New restaurants bring flavor to valley

By Max Jacobson

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009 | 6:34 p.m.

Greetings Vegas epicures.

A spate of openings, of both familiar and new restaurants, is happening across the Valley, so take that, you sluggish economy.

Andre's Restaurant & Lounge at the Monte Carlo has been completely redone and retakes its place as one of the top restaurants in the city. If you want to taste some of his classic dishes, such as an incomparable Dover sole, and the justly famous wines that Rochat has been amassing for three decades, then you're in luck. For additional information, call 798-7151.

Montesano's Eatery, at 9905 S. Eastern Ave. in Henderson, is another old friend. The original location is now closed, but don't despair if you crave this traditional Sicilian family's home style cooking. The restaurant is alive and well.

Specialties such as rich meat and cheese lasagna, and the deliriously rich sausage bread are still mainstays. The phone number is 870-3287.

Meanwhile, Famous Dave's Legendary Pit BBQ has just launched a new location at the intersection of Craig and Losee in North Las Vegas. The hickory smoked baby back ribs and Texas beef brisket are wonderful, as is the sweet water catfish.

Finally, in the "new" category, there is Café Deia, a tapas restaurant located at the confluence of the 215 Freeway at Flamingo. (222-3342.) Tapas are basically grazing size dishes that originated in Spain, where they remain a way of life.

Max Jacobson is the principal food columnist in the Las Vegas Weekly, and a Food and Wine Journalist for Vegas Magazine. He can be reached at 702-990-2454 or [email protected].