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Dining Guide: New American

Each week Neon spotlights a different cuisine in the Dining Guide, with New American restaurants this week. Restaurants are rated on a letter-grade scale, from A to F. Opinions by R-J critic Heidi Knapp Rinella (H.K.R.) are indicated by initials. 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.

B.B. KING'S BLUES RESTAURANT & CLUB

The Mirage, 3400 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 242-5464

The atmosphere at B.B. King's evokes the hallowed 'cue halls of Memphis, but the barbecue doesn't quite measure up; while the sauce was good, the ribs were on the dry side - and we're not talking about a rub. Still, it has a certain charm, and we loved the fried pickles and liked the chicken-fried chicken (and especially its caramelized-onion gravy), coleslaw and baked beans. (8/27/10 H.K.R.)

Overall: B

$$

BAR + BISTRO

107 E. Charleston Blvd.; 202-6060

Bar + Bistro's menu has it all - tapas, tapas-style bocadillos (which are sliders) and entrees. What the restaurant doesn't have is a crowd, which is disappointing but not really surprising for the Arts District. What the crowd is missing: tomato gazpacho with the flavor of summer, rich and gooey four-cheese campanelle pasta, sweet baby clams with tomato-saffron broth, sweet plantains, garlic chicken and a fillet-steak bocadillo. (7/15/11 H.K.R.)

Overall: B+

$$

DOUBLE HELIX WINE & WHISKEY LOUNGE

Town Square, 6605 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 735-9463

I was mostly confused by the menu at Double Helix, which is pretty much limited to small plates but isn't extensive enough to allow for the creation of a tapaslike feast. On the other hand, the place is a cozy spot for a glass of wine before or after a movie right across the street, and we liked the our arancini, Brie in a Blanket and the cleverly named Shrimp Hailing a Cab. (1/20/12 H.K.R.)

Overall: B

$$

DW BISTRO

6115 S. Fort Apache Road; 527-5200

Food by a Jamaican native who grew up in New Mexico and features aspects of both cuisines in his menu might sound like a bad mashup, but the chef at DW Bistro is smart enough to avoid fusion confusion. Jerk chicken lollipops were well-seasoned without pouring on the heat, New Mexico-style slow-cooked pork was braised with earthy, peppery undertones and a soy-sage marinade on grilled lamb chops flavored the meat to advantage. (7/30/10 H.K.R.)

Overall: A

$$

ELEMENTS KITCHEN & MARTINI BAR

4950 S. Rainbow Blvd.; 750-2991

That Elements obviously has a lot of regulars didn't really surprise us once we had experienced the great food at this cozy little place. We liked the goat-cheese plate, addictive and irresistible portabella ravioli, flank steak with chimichurrri and Mount Etna lava cake. (3/5/10 H.K.R.)

Overall: A-

$$

EMBERS

740 S. Rampart Blvd.; 778-2160

The crowds that were dining at Boca Park on the evening of our visit weren't dining at Embers, which was a shame, because this place has quite a bit going for it. That includes starters of ahi tuna and bacon-wrapped dates, entrees of miso salmon, a grilled steak salad and a slow-roasted tri-tip, and a rich, fudgy dessert. (6/8/12 H.K.R.)

Overall: A-

$$

FIRST FOOD & BAR

The Shoppes at The Palazzo, 3327 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 607-3478

First is an interesting kind of fusion. The founding chef calls himself Sammy D., which stands for DeMarco, and so old-school favorites are mixed with the newer concepts, the former including the wonderful Rigatoni a la Joey and Magic Mushroom Pappardelle, the latter an equally appealing trio of Lollipop Buffalo Wings, Philly Cheesesteak Dumplings and walnut shrimp. An exemplary, and classic, steak frites and a casual vibe help complete the picture. (6/22/12 H.K.R.)

Overall: A-

$$$

FLEUR

Mandalay Bay, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 632-7200

Small plates - aka tapas - have found popularity in Las Vegas in large part because of the flexibility they allow and the camaraderie they engender, and at Fleur they're done particularly well. We found the Heirloom Gazpacho with Watermelon Pop Rocks to be full of both whimsy and flavor, and also liked the pan con tamate, goat cheese flambe and flatiron chimmichurri, although the In the Shower Mac and Cheese needed more assertive cheese flavor, less assertive lobster flavor. (10/26/12 H.K.R.)

Overall: A-

$$$

GARFIELD'S RESTAURANT

2620 Regatta Drive; 925-8333

We had quibbles (but yes, only quibbles) with most of the dishes we had at Garfield's, but the soothing atmosphere - complete with the view of the lake in Desert Shores - and smooth, efficient service helped us overlook them. Worthy choices: a grilled artichoke with green-garlic aioli, pan-fried sand dabs, a Niman Ranch double pork chop and a chocolate souffle with classic Creme Anglaise. (5/6/11 H.K.R.)

Overall: B+

$$

HERBS & RYE

3713 W. Sahara Ave.; 982-8036

We were disappointed by the absence of the pork-and-figs dish but not by the presence of the carpaccio with arugula, the stacked caprese salad and the 12-ounce Kansas City strip, which was half-off before 8 p.m. Such a deal! And while the gnocchi was a little on the doughy side, we loved its meaty sauce with the chewy texture of pancetta. (3/11/11 H.K.R.)

Overall: B+

$$

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 has made the company so consistently reliable for 70-plus 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. (12/15/11 H.K.R.)

Overall: A

$$$

LOLA'S A LOUISIANA KITCHEN

241 W. Charleston Blvd.; 227-5652

When it opened, Lola's faced a triple threat -- the dismal economy, a location where others failed and a New Orleans theme that 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 H.K.R.)

Overall: A-

$$

OFF THE STRIP

10670 Southern Highlands Parkway; 202-2448

Signature dishes: meatloaf, homemade cheesecake.

P.J. CLARKE'S

Forum Shops at Caesars, 3500 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 434-7900

No, P.J. Clarke's doesn't have the atmosphere of the New York original - and no surprise there - but it does have good food in a comfortable, casual atmosphere. That the legendary burgers still are good is proven by The Cadillac with its bacon and cheese, and we also liked the local bacon-wrapped dates, the sweet-potato fries and the skirt steak with Roquefort. (4/15/11 H.K.R.)

Overall: A-

$$

PICASSO

Bellagio, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 693-8865

Signature dishes: warm quail salad, sauteed medallions of fallow deer.

SAGE

Aria at CityCenter, 3730 Las Vegas Blvd. South; (877) 230-2742

At the Zen-evoking Sage, celebrity chef Shawn McClain has filled his menu with surprises - of only the best kind. There's lavender butter for the rolls, crispy chocolate on the excellent Wagyu beef tartare, charred baby leeks with the bluenose grouper and smoked dates (and shoulder confit) with the Iberico pork loin. (2/25/11 H.K.R.)

Overall: A

$$$$

STACK

The Mirage, 3400 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 792-7800

Signature dishes: Hot Rocks, Adult Tater Tots.

THE STERLING BRUNCH

Bally's Steakhouse, Bally's, 3645 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 967-7999

We thought the food at the venerable Sterling Brunch was as good as ever but were more than a little turned off by the clumsily engineered seating system differentiating high-rollers from those who are not. But if you like roasted half-lobsters, lobster bisque, pepper-and-mint-crusted rack of lamb, desserts, salads, fruits and pastries, you'll probably feel right at home. (8/17/10 H.K.R.)

Overall: A-

$$$$

TABLE 34

600 E. Warm Springs Road; 263-0034

Game isn't exactly easy to find in these parts, so we were mighty pleased to find wild boar as a special on the evening of our visit to Table 34. It was divine - wild, even - and we also liked the fried artichoke heads with lemon aioli, sauteed Idaho golden trout and some particularly tasty breads, including black olive. (5/13/11 H.K.R.)

Overall: A

$$$

TODD ENGLISH P.U.B.

Crystals at CityCenter, 3720 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 489-8080

Todd English's skill at preparing meat definitely is showcased at his Public Urban Bar (but don't take it from us; try the impossibly tender brisket), but somebody's quite the bread baker, too, which showed in the thick rye served with our brisket. Soft hot pretzels were another treat, and the Grisebactom, a grilled brie, tomato and pancetta, is one of the best sandwiches in town. (12/24/10 H.K.R.)

Overall: A

$$

TODD'S UNIQUE DINING

4350 E. Sunset Road, Henderson; 259-8633

Signature dishes: goat-cheese wonton with strawberry-basil sauce, togarashi-dusted rare ahi tuna.

TOMMY BAHAMA'S

Town Square, 6635 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 948-8006

Signature dishes: Cuban sandwich, Sanibel Chicken.

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