Eating In Translation

Drinks stall

In Malaysia, "asam" or "assam" typically denotes sourness owing to tamarind, but in this case the color was too bright.

Fritters stall

Originally I mistook these for smallish, misshapen jackfruit.

Restoran Fatty Crab

This would be the wrong time to lay off the sauce.

Streetside produce vendor

Rambutans, and a bunch of their strange dark relatives.

Dunkin' Donuts

In Kuala Lumpur, the donuts have a little local color and flavor.

Generoso's Bakery

Generoso's grew up in a Sunset Park that moved away long ago. Inside, a lonely flyer pointed the way to a church bazaar in Bensonhurst, still a Italian stronghold, while the bakery's business card offered a free game at a bowling alley in that same vicinity. (The card, as it happened, was past its bowl-by date.)

Nowadays on this stretch of Fifth Ave., Spanish-speaking servers are a necessity — at Generoso's, the counterwoman spoke fine English as well — but there's room enough, and then some, for Old World recipes. This apple crumb square ($1.50) was right as rain.

Generoso's Bakery
5812 Fifth Ave. (58th-59th Sts.), Sunset Park, Brooklyn
718-492-0895

Stone Arch Farms

No blueberries were farmed during the making of this pie.

Gina's Bakery & Pastry Shop

It's the bomb.

"Trick-or-Treat for Unicef" collection box

The Halloween accessory also makes many black-and-white appearances in Unicef's photo gallery. Get yours at any Toys "R" Us, while supplies last, or order online, where you can also learn about many other ways to participate.

"Trick-or-Treat for Unicef" collection box
Spotted at the Columbia Greenmarket, Broadway near 115th St., New York

Bilingual workers need not apply, part two

"A waiter wanted; must speak Hindi, Punjabi, and English." See also Chinatown, previously.

Bilingual workers need not apply, part two
Notice posted at Maharaja Quality Sweets & Snacks
73-10 37th Ave., Jackson Heights, Queens
718-505-2680