Columnist Muriel Stevens: Anna Bella, Sonio’s eateries faring well

Friday, Aug. 10, 2001 | 9:28 a.m.

Muriel Stevens' dining column appears Friday. Her shopping and travel columns appear Wednesday. Reach her at 259-4080 or muriel@lasvegassun.com

How are small neighborhood restaurants faring in these days of such fierce competition?

Two of my favorites, Anna Bella Italian restaurant at 3310 S. Sandhill Road and Sonio's (formerly Sonia's) at West Charleston and Valley View boulevards are doing better than ever:

Anna Bella: Entering their seventh year, Anna Bella's owners Janina and Tony Musci beat the odds by succeeding in a location that was a failure for all of the previous owners. How did they do it? With delicious, moderately priced food and caring service.

Janina and Tony are always on hand to greet their diners. Dine at Anna Bella's a few times and more than likely Janina will remember what you like to drink or if you made any special requests (I like my soup hot!).

The eatery is well-lit, comfortable and cozy. The Muscis are always pleasant, rarely ruffled. One busy night when I showed up without a reservation and they couldn't accommodate me, their concern was so sincere I found myself reassuring them that I understood and would return another time. I was happy they were doing so well.

All pasta dishes and entrees ($12.95-$18.95) include a choice of the house salad or the soup of the day and homemade focaccia bread. Portions are generous. I always have enough left over for another meal. Daily specials vary, but if osso buco is one of them give it a try. It's a good value at $24.95. Sometimes the osso buco is accompanied with rice, sometimes pasta or roasted potatoes. Fresh vegetables are also included.

"The main reason for our success and why customers return is consistency," Tony said. "Business has increased tremendously through word of mouth. And it makes diners happy to have the same staff serving them for almost seven years."

If there's a weakness in this Italian Eden, it's a minor one -- dessert. The few desserts that are made at the restaurant (when there's time) are always preferred over the commercial selection. I'd settle, gladly, for a handful of cantucci (small Tuscan biscotti) and a glass of Vin Santo dessert wine.

Anna Bella's dinner hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 4:30-10 p.m. The restaurant will close for vacation Monday through Aug. 28. Reservations are strongly suggested for weekends.

Sonio's: Sonio's young owner George Aretos has business savvy that belies his youth. George was just 22 years old when he purchased Sonia's at West Charleston and Valley View boulevards three years ago. Creative and hard working, George has improved his business from a year ago by almost 30 percent. Consistency and reasonable prices are also his battle cry. The justly acclaimed rotisserie chicken gets its super flavor from the marinade and the slow cooking. It's the best. So are the fabulous pita rolls. Each sandwich is large enough for two.

Many is the time the young entrepreneur has dropped by to have me critique a new dish. Most go on the menu, some don't, but he never stops creating. Just recently he did some remodeling in the cafe and debuted Friday Night Jazz at Sonio's with live jazz from 7:30-10 p.m. No cover charge; food prices are the same and there's a special wine list. It's been a blast.

George is working on another concept (still a secret) that will give him additional visibility. I'll keep you posted.

Sonio's hours are Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Name change and new menu at London Club at the Aladdin: The London Club at the Aladdin has changed the name of its restaurant to St. James Restaurant. Also in place is an elegant new menu offering a host of European and Mediterranean specialties, Thai and Asian dishes and Middle Eastern and Indian fare. The selection is wonderful.

St. James Executive Chef Jacques Van Staden has also added tasting dinners. Van Staden is a superb chef.

The London Club has its own valet parking, adjacent to the Aladdin valet.

Short orders

More Aladdin: Tremezzo Italian restaurant has a terrific new menu and so does the 24/7 Zanzibar Cafe. Tremezzo offers pasta and risotto (from $14), seafood, chicken, veal, beef and lamb, and various chops (from $23). Salads, soups and starters (primi piatti) are priced from $8.

Mario Capone (formerly of Neros at Caesars) is the chef de cuisine.

Mauler and Mondavi: Master Chef Gustav Mauler will team up with Mondavi wines to offer a five-course wine and food experience at the chef's Oxo steak and seafood restaurant at the Regent Las Vegas on Aug. 29. This fine-dining event is $65 per person. Seating is limited. Reserve early. Call 869-2335.

Sur La Table free demo: Resident chef and kitchen equipment specialist Chef Kirby will help you hone your skills at knife sharpening Saturday 1-2 p.m. at Sur La Table at Desert Passage at the Aladdin. Chef Kirby will teach how to sharpen and care for knives and how to choose not only the right knife for the job, but the right knife for you. Demonstration will include a variety of knives from J.A. Henckels, Wusthof-Trident, Messermeister and the keen Japanese blades from Global. Space is limited, so call 732-2706 for a reservation.

Now open:

Cool Place Cafe, at 2055 E. Tropicana Ave., offers everything from the ubiquitous pasta to such cool specialties as chicken tequila. Dinner service Monday through Saturday, 6 p.m.-3 a.m. Call 795-7070.

Bob Tan has brought his Buckingham Smokehouse Bar-B-Q to Las Vegas from Missouri where he has several of the zesty eateries. Can't wait to try the smoked sweet potato topped with butter, cinnamon and brown sugar or the horseradish cole slaw. The brisket, pulled pork loin, turkey and ham are all slow-smoked with hickory wood at very low temperatures. Buckingham Smokehouse Bar-B-Q has been voted "best" by Ozark magazine from 1998-2001. No need to head for the hills. Just mosey over to 2341 Rainbow Blvd. Call 638-7799 for more information.