This website began as a collection of field notes on interesting food I'd tried, or planned to try, in and around New York. Since its launch, in January 2005, I've visited more than 2,000 venues, from white-linen restaurants to elbows-on-the-table eateries, as well as street vendors, fairs, festivals, grocers, and greenmarkets — and my "to eat" list is longer than ever.
The only way to trim it is to hit the road. Four or five times a week I track down, or happen upon, food from all over the world. Much of this food is foreign to me (that's where the "translation" comes in), but I always have an appetite for something new. If you feel the same, Eating In Translation can help point the way.
To follow along on my future travels, you might like to sign up for a free subscription, by email or by RSS. For up-to-the-minute reports (when I have them, which won't be always) on the weekend food festivals that are worth a visit, as well as the ones that aren't, you'll want to follow me on Twitter, too. To dig into my archives, many readers use the categories in the right-hand column (underneath the blue "live activity" box). Most categories cover some part of New York, but others reflect day trips (Jersey City, or perhaps Port Chester) or more-elaborate road trips (Cape Cod, Luang Prabang); a few reflect other themes (say, Fairs and Festivals).
Some readers also enjoy browsing through my Flickr photo sets, where you'll find all the photos that appear on Eating In Translation and many others that don't make it onto the site. Another avenue of approach is to click on any Eating In Translation photo; you'll be taken to a page where you can look at a larger version, or see other photos taken on the same day.
Though can't possibly visit every venue on my "to eat" list, I always appreciate tips on where to go, as well what to order and how not to look like an absolute beginner when my food arrives at the table. Add your comments to any post, or drop an email to DaveCook [at] EatingInTranslation.com.
WOW!! you are truly Amazing!!! keep up the Great Work!
Posted by: Young | December 30, 2007 at 12:34 AM
Love your blog! I check it almost everyday and I completely agree with the sentiments in your post!
Posted by: Anon reader | December 30, 2007 at 01:44 AM
1,800 is an impressive number. Keep it up!
Posted by: jpreardon | December 30, 2007 at 11:33 AM
your blog is my favorite blog in the world. it is my food bible. i check it everyday. thanks for all the great tip-offs. :)
Posted by: julie | December 30, 2007 at 08:24 PM
I'm from Germany and come for vacation to NewYork in january 08. I made a selection of more then 30 spots from your blog I want to visit. I'm enthused from your independet(!) blog! Thank you an keep it up!!
Posted by: Lorenz | December 31, 2007 at 10:47 AM
Your blog and flickr photostream are two big reasons I have settled on New York (Queens, Roosevelt Ave. corridor, to be specific) as my choice of locales to look for a cheap condo for part-time, or even eventual full-time residence in retirement. (It helps too that my daughter lives a stone's throw from a #7 Line subway station.)
I share your love of walking and eating, two great activities best done in concert.
Posted by: Gary Soup | January 01, 2008 at 01:36 AM
I read your blog almost daily. I then transfer some of the names and addresses into my word doc named NYC eats. Thanks and keep on'.
Posted by: Marco | January 01, 2008 at 10:37 AM
I've been swooned by your blog when I stumbled upon it early last year. The foodie community really has a life of its own! Keep up the little bites.
Posted by: Linda | January 05, 2008 at 07:55 PM
I've been reading your blog almost everyday since I found it more than a year ago. I read it because I'm jealous about all the great eats I'm missing out on (I live in Denver) and feel like I can live vicariously through you a little bit everyday. One of these days I'm going to head to New York for a weekend with a big long list and spend the entire weekend searching out lunch counters and deli's and eat all weekend. Thanks for the little journey everyday.
Posted by: The Maiden Metallurgist | January 08, 2008 at 06:31 PM
Just droppin in to say hello! Thanks for all of the past contributions you've made to the site!
Posted by: D. Bell | April 24, 2008 at 07:18 PM
Saw your post just in time this morning, before I headed out to work at Yankee's Stadium! When I was done I made sure to stop by Charles's on the way home. It was delicious, thanks!
Posted by: Stacy | May 15, 2008 at 04:36 PM
Hey, I love your website. Do you know of any african restaurants that are halal...i am dying to try that type of cuisine. Thanks!
Posted by: A | May 20, 2008 at 11:47 PM
A: Yeah, Africa Kine is halal on 116th street. Take the B or C train there, it should be right where you get off the station.
Posted by: Fara | September 03, 2008 at 10:17 AM
I'm dying to know how you fund all your eating out! (I have a pretty popular London restaurant blog, but these days, I only get out twice a week or so.) Do you have a day job? :)
Posted by: Krista | September 27, 2008 at 06:34 AM
Thanks so much for the support and for posting our exhibit, "Counter/Culture-The Disappearing face of Brooklyn's Storefronts" at the Brooklyn Historical Society. We are glad that you share our love of these old mom-and-pop stores.
James & Karla Murray
Posted by: James & Karla Murray | October 01, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Thank you for posting all these great places to eat, any time I travel I check you site for something new and interesting!
Posted by: mixing great cocktails | December 02, 2008 at 10:27 AM
I am just amazed at how comprehensive and diverse your blog is. WOW & THANK YOU!
Posted by: jeanne | December 03, 2008 at 03:36 PM
Hi. Big fan of your site - visit often. Lately I spend 50% of my time in London. Do you know of any blogs like yours that cover it? Thanks!
Posted by: Jen | December 28, 2008 at 10:33 PM
My sister and her family came to NY and we decided to go to the Lower East Side. I wanted to eat at Paradou Marche in the Essex Market..but I didn't see it. Perhaps it closed? No matter, we went to Tiny's Giant Sandwich Shop and the sandwiches are very good. Afterwards, we hit Il Laboratorio del Gelato and I had the pistachio with a dark chocolate...yum!
Thanks for the great suggestions!
Posted by: kathy connelly | December 30, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Welcome to my neighborhood! We have a few pretty good Indian eateries and Usha is one of the best.
Posted by: Debbie | December 31, 2008 at 07:49 AM
Hi,
When you have a moment, please email me. It's about your blog.
Posted by: Brian Relleva | February 20, 2009 at 01:26 PM
Dave you heartless bum.
I had been blogging for a while at uptownkitchen.blogspot.com, then I moved everything I own into storage and moved to rural Virginia for several months. I came back to NYC but had no internet connection, now finally do, and thought "there's no way that Dave Cook has been blogging as vigorously as before. He's bound to have flagged by now." Bah! How do you suppose your actions impact those of us in the lame not-very-dedicated blogging community?
You've been running ahmohk!
Feelings of inadequacy are very quickly engendered among those of us in the inadequate community.
Beautiful pictures, knowledgeable commentary, exotic flavors and hidden gems, all uncovered right under our noses.
I
Posted by: Greg Strong | March 02, 2009 at 05:18 PM
Just added your flickr page.
Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Ulla | March 12, 2009 at 01:22 PM
Blogs are good for every one where we get lots of information for any topics nice job keep it up !!!
Posted by: dissertation help | March 19, 2009 at 01:56 AM
Himalayan Yak. I was in Jackson Heights the other night and saw this place... so I googled it and saw a link to many photos of food and thought.... hhhmmmmmm.... I wonder if the name of this guy is Dave (from meetup)!!!
and sure enough....
Posted by: Gary A. Wexler | March 29, 2009 at 01:03 PM