Eating In Translation

Nicole's Caribbean Restaurant

Eight flags adorn the awning.

Europa Meat Market

(This venue is closed.) I was under the impression that paczki (Pownsh-kee, 99 cents) were without exception the Polish cousins of American jelly doughnuts. This shop does sell them, both powdered and glazed. In the words of the counterwoman, however, this chocolate-shrouded paczki was filled with something like "Boston cream."

Europa's baked goods are surely brought in from outside. In addition to the many smoked meats that are the shop's true specialty, I also eyed a terrine that resembled an elaborate, herbed head cheese, spread across a large casserole.

Europa Meat Market
527 Jersey Ave. (Newark Ave.-Christopher Columbus Dr.), Jersey City
201-763-7243

Tommy 2 Scoops

(This venue is closed.) Strawberry-watermelon sorbet atop coffee gelato (two scoops, $4.50). To date, some 50 housemade flavors have appeared in Tommy's display case; with luck, on a return visit I'll find myself face-to-face with coconut curry.

Tommy 2 Scoops
177 York St. (Marin Blvd.-Van Vorst St.), Jersey City
201-360-0791
www.Tommy2Scoops.com

Excellent Thai

(This venue is closed.) You could call them tofu tots.

Nha Trang Market

(This venue is closed.) Despite the sound of the brand name and the Spanish subtitle, Foco beverages are canned by a Thai company.

Made with Love

(This venue is closed.) Belying the heart-shaped plate, this lemon-poppy raised donut ($2.50) was not cloyingly sweet, thank goodness.

Made with Love
530 Jersey Ave. (Newark Ave.-Christopher Columbus Dr.), Jersey City
201-451-5199
www.MadeWithLoveOrganics.com

El Gaucho Restaurant

(This venue is closed.) For getting comfortable, there's nothing like your favorite "old clothes."

"Garden wall"

To the problem of scant garden space in the city, a response from Mother Nature. Downsides: Even on an east-facing wall, the heat from the bricks has begun to parch the leaves; the roots will continue to decay the mortar and the building as a whole; and, if you tried to plant this vertical garden yourself rather than leaving it to the wind, your dandelions would probably never take hold.

"Garden wall"
Union City, New Jersey

Centroamerican Deli and Grocery

(This venue is closed.) The grocer hails from Nicaragua; so does the soft drink.

El Carrito de la 99 St.

(This venue is closed.) At its busiest this little cart is very busy.