Bites Nearby: Eagle's Landing

I may be among a select few clueless people in these parts who didn't know about Eagle's Landing Cafe & Grill, but I just heard about it this week, and it sounded worth checking out. And when I tried it, I thought other clueless people should know about it, too.

When you walk in, don't let the white table cloths fool you -- the atmosphere is casual, it has a friendly, family-owned (which it is) feel, and the prices are reasonable.

The restaurant specializes in Cajun food, so I had to try the Jambalaya ($10 at lunch, $14 at dinner). With sausage that's house-made, on site, it was pretty good, and not too spicy. Just the way I like it. I had ordered cole slaw for its mouth-cooling effect should I need it - just in case, you never know - and the dressing was really light. Just the way I like it.

The menu offers everything from sandwiches and Poboys to Surf and Turf (the second most expensive thing there, at $19), and just about all the Cajun specialties you can imagine. And there are some tasty-sounding salads, including a tropical one with blue cheese and walnuts.

Of course there are N'Awlins-typical appetizers and soups - shrimp and gumbo among them. But there's also an interesting mix of international cuisine, from Crab Rangoon to Mexican Egg Roll and the complicated bouillabaisse. (I would have tried it, but I noticed it too late. Next time.)

The desserts are also home-made, so I had to try one. I ordered what my waitress said was really popular: bread pudding with amaretto sauce. It was a buttery, yummy, almondy experience, part of which is still in my fridge, waiting to be enjoyed when the first half is digested.

Eagle's Landing has specialty buffets every night: Italian on Tuesday, Mexican on Wednesday, Cajun on Thursday (Fat Thursday buffet), fish on Friday, shrimp on Saturday and shrimp and Tilapia on Sunday.

The restaurant also serves breakfast (with house-made sausage) and brunch.

Oh, and one of my favorite things about the place that I couldn't try out this week: tables outside. Definitely something to keep in mind for next spring.

Eagle's Landing is located at 3001 River Drive, Lawrenceville. Closed on Mondays, it's open Tuesday - Thursday from 6:30 a.m. - 9 p.m., on Friday from 6:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Prices: Appetizers start at $4, salads at $3.50. Sandwiches are $6 and up, Poboys start at $9. Dinner dishes range from $9 (red beans and rice) to $22 (seafood platter).