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.

ARANYA THAI BISTRO

4195 S. Grand Canyon Parkway; 243-1912

Aranya Thai Bistro has the basics right -- the interior is pleasant, service is good and the execution of the food is fine as far as it goes -- but we thought the food needed a flavor boost to really showcase the cuisine of Thailand. While fried tofu was pretty good with its vinegary peanut sauce, the too-timid seasoning tendency dumbed down the chicken satay, pork pad Thai and cashew-nut beef. (9/18/09)

Overall: B $

CATFISH ALLEY

3620 E. Flamingo Road; 450-3474

It's pretty much all fried, all the time at Catfish Alley, but that's OK (as long as your cardiologist doesn't mind), because they sure know how to fry. We loved the fried green beans and the corn nuggets -- crisp-coated lumps of creamed corn -- and also the hush puppies, catfish, fried shrimp and baked beans. (5/1/09)

Overall: A- $

LE PROVENCAL

Paris Las Vegas, 3655 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 967-7999

The high-profile guys who get all the hype provide great adventures, but hidden gems like Le Provencal are lots of fun to find. We loved the free entertainment -- our waitress and two colleagues, singing operatic-style -- and the slightly Provencal-inspired, mostly Italian dishes that included bruschetta, stuffed clams Nicoise, open lobster ravioli, a grilled veal T-bone and buttery crepes Suzette. (4/13/07)

Overall: A $$