Eating In Translation

Street Vendor Project Scavenger Hunt 2023

I love street food, I appreciate and respect street food vendors, and I admire the Street Vendor Project. Through its continuing efforts — including the NYC Street Vendor Scavenger Hunt, which returns on Saturday, May 6, and continues through May 31 — the SVP champions the rights of street vendors as small businesses to earn a living and contribute to the culture and life of New York City.

Everyone is welcome to join the hunt. But even if you don't have time to pound the pavement as often as I do, I hope you'll join me with a donation to the SVP for as little as you spend on your morning coffee, midday sandwich, evening stir-fry, or late-night snack. Thanks!

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/urban-justice-center/nyc-street-vendor-scavenger-hunt-2023/dave-cook-1

New York-area food events, May 4-11

The Charm of Asia
Saturday and Sunday, May 6-7, 11:00-4:00
Tangram Mall, 13333 39th Ave. (Prince St.-College Point Blvd.), Flushing, Queens
www.Instagram.com/AAAC168
Free admission

Indonesian bazaar at the St. James Parish House
Saturday, May 6, 11:00-5:00; repeats monthly
Parish house of St. James Episcopal Church, 8407 Broadway (St. James-Corona Aves.), Elmhurst, Queens
www.Facebook.com/IndonesiaFoodBazaar
Previously: www.Flickr.com/search/?user_id=61177627%40N00&sort=date-taken-desc&text=indonesian%20james&view_all=1
Free admission

Kickoff event: NYC Street Vendor Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, May 6, noon-1:00; the hunt continues through May 31
Maria Hernandez Park, Bushwick, Brooklyn
https://secure.givelively.org/donate/urban-justice-center/nyc-street-vendor-scavenger-hunt-2023
"Go on a citywide adventure to complete fun challenges and win prizes ... meet the street vendors who make our city unique, test your street food trivia skills, and try new foods — all while supporting NYC’s only street vendor organization!"
See the website for registration details

New York-area food events, April 27-May 4

Budmo! Recipes from a Ukrainian Kitchen
Friday, April 28, 6:30-8:30
Ukrainian Institute of America, 2 East 79th St. (at Fifth Ave.), Manhattan
www.Eventbrite.com/e/a-culinary-evening-with-anna-voloshyna-and-francis-lam-tickets-609635144127
Tickets: $42, or $72 including a copy of the book

JapanFes: New York Ramen Contests
Each covers one block of a longer street festival; other JapanFes events repeat periodically, at various locations, through October
Saturday, April 29, 10:00-6:00
Eighth Ave. between 16th and 17th Sts., Manhattan
www.JapanFes.com/new-blog/2023/oct-new-york-ramen-conteset-manhattan-7a3r8
Sunday, April 30, 10:00-6:00
Steinway St. between Broadway and 34th Ave., Astoria, Queens
www.JapanFes.com/new-blog/2023/oct-new-york-ramen-conteset-manhattan-7a3r8-67j55
Free admission

Each of the following three events covers one block of the same longer street festival as the Manhattan ramen contest above. That is to say, on Saturday, on Eighth Ave. between 16th and 22nd Sts., you'll find a block each of Japanese, Indonesian, Taiwanese, and generally Asian Pacific American stalls, most likely with some zeppole and mozzarepas thrown in for good measure.

New York Indonesian Festival
Saturday, April 29, 10:00-6:00; repeats monthly, but in Elmhurst, Queens
Eighth Ave. between 17th and 18th Sts., Manhattan
www.Instagram.com/p/CrGQ_H2OKiG
Previously, in Queens: www.Flickr.com/search/?user_id=61177627%40N00&sort=date-taken-desc&text=indonesian%20james&view_all=1
Free admission

Taiwan Fest
April 29, 11:00-5:00; repeats periodically, in various locations
Eighth Ave. between 20th and 21st Sts., Manhattan
www.TaiwanFest.nyc
Previously, from the same organizers: www.Flickr.com/search/?user_id=61177627%40N00&sort=date-taken-desc&text=passport&view_all=1
Free admission

Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival
Sunday, April 29, 10:00-6:00
Eighth Ave. between 21st and 22nd Sts., Manhattan
www.Instagram.com/p/CrJV0TAO3Cz
Free admission

New York-area food events, April 20-27

Eating: Otherness potluck, artist talk, and catalog launch
Thursday, April 20, 6:00-8:00
EFA Project Space, 323 West 39th St. (Eighth-Ninth Aves., 2nd fl.), Manhattan
www.ProjectSpace-EFANYC.org/eating-otherness
Free admission

Urban Ecosystems: Living Among the Plants, Animals, and Fungi of NYC
Thursday, April 20, 6:30-7:30
Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave. (at 103rd St.), Manhattan
www.MOFAD.org/calendar/https/wwwmofadorg/calendar/04202023/urbanecosystems
Tickets: general admission, $25; save $5 with code GARDEN5

The Big Cheese
Thursday, April 20, 6:30-9:30
The Stone House, 1150 Clove Rd. (at Cheshire Pl.), Staten Island
www.Eventbrite.com/e/the-big-cheese-tickets-457353345167
Tickets: $69; proceeds benefit The Grace Foundation

Earth Day Songkran
Saturday, April 22, 9:00-4:00
Little Thailand Way, Woodside Ave. between 75th and 79th Sts., Elmhurst, Queens
www.Facebook.com/photo?fbid=266975232327268&set=pcb.266975705660554
Previously: www.Flickr.com/search/?user_id=61177627%40N00&sort=date-taken-desc&view_all=1&text=songkran%20woodside
Free admission

Sami's Kabab House: Afghan in Astoria

"Many of the best-known dishes of Afghanistan ... resemble those of neighboring countries along the Silk Routes that long ago connected China and the Mediterranean. ... Our lamb kabab, however tender, would look like many other New York kababs except for the accompanying heap of Qabuli pulao, steamed rice caparisoned in raisins and julienned carrots. The sweetness of the raisins, and especially the carrots, wonderfully complements the fluffiness of the rice and juiciness of the meat. In Afghanistan, lavish versions of Qabuli pulao are prepared for celebratory occasions; in Astoria, we can celebrate whenever we like." Read more on Culinary Backstreets.

New York-area food events, April 13-20

Season opener: Uptown Night Market
Thursday, April 13, 4:00-10:00; repeats monthly through October
West 133rd St. at Twelfth Ave., Manhattan
www.MascHospitalityGroup.com/uptownnightmarket
Previously: www.Flickr.com/photos/eatingintranslation/52013600345/lightbox
Free admission

JapanFes
Saturday, April 15, 10:00-6:00; repeats periodically, at various locations, through October
Sixth Ave. between 24th and 26th Sts., Manhattan (two blocks of a longer street festival)
www.JapanFes.com/new-blog/2023/new-york-japanfes-mwk8p
Free admission

Season opener: Philippines Fest
Saturday, April 15, 10:00-6:00; repeats periodically, at various locations
Sixth Ave. between 27th and 28th Sts., Manhattan (one more block of the same longer street festival)
www.Facebook.com/photo?fbid=164774966344031&set=a.131291099692418
Free admission

Season opener: Queens Night Market
Saturday, April 15, 5:00-midnight; ticketed entry repeats April 22; free entry on Saturdays begins April 29
Near the New York Hall of Science, 4701 111th St. (inside Flushing Meadows Corona Park), Corona, Queens
www.QueensNightMarket.com
Previously: www.Flickr.com/search/?user_id=61177627%40N00&sort=date-taken-desc&text=queens%20night%20market&view_all=1
Tickets: adults, $5 advance/$8 onsite, if available; children under age 12, free; a portion of ticket proceeds benefits charity

New York-area food events, March 30-April 6

Season openers: Smorgasburg
Friday, March 31: WTC/Oculus Plaza, Fulton St. at Church St., Manhattan, 11:00-7:00
Saturday, April 1: Marsha P. Johnson State Park, 90 Kent Ave. (at North 7th St.), Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 11:00-6:00
Sunday, April 2: Breeze Hill, East Dr. at Lincoln Rd., Prospect Park, Brooklyn, 11:00-6:00
www.Smorgasburg.com
Free admission

JapanFes
Saturday, April 1, 10:00-6:00; repeats periodically, at various locations, through October
Broadway between 115th and 116th Sts., Manhattan (very likely just one block of a longer street festival)
www.JapanFes.com/new-blog/2022/new-york-japanfes-25lp2
Free admission

Indonesian bazaar at the St. James Parish House
Saturday, April 1, 11:00-5:00; repeats monthly
Parish house of St. James Episcopal Church, 8407 Broadway (St. James-Corona Aves.), Elmhurst, Queens
www.Facebook.com/IndonesiaFoodBazaar
Previously: www.Flickr.com/search/?user_id=61177627%40N00&sort=date-taken-desc&text=indonesian%20james&view_all=1
Free admission

Tastes of Franklin
Saturday, April 1, 2:00-6:00 (postponed from March 25)
Various locations in Crown Heights, Brooklyn
www.Instagram.com/p/CqIjauXOTVk
Tickets: four tastes, $35; twelve tastes, $100; proceeds benefit Seeds in the Middle

Hungarian Artisan Market
Saturday, April 1, 10:00-2:00
American Hungarian Foundation, 300 Somerset St., New Brunswick, New Jersey
www.Facebook.com/AmericanHungarianFoundation/photos/a.1979413272069823/6404999806177792
Free admission

Jersey City Night Market
Saturday, April 1, 3:00-9:00; repeats periodically through October
Outside City Hall, 179 Montgomery St. (at Marin Blvd.), Jersey City
www.Eventbrite.com/e/jersey-city-night-market-tickets-518291813767
Free admission

Our Lady of Czestochowa-St. Casimir Palm Sunday Bake Sale
Sunday, April 2, "after all masses"
Our Lady of Czestochowa-St. Casimir, 183 25th St. (Third-Fourth Aves.; take walkway to the lower rectory hall, in back), Greenwood, Brooklyn
www.Flickr.com/photos/eatingintranslation/52779934028/lightbox
Previously: www.EatingInTranslation.com/2020/04/babka-cake-and-pierogi-sale.html
Free admission

New York-area food events, March 23-30

Hoboken Mac & Cheese Festival
Saturday, March 25, 1:00-5:00, rain or shine
Various locations in Hoboken, New Jersey
www.Eventbrite.com/e/4th-annual-hoboken-mac-cheese-festival-tickets-524528688427
Tickets: adults, $35; kids, $12

Season opener: JapanFes
Sunday, March 26, 10:00-6:00; repeats periodically
Astor Pl. between Broadway and Lafayette St., Manhattan
www.JapanFes.com/new-blog/2022/new-york-japanfes
Free admission

Phagwah Parade and Celebration
Sunday, March 26, noon-late afternoon
Parade proceeds west along Liberty Ave. from 133rd St. to 124th St., then north to the festival site at Phil "Scooter" Rizzuto Park (also known as Smokey Oval Park), Richmond Hill, Queens
www.Facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10220898612601142&set=g.198816453919976
Don't wear your best clothes: www.EatingInTranslation.com/2020/04/phagwah-celebration-in-richmond-hill.html
Free admission

Pulp: A Practical Guide to Cooking with Fruit
Tuesday, March 28, 6:00-8:00
Archestratus Foods, 160 Huron St. (near Manhattan Ave.), Greenpoint, Brooklyn
www.Instagram.com/p/CqA82DQuFkk
Free admission

Recipes for the (R)Evolution: Food as Ritual, Culture and Performance
Wednesday, March 29, 7:00-8:30
Ace Hotel Brooklyn, 252 Schermerhorn St. (Bond-Nevins Sts.), Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
www.MOFAD.org/calendar/03292023/radicalevolution
Tickets: $40; advance purchase required

New York-area food events, March 16-23

MAHAA Burmese fundraiser at the St. James Parish House
Saturday, March 18, 11:00-3:30
Parish house of St. James Episcopal Church, 8407 Broadway (St. James-Corona Aves.), Elmhurst, Queens
www.Facebook.com/photo/?fbid=509985151318621&set=a.481787474138389
Previously: www.Flickr.com/search/?user_id=61177627%40N00&sort=date-taken-desc&view_all=1&text=mahaa
Free admission; proceeds benefit the Myanmar American Humanitarian Aid Association

Indonesian bazaar at the Elmhurst Memorial League
Sunday, March 19, 11:00-5:00; repeats periodically
Elmhurst Memorial League, 8824 43rd Ave. (near Whitney Ave.), Elmhurst, Queens
www.Facebook.com/photo/?fbid=536065655302885&set=a.511062054469912
Previously: www.Flickr.com/search/?user_id=61177627%40N00&sort=date-taken-desc&text=indonesian%20gastronomy%20association&view_all=1
Free admission

Main Street Pops Artisan Market
Sunday, March 19, 11:00-4:00; repeats monthly
Under the 14th St. Viaduct, Hoboken, New Jersey
www.Instagram.com/p/CpqYBjWPUdE
Free admission
Via The Hoboken Girl

El Mercado de Jackson Heights
Sunday, March 19, noon-4:30
Community Methodist Church, 8110 35th Ave., Jackson Heights, Queens
www.Instagram.com/p/Co3RLdoun5i
Free admission

Masa, Mole, and Mezcal: Balancing Mexican Culinary Traditions with Innovation
Thursday, March 21, 7:00-8:30
Maker's Studio at Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Ave. (15th-16th Sts.), Manhattan
www.MOFAD.org/calendar/03212023/masamolemezcal
Tickets: $45

Pera Ždera: Burgers (and more) by way of the Balkans

Excellent fries cradle a Karađorđeva (Kah-rah-JEOR-Jeh-vah), a schnitzel-like pork cutlet rolled around kaymak, breaded, deep-fried, and ultimately topped, improbably but compellingly, with tartar sauce. Read about the Serbian specialties served at Pera Ždera (aka Peter Eater) in Glendale, Queens, on Culinary Backstreets.