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.

CANAL STREET

The Orleans, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave.; 365-7111

Prices at steakhouses across the valley have gone sky-high in recent years, and in most cases, they're not worth it. So we were particularly pleased to find good value at the elegant Canal Street, where we enjoyed a salad of mozzarella and peppers, oysters Rockefeller, a filet mignon, Parmesan-crusted veal cutlet Tuscan and a chocolate lava cake. Excellent (but not snobby) service put the icing on the cake. (6/29/07)

Overall: B+ $$$

KOBE SUSHI BISTRO

6375 S. Rainbow Blvd. (also at 9340 W. Flamingo Road); 898-9998

Adding some fusion rolls and some "American" dishes to the menu has broadened Kobe's appeal in this growing neighborhood. Worthy of note: the Monkey Special (crab and spicy tuna on banana tempura), the Omelet Roll (crab, avocado, cucumber, rice and nori wrapped in a thin omelet), potstickers, edamame, Mozzarella Chicken and banana tempura with ice cream. (8/17/07)

Overall: A $$

LBS: A BURGER JOINT

Red Rock Resort, 11011 W. Charleston Blvd.; 835-9393

The Perfect Burger may not have been perfect -- and they're setting themselves up with that one, aren't they? -- but it was a darn good burger, with its pile of frissee, red onion marmalade, thick-sliced bacon and Gruyere cheese. We also liked a tender steak sandwich with house-pickled shallots, blue cheese and horseradish sauce, plus the warm sourdough pretzel sticks and fried cheese curds. Oh, and an Adult Mocha Milkshake, which certainly did live up to its billing. (11/27/09)

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)