For those of you who know Sam Kattan, his journey from Damascus to Austin has been nothing short of remarkable. Like his restaurant on Anderson Lane, The Veranda, Sam's a renaissance kind of guy. His interests vary and so do the offerings on the Veranda's menu. The word eclectic comes immediately to mind: as does tasty. You've got to have patience to get to the Veranda these days. A new Walgreen's has temporarily gobbled up parking spaces and the looming presence of Wal Mart cannot be denied. But The Veranda is here to stay. And it will be worth your while to dine at this most interesting restaurant.

Sam Kattan

Sam sacrificed white table cloths and high-end ambiance in order to make his menu prices affordable. And you can see that in the appetizers: I really like the Chicken Liver Pate which is smooth and has a very nice consistency. Served on fresh Pita bread, how can you say no to this at $2.99?

Or the classic Lebanese Baba Ganuge dip blending eggplant, yogurt and tahini? Not only do you get an instant flavor rush from this dish but again, at $3.99 the price is most reasonable. I don't normally sway to the deep-fried side of things, but the Fried Artichoke Hearts have caused me to make an exception. Love the mellow but crispy appeal of this dish. The Grilled Mushrooms are mesquite marinated and served with a tangy honey Dijon sauce. Very enjoyable taste and again, very reasonable price.

The entrees reflect the wide diversity of appetites a guy like Sam Kattan has. From Middle Eastern to Cajun, The Veranda has something for just about everyone. I am always inclined toward the Cajun Crawfish Pasta. It's done in a light Cajun cream and butter sauce and has a deep and richly rewarding flavor. It's one of the better versions of this popular dish in central Texas.

Another favorite is the sizzling Shrimp Fajitas with the requisite veggies. This dish, like so many others at the Veranda, has its own unique flavors and presentation. Seared shrimp has a wonderful taste, and it's captured in this dish. Sam knows a thing or two about Enchiladas as well, and the Crab Enchiladas in a zesty sour cream sauce with mushrooms and scallions along with Monterrey Jack cheese are tender; and as the layers unfold, the flavors become more pronounced. Also really like the Chicken Cordon Bleu. The Veranda has brought back at lot of 50's-60's retro classics that are hard to find on menus these days. The chicken is stuffed with ham and cheese, and it's moist and flavorful just as I remember this dish when someone actually served it back in the day!

If you're craving a sandwich or burger, The Veranda has an ample supply of these as well. I like the Philly Cheese Steak which feature thinly-sliced skirt steak with sautéed bell peppers and melted Monterrey Jack on, most importantly, a very fresh bun.

So find a way to get past all the construction and make your way to The Veranda at what's left of Northcross Mall. Your taste buds and your pocketbook will say thank you.

(Click here to see their Valentine's Day Menu)

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