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 foundation, appropriately named The John Arena Foundation. Plus, music is back at Evel Pie, Gemini recounts her girls' road trip to Oklahoma City and Al shares the mission of Blooming Bistro, the new Medical District place with a mission to help at-risk kids discover the restaurant business.

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 incredible feast prepared by Rivera’s executive chef, Winnie Wong.

Also: an interview with Sean Griffin of Bellagio’s Prime Steakhouse discussing the recent renovations at the restaurant. And Brezza’s Chef Nicole Brisson explains her upcoming pop-up collaboration with Pasta Ramen. There are restaurant reports on Sparrow + Wolf, Stubborn Seed, Bar Boheme, Bourbon Steak and Chica, among others. And just to keep it real, we have news on Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse and Arizona Charlie’s, as well as Giada.

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; Mariena Mercer Boarini at the opening of Baccarat Bar in Wynn Las Vegas; Bruce Bromberg on collaborations at Ortikia; Dan Krohmer looking back on 10 years of Other Mama; The M Resort’s Michael Credico at the new Patio; and Robert Lomeli at Atomic Golf.

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 Church and Steve Kestler. And if you like our restaurant reports, we have several this week, ranging from Joel Robuchon to McDonalds. (How's that for variety?)

Al and Rich are again on location -- this time at the luxurious private dining room at Tamba, the new upscale Indian/Asian restaurant at Town Square. General Manager Oliver Morowati shares some cutting-edge appetizers and how the place, under the care of Michelin-recognized Chef Anand Singh, focuses on live-fire cooking four ways: the Josper charcoal oven, the tandoor, the mangal grill and the Chinese wok. Also this week: visits to The Broken Yolk, Burgundy Bakery Café & Bistro, Hummus Bowls & Wraps, Baan Bann Thai House, Kusa Nori, Lazy Dog, Golden Tiki, Good Pie, Bazaar Mar and Amaya.

This week's episode was recorded at Winnie & Ethel's Downtown Diner, and includes a nice long interview with the proprietors, Mallory Gott and Aaron Lee.

Other interviews this week include Keri Kelli and Chef Krystal Meza of Evolve Brewing by Aces and Ales, Ken Heck sharing details of Hot Noods in The El Cortez, Aroma Latin American Cocina's Steve Kestler talking about his upcoming collaborative dinner at Garagiste, and Mark Shunock explaining the mental health support he's planning to offer to the restaurant and hospitality communities at his new project, The Space 2.0.

And of course, we have restaurant reports, from places like Ike's Love & Sandwiches, Red Rock's Oyster Bar, Dupar's, the Black Sheep, Ocean Prime, Evolve and Stay Tuned Burgers, and get a wee bit of news on the time Al Spent with Christopher Kimball and his team, recording THEIR podcast.