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 $$$$ = entrees more than $30.
BARCELONA TAPAS BAR
10690 Southern Highlands Parkway; 483-5764
Tapas have been growing in popularity in Las Vegas and for good reason; this is a fun, flexible way of eating. And Barcelona does the tradition justice by adding fusiony touches for American tastes. We liked the house bread with garbanzo puree and sweetened butter, plus Serrano ham and Manchego cheese, fried goat cheese, stuffed dates, chicken cakes, albondigas and Chocolate Tres Leches a la Mode. (2/19/10)
Overall: B+ $$
DONA MARIA TAMALES, 910 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 382-6538 (also at 3205 N. Tenaya Way)
Dona Maria Tamales is the real deal; if you don't believe us, just ask some of the fans gathered for the futbol games on satellite TV. Tamales wrapped in just-dense-enough masa harina are the specialty of the house and the cheese version had a filling that was just firm enough and had just enough peppers, its tender pork counterpart with just a bit of a kick; even the beans and rice are better than we normally encounter. And on a return visit, we'd be sure not to miss the queso fundido con chorizo. (7/14/09)
Overall: B+ $$
HUGO'S CELLAR
Four Queens, 202 Fremont St.; 385-4011
A dip in service after a change in ownership a few years back has been reversed, we're happy to say, and Hugo's Cellar has returned to its rightful place as the downtown spot that best perpetuates all that was good about Old Las Vegas. The Hot Rock Specialty is a long tradition that was even better than we remembered (the stone seasoned with chopped shallots and used to cook fish, beef, chicken and shrimp) and we liked the Duckling Anise Flambe and the classic Veal Oscar. Oh, and one of the best things about Hugo's -- the tableside salad cart. (2/13/09)
Overall: A $$$$
