Eating In Translation

Bahamas Deli Grocery

It would be too much to hope that the proprietors have anything to do with the islands, or that they know the first thing about conch salad. The name, and the palm-tree poster in the front window, are more akin to wishful thinking shared with passers-by. ("Bahamas" plays well in winter; here's a name that makes a stronger appeal in the dog days of summer.)

This 24-hour market does stock several different hard ciders, including bottles from Spain and even Latvia, as well as dusty bottles of wine from California. Check that: "wine product."

Bahamas Deli Grocery
3317 Broadway (at LaSalle St.)
212-222-8001

Fouta African Market

Milk and sugar in my coffee, sure. But pepper?

Touba International Flavor

They're baked on the outskirts of Dakar, Senegal, and shipped overseas in a bag; it's difficult to do them much harm.

"Now in original and extra crispy"

This passing reference to late-night indulgences, from those wonderful folks who brought you the Big Ass Ham. The announcement of Craig Kilborn's premiere dates this recently uncovered ad to 1999. No clue as to why the billboard was peeled rather than completely stripped.

"Now in original and extra crispy"
Lenox Ave. at 125th St.

Margie's Red Rose Diner

(I regret to report the sad news that chef-owner Margie Foster passed away on November 24, 2009. Her daughter Ayoka has told me that she's not yet sure about the future of the restaurant.)

Quesos La Ricura

Possible sign of a Salvadoran spread from Washington Heights southward to West Harlem: this cheese truck, which paralleled my walk down Frederick Douglass Boulevard and made at least two deliveries. Quesos La Ricura also distributes products from Mexico and elsewhere in Central America, too.

Quesos La Ricura
Truck seen on Frederick Douglass Boulevard near 132nd St.
www.QuesosLaRicura.com

New Harlem Halal Meat

"Ingredients: millet."

O'fishole Seafood

A contraction, perhaps, of "old fishing hole"?

Olive's Mobile Cart

Olive's oxtail stew ($6), with carrots and potatoes, features extraordinarily tender meat.

Chef White's 5 Star Grill

The crab sandwich ($4) is very crabby.

Georgia grocery and produce truck

Subtly salty.

Hamilton Food

A little overcooked, just the way it's meant to be.

Keur A.A. Maty African Caribbean Market

Pronounced as in "bouy your spirits."

Café 2115

Flip past the omelettes, sandwiches, and uptown favorites like grits with fish to the West African section of the menu.

Kourtey African Market

We many never know what's with the anchor.

African American Day Parade

Look hard and you'll find more than the typical African American fare.

Fairway FDNY Food Face-Off

Turnout gear not needed.

Questan's

Grill 'em if you got 'em.

Doc's

Purely in the interest of research, I got a double dose.

Fresh Out the Box

Work in some American cheese, and grits become a gut bomb.