Eating In Translation

World Electronics

And, in smaller type, "110-220 volt, fishing center." For a moment I fancied an electric-eel-like stun gun, then, more prosaically, I envisioned equipment to simply help locate and track the quarry. The tame truth: World Electronics also sells boom boxes and other modest audio gear, in addition to greeting cards and secondhand Polish books, to supplement a tackle-shop business that seems to be the owner's true love.

World Electronics
4603 Eighth Ave. (46th-47th Sts.), Sunset Park, Brooklyn
718-854-3374

Parada Maimon

There's no candy to be found here in flip-top containers. "Pez cotorra," noted the man behind the counter, should have been printed "pescado cotorra," maintaining a common Spanish-language distinction between food fish still swimming free (pez) and caught or prepared (pescado). On offer at this Dominican seafood restaurant: a species of parrotfish that can be colorful enough to pass as Pez but is much harder to catch hold of.

Parada Maimon
25 Sherman Ave. (Sickles-Arden Sts.), Manhattan
212-942-2226

Coney Island Bialys and Bagels

Onion bialy (95 cents).

Coney Island Bialys and Bagels
2359 Coney Island Ave. (Aves. T-U), Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn
718-339-9281
www.Bialys.com

Sunrise Grill

A cookup, in the Caribbean, is an umbrella term for any number of one-pot concoctions. Cookup saltfish (about $4.50) is traditionally prepared with cod, though in light of the recent scarcity of that species, another white-fleshed fish is often substituted. (I didn't get the specifics.) A side order of some sort of carbohydrate is standard, both to get your day off to an energetic start — this is a breakfast dish — and to sop up cooking oils infiltrated with fishy essence.

At this Jamaican truck, the dumplings (50 cents each) serve admirably. They're simply fried dough, without filling, like oversized unsugared donut holes. I've enjoyed them straight up, too.

Sunrise Grill
Truck parked on Broadway between 166th and 167th Sts., Manhattan
Reportedly open weekdays only, early morning till late afternoon

"Masa de pasteles"

The aroma of steaming pasteles, to many New Yorkers of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent, is the aroma of Christmas. Pasteles, which resemble oversized tamales, often feature a labor-intensive filling, and when a home cook sets out to prepare 50 or 100 leaf-wrapped bundles for a single festive occasion, the temptation of time-saving measures is understandable.

For the preparation of pasteles the masa, or dough, is traditionally made from plantain — which seems to be illustrated on the flyer — or some combination of tubers.

"Masa de pasteles"
Flyer seen on West 207th St. at Post Ave., Manhattan

Easy Come

(This venue is closed.) The previous business listed at this address, with this same phone number, was named East Garden. This new enterprise brushes aside worries about laggardly service with an emphasis on quick satisfaction. Four choices, one soup, and surely plenty of napkins.

Easy Come
8621 Fourth Ave. (86th-87th Sts.), Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
718-238-3888

Fuggedaboutit Kosher Pizzeria

Presented purely for the name of the pizzeria-to-be.

 

Fuggedaboutit Kosher Pizzeria
315 Ave. U (McDonald Ave.-West St.), Gravesend, Brooklyn
718-749-9266
www.Facebook.com/pages/fuggedaboutit-kosher-pizzeria/140038696020805?sk=info

"Merry Xmas"

One of numerous Christmas decorations displayed at the Arabic-speaking shops of this neighborhood.

"Merry Xmas"
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn

Arepas Cafe

Venezuela's Christmastime tamale.

Rego Park Jewish Center

The Hungarian-born artist A. Raymond Katz (1895-1974) was well-known for his designs, in many media, in synagogues throughout the United States. This mosaic — fabricated by the V. Foscato factory of Long Island City and shown here in detail and even tighter closeup — depicts an etrog, a variety of citron that figures in the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.

If you know your etrog, you also know that its function is more ceremonial than culinary. But note: Tuesday night is bingo night at this conservative synagogue. Since outside food is not permitted, a concession offers kosher foods including hot dogs, salami, and hush puppies from Ben's Best.

Rego Park Jewish Center
Mosaic designed by A. Raymond Katz, fabricated by the V. Foscato factory, 1948
97-30 Queens Blvd. (64th-65th Rds.), Rego Park, Queens
718-459-1000
www.RPJC.com