Heidi Knapp Rinella
Food, Restaurant critic
Email: hrinella@reviewjournal.com
Phone: (702) 383-0474
X: @HKRinella
Heidi Knapp Rinella is an award-winning journalist with more than 35 years of experience as a writer and editor at newspapers in Ohio, Florida and Nevada, and is the author of seven books. She’s been with the Review-Journal as a feature writer and food critic since October 1999.
With Pizzeria Monzú, Giovanni Mauro is returning to his roots — and at the same time bringing Las Vegas a less-familiar aspect of Italian culinary tradition.
Jose Rodriguez opened Chavelo’s Mexican Bar Grill in January after years at the old Zapata’s and various renditions of Casa Mercado’s.
Nationally, Mother’s Day is the busiest day of the year for restaurants and that’s certainly the case in Las Vegas, with many announcing special menus. You’d be wise to make reservations so Mom isn’t disappointed.
Cinco de Mayo is a popular day among tequila drinkers, but you can celebrate in style even if you don’t imbibe.
Taste of the Town readers clearly like their Italian sausage , and they have a number of suggestions for Betty Davis, who’s looking for an exceptional version, like she used to get at Montesano’s.
Tacos will be frying and tequila flowing all over Southern Nevada on Saturday — Cinco de Mayo — and here are five sure bets for your celebration.
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is calling it an “urban market,” although it sounds a lot like a high-end food court. Either way, Block 16 Urban Eatery & Bar will bring six dining concepts from across the country together this fall. The collection on the second floor of the resort’s Boulevard Tower will feature Lardo and Pok Pok Wing from Portland, New Orleans’ District: Donuts. Sliders. Brew, a local outpost of New York’s Ghost Donkey tequila and mezcal bar, Hattie B’s Hot Chicken from Nashville and the locally conceived Tekka Bar: Handroll & Sake.
Sam Fox’s collection of almost 50 restaurants covers 14 concepts and spans 6 states, but he finds himself dining at one of them an average of three times a week: Flower Child, which opens in Las Vegas on Wednesday. Flower Child is dedicated to healthy eating, with a mission “to revitalize body, mind and soul.” With an emphasis on fresh vegetables, fruits and lean proteins, it’s clear how it may benefit the body, but as for the mind and soul? Fox says that revitalization comes through the restaurant’s vibe, which he said is “very casual, fun, energetic.” Besides, he says, “When you eat healthy, you feel better mentally and physically.”
For fresh, well-executed sushi with a side of fun, you won’t find a better place in the valley than Sapporo Revolving Sushi. Neither will you have a lazy river of food roll right by your table, or other dishes arrive via talking robotic device.
Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis, the granddaughter of famed film producer Dino De Laurentiis, learned to cook in her family’s kitchens and in her grandfather’s restaurant.
Lyfe Kitchen in Henderson closed its doors for good this week.