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.

HAVANA GRILL

8878 S. Eastern Ave.; 932-9310

If you like Cuban food you're no doubt familiar with the Florida Cafe, and this younger sister also showcases the cuisine at its best. We liked it all, which included tostones -- twice-cooked green plantain -- topped with Ropa Vieja, Picadillo and shrimp (no, not together), Lechon Asado, Vaca Frita, the stacked flan and tres leches dessert tower called Riquimbin -- even good fresh Cuban bread, buttered and warmed in a press. (3/27/09)

Overall: A- $$

LOU'S DINER

415 S. Decatur Blvd.; 870-1876

Lou's is the kind of diner you seldom find anymore -- which is to say a good one. It's clean and neat and the service is prompt and best of all the old-fashioned breakfast favorites are great. We liked the Country Combo, which was eggs, sausage and sausage gravy atop a split biscuit, eggy-edged sourdough French toast with a side of bacon, and a bacon cheeseburger. And a homemade cinnamon roll was nothing short of amazing. (8/18/08)

Overall: A $

STRIP HOUSE

Planet Hollywood Resort, 3667 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 737-5200

Don't the bawdy-house-schtick decor fool you; Strip House is serious about the food (and hey, we kinda like the red flocked wallpaper). A lagniappe of excellent smoked-potato soup set the pace for a dinner that also included ooey-gooey (and amazing) Gorgonzola fondue with strips of garlic bread, seared scallops with an edamame succotash, delightfully lemony lobster linguine, a lovely bone-in New York strip and smashing black-truffle-and-bacon creamed spinach. (5/14/10)

Overall: A $$$$