Cheftimony

You are listening to Episode 083 of the Cheftimony Podcast.

Friends, steakhouses, and SCOOP!

When you sit down at a steakhouse…
 
…what really matters?
 
Is it what’s on the plate…
 
…or is it the experience that surrounds it?
 
“I want a little pomp and circumstance!”

These are wise words from Chef Claire Lassam of the wonderful Livia Sweets on Vancouver’s Commercial Drive.

Claire, along with Michael Trager of the Vegas- and luxury-travel empire TravelZork, are my guests today as we talk through how a good steakhouse curates a feeling and all the little details that make up a great experience.

Long-time listeners will remember Claire from Episode 044 of the show and Michael from Episode 057.

Today, it’s all about the feels. Order your favourite drink, choose your cut and your sides, and sink into your chair for the talk. To the steakhouse we go.

Is a secret to the steakhouse’s enduring appeal that it offers something for everyone? I think that must be at least part of the answer.

In my first interview today, I re-connect with the impressive Las Vegas chef and entrepreneur Gary FX LaMorte. Gary has designed a lot of menus over a lot of years, and he talks about the importance to the menu of both familiarity (70% of menu items should sit comfortably with guests) and variety (everyone should be able to order something). Steakhouses have this math right.

Gary first joined me on Episode 064 of Cheftimony where we talked about his early days in the Vegas culinary scene and his more recent work through Honest Hospitality, cooking for the Las Vegas Raiders and many others. Today, Gary and I dive into why the steakhouse works as well as it does and a few of chef’s steakhouse picks in Las Vegas.

Up next, you’ll hear from Sonia and Dave of the excellent youtube channel Daverrason Travels and the podcast by Texans for everyone, It’s Vegas Y’all. Dave and Sonia explain the difference between the Texas steakhouse and the Vegas steakhouse, and we visit a few spots on the Strip and Downtown. While they have a soft spot for Andiamo Downtown, these two have also witnessed the presentation of the over-the-top $1,000 Australian wagyu tomahawk at Papi Steak in the Fountainbleau Las Vegas.

Finally today, you’ll hear from the always-engaging Josh “Vegas” Duffy of the extremely popular Crap Vegas podcast. Josh first appeared on Cheftimony in November 2024 after we and many others enjoyed a great meal at Sinatra restaurant at the Wynn resort and casino. Today, Josh and I talk about the broad appeal of steakhouses, a difference in wine service between two top spots on the Strip and – for good measure - McDonald’s in Europe and dessert in Seattle!

Right this way, the steakhouse is about to open once more.

It’s a quick snack today to bring you up to date on where we’ve been in Season 7 and where we’re going next.

We’ve had two full episodes so far, both squarely focused on the theme of the season – the steakhouse. Because Las Vegas is both my favourite city to visit and a global contender for best steakhouse city, the discussions have been very Vegas-centric.

On Episode 079 and Episode 080, we started to explore just why the steakhouse remains so popular by speaking with chefs, a lawyer and members of the passionate Vegas podcasting and vlogging community. Today, I give a quick recap of those episodes.

I also share a few thoughts on just three of my many beloved steakhouses in Las Vegas. These are Herbs and Rye off-Strip, SW at the Wynn on-Strip, and Oscar’s at the Plaza as my Downtown favourite.

The Plaza has its own great podcast, On the Corner of Main Street, and one of my favourite episodes features an interview with long-serving Oscar’s waiter Nick Ziai. Nick has been serving in Las Vegas for decades and captures just why service is such a big part of the magic of the steakhouse.

At the end of the show today, I ask for your help in making this season better. If you have a steakhouse question or a steakhouse story to share, get in touch!

All right, it’s a quick one today. To the steakhouses we go.

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!