Eating In Translation

Syrup of Figs

Syrup of figs was much more interesting when I thought it was a dessert rather than a remedy.

Surviving signage for Syrup of Figs
Greenpoint Ave. (seen from Franklin Ave.), Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop

The donut shop that wouldn't grow up.

Lomzynianka

They were already out of the pickle soup.

Old Poland Bakery & Restaurant

Genial, blue-collar setting for filling chow at working-class prices. This fried pork cutlet with mashed potatoes, plus a side of cucumbers in sweet dill sauce, ran me just $5.

Old Poland Bakery & Restaurant
190 Nassau Ave. (at Humboldt St.), Greenpoint, Brooklyn
718-349-7775

Syrena Bakery

Massive establishment that must do a great deal of wholesale business; retail customers seem to prefer takeout to the fair-sized but rather functional seating area. My cheesecake ($6 per pound) had a crumbly, grainy top, and though ostensibly "plain," it had orange overtones, too.

Syrena Bakery
207 Norman Ave. (at Humboldt St.), Greenpoint, Brooklyn
718-349-0560
Closed Sunday

Stodycze Wedel

I'm exceedingly fond of wafer cookies. They may not be the epitome of the candymaker's art, and the coconut may traditionally have been a stranger to Polish climes, but hazelnut seemed a safe bet. Sadly, the Prince Polo brand (40 g.; 69 cents each) gave a less-than-noble effort, but Stodycze Wedel offers many more sweets I have yet to sample.

Stodycze Wedel
772 Manhattan Ave. (at Meserole Ave.), Greenpoint, Brooklyn
718-349-3933