Heidi’s Picks

Heidi's Picks is a weekly selection of restaurant suggestions from Las Vegas 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.

FIREFLY ON PARADISE

3900 Paradise Road; 369-3971

Firefly isn't the only tapas restaurant in Las Vegas -- and the others are praiseworthy -- but it brought the old Spanish tradition here and continues to do it proud, not only with traditional tapas dishes but also those that borrow from other cuisines and cultures. Among the best are Serrano ham and Manchego cheese, tortilla Espanola, albondigas, Firefly fries, stuffed dates, eggplant cannelloni and, for dessert, banana-Nutella sandwiches with Nutella dipping sauce. (11/20/08)

Overall: A- $$

GREEK VILLAGE CAFE

9550 S. Eastern Ave.; 463-7300

Greek restaurants have been few and far between in the Las Vegas Valley over the years and those we did have seemed to be mostly west of the Strip, so we were delighted to discover this east-side mom-and-pop that's as authentic as it gets. We liked the combo plate of spanakopita, tyropita and patatopita; the gyros platter; the pastitsio; and a delicious dessert of galaktobureko; and pretty snazzy Greek wines (Xatzimichalis Cabernet Sauvignon and Skouras Merlot) to boot. (12/26/08)

Overall: A $$

SHARI'S DINER

1900 N. Buffalo Drive; 870-6424

With the exception of the sticky-salty gravy on the pot roast we liked Shari's old-school diner favorites -- and especially Shari's old-school diner atmosphere. Particularly worthy of note were two Shari's originals, the Philly Cheese Steak Fries and The Brie-Licious burger, and a bit of sweet, delicious wretched excess, a peanut-butter malt. (7/17/09)

Overall: B+ $$

TABLE 10

Palazzo, 3325 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 607-6363

Emeril Lagasse works his magic again at Table 10, an affectionate nod to the table in his first New Orleans restaurant where planning for the restaurant was done and the staff gathered after the opening. It's a cruise through the world's best cuisines and one that's well worth it, especially in the case of the marinated goat cheese, Tartare Trio, Pasta Jambalaya and Kurobuta pork loin. (9/19/08)

Overall: A $$$$