting with Chef Gino Rappa and GM John Headley while sampling food and cocktails. Andrew delivers a Happy Hour Report. Our friend LeAnne Notabartolo gives us a report from the International Pizza Expo, and shares interviews with John Arena, Michael Vakneen and Adam Sobel. You'll also hear from Echo & Rig's Sam Marvin and Chef Winston Matsuuchi of Omakase Kyara.

Gemini is back in the host chair this week, sharing reports on her recent visits to Ada's, Main St. Provisions, Nevada Brew Works, Peg's Glorified Ham & Eggs and Jipita. Al shares his experiences at The Bar At Lilli, Pearls Oyster and Crudo Bar (an Aria Pizza popup) and the Vegas Pizza Tailgate. The central interview this week is with Chef Michael Rubinstein of Wynn's brand new Sartiano's Steakhouse and Zero Bond club. You'll also hear from Che Fico Pizza's Chef David Mayfield, Slice Out Hunger's Scott Weiner, John Arena of Metro Pizza, Christina Walton of P.O.P.S., and Happy Hour Vegas' Andrew Morgan.

City Cast Las Vegas' Rob Kachelriess is in the co-host chair this week, filling in for the traveling Gemini. He and Al share their thoughts on recent visits to Crush Pad, BOA Steakhouse, St Felix Sin City, Tacos 1986, For The Win and Nocturno. We have interviews with Giulianio Rosso of 303 In The Cut, Joe Yalda of Red Rock and Guerrilla Pizza's Robby Cunningham. The centerpiece interview is actually two conversations: one with Chef Joy of Tacos 1986, followed by Santos Uy of For The Win. And, of course, a Happy Hour Report from Andrew Morgan and the news.

It's only a sliver of the show, but Al has some pointed words about the drive to rid restaurant kitchens of toxic culture -- as recently personified by René Redzepi, the founder and celebrity chef at the iconic Danish restaurant Noma. As for the usual show: VegasPublicity.com's Don Chareunsy sits in for Gemini this week to tell us about some of the great places he's been dining, and comments on opera and Timothy Chalamet. Al offers some restaurant reports and some news. Nicole Mouskondis of Nicholas and Company speaks to him about being honored at this year's Chefs For Kids gala. Andrew Morgan has a Happy Hour Report. And we have interviews with Scott Sherman of Ri Ra, Nick Palmeri of Gaetano's, Legacy Club bartender Tiffany Namh and Lili chef Tyler Vorce.

Al devoted the center of this episode to a preview of Vegas Unstripped, the annual celebration of local chefs displaying new, cutting edge, items. The two big rules of Unstripped: head chefs must represent their restaurants, and the items they serve may not be on the menu at their places. Another similar-yet-different event is also on the horizon: Taste of Stations. It's Stations Casinos' event highlighting the chain's galaxy of restaurants. Also: Gemini pops up with a preview of Chefs for Kids, the charity that helps kids experience the hospitality industry. Al also gets the lowdown on a new BBQ competition downtown and the big charity event tied to International Pizza Week. And let's not forget a Happy Hour Report from Andrew Morgan and some beer news from this week's co-host, Bob Barnes.

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.

Gemini and Al are at Edge Steakhouse in The Westgate, sitting down with Chef Dante Garcia, barman Mike Thompson and GM Richard Douglas for a chat about the restaurant, its offerings and its history. We also have Hell's Kitchen champ Ellie Parker discussing a collaborative dinner with Chef Nicole Brisson. We caught up with Allan Roth of The Macallan at Allē Lounge on 66 in Resorts World. And Chef Jason Janson speaks to us about the reopening of Hearthstone Kitchen at Red Rock Resort. We also have some restaurant reports, and a rundown of great margarita happy hours from Andrew Morgan.

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.