Picks of the Week

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.

GIADA'S ITALIAN CUCINA

2540 Anthem Village Drive, Henderson; 462-9830 or www.GiadasItalianCuisine.com

They definitely know how to put the best face on things at Giada's Italian Cucina; even the escarole was just right -- garden-fresh, and slightly crisp -- as part of the Pappardelle Rustico. But the goodness didn't stop there; we also were impressed by the chicken Gorgonzola, Italian nachos, house salads and the pepper spread served with our hot-from-the-pizza-oven bread. (12/10/10)

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 more than 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. (11/20/09)

Overall: A

$$$

LOLA'S A LOUISIANA KITCHEN

241 W. Charleston Blvd.; 227-5652

Lola's would seem to be facing a triple threat -- the economy, a location where others have failed and a New Orleans theme that has failed still others -- but things are looking good. And no wonder, with such skillfully prepared grilled oysters, bronzed catfish, chicken and sausage jambalaya with shrimp and an oh-so-rich custardy bread pudding with rum sauce. (4/9/10)

Overall: A- $$

SEABLUE

MGM Grand, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 891-3486

San Francisco-based Michael Mina has long shown that he has a way with seafood, and if his approach at Seablue is more casual than usual, it's no less creative. Cod crusted with almonds and cooked in a traditional Moroccan tagine with couscous was infused with a sprightly hint of lemon that did honor to both the fish and the preparation method. Besides the tagines, the menu features create-your-own salads, grilled fish and steaks and such starters as a trio of seafood appetizers, whimsical little lobster corn dogs and a warm chocolate pudding cake that was more indulgent than a day at some spas. (7/16/10)

Overall: A$$$