Bennachin

In a city that owes such a culinary debt to West Africa, it's a wonder there's no other restaurant quite like Bennachin.

The menu features dishes that hail from Gambia and Cameroon (not neighbors, but the original homes of Bennachin's two business partners) such as Gambian shipa shipa ($7.95). Sauteed shrimp, a tomato-based sauce, white rice, and a dusting of cayenne all are familiar from Creole cooking; the dinner roll is an oddity from I know not where.

Bennachin
1212 Royal St. (Gov. Nicholls-Barracks Sts.), New Orleans
504-522-1230