FM 1960 is a conundrum for foodies. Driving along the road you'll pass dozens and dozens of restaurants, but very few that are on the radar for Houston's notoriously loop-centric foodie community.

So what is a suburban foodie to do? Venture off the beaten path, and try someplace new.

Our latest discovery is Le' Pam's House of Creole, a small, tidy restaurant located in an unassuming strip center just west of 1960 and Ella. We'd been hearing rumblings from member of the Woodlands Area Foodies group about great food from Le' Pam's, so we looked forward to investigating.

Upon entering the restaurant, we were immediately greeted by the friendly, professional counter staff. The aroma of creole spices filled the air, and we perused the menu board to consider our choices.

"Don't look at the menu." said a musical voice. It turns out it was from Miss Pam, aka Chef Pamela Graham, the powerhouse behind Le' Pam's. Her husband, Lee, was manning the register. Miss Pam is a force of nature - a classically trained chef who was raised in the kitchen and has the love of food you find of a native of New Orleans... or Houston.

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"Today is Sunday dinner. Here's what I'm cooking." Miss Pam ran down a list of enticing options, but two items stood out for us: Shrimp and Grits, and what Miss Pam calls her Trio.

The Trio is an enticing marriage of three delicious parts.

The base is a dark, lush, rich example of the Louisiana favorite, dirty rice. Miss Pam's version is darker, moister, and more flavorful than any we can remember sampling. Miss Pam's creole seasonings carried a subtle heat that accented rather than overpowered; it was a masterful example of restraint delivering a delicious result.

Next is a breaded, perfectly fried catfish filet. This is not your run-of-the-mill catfish; it's moist, tender, and delicious. The light cornmeal breading is light and crisp, and the seasoning again accents rather than overpowers.

Topping things off is a crawfish etoufee that's fresh, rich, and an excellent counterpoint to the lush dirty rice and the flavorful fried fish. The result is a very successful dish that we can't wait to eat again.

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Our other entree was Miss Pam's take on the iconic dish, shrimp and grits. Large, beautifully sauteed shrimp are served barely al dente. These well-prepared crustaceans are perched atop the creamiest, smoothest grits we've tasted in Houston. I don't know what sort of voodoo Miss Pam uses to prepare these grits, but the result is nothing short of spectacular. These are grits that will delight people who don't normally like grits.

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During the meal, members of Le' Pam's staff were back and forth between the kitchen and the dining room ("My living room" says Miss Pam, and the comfortable, homey setting is far more evocative of a living room than a strip center) filling our drinks, and offering to let us sample other delights. We didn't have room for dessert, but Le' Pam's cobblers, bread pudding, and banana pudding are treats we can't wait to sample on our next visit.

FM 1960 has a new destination restaurant. Le' Pam's House of Creole is as warm and inviting as its chef. And the food left us full, but wanting more. We'll be back soon.

Le' Pam's House of Creole | 1644 FM 1960 W | Houston | 281-444-1464

Living in the Woodlands spoils you in many ways. The town has grown up since its humble beginnings, and now boasts a population of nearly 100,000, along with a range of upscale businesses dedicated to supporting the highly sought-after demographic. And the restaurant scene is thriving, with some of Houston's best restaurants calling the Woodlands home. There's even a Facebook group devoted to finding great food in the Woodlands and surrounding areas.

For some, the Woodlands is a sort of bubble that never has to be left. But not for me, nor for other dedicated foodies who are always in search of great new places to eat.

What the Woodlands doesn't have is a wide selection of small, ethnic restaurants, particularly the Asian spots that pop up all over the Houston area. The independents that do call the Woodlands home trend toward the upscale, largely due to the rents in the Woodlands proper.

But as someone who loves Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, and Japanese cuisine, especially from small, family run establishments, venturing outside the bubble is a way of life if you're in search of great food. But which way to go?

Fortunately, friends in the Woodlands Area Foodies group are avid culinary explorers, and new suggestions appear on a regular basis. We've learned to trust the recommendations of several of the members implicitly, and when they say "Let's meet here for lunch!" we jump at the chance.

Proprietor Alex Nguyen talks with WAF members Huy Dang and Tom Nguyen (eclipsed)

A case in point is Nguyen Ngo 2, an Vietnamese sandwich shop located just south of FM 1960 on Bammell North Houston road. NN2, as regulars call it, specializes in that delicious Vietnamese sandwich that has become iconic in H-Town,  the Banh Mi.

Banh Mi is a big deal in Houston, driven largely by our large Vietnamese community. Even Houston's home-grown high-end burger chain, Beck's Prime, has rolled out its take on the Banh Mi.

Nguyen Ngo 2's version of this iconic sandwich is far more traditional. The proprietor, Alex Nguyen, learned sandwich making from his grandfather in Viet Nam - a photo taken in the 1960's showing the elder Nguyen's chicken sandwich shop hangs proudly on the wall.

The formula at Nguyen Ngo 2 is a distillation of the classic Banh Mi, but with subtle adjustments to make it appeal to a broader, modern audience. Gone is the sometimes harshly crunchy bread found in some AsiaTown Banh Mi shops; it's replaced with freshly baked french rolls with just a touch of crunch, and a soft, gently chewy interior. Numerous different meats are available, and Alex is on hand to guide a newcomer toward a sandwich that will appeal to him. All of the traditional veggies are present in extremely crisp, fresh form; the traditional pickled carrots have been toned down, again with a nod toward broadening the sandwich's appeal.

First we tried the slice ribeye Banh Mi, a fusion of the cuisine of Ho Chi Minh City with that of Philadelphia by way of Houston.

Sliced Ribeye Banh Mi at Nguyen Ngo 2

This sandwich grabbed our attention with its amalgam of flavors that came together in a harmonious whole. The rich, beefy flavor of the marinated, thinly sliced roast beef was accented by the sharp notes of the fresh jalapenos, the earthy flavor of the fresh cilantro and sliced carrots, and the tang of the housemade garlic mayo, which reminded us much more of an aoli. This sandwich is a great introduction to Nguyen Ngo 2, and made us anxious to try more.

Though we weren't really hungry, another sandwich was calling our name. Tom spoke highly of the combination of Vietnamese meatballs and sausage, and we had to try it.

Meatball and Sausage Banh Mi at Nguyen Ngo 2

As much as we loved the ribeye, this sandwich is our new Banh Mi crush. Sweet, savory, gently hot, nicely tangy, with crunch and chew and softness all rolled into one sandwich. A superbly crafted dish from a world-class chef will hit you from several distinct directions at once, and this sandwich easily falls into that category. It is among the best sandwiches we've ever tasted, and at under $4, it represents an unparalleled value.

Lex brought out a small container that he wanted us to try. It contained their house made Vietnamese kimchee. We'd only sampled Korean kimchee before, and were looking forward to trying this different version.

Vietnamese Kimchee at Nguyen Ngo 2

We were not disappointed. The traditional sourness and vinegar balanced with a kick of ginger and just the right touch of heat. The result is both refreshing and satisfying; perhaps the perfect side dish for a hot Houston day. If some BBQ joint doesn't talk Lex out of this recipe and add it as a side, they're missing out; it would pair perfectly with some great smoky brisket.

To say we're fans of Nguyen Ngo is to put it mildly. This small, jewel-like restaurant is a perfect example of what makes Houston's food scene so remarkable. Even those on a tight budget can enjoy superb cuisine served by an owner who is both talented and engaged with his customers. You can certainly pay a lot more for lunch in Houston, but you'll be hard pressed to find a meal you'll enjoy more.

Nguyen Ngo 2 | 14015 Bammel N Houston Road | 281-895-8998

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There's a notable new Italian place on the dining scene, and it's in an area of town that really needs more great restaurants.

La Baraonda is a great example of what a small restaurant can be when the front of the house and the back of the house are in sync. It's the antithesis of the soulless chain restaurant, a wonderful, family-owned establishment that's infused with the skill and attention of the proprietors.

Located in a strip center behind a Whataburger, the location is not one that says fine dining. But step inside, and your opinion changes instantly.

The lovely, jewel-like interior is divided into small areas for a more intimate feeling. The design is tasteful and restrained, beautiful fabrics, nice quality tableware, and an eye for detail complete a very good first impression. It's a great spot for a romantic dinner, or a quick lunch in a lovely setting.

And it lasts. Gus (one of the owners) took care of us on our recent visit, and was both professional and warm. A veteran of the Houston restaurant business, his expertise shows in thoughtful recommendations and an eye that anticipates a customer's needs.

And the food is outstanding. At Gus's recommendation, I tried the Chicken Marsala. The Marsala reduction was superb; clearly a very good quality wine was used, and the thyme and other flavors complemented the wine. Plenty of crimini mushrooms topped this delicious dish.

Everything is made in-house, from all the sauces to the excellent Italian sausage, rich with fennel. Notable is the delicious garlicky pesto that is served with the bread. It's even better with the superb garlic bread, made from pannini bread, fresh crushed garlic, and toasted in the pannini press.

Prices are very reasonable, and considering the quality of the cuisine, it's a genuine bargain.

The FM 1960 area has a new star for fine dining. If you've not tried La Baraonda, you're missing out. Make sure to tell Gus hello when you stop by.

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