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 $$$$ = entrees more than $30.
CREATE
7290 W. Lake Mead Blvd.; 586-0430
Our burgers were overcooked because we were unaware they could be done to order (next time we’ll know), but we liked most everything else about Create, including the upbeat (if a little personal) attitude of management and employees. The Impressionist burger was just spicy enough with its jalapenos, pepperjack cheese and atomic mayo, and our do-it-yourself option was pretty much as ordered. Also worthy of note: nice crispy fries (both sweet potato and regular), and truly delicious frozen custard. (1/23/09)
Overall: B $
THE EGG WORKS
9355 W. Flamingo Road; 368-3447
The Egg Works works as a breakfast spot because whoever’s running the kitchen is creative when it comes to dealing with the basic egg — and lots of other stuff, too. We liked the Works Veggie Benny, the California Crepe, the Cincy Chili Burger and a homemade banana-nut muffin — and the kitschy/farmy/folksy decor of the place. (2/23/09)
Overall: B+ $
THE GRAPE
Town Square, 6599 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 220-4727
Two things surprised us about The Grape: That the wine list wasn’t more broad, and that the food was so good. We thoroughly enjoyed our glasses of 2007 Two Hands Gnarly Dudes Barossa Valley Shiraz, however, as well as a classic Caesar salad; cambozola, prosciutto and fig flatbread; baked brie in pastry; and a tenderloin steak sandwich. (6/19/09)
Overall: A- $$
LAWRY’S THE PRIME RIB
4043 Howard Hughes Parkway; 893-2223
Lawry’s the Prime Rib has a limited menu — mostly prime rib cut at the table by a guy pushing a domed silver cart, with a couple of seafood selections and a rib-eye steak tossed in — but maybe it’s just that stick-to-what-you-know philosophy that had made the company so consistently reliable for 70 years. We love the prime rib (both the California cut and the slightly larger Lawry cut) and also the crisp-crusted sourdough bread, Spinning Bowl Salad, mashed potatoes, creamed corn and lovely Yorkshire pudding. (11/20/08)
Overall: A $$$