Eating In Translation

Big Apple Barbecue Block Party

Mutton, honey.

Goods

(This venue is closed.) Finally, a trailer that's got the goods.

'Cue haiku

The last of these haiku won a contest, and earned me a fast pass, to a prior year's Big Apple Barbecue Block Party.

Honest, dear, I love
your special sauce most of all —
that stain is lipstick.

This little belt notch
is for barbecue, and this
one, for my dessert.

I promised not to
look at other women, dear;
this is barbecue.

Heritage hog haiku

There's just one thing worse
than being eaten, and that's
not being eaten.

The High Line

My first guess was blueberries; maybe I was thinking "high bush." They are, rather, Allegheny serviceberries, one of several serviceberry species found in the five boroughs. Like their more familiar relations, they wear a flared crown opposite the stem and ripen to purplish-blue. Reportedly they're also sweet and juicy, with a blueberry-like flavor; however, the High Line has a "no picking" rule for all its foliage. Allegheny serviceberries do grow wild elsewhere in the city, but probably nowhere in such temptingly easy reach.

The High Line
Near Tenth Ave., between Gansevoort and 20th streets
www.TheHighLine.org

Bluebird Coffee Shop

For a sweltering afternoon, an iced Americano ($3). For a less hot day, the espresso is especially well-regarded, too.

Bluebird Coffee Shop
72 East 1st St. (First-Second Aves.)
212-260-1879

 

South Brooklyn Pizza

(This post is based on a visit to the mini-chain's now-closed East Village location.) The basil was my touch. Where other shops keep canisters of oregano and parmesan, South Brooklyn Pizza also sets out a platter of the aromatic leaves. They don't affect the snap of the thin crust or the chew of toppings like bacon and mushrooms (slice, $5), but they do make for a pretty picture, and I do like fresh basil.

Noted on the takeout menu only after I returned home: SBP has Manhattan Special coffee soda on tap, too.

South Brooklyn Pizza
Multiple locations in Brooklyn
www.SouthBrooklynPizza.com

Apizza

There's also an "old-fashioned grandma Sicilian" with no cheese at all.

Coney Island Farms

Native to southern Brazil and nearby regions of South America, the feijoa has been naturalized in warmer climes in North America, Europe, and Asia. This Dadmali brand jam (360 g.; $3.29) was imported from Azerbaijan. Compared with the ripe fruit pictured on the label, the jam has the color of Fig Newton filling, and the same grainy consistency; the flavor suggests two of the feijoa's other common names, pineapple guava and guavasteen.

In this form it's best spread on toast, but if I find them fresh (was that them, at Manhattan Fruit Exchange, in Chelsea Market?), I'll consult this guide on "How to Eat a Feijoa," by a Kiwi.

Coney Island Farms
2896 West 12th St. (Surf-Neptune Aves.), Coney Island, Brooklyn
718-265-0404

"Table for two, with lemon wedge and cocktail sauce"

Cute couple, but I also like the top-hatted customer hurrying in to his own table, and the proud host guiding the way. All of them, candidates for the shellfish department at Suicide Food.

"Table for two, with lemon wedge and cocktail sauce"
Gyro Corner Clam Bar
Coney Island boardwalk, Brooklyn