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 $$$$ = entrees more than $30.
LAWRY’S THE PRIME RIB
4043 Howard Hughes Parkway; 893-2223
Lawry’s the Prime Rib has a limited menu — mostly prime rib cut at the table by a guy pushing a domed silver cart, with a couple of seafood selections and a rib-eye steak tossed in — but maybe it’s just that stick-to-what-you-know philosophy that has made the company so consistently reliable for 70 years. We love the prime rib (both the California cut and the slightly larger Lawry cut) and also the crisp-crusted sourdough bread, Spinning Bowl Salad, mashed potatoes, creamed corn and lovely Yorkshire pudding. (11/20/08)
Overall: A $$$
MAD PITA EXPRESS
2980 S. Durango Drive; 254-7482
The dishware is counter-service classic (plastic and foam) but the atmosphere is not, with an abundance of plants, photos and other artwork livening up the space. While we thought the hummus was on the bland side, we were particularly enamored of the gyros on pita, the baklava and the tender, soulfully seasoned chicken kabobs, with raisin-and-almond-studded saffron rice and pita on the side. (3/26/10)
Overall: A- $
MANTRA MASALA
8530 W. Warm Springs Road; 598-3663
Mantra Masala bills its food as healthy without making any specific claims of that nature but a clear avoidance of excess fat is an obvious good start. A plus is that unlike much "healthful" food, Indian cuisine — especially as executed by Mantra Masala — is inherently flavorful. We loved the sweet, sweet Mussels Masala and greatly enjoyed the simple vegetable samosas, garlic nan, lamb korma and chicken mantra. (11/7/08)
Overall: A- $$