The steakhouse exploration continues today! My guests and I discuss why the steakhouse continues to appeal and just where to go in Las Vegas to enjoy a steakhouse experience.

Three guests are friends from the Las Vegas podcasting community, and my final guest is one amazing chef who has been doing amazing things on the Las Vegas Strip for years.

First up are Mark DeVol and Dr. Mike from the iconic You Can Bet on That podcast. While these two sensibly focus their time in Vegas on the important business of gambling, they also frequent a steakhouse now and again and today, they share their thoughts and picks. Dr. Mike also tells what I’ve titled “The Gravy Story” in my mind, a fantastic tale that inspired the title of today’s episode.

Next you’ll hear from Adam Bauer, one third of the terrific Handy at the Chandy podcast and curator of Cheapskate Vegas. Adam shares my life experience of having worked in a steakhouse and he’s a Chicago guy to boot, which means he knows all about steak. Adam and I talk beef, mocktails and his pick for a Vegas outpost of a venerable Chicago steakhouse.

Finally, I am delighted to welcome back to the podcast the talented and wonderful Chef Nicole Brisson. You heard in detail from Chef on Episode 063 of Cheftimony where we talked about her incredible restaurant Brezza, and Nicole kindly returns today to talk all about steakhouses.

As you’ll hear, Chef was in charge of the kitchen where I enjoyed the steak that has taken on mythic properties in my memory. We talk about it today, along with some of Chef’s picks for both steak and pasta from the current Brezza menu. This chef knows beef, and her thoughts on dry-ageing, on cuts and on what to enjoy with your steak will make you a much, much happier diner for the listen.

The pull to return to Las Vegas grew throughout the episode today, and the prospect of sinking into a booth at Brezza almost had me booking a flight. For now, though, conversations will have to do… so join us all, the steakhouses of Las Vegas are waiting!

It’s easy to explain why I love a good steak… but how to explain a love for the steakhouse itself?

Why are so many of us, me included, drawn to a restaurant that showcases an item we can cook at home; a restaurant that doesn’t break much new ground in cooking; and a restaurant that can be very expensive?

It’s a question I’ve pondered for a good long while but haven’t been able to answer.

So I turned to some friends.

Episode 079 is the first of the steakhouse-exclusive episodes of the Cheftimony Podcast. Starting us off strong, my three guests today are a lawyer, a butcher and a chef. Each loves Las Vegas, and they all share insight into just why the steakhouse appeals.

Dayvid Figler is a Vegas-based lawyer, podcast host and steakhouse enthusiast. Over the years, Dayvid and I have shared views on food on each other's podcasts, and I'm delighted to welcome him back to Cheftimony.

Nick Hermann is a professional butcher and one half (his wife Allie being the better half) of The Dope Life, a very fun look at what’s great in Las Vegas. Nick knows the cuts of beef you should order.

Chef James Trees is an institution in Las Vegas, responsible for many of the city’s best dining spots. His latest venture, High Steaks, is a gorgeous steakhouse set high above the Vegas Strip.

Choose your cut… pour your drink… and join us to talk steakhouses…

As you may recall from Episode 075, I’m not visiting the United States right now, which means I’m not visiting my favourite city in the world to visit, Las Vegas, Nevada.

But in very good news, my friend Tania Tomaszewska recently did. And on the show today, Tania and I dive into some of the many tasty sips and bites she enjoyed, particularly in the remarkable Arts District of Las Vegas.

When we wrap up Las Vegas, Tania and I head to northern Spain for a quick re-cap of my October trip to the delightful and delicious Zarautz.

While I’m missing Las Vegas terribly, re-living some of the tastes from Spain definitely helped to ease the pain. Join us for the chat!

If you’re going to stare out over the ocean beyond the horizon and into the infinite, you’re well advised to have a great cup of coffee while you do it.

And there is a place for coffee unlike any you’ve ever been to, unless you’re lucky enough to have been to Haida Gwaii. And to Jags.

At the end of June, I sat down after-hours with family team members Khataya and with Jags himself (the shop’s namesake and Khataya’s father), to learn just how their family created this wonderfully special place.

Join us for a talk that starts in the shop pouring coffee and baking scones, but quickly winds down logging roads, hikes a trail, and flies to Vancouver for a coffee expo. We also take the scenic route through a business-funding story that is the closest I’ve come in real life to Willy Wonka’s golden tickets!

Haida Gwaii is a special place. Jags is a fantastic spot for coffee and food and conversation. Episode 077 gives you a glimpse.

We recently lost the wonderful Mark Wojtowicz Jr., driving force behind the 360 Vegas Podcast. In today’s short episode, I share some memories of great times with Mark and thank him for all the Vegas history lessons, for sharing some delicious meals, and most especially for building a terrific community of Las Vegas nerds I am lucky to call friends.

My guest today is Megan O’Neill, a Vancouver-based lawyer who focuses on the wine industry. Megan shares how she found her way into “wine law,” how she supports clients in the space, and the creative ways younger people are finding to break into a traditionally expensive industry.

We explore tariff and interprovincial trade issues, the work of industry organizations, and the impact of shifting demographics—particularly the challenge facing winery owners as their core customer base of boomers ages, while younger consumers show more interest in lower-alcohol or no-alcohol options - the world of “nolo”.

Megan also offers some great career advice for those starting out (in any field!), along with a few of her current favourite food and wine picks. Think high-acid pinot noir and some delicious rosés, perfect for summer. Join us!

In an outcome I’m really glad I didn’t bet on happening… I just cancelled my trip to Las Vegas scheduled for later this month. I can’t say when I’ll be ready to go again.

Thanks to my friends Sonja Cho Swanson and Dayvid Figler at the fantastic City Cast Las Vegas Podcast for inviting me to share my thoughts on just what led me to pull the plug and to give up all that glorious food and gambling.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing an interview with City Cast co-host Dayvid, from a recent City Cast Las Vegas episode. You can hear that full episode (and subscribe to that fantastic show) right over here.

Stay great, Las Vegas, I do hope to see you again!

Today, my guest is Chef Thompson Tran of The Wooden Boat Food Company. Long-time listeners to Cheftimony have heard from Thompson in the past. He’s an old friend, and we met way back in the day when I was a stagiaire at Bishop’s restaurant in Vancouver.

You can hear more on Chef’s background on Episode 009 of the show and on a Snapshot episode in the summer of 2021.

In today’s episode, Thompson and I dive right on into the joys of middle age, cooking for children and – of all things – boxing.

Chef is taking part in a charity boxing match on Friday, April 4th, and we discuss the charity the event is supporting (McMaster Children’s Hospital) and the training regime Thompson is currently working his way through.

We also touch on the latest in Chef’s business and a couple of his recent favourite dining experiences.

Join me in supporting this great charity boxing match! You can donate to Chef Thompson Tran at this link. And more information about the event (and the opportunity to purchase a livestream link) is available right here.