Sonio's Cafe 3900 W. Charleston Blvd.; 870-5090 $; Casual The livability of a metropolis isn't measured at the bloated middle, but at the top and bottom where personality thrives. It's places like Sonio's--an unassuming storefront diner serving food fresh, fast and inexpensive--that other cities take for granted. Rotisserie chicken (and associated dishes) is the specialty, while pita wraps and huge salads are excellent alternatives. Suggested Price Keys, Per Person, No Alcohol: $ = <$15 $$ = $16-25 $$$ = $26-$35 $$$$ = $36+

Thursday, January 16, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Mercury

Eat: Recommended Restaurants

This week's theme: The Lunch Bunch

Capriotti's Sandwich Shop

324 W. Sahara Ave.; 474-0229

3981 E. Sunset Rd.; 898-4904

$; Casual

Ten of these no-frills deli counters are sprinkled across the valley, a testament to the bustling business earned by the two originals. Bags of chips and canned sodas are an afterthought, but with messy subs this good, who cares? The notorious Bobbie (Thanksgiving on a bun) is a word-of-mouth fave, while the (usually bland) veggie burger is packed with flavor.

Cheesecake Factory

750 S. Rampart Blvd; 951-3800

3500 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 792-6888

$-$$; Casual/Smart Casual

As far as gimmicky chains go, this ubiquitous, upscale eatery is among the best for lunch and brunch. The speedy service and chi-chi feel belies the well-made comfort food on the massive menu. A dozen tasty salads (meals in themselves) are offered to accompany everything from burgers and breakfast to quesadillas and Cuervo. Plus, the namesake gimmick lives up to the boast.

Coffee Pub

2800 W. Sahara Blvd.; 367-1913

$; Casual

It's been around long enough to earn a nickname and a steady following, and done what is necessary to keep them. "The Pub" was among the first off-Strip breakfast/lunch joints for the power players, with a friendly, efficient staff serving soup with sandwiches on freshly baked bread. Outdoor seating makes this a fave stop during spring and fall.

Doña Maria's

910 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 382-6538

3205 N. Tenaya; 656-1600

$; Casual

This few-frills family-owned Mexican cocina features the expected combination plates, but choose from the tamales menu--pork, chicken, or cheese--as this is Doña's true fame claim. Experienced diners know to request a bowl of the smoking hot chipotle salsa, with a snowy margarita to quench the flame. There's always a futbol match on the big screen, and lunch tables fill fast.

El Sombrero Cafe

807 S. Main St.; 382-9234

$; Casual

Since 1950, El Sombrero has been the archetypical Mexican hole-in-the-wall. A tiny storefront in a part of town most suburbanites ignorantly avoid, El Sombrero is still owned by the same bloodline that launched it. The food is classic Mex-American: cheap, good eats overflowing the plate. Weekday lunches are consistently busy.

Mimi's Café

121 S. Fort Apache Rd.; 341-0365

$; Casual

This Costa Mesa-based diner is a pick of Orange County denizens joyriding to the beach, but the Summerlin version sacrifices the SoCal insouciance. Mimi's serves a very tasty breakfast (and freshly baked muffins) all day, along with a varied menu of comfort food. Beware the lemming locals who jack up the weekend wait time; volunteer to sit at the counter to avoid the line.

Mediterranean Café/Hookah Lounge

4147 S. Maryland Parkway; 731-6030

$-$$; Casual/Smart Casual

Before the local palate appreciated ethnic dining, Paymon Raouf was serving tasty tabouleh and fab falafel to the college crowd. As the city sophisticated, so went the Cafe, adding a Hookah Lounge (with full bar) and expanding the hours and menu. Lunch tables are prime real estate, dinner crowds pleasantly hip and articulate.

Mon Ami Gabi

3655 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 946-4433

$$-$$$; Smart Casual/Trendy

There are few Vegas places that were as quickly adopted by the power lunch and society gal set as this French sidewalk cafe on the Strip. Dining al fresco is clearly underserved in Vegas, for even the platinum prices don't keep people from using the tables here as dealmakers--just as on the real Champs Elysée. A steak fritte, a glass of wine...you are Bardot in waiting.

Tinoco's Bistro

1756 E. Charleston Blvd.; 678-6811

$-$$; Casual

A continental bistro in the most unexpected of places, Tinoco's Euro-Latin menu serves big-city food to an urbane and urban crowd, one that always swells with suits during lunch. Note that founding chef Enrique Tinoco is relocating the original eatery to downtown's arts district, but permitted this one to retain the name.

Z'Tejas

3824 S. Paradise Rd.; 732-1660

9560 W. Sahara Ave.; 638-0610

$-$$; Smart Casual

Locals put off by the carpetbagger vibe of the central location will love the ambiance of the westside spot, where weekends are populated by neighbors enjoying a drink and the game, and the tables are big enough for briefcases. Delicious wild mushroom enchiladas and spicy grilled chicken pasta are choice selections from the Southwestern/cajun-inspired menu.

Wildflower Cafe

3818 Meadows Lane; 258-1554

$; Casual

Once a photo and flower shop with a small cafe (!), Wildflower serves a loyal lunch clientele that adores its indoor/outdoor seating and quiet but central location. The country decor can be off-putting to the average hipster, but the healthful menu choices, including unusual fresh bread sandwiches, homemade soup in bread bowls and smoothies, are consistently excellent.