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.

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 cusines 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- $$

GOLDEN STEER STEAK HOUSE

308 W. Sahara Ave.; 384-4470

This icon of Old Las Vegas turns 50 this year but it hasn't faded a bit, with red-leather U-shaped booths and other decor clearly refeshed without losing any of its period charm. We stuck to the classics with a gin martini, shrimp cocktail, tomato salad, cream of corn, Chicken of the Angels, filet mignon and tableside Cherries Jubilee and were pleased with it all. (1/25/08)

Overall: A- $$$$

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- $$

WHITE CHOCOLATE GRILL

9510 S. Eastern Ave., Henderson; 436-7100

That the name of the White Chocolate Grill is a tad confusing does it a disservice, because this is just the kind of place we need in the suburbs; thankfully the locals have figured it out. We did have some white chocolate, in the form of a rich and silken French white chocolate bread pudding, but also liked the tomato-gin soup, grilled fresh artichoke, Dancing Crab Cake and grilled pork tenderloin with apricot glaze. (3/14/08)

Overall: A- $$$