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.

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 $$

McCORMICK & SCHMICK’S 335 Hughes Center Drive; 836-9000

Our most recent visit to McCormick & Schmick’s was for happy hour, which is in the bar from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to closing on weekdays and which features such bargains as a half-pound cheeseburger with fries for $2.95, or crispy cod sliders and fries for $4.95. But we also like McCormick & Schmick’s for lunch and dinner, when fresh fish and seafood dishes like trout almondine, lobster and various types of crab in season show what the kitchen can do. (8/21/09)

Overall: A- $$$ ($ during happy hour)

SINATRA

Encore, 3131 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 248-3463

We’re thinking Ol’ Blue Eyes himself would be proud of his namesake restaurant, which blends just enough traditional favorites with enough innovative dishes (and lots of seafood) to keep things interesting. We liked the carpaccio with endive, watercress and quail eggs; Cioppino; an excellent, traditional lasagna; and pistachio and vanilla panna cotta. And we also loved the music and portraits of the Chairman of the Board. (3/12/10)

Overall: A- $$$$

SMASHBURGER

7541 W. Lake Mead Blvd. (also at 9109 W. Sahara Ave.); 982-0009

Smashburger is the new burger chain in town, and while its name may seem a little off — who wants smashed food, aside from, maybe, potatoes? — the burgers, which are smashed onto a flat-topped grill as they’re cooked, are juicy and addictive. We loved the Sin City Smashburger, with its fried egg, bacon, cheese, grilled onions, haystack onions and signature smash sauce, a create-your-own option with everything but the kitchen sink, the fried pickles and the Smashfries.

Overall: A- $