CJ'S TEXAS BARBEQUE

7865 W. Sahara Ave.; 233-0190

This is no-frills barbecue that might remind you of those Texas roadside places with the picnic tables and stock tanks of soft drinks and meats ordered by the pound and served on paper. The barbecue includes very good brisket, ribs and turkey; as for the sides, the macaroni and cheese was the best of the bunch. Oh, and we liked the Shiner Bock. (11/23/07)

Overall: B+ $

LA FOCACCIA

8975 S. Eastern Ave.; 650-9800

There were some minor problems with our entrees -- spinach and ricotta ravioli with tomato sauce, browned butter and sage, and chicken pizzaola -- but our starters were nothing short of spectacular, owing to La Focaccia's excellent focaccia. The focaccia in the bread basket, served with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and focaccia-based bruschetta with its tomatoes and basil, roasted garlic and tapenade (and also the mozzarella and roasted red peppers) were so good, we plan to return for the pizzalike special focaccias. (4/24/09)

Overall: B+ $$

ORIGIN INDIA

4480 Paradise Road; 734-6342

I loved the service, atmosphere -- even the ease of access and parking -- at Origin India, but especially the food, of which we sampled the Dahi Ke Kebab (shrimp in garlic sauce), Lhasooni Jhinga (deep-fried patties of yogurt cheese), Murg Lehsooni Kebab (tandoori chicken with garlic), Gosht Dahiwala (lamb cooked with yogurt and a cashew sauce) and, for dessert, a carrot cigar. (10/6/06)

Overall: A $$

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're the former or a highly tolerant member of the latter, and 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. (5/8/09)

Overall: A (if you're a high roller)  B- (if you're not ) $$$$