"It represents the Lucky Strike concept," says Frank Tucker, a director of operations with Pure Management Group. "It's fun dining with fun bowling."

The 10-lane facility at the Rio, 3700 W. Flamingo Road, features hardwood floors, a 25-seat mahogany bar with four plasma TVs and a 90-seat dining area.

Glass walls give passers-by some entertainment, especially on weekends when the nearby buffet lines are lengthy.

Open from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. daily, Lucky Strike turns into a 21-and-older facility at 9 p.m. That's when the music volume goes up and the black light lanes go on.

Reservations are suggested by calling 777-7999.

Starters: Mac and cheese bites with tomato pizza sauce ($8.50); coconut shrimp served with Thai chili sauce ($12.95); crispy onion rings served with chili mayo and ranch dipping sauces ($6.95); crunchy mashed potato rolls, spring roll wrapper stuffed with mashed potatoes and topped with guacamole, tomato, cilantro and sour cream, served with salsa (8.95); and chicken pot stickers served with sweet chili sauce ($7.95).

Salads: Spicy fried chicken salad served on romaine and iceberg lettuce with bacon bits, corn, tomato, cheddar, avocado and ranch dressing ($12.95); classic Cobb salad with romaine and red leaf lettuce, shredded chicken, bacon, avocado, diced hard boiled egg, cucumber, celery, tomatoes, blue cheese and a choice of dressing ($11.95); blue cheese steak salad featuring grilled flank steak on arugula with balsamic vinaigrette and blue cheese ($13.95); and Asian salad with romaine lettuce, napa cabbage, red cabbage, diced chicken with hoisin sauce, bean sprouts and ginger vinaigrette ($12.95).

Entrees: Hamburgers include a choice of cheeseburger ($10.95), bacon cheddar ($11.95), blue cheese onion ($11.95), hot spiced ($11.95) and turkey ($11.95).

Toasted sandwiches include flank steak with roasted garlic mayo, roasted tomato, arugula and blue cheese ($13.95); turkey brie topped with apple butter ($10.95); Lucky Strike Club with turkey, apple smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, mayo and fried egg ($11.95); and barbecue chicken topped with cheddar cheese and onion rings ($10.95).

Among the gourmet pizza choices are classic cheese ($11.95); roasted plum tomato ($12.95); pepperoni ($12.95); potato pie with garlic pureed mashed potatoes, bacon bites, cheddar and mozzarella ($12.95); barbecue chicken with tomatoes, red onion, barbecue sauce, mozzarella and smoked gouda ($12.95); and grilled vegetable with zucchini, yellow squash, roasted peppers, pesto, goat cheese and mozzarella ($12.95).

Extras: Skewers include Key West chicken with citrus herb spice and sweet chili sauce ($10.50), chipotle chicken with chipotle pepper and barbecue sauce ($10.50), Asian chicken glazed with hoisin marinade and served with peanut coconut sauce ($10.50) and lime shrimp with a citrus herb spice and sweet chili sauce ($14.95).

Desserts: Chocolate brownie cake topped with whipped cream ($7.95); PB&J, warm peanut butter cups with raspberry jelly ($6.95); New York-style cheesecake with mixed berries and whipped cream ($8.95); caramel bananas Foster ($7.95); ice cream cookie sandwich ($4.95); and a choice of floats including orange soda, root beer and cream soda ($6 each).

Appetizers is a weekly informational column about new developments on the Las Vegas dining scene. Items should not be considered reviews or recommendations and none is a paid advertisement. Contact Ken White at 383-0256 or e-mail him at kwhite@ reviewjournal.com.