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"Natalie's Taste Of Lebanon" is an RVA destination

Nestled in the corner of a strip mall near Innsbrook, on Cox Road, is a local restaurant with what may be the finest Lebanese cuisine in town.

Matthew Sporn

Aug 24, 2018

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"Natalie's Taste Of Lebanon" is an RVA destination

Cheryl Messler Sporn

Nestled in the corner of a strip mall near Innsbrook, on Cox Road, is a local restaurant with what may be the finest Lebanese cuisine in town. "Natalie's Taste Of Lebanon," named after Natalie Schwartz, formerly of "Nora's Taste Of Lebanon," offers a cornucopia of Levantine specialties. Let me tell you about the meal I enjoyed there recently. (Brought Mom along with me!)

Yours truly on the beat!Matthew Sporn

I do have to mention that the night we chose to dine was their inaugural "Debke night." A lesson/celebration of the national dance of Lebanon. Needless to say it was quite busy! We had fresh-baked pita as our starter, with a side of sesame and thyme za'atar for dipping. This is basically their version of "bread for the table," and it didn't disappoint. For an appetizer, we chose Baba Ghannouj, made fresh in house, with warm pita. The Baba was flavorful, without one spice overpowering another.

Our baba ghannoujMatthew Sporn

When we finally decided on dinner (the menu makes FOMO an inevitability,) Mom orderedthe beef schwarma platter, served with rice and vermicelli (topped with almond and pine nuts,) and a tahini drizzle. I ordered Sheikh Al Mihshi, roasted eggplant stuffed with ground beef and pine nuts, along with rice and vermicelli. I wasn't sure what to expect, and I was blown away with the flavour. I ended up cleaning my plate, the eggplant was cooked to perfection. Meanwhile Mom's eyes popped out of her head with her first bite of schawarma. The beef was spit-roasted to perfection, with the sumac, hummus, and tahini making the perfect complement to the succulent beef.

Neither of us could eat anything more, even if dessert was right in front of us. A return trip is a must. 37 appetizers (including salads and breads,) and about 20 main dishes, served with rice (or sometimes salad!) They even have gluten-free and vegan options. Natalie's portions are generous, just like being with family, and a to-go box will definitely be part of the evening.

Natalie's is located at 3601 Cox Road in Henrico, VA, (Innsbrook.) They are open Tuesday-thursday 11-9pm, Friday and Saturday 11-11pm, and Sunday 12:30-9pm.

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"Natalie's Taste Of Lebanon" is an RVA destination

Nestled in the corner of a strip mall near Innsbrook, on Cox Road, is a local restaurant with what may be the finest Lebanese cuisine in town.

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All names should be "unisex names."

1. Communicating via email can be awkward.

2. Appointments usually accompany weird looks.

3. Introducing yourself to someone is never without a hitch.

4. You’ve probably thought about changing your name.

5. You’re often asked why you have the name you do.

6. You get excited when you meet someone of your gender with your name.

7. You feel awkward when you meet someone of the opposite gender with your name.

8. You’ve had someone say to you, “I knew a [your name], but they were [your opposite gender].”

9. You’ve heard a bad joke/pick-up line or two about your name before.

10. People are surprised when they see you.

11. You’re extra sensitive to other unique or unisex names.

12. You’ve fought with your parents about it.

13. All things considered, you’re happy your name makes you unique.

You know that all of these things apply to you. You'll just never tell.

I get it... I'm pale.

1. At least I can't lose you in a crowd!

2. Oh my goodness your skin is like glow-in-the-dark.

3. Can't you just get fake tan?

4. Do you tan or just burn?

5. Your kids are going to look like Casper the Friendly Ghost!

6. *holds arm against your arm* Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. *holds pale arm against another pale arm* Aw, at least you're darker than her!

8. I laid out by the pool almost every day over break!

9. I haven't used sunscreen since I was, like, five.

10. *adjusts selfie lighting to their face* Oops, where'd you go??

11. *after working out* Your face is SO red!

12. *wears white* Look! You're all one color!

13. You need to get some sun.

14. Aren't you excited for summer?

The struggle bus is real.

1. Child prodigies:

2. Hearing other musicians in the practice room next door and accepting that you will never be as talented as them:

3. That anxiety that takes over before every performance:

4. Taking a million 0 credit classes:

5. When there's a paper due the next day, but you have to attend yet another concert in order to pass a 0 credit class:

6. When your friends try to encourage you after a performance, even though you are criticizing everything in your mind:

7. Knowing that there's always that one professor during juries:

8. The oh-so-attractive band/choir uniforms:

9. Realizing that a college campus is maybe not the best atmosphere to finish your latest composition:

10. Hearing "Oh, you sing opera? I LOVE Phantom of the Opera!" for the hundredth time:

11. When people think finals week is a breeze for you.

12. When you're drowning in the stress that comes with 18+ credits (and not to mention all those 0 credit classes) and people ask you how you are:

13. When it all comes down to it, though, you know that at the end of the day, music is your passion:

Because you need it in your life.

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6. holds arm against your arm Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. holds pale arm against another pale arm Aw, at least you're darker than her!

10. adjusts selfie lighting to their face Oops, where'd you go??

11. after working out Your face is SO red!

12. wears white Look! You're all one color!