Chicken Zamboni? Yes, it's a thing at Vegas Golden Knights games, and Al has the full description (Spoiler: it's chicken fingers!). But this first-of-the-year episode is anchored by Al's conversation with Keith Bracewell and Jonah Gibbs, the guys on the front line of Petite Boheme, the soon-to-be French place from James Trees. Al also talks to veteran Vegas chef Eric Luhlier, who's taken over the kitchen at the Hawthorn Grill in the JW Marriott in Summerlin. Also: Gemini checks in from Australia, and Rich shares more than you want to know about KFC.

Happy holidays. With Gemini celebrating in the Southern Hemisphere, and Las Vegas in holiday mode, Al and Rich avoided the temptation to take a week off, and put in just enough effort to create an abbreviated episode. But it’s still packed with good stuff – especially if you’re a fan of Michael Mina.

Al talked to Mina just hours before the new Bourbon Steak in the Four Seasons resort opened its doors to the public. But before we even get to that, Al will tell you about his experience getting bites in the Bourbon Steak lounge. Other restaurant reports this week include visits to William B’s in the Suncoast, Brooklyn Bowl, New York Bagel and Bakery, and The George Sportsmen’s Lounge. And Al drops by The Gambler pop-up at Amari, and speaks to Mina Group veteran Chef Adam Sobel and Amari GM Jason Rocheleau.

On this week’s episode, Vegas CityCast’s Rob Kachelriess sits in for the traveling Gemini, and joins Al and producer Rich Johnson at Dom DeMarco's Pizzeria and Wine Bar. Rob tells us about his recent experiences Craftsteak (with Tom Colicchio in the house) and Dominique Ansel Marche (with Dominique Ansel in the house). Rich will share culinary highlights from his road trip from Chicago to Vegas. And Al will tell you about experiences at the openings of Pinky’s by Vanderpump and China Mama in Palace Station, judging a cocktail competition in a topless club, and meals at Balla Italian Soul and Carmelitas Mar Tier. (Al will also reveal which Jason Aldean song titled triggered him at the opening of the country star’s new Strip bar.)

The centerpiece is all about Al’s visit to Jive Turkey in the Huntridge neighborhood to interview the dive bar's proprietors, Sam Pulliam and Adam O’Donnell. Also: interviews with Jeff Bauman of Glitter Gulch Tiki, Alexander Ortega of Casa Playa, Palace Station’s Lee Torres, Lisa Burney and Albert Scalleat of Dom DeMarco’s, Ri Ra’s Wally Lang and country star Jason Aldean. And of course, there’s some news.

Al and Gemini were invited to spend two days at the judging sessions for the 2024 Proof Awards spirits, wine and beverage competition -- where local and national booze buyers sampled hundreds of products to grade, and perhaps purchase for their companies. And, much to Rich’s chagrin, they had so much fun they decided to create a gigantic episode featuring some of their favorite conversations.

They speak to national (Delta Sky Club, Walmart, Pacifica Hotels) and local (The Palms, Hot Noods, Brezzam Craft Creamery) about what they look for in new spirit offerings, as well as a few celebrities (Aishe Tyler, Neil Geraldo Ian Somerhalder) showing off their brands. Other fun conversations conversations include chats with Vanderpump Rules veteran Peter Madrigal and the creator of the Neat Glass.

If you work in the booze biz, or have ever been curious about how new products end up in your local bar, this is the episode for you!

December is here, which means the arrival of National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, as well as the launch of several holiday pop-up bars/menus. And we take a deep dive into both in this week’s episode, alongside a few restaurant reports and some news.

You'll get the lowdown on the NFR festivities at Easy’s in Aria’s Proper Eats, Gilley’s in TI and Emmitt’s at the Fashion Show Mall, thanks to interviews with Chef Antwan Ellis, TI’s Paul Reams and Clique Hospitality’s Ryan Brunty. If you’re looking for some holiday offerings, we have interviews with representatives of The Sand Dollar Lounge, Flanker, Stray Pirate, The Silverton, Dom DeMarco’s, Rouge Room, and Easy’s. And you’ll hear about what Al and Gemini have been eating at places like Bramare, Archi’s Thai and the Bagel Café.

We have lots of Vetri in this week’s episode, with a nice long interview with Chef Marc Vetri in the center of the show, as well as Al’s restaurant report on his meal at Vetri Cocina. Other interviews include Andy Wang of L.A.’s Industry Only, Chef Sterling Buckley of Palate and Solamente Pizza’s Ethan Spiezer. There’s a bit of news, and Al and Gemini will fill you in on their recent visits to Bramare, EDO Tapas, Ciao Vino, La Casa de Julliette, Main St. Provisions and Indulge: Race Week Edition.

Longtime friend of the podcast Chef Gary LaMorte talks about his new company Fortune Events, which is creating several high-end VIP events for this year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix. Al pays a visit to the Las Vegas Pizza Festival, and chats with a few of our favorite pizza pros.

Also: a full report on the Masters of Mixology competition at Clique, including an interview with the winner, and an interview with 50 Eggs CEO John Kunkel at the opening of the Golden Gai cocktail lounge inside Wakuda.

Al and Gemini will share restaurant reports from their recent visits to Winnie and Ethel’s Downtown Diner, The Legends Oyster Bar & Grill, Toasties Burritos, Bar Centro at Bazaar Mar, Fukuburger and D’Agostino’s. And we have news on Caspain’s Kitchen and Caviar and Jason Aldean’s Kitchen, as well as some memories of the now-closed Ocean One.

On this week’s episode, Al and Gemini offer options for your gourmet Thanksgiving dinner at home (or in your hotel room) if you don’t want to cook. The show centers around reps of Barry’s Downtown Prime, Big B’s Texas BBQ, Echo & Rig, Table 34 and Basilico telling us about their take-home Thanksgiving options, as well as what they’re doing in the restaurants on the holiday.

Also, Gemini covers a hotcake eating championship and interviews the winner. Al visits the Celebrity Food Court at Caesars Palace to speak to Chef Esther Choi and takes a trip to the new Swingers golf attraction to learn about the food by Emmy Squared. You’ll also get restaurant reports from Honey Salt, Ada’s Food and Wine, Aroma Latin American Cocina, Anima by EDO and the new Flower Child location, among other great spots.