Eat. Talk. Repeat.

On today’s episode of Eat. Talk. Repeat.

On today’s episode of Eat. Talk. Repeat., we’re airing out YOUR biggest dining pet peeves. From restaurant habits that drive you absolutely nuts to the things that make John and Ash want to send a dish back, nobody’s leaving this conversation unscathed. Naturally, we have a few opinions of our own.

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On today’s episode of Eat. Talk. Repeat., John Curtas and Ash Watkins are back with another round of Las Vegas restaurant reviews, food news, and strong opinions.🥩 The Worst Steak Dinner of the Year? John and Ash review Naughty Angel, plus Lotus of Siam, Cipriani, Gaetano’s, Bar Boheme, Ada’s, Vesta, and more.🐟 Milos puts lunch on the clock. Estiatorio Milos introduces a $45 business lunch, promising three courses in 60 minutes or less.🥙 Hedary’s is back! The Las Vegas Mediterranean favorite returns at The Gramercy.🍷 Food events worth knowing about: Picnic in the Alley returns, and Monzu serves up a Bubbles & Truffles Brunch.Plus, restaurant ratings, pet peeves, and listener questions from John and Ash.📍 Las Vegas restaurants | 🍽️ Restaurant reviews | 🔥 Vegas food newsFind us everywhere @EatTalkRepeat and visit EatTalkRepeat.com for more Vegas food news and The Amuse Bouche, our weekly newsletter.📩 Hate mail, questions, fan mail & restaurant tips: [email protected]: @EatTalkRepeat | @AshTheAttorney | @EatingLasVegas | @JohnCurtas

On today’s episode of Eat. Talk. Repeat.

A couple of weeks ago, John posted his 55 Essential Restaurants of Las Vegas on eatinglv.com. This week's episode is the bar list to go with it. Our resident bar fly, James Reza, is back with his 50 essential Las Vegas bars, and we go through the list alphabetically over a round of absinthe.

James's list is about bars that matter, not just bars that are hot right now. It includes the oldest liquor license in town (Atomic Liquors), a 1970s fern bar with live jazz and a water wheel (Dispensary Lounge), and the debate over who brought hot wings to Vegas (Four Kegs). Along the way: Bar Ginza, Frankie's Tiki Room, Double Down Saloon, Herbs & Rye, Golden Steer and its COVID mannequins, Liquid Diet, Nocturno, Piero's Monkey Bar, Silver Stamp's Halloween haunt, Sand Dollar Lounge, and why downtown has become the best drinking neighborhood in Las Vegas.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Cheers! Absinthe and intros

01:49 John's 55 Essential Restaurants

05:24 James Reza and his 50 essential bars

08:56 Able Baker Brewing and Atomic Liquors

11:00 Badlands Saloon and the Fruit Loop

12:14 Bar Ginza

15:18 Bootlegger, Chandelier and Collins Bar

20:15 Commonwealth, Crown & Anchor and RIP Decatur Liquors

23:28 Dino's Lounge and Dispensary Lounge (what's a fern bar?)

26:13 Doberman Drawing Room and Double Down Saloon

28:16 Four Kegs and John's bar exam day

30:51 Frankie's Tiki Room

32:31 Golden Steer's COVID mannequins

34:57 Hard Shake, Herbs & Rye, Hideaway and Huntridge Tavern

37:27 Italian American Club, Jive Turkey and Laundry Room

39:13 Legacy Club and Liquid Diet

41:38 Piero's Monkey Bar, Mountain Springs Saloon and Nocturno

44:27 Office Bar, Overlook Lounge and Paymon's

47:45 Petrossian Bar, Pioneer Saloon, Rebar and Red Dwarf

49:47 Sand Dollar Lounge (John has a story)

52:04 Stake Out, Starboard Tack and Silver Stamp's Halloween

54:05 Tap House, Velveteen Rabbit and the yurt bar

54:25 Why downtown is the cocktail neighborhood

55:20 Wrap-up

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On today’s episode of Eat. Talk. Repeat., John Curtas and Ash Watkins are back with another round of Las Vegas restaurant reviews, food news, and strong opinions.

🍔 The Worst Burger of the Year? John has some thoughts on Harlo, plus reviews of Amata Modern Thai, Zaytoon, Yu by SIJIE, Hayworth, Ada’s, YEN Viet Kitchen, Banchan, and more.

🔥 SMKD BBQ hits T-Mobile Arena with smoked meats, smashed brisket, pulled pork, and a lineup of BBQ sandwiches.

🍷 Wine is coming to you. Ada’s launches the Nine Lives Wine Society, while Garagiste Wine Room expands its wine club with delivery within the City of Las Vegas.

🍺 Oakwell Beer Spa is eyeing the Arts District. Because apparently Vegas needed one more way to drink while relaxing.

🚨 Restaurant news: Yui Sushi Edomae closes, new restaurant developments are brewing around Las Vegas, and the Vegas dining scene keeps moving.

Plus, John and Ash run through their latest restaurant visits, ratings, favorite and least favorite parts, return-worthy spots, pet peeves, and listener questions.

It’s another episode packed with Las Vegas restaurants, food news, reviews, wine, BBQ, burgers, and the opinions you actually want to hear.

On today’s episode of Eat. Talk. Repeat.

📍 Las Vegas restaurants🍔 Restaurant reviews🍷 Vegas food & wine🔥 Las Vegas restaurant news🍽️ Dining in Las Vegas

Find us everywhere @EatTalkRepeat and visit EatTalkRepeat.com for more Vegas food, restaurant news, and The Amuse Bouche, our weekly newsletter.

📩 Hate mail, questions, fan mail & restaurant tips: [email protected]

Follow:@EatTalkRepeat@AshTheAttorney@EatingLasVegas@JohnCurtas

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Bon Appétit & goodnight Canada!

On Today’s Menu:🎙️ A long-awaited guest finally joins us: James Reza, downtown insider, writer, editor, and cocktail connoisseur.📰 How Reza helped unleash John Curtas, the food critic on Las Vegas (blame him or thank him).📉 Is Las Vegas really “dead”? We unpack the tourism stats, Wall Street meddling, and the slow death of the $0.99 shrimp cocktail myth.💸 Why filet mignon is $95 in Vegas but $52 in Manhattan — and why no one’s lowering prices anytime soon.📲 Influencer culture: pay-for-play reviews, “OnlyFoods,” and the Gen Z ring-light invasion of local bars.🍸 Cocktail culture deep-dive: from Rudy at Nora’s to Bellagio’s program, to today’s booming downtown bar scene.🥃 Favorite haunts: Petite Boheme, Frankies, Herbs & Rye, and why you’ll never get a bad drink downtown.😤 Bar Pet Peeves of the Week: from charging for ice to the dreaded “Gen Z stare” to non-calibrated soda guns.Questions, comments, hate mail? Email us at [email protected]!Thanks for tuning into today's episode! If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the show, & make sure you leave us a 5-star review. Visit us at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eat. Talk. Repeat.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on social:Twitter:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@EatTalkRepeat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@EatingLasVegas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WhatsRightSam⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, &⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AshTheAttorney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@EatTalkRepeatLV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JohnCurtas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WhatsRightSam⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, &⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AshTheAttorney⁠

On today’s episode of Eat. Talk. Repeat., John Curtas shares a glass with two of Las Vegas’ biggest wine nerds: Eric Prato of Garagiste Wine Room and Dave Klarer of Timeless Hospitality.

With Ash out, John finally gets his long-awaited wine episode with plenty of strong opinions and a deep dive into what’s actually happening with wine right now.

🍷 Is the wine industry really in decline?

🍷 Are younger generations killing wine culture, or just changing it?

🍷 Did the wine world make itself too pretentious and intimidating?

🍷 What does Las Vegas’ wine scene get right… and what does it get spectacularly wrong?

🍷 Why are some of the best $20–$40 wines nearly invisible on the Strip?

🍷 Natural wine: revolution, fad, or just funky juice?

🍷 Are trophy wines and $3,000 bottles really worth the price?

🍷 And most importantly: **How do you actually order wine at a restaurant without getting screwed?**

Eric and Dave also share their insider tips for navigating a wine list, talking to sommeliers, setting a budget, trying unfamiliar varietals, and finding the hidden gems that don’t come with a famous label.

And of course, John puts them through a wine nerd lightning round, covering obscure grapes, France vs. Italy, decanting, underrated wine regions, Sideways, Drops of God, and the dreaded bunghole.

It’s wine. It’s Vegas. It’s a little nerdy. And yes, they opened another bottle.

🍷 CHEERS!

👉 Visit EatTalkRepeat.com for updates, events, and the newsletter👉 Got a food take or hate mail? [email protected]

Follow for more Vegas food talk & behind-the-scenes flavor:

X/Twitter: @EatTalkRepeat | @EatingLasVegas | @AshTheAttorney

Instagram: @EatTalkRepeatLV | @JohnCurtas | @AshTheAttorney

On today’s episode of Eat. Talk. Repeat.

🍽️ The Michelin Guide, food influencers, restaurant reviews & the future of Vegas dining — it’s all on the table.

In this episode of Eat. Talk. Repeat., Ash Watkins and John Curtis dig into the latest happenings in the Las Vegas food scene, including a closer look at the Michelin Guide’s newest selections and what those awards really mean for local restaurants.

They also dive into the ever-changing world of food influencers, discussing whether their influence is growing, fading, or simply changing shape. From there, it’s time for restaurant reviews, unique dining experiences, the Hudson Valley food scene, and a few thoughts on culinary trends that maybe should have stayed in the kitchen. Yes, we’re talking about the Cronut. 🥐

Plus, the hosts look ahead to upcoming restaurant openings, new culinary concepts, and what’s next for Las Vegas dining.

Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates02:56 Michelin Guide Discussion05:51 Critique of Michelin Selections09:01 Local Restaurant Insights11:54 Future of Las Vegas Dining15:01 Legal Issues in the Restaurant Scene17:51 Closing Thoughts and Reflections27:38 The Rise and Fall of Influencers in the Food Scene29:57 Restaurant Reviews: A Culinary Journey34:06 Exploring Unique Dining Experiences39:06 The Hudson Valley Food Scene44:01 Critiquing Culinary Trends and Fads56:11 Upcoming Restaurant Openings and Innovations

👉 Visit EatTalkRepeat.com for updates, events, and the newsletter👉 Got a food take or hate mail? [email protected]

Follow for more Vegas food talk & behind-the-scenes flavor:X/Twitter: @EatTalkRepeat | @EatingLasVegas | @AshTheAttorneyInstagram: @EatTalkRepeatLV | @JohnCurtas | @AshTheAttorney

On today’s episode of Eat. Talk. Repeat.

What makes a great bar scene—and what happens when the neighborhood around it starts to change?

In this episode of Eat. Talk. Repeat., Ash Watkins and John Curtas sit down with James Reza and Derek Stonebarger to talk all things Las Vegas bars, cocktails, and the ever-evolving Arts District. From the realities of running a bar and the challenges of rising costs and leases to gentrification, First Friday, parking, and keeping a true local community alive, this conversation gets into what’s really happening behind the scenes.

They also dive into Brewery Row, Barter Mall, the future of the Arts District, and what it takes to build a bar scene that works for both locals and visitors.

Plus, plenty of opinions on cocktails, customer service, and bar industry pet peeves.

🎙️ Pour yourself a drink and join the conversation.

👉 Visit EatTalkRepeat.com for updates, events, and the newsletter👉 Got a food take or hate mail? [email protected]

Follow for more Vegas food talk & behind-the-scenes flavor:X/Twitter: @EatTalkRepeat | @EatingLasVegas | @AshTheAttorneyInstagram: @EatTalkRepeatLV | @JohnCurtas | @AshTheAttorney

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Eat Talk Repeat and Guests

02:58 The Evolution of the Cocktail and Bar Scene

05:59 Personal Journeys in the Bar Industry

09:01 The Impact of Gentrification on Art and Culture

11:48 The Role of Community in Downtown Development

14:51 Brewery Row and Its Challenges

17:48 The Future of Bars in the Arts District

25:30 The Impact of Pricing on Local Bars

30:03 Navigating Lease Challenges in the Bar Industry

34:05 The Evolution of the Arts District

46:00 First Friday: A Double-Edged Sword

54:00 Exploring Barter Mall: A Community Hub

57:04 The Cocktail Scene: Peak or Just Beginning?

59:58 Parking Solutions: Navigating the Downtown Experience

01:03:09 Artie's: The Future of Dining and Culture

01:12:06 Pet Peeves in the Bar Scene: A Lively Discussion

On today’s episode of Eat. Talk. Repeat.What makes a food influencer credible—and who gets to decide?

This week on Eat. Talk. Repeat., John Curtas sits down with Chef Jeffrey Weiss and Phil Zing to dig into the messy world of restaurant marketing, PR, and influencer culture. They break down what actually makes an influencer valuable, how viral food content translates into real business, the ethics of comped meals and transparency, and whether awards and engagement really mean anything.Plus, they get into chef recommendations, consumer expectations, influencer pet peeves, and why integrity still matters when your dining recommendations can influence where people spend their money.Listen in for a candid conversation about the good, the bad, and the increasingly complicated world of food influencers.👉 Visit EatTalkRepeat.com for updates, events, and the newsletter👉 Got a food take or hate mail? [email protected] for more Vegas food talk & behind-the-scenes flavor:X/Twitter: @EatTalkRepeat | @EatingLasVegas | @AshTheAttorneyInstagram: @EatTalkRepeatLV | @JohnCurtas | @AshTheAttorneyChapters02:26 Introduction05:30 The Evolution of Restaurant Marketing08:24 Understanding Marketing Strategies11:23 The Role of Public Relations14:26 The Impact of Influencers17:29 Credibility and Authority in Influencing23:36 Defining Good Influencers26:25 Conclusion and Key Takeaways32:43 The Impact of Viral Food Content35:00 Measuring Success: Likes vs. Business38:12 The Role of Influencers in Restaurant Marketing41:41 Trends and Their Influence on Engagement44:15 The Value of Awards in the Restaurant Industry48:08 The Ethics of Influencer Marketing51:38 Comp Meals and Transparency in Influencer Relationships58:46 The Credibility of Influencers01:02:26 Consumer Advocacy in Dining01:04:25 Chefs and Their Recommendations01:06:19 Dining Preferences and Overrated Restaurants01:10:25 Pet Peeves in the Culinary World01:14:24 Influencer Entitlement and Professionalism

Keywordsrestaurant marketing, influencers, public relations, social media, marketing strategies, credibility, authority, restaurant industry, Las Vegas, food critics influencer marketing, restaurant success, social media engagement, food content, restaurant awards, ethics in marketing, viral videos, ROI in marketing, trends in food, restaurant industry insights influencers, credibility, dining, consumer advocacy, chefs, recommendations, pet peeves, culinary world, social media, restaurant reviews

Las Vegas food news, restaurant gossip, and plenty of opinions—what more could you want? 👀

This week, John and Ash dive into the influence of foodies and influencers, what’s happening with downtown bars and restaurants, celebrity chef culture, restaurant closures, upcoming events, and the local dishes worth talking about.

Plus, plenty of Vegas food gossip, personal takes, and a look at what’s shaping the city’s ever-changing dining scene.

🎧 Eat. Talk. Repeat. — where we eat, talk, and definitely have opinions.

👉 Visit EatTalkRepeat.com for updates, events, and the newsletter👉 Got a food take or hate mail? [email protected]

Follow for more Vegas food talk & behind-the-scenes flavor:

X/Twitter: @EatTalkRepeat | @EatingLasVegas | @AshTheAttorney

Instagram: @EatTalkRepeatLV | @JohnCurtas | @AshTheAttorney

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Influencer Culture

03:04 Upcoming Guests and Show Updates

05:53 Food News and Events in Las Vegas

09:01 Restaurant Deals and Promotions

12:07 Gossip and Rumors in the Restaurant Scene

17:49 Challenges Facing Downtown Bars and Restaurants

22:46 Local Support and Community Engagement

24:02 Restaurant Gossip and Industry Changes

26:45 Celebrity Chefs and Their Impact

27:25 Sponsorship and Business Insights

29:24 Amador's Culinary Excellence

33:02 Pastrami Sandwich Showdown

34:31 Montreal Smoked Meat Experience

36:29 Kaiseki Yuzu: A Wagyu Wonderland

39:19 Unique Dining Experiences in Las Vegas

40:55 Tempura and Japanese Cuisine

46:16 Persian Delights at Zaytun