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.

BOULDER DAM BREWING CO.

453 Nevada Way, Boulder City; 243-2739

The beer's the thing here -- and so is the only real beer garden in Southern Nevada -- but Boulder Dam Brewing Co. offers some pretty solid bar food as well. The bar-staple spinach-and-artichoke dip, for example, was much better than most, and the Brewer's Bratwurst was plump and flavorful. And if the Ploughman's suffered a bit from too-timid cheese and the Bavarian Beer Pretzel was a little too charred, you can't miss with the beer. (10/26/07)

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 $$$$

McCORMICK & SCHMICK'S335 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 such as trout almondine, lobster and various types of crab in season show what the kitchen can do. (8/21/09)

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

TA TA ASIAN BISTRO

1450 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Henderson; 565-8900

We were charmed by the pint-sized hostess (read: child) but no less by Ta Ta Asian Bistro, which manages to carry out a Japanese/Chinese mission without getting into a jumble. The inventive Monkey Special Roll and Paradise Roll were worth a repeat visit, but so were the tamago nigiri sushi, jalapeno puffs, potstickers and rib-eye beef teriyaki dinner with a nice, smoky miso soup. Teppanyaki dining also is available. (12/5/08)

Overall: A- $$