Eating In Translation

Joe's Sicilian Bakery

The backlit glow was irresistible, but a big lunch loomed ahead, and so I did well to hold myself to a half-pound of these lemon cookies ($7.50 per pound). Four cookies would have been light; five turned out to be just a little over. Based on my small sample, I'll bet that these cookies are consistently lemony, but I understood from the counterwoman that their contours, and thus the number of cookies per pound, vary from batch to batch. That is, your frosting may vary.

Joe's Sicilian Bakery
212-16 48th Ave. (212th-213th Sts.), Bayside, Queens
718-225-2272
www.Facebook.com/Joes-Sicilian-Bakery-Inc-246665354994
Closed Monday

BKNY Thai Restaurant

Yakshas are members of "a broad class of nature-spirits ... in Hindu, Jain and Buddhist literature." They may be male or female; many are benevolent, even mischievous. In Thailand, however, where statues of yakshas guard the gates to many Buddhist temples, generally they are given a fearsome appearance that includes bulging eyes, protruding fangs, and what appears to be a stafflike weapon, but perhaps is a massive sword not yet drawn from its sheath.

This Bayside, Queens, mural portrays the architecture of Bangkok against the skyline of New York, much as the restaurant's name combines BK and NY. Also juxtaposing East and West: A towering yaksha guarding a humble parking-lot service door, and a "weapon" that, on close inspection, is nothing more than a gaily painted drainpipe.

BKNY Thai Restaurant
47-11 Francis Lewis Blvd. (at Rocky Hill Rd.), Bayside, Queens
718-281-1900
www.BKNYThai.com

Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs Street Festival

This was not the last of the kataif: A few moments later, the ladies at the pastry station brought out another cinnamon-scented tray that had been held in reserve. While not a time for panic, this was a time for action — a chance to get not only an extra-crunchy corner but also all the loose scrapings that otherwise would go to waste.

Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs Street Festival
Outside the Church of the Holy Martyrs, 209-15 Horace Harding Expy. (at Oceania St.), Bayside, Queens
www.Facebook.com/events/1472985522997055
(The 2015 festival was held on September 12)

Three Brothers Butcher

Good, not glowing.

Cupcakes In Heels

"The Alexander McQueen" ($3.25), a passion-fruit cupcake with a core of curd. The design was originally labeled a special of the week, but its run was extended; this McQueen showing I didn't miss.

Cupcakes In Heels
43-19 Bell Blvd. (43rd Ave.-Northern Blvd.), Bayside, Queens
718-415-2009
www.CupcakesInHeels.com

Teaspoon Bake Shop

How to fashion an eye-catching oatmeal cake: Though the palette is muted and the flavors are quiet, this slice ($3.50) succeeds with a moist crumb and a gently browned surface sparingly striped with maple syrup glaze. It's a head-turner.

Teaspoon Bake Shop
36-41 Bell Blvd. (36th-38th Aves.), Bayside, Queens
718-224-4626
www.TheTeaspoonBakeShop.com

Pesso's Italian Ices

Iced tea with lemon (one scoop each, $2.25).

Pesso's Italian Ices
203-20 35th Ave. (at 204th St.), Bayside, Queens
718-224-9130
www.PessosItalianIces.com