Heidi’s Picks
Heidi's Picks is a weekly selection of restaurant suggestions from Review-Journal critic Heidi Knapp Rinella. Price symbols are based on the cost of an average entree: $ = entrees less than $10; $$ = entrees between $10 and $20; $$$ = entrees between $20 and $30; and $$$$ = entrees more than $30.
BOUCHON
Venezia Tower at The Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 414-6200
Bouchon has worn very nicely, delivering French-bistro fare that's as authentic as it gets. Notable were a charcuterie board, the Poulet Roti (roast chicken), Triute aux Amandes (trout almondine) and the silken-sin richness of the Mousse au Chocolate Noir, which requires no translation. (7/31/09)
Overall: A$$$
FIAMMA TRATTORIA & BAR
MGM Grand, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 861-7600
Italian is Italian is Italian except when it's not -- or when it provides some distinctive surprises, and such is the case at Fiamma. We were impressed by the little touches that only added to already solid dishes such as beef carpaccio (with fried capers), Alaskan halibut (with basil pesto), ravioli alla Florentine (with a sage-butter sauce) and a chocolate bombe (with crunchy raspberries). (10/22/10)
Overall: A $$$$
MACAYO'S
4457 W. Charleston Blvd. (and three other valley locations); 878-7347
Macayo's has been in Las Vegas since 1959 -- and in Phoenix even before that -- and yes, this is old-school American-Mexican food, which still has plenty of fans who'd rather walk on the slightly milder side. But mild or not, we did enjoy the mini-chimichangas, the carnitas and especially the Grande Baja Chimi Dinner with its layers of sauces, including a light white one with the richness of sour cream. (8/14/09)
Overall: B $$
VARADERO CUBAN RESTAURANT
5081 N. Rainbow Blvd.; 463-3609
Ropa vieja with a impressive, multilayered depth of flavor set the tone for our dinner at Varadero Cuban Restaurant, a strip-center standout near the Sante Fe Station. We also thoroughly enjoyed the picadillo-stuffed tostones rellenos, custardy tres leches cake and, to an only slightly lesser extent, a classic arroz con pollo. (1/8/10)
Overall: A-$$
