Lama serves up scrumptious Mediterranean cuisine in The Woodlands

OPINION

The lack of Mediterranean food in The Woodlands is devastating to me. In turn, my Lebanese blood insistently persuaded me to sample a few of my personal favorite dishes at the new cafe, Lama Mediterranean Cafe.

Lama, located on Research Forest Drive (near The Egg & I and Soccer 4 All) serves up authentic Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food. From the cooking to the dishes, Lama is owned by an entire family.

Inside of Lama, customers order at the front cashier and are given a number for their order. Waiters and waitresses are quick to bring your freshly prepared meal to both outdoor and indoor seating.

If you are looking for a true Mediterranean culinary experience, I encourage you to sample an appetizer, a full entree and a dessert. A three course Mediterranean meal may sound expensive, but at Lama prices meet any budget.

For an appetizer, I suggest ordering the fried kibbeh, traditional hummus, or even stuffed grape leaves. Stuffed grape leaves are a traditional Mediterranean dish that consist of sautéed rice, a grape leaf, lemon, and olive oil wrapped together.

Kibbeh is a firmly shaped oval of beef, chopped onion, pine nuts, cinnamon, allspice and paprika. The oval of meat that has been molded is then tossed into a batter and fried. If you plan on eating kibbeh for the first time in The Woodlands, Lama is an exceptional establishment to try it at.

Entrees at Lama consist of everything from various kabobs to a generous array of scrumptious sandwiches.

The combination of moisture and a slight crunch is what makes the falafel sandwich my favorite sandwich at Lama. The falafel sandwich also serves as a versatile menu item for meat eaters and vegetarians alike.

For the kids, a children's menu features beef, chicken and kufta. The main entree item comes with a soft drink and the choice of either rice or fries.

While you are at Lama, I also suggest trying their fabulous tabouli salad. Tabouli is a mixture of cracked wheat, finely cut parsley, diced tomatoes, a hint of mint, olive oil and a splash of lemon. Tabouli has been a traditional dish throughout much of the Mediterranean and Middle East since the Middle Ages. No matter where you go throughout the Mediterranean, tabouli will forever be a popular culinary item.

At Lama, desserts are no stranger to the kitchen. In fact, Lama offers six signature desserts that are made fresh every day. From a crusty baklava to a Middle Eastern twist on the french creme brulee, Lama may become your next sweet tooth destination.

The next time you're struggling to find a relaxing restaurant to sit down and have a meal, Lama is the place to go. With great prices, quality food, and a convenient location, this restaurant is highly recommended.