Patina African Restaurant

Lady T is the owner and chef at Patina, showing the Bronx what Nigerian home cooking is all about. There's fiery, musky banga (palm nut) soup, briny spinach stew and waachye (rice and peas with beef stew), among other lovely dishes you've likely never tried. The space is small and humble, the prices low, the welcome warm and caring. One of several West African restaurants in the South Bronx, the food here stands out—though call ahead, as the place is temporarily closed for renovations this summer.