Eating In Translation

What's Eating In Translation?

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 thousands of 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.

New York-area food events, February 20-27

African Pop-Up Festival NYC
Saturday, February 22, noon-7:00
Mist Harlem, 46 West 116th St. (Fifth-Lenox Aves.), Manhattan
www.Eventbrite.com/e/african-popup-festival-2020-tickets-87523064843
Tickets: $15 and up

Charcuterie Masters
Saturday, February 22, 6:00-9:00
Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd. (at Linden Pl.), Flushing, Queens
www.NYEpicureanEvents.com//copy-of-charcuterie-masters-2-23-19-1
Tickets: $70, or $150 for hour-earlier VIP admission

Indonesian bazaar at the Elmhurst Memorial League
Sunday, February 23, 11:00-5:00; repeats monthly
Elmhurst Memorial League, 8824 43rd Ave. (near Whitney Ave.), Elmhurst, Queens
www.Facebook.com/iga.bazaar/photos/rpp.563897450807252/744534842743511
Previously: www.Flickr.com/search/?user_id=61177627%40N00&sort=date-taken-desc&text=indonesian%20gastronomy%20association&view_all=1
Free admission

Mac and Cheese Takedown
Sunday, February 23, 2:00-4:00
Lot 45, 411 Troutman St. (St. Nicholas-Wyckoff Aves.), Bushwick, Brooklyn
www.TheTakedowns.com/bkmac2020
Tickets: $25

Cassoulet War by D'Artagnan
Monday, February 24, 7:00-9:30
Kimpton Hotel Eventi, 851 Sixth Ave. (29th-30th Sts.), Manhattan
www.Eventbrite.com/e/6th-annual-cassoulet-war-tickets-88128840735
Tickets: $75; proceeds benefit Action Against Hunger

Kuih Cafe

Dimpled "abacus seeds," named for their resemblance to the counters on the calculating tool, connoted prosperity for the Year of the Rat at this new Malaysian snack shop. Laboriously prepared from boiled yam paste (and, typically, tapioca flour), they mingled with with wood ear and black mushrooms, a little squid, dried shrimp, minced pork, chile pepper, and scallion.

Also shown, from down the block: a freehand spray mural, by BKFoxx for East Village Walls, "for those who find beauty in things discarded."

Kuih Cafe
46 Eldridge St. (Canal-Hester Sts.), Manhattan
646-799-9340
www.Facebook.com/KuihCafe

Cut and Run: Astoria's Pizza Slice Joints

Sold by the slice, pizza is emblematic of New York City. It's an inexpensive antidote to hunger pangs that can be ordered quickly, and eaten quickly, even on the go. Think of Tony Manero, the John Travolta character in Saturday Night Fever, double-decking a pair of slices while strutting through Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.

At a less bouncy pace, we recently visited Astoria, Queens, in search of good slices. Read more on Culinary Backstreets.

Al Raouche

Winding down our long walk before meeting friends for a group lunch, we reckoned we had room for just one of the two weekend-only hot mezze. Make that one-plus: The side plate of pickles and olives was essential to cutting the richness of lamb brain dressed with olive oil, garlic, and lemon. Also shown: condiments. Untouched by us, but I liked the way they caught the light.

Al Raouche
169 Crooks Ave. (at Getty Ave.), Paterson, New Jersey
973-279-5131
www.Facebook.com/AlRaoucheRestaurant
Closed Tuesday

Ameer Bakery

In late morning, still warm from the oven: a Palestinian pie with the salty allure of organic Nabulsi cheese (comped by the owner). This was, in fact, a two-cheese pie; the second was mozzarella.

Ameer Bakery
243 Buffalo Ave. (Columbia-Lehigh Aves.), Paterson, New Jersey
973-998-6444
www.Facebook.com/Ameer-Bakery-Patterson-NJ-105548687556664
Closed Tuesday