Eating In Translation

New York-area food events, July 18-25

Conscious Cocoa: Let's Talk (and Taste) Chocolate!
Thursday, July 18, 6:00-8:00
Roni-Sue's Chocolates, 148 Forsyth St. (Rivington-Delancey Sts.), Manhattan
www.Eventbrite.com/e/ldny-green-tables-conscious-cocoa-lets-talk-and-taste-chocolate-tickets-934850381657
Tickets: $10, or $40 including a copy of the book

Talk and Taste: Italian American with Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli
Thursday, July 18, 6:00-8:00
Essex Market, 88 Essex St. (at Delancey St.), Manhattan
www.KitchenArtsAndLetters.com/products/talk-taste-italian-american-with-angie-rito-and-scott-tacinelli
Tickets: $10, or $40 including a copy of the book

Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Brooklyn
Concludes Thursday through Sunday, July 18-21, various hours
In the streets surrounding Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 275 North 8th St. (Havemeyer St.-Meeker Ave.), Williamsburg, Brooklyn
www.OLMCfeast.com
Free admission

Go Africa Carnival
Saturday, July 20, 10:00-6:30
West 116th St. between Seventh and Eighth Aves., Manhattan
www.GoAfricaCarnival.org
Previously: www.EatingInTranslation.com/2019/07/go-africa-harlem-street-festival.html
Free admission

Myanmar Chinese Association of New York Summer Water Festival
Sunday, July 20, 11:00-4:00
Forsyth St. between East Broadway and Division St., Manhattan
www.Chinatown.nyc/event/new-york-myanmar-chinese-association-summer-water-festival
Previously: www.Flickr.com/search/?user_id=61177627%40N00&sort=date-taken-desc&text=chinese+myanmar&view_all=1
Free admission

Round and Round: Finding the Best Bagels in Queens

In 1683, so the story goes, an Austrian Jewish baker wished to honor King Jan Sobieski of Poland for repelling an invading army. The king was renowned as a horseman, and so the baker shaped a ring of dough into the shape of a stirrup — a beugel.

That origin story might be impossible to verify, but the bagel is inextricably entwined with the culinary history of Eastern European Jews — and, thanks to immigration in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with the culinary history of New York City.

Today, of course, bagels are consumed not only within New York's Jewish communities but throughout the city — and the United States — as standard American breakfast fare. Commercially packaged and, typically, frozen, bagels are displayed and sold in the same chain stores that sell brand-name sliced bread. But while they might adhere to the basics — yeasted dough shaped into a ring, briefly boiled, then baked — these mass-market bagels are factory-made.

Small-batch bagels, however, are still in fashion in Queens. See a few that we've enjoyed on Culinary Backstreets.

New York-area food events, July 11-18

Season opener: Union Square Night Market
Thursday, July 11, noon-9:00; continues weekly through August 1
South Plaza, Union Square Park, Manhattan
www.UnionSquareNYC.org/unionsquareblog/2024/7/8/urbanspace-unveils-awesome-vendor-lineup-for-first-ever-union-square-night-market
Free admission

Uptown Night Market
Thursday, July 11, 4:00-10:00; repeats monthly through November
"Under the famous Harlem arches," Twelfth Ave. at West 135th St., Manhattan
www.Eventbrite.com/e/night-markets-nyc-uptown-tickets-767640010937
Previously: www.Flickr.com/photos/eatingintranslation/52013600345/lightbox
Free admission

Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Brooklyn
Wednesday through Sunday, July 10-21, various hours
In the streets surrounding Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 275 North 8th St. (Havemeyer St.-Meeker Ave.), Williamsburg, Brooklyn
www.OLMCfeast.com
Free admission

Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Jersey City
Friday through Sunday, July 12-14, 16, various hours
Vicinity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 99 Broadway (at Wales Ave.), Jersey City
www.Facebook.com/photo/?fbid=502909435735007&set=a.198993676126586
Free admission

Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Newark
Friday through Sunday, July 12-14, 6:00-11:00
"Down Neck, Ironbound," vicinity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 259 Oliver St. (Adams-Van Buren Sts.), Newark, New Jersey
www.Facebook.com/photo?fbid=564042665890450&set=a.490295276598523
Free admission

Dream Food Fest
Friday through Monday, July 12-15, various sessions
American Dream Mall, Lot 26, 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, New Jersey
www.Eventbrite.com/e/dream-food-fest-2024-tickets-850358333667
Tickets, per session: adults, $18.06; children ages 12 and under, free

Famous Food Festival
Friday through Sunday, July 12-14, generally 11:00-8:00
Tanger Outlets, 152 The Arches Circle, Deer Park, New York
www.Eventbrite.com/e/famous-food-festival-taste-the-world-long-island-ny-summer-2024-tickets-840740787327
Tickets, per day: adults, $11.38; children ages 8 to 12, $7.86

New York-area food events, early July

Season opener: Smorgasburg at The Shed
Wednesday and Thursday, July 3-4, 11:00-6:00; continues through August
11 Hudson Boulevard East (at Eleventh Ave.), Manhattan
www.Instagram.com/Smorgasburg
Free admission

Jersey City Night Market Fireworks Celebration and Food Truck Festival
Thursday, July 4, noon-10:00
Vicinity of Montgomery St. at Exchange Place, Jersey City
www.Eventbrite.com/e/jersey-city-4th-of-july-festival-fireworks-tickets-929325506607
Free admission

International African Arts Festival
Thursday through Sunday, July 4-7, 10:00-9:00
Commodore Barry Park, Fort Greene, Brooklyn
www.IAAFestival.org
Suggested donation: $10

Taiwan Fest
Saturday, July 6, 2:00-8:00; repeats periodically, in various locations
Culture Lab LIC, 5-25 46th Ave. (at 5th St.), Long Island City, Queens
www.Instagram.com/p/C8e3QlvxO2l
Previously, from the same organizers: www.Flickr.com/search/?user_id=61177627%40N00&sort=date-taken-desc&text=passport&view_all=1
Free admission

Bronx Night Market
Saturday, June 6, 4:00-10:00; repeats monthly through October
Fordham Plaza, Fordham Rd. between Washington and Webster Aves., Bronx
www.Eventbrite.com/e/bronx-night-market-tickets-807361689547
Previously: www.Flickr.com/search/?user_id=61177627%40N00&sort=date-taken-desc&text=%22bronx+night+market%22&view_all=1
Free admission

Inti Raymi (Andean Sun Festival)
Sunday, July 7, 10:30-???
Flushing Meadows Corona Park (enter at Mets-Willets Point), Corona, Queens
www.Facebook.com/SisaPakariCentroCulturalLaboral
Previously: www.Flickr.com/search/?user_id=61177627%40N00&sort=date-taken-desc&text=raymi+meadows&view_all=1
Free admission

New York-area food events, late June

Keep It Zesty with Edy Massih
Thursday, June 27, 6:00-???
Essex Market, 88 Essex St. (at Delancey St.), Manhattan
www.EdibleManhattan.com/event/talk-taste-keep-it-zesty-with-edy-massih
Tickets: $10, or $45 including a copy of the book

Sant' Antonio Abate Feast
Thursday through Sunday, June 27-30, various hours
Ditmars Blvd. between 35th and 38th Sts., Astoria, Queens
www.Instagram.com/p/C8XwmprpqRh
Free admission

St. Demetrios Greek Festival
Friday through Sunday, June 28-30, various hours
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 8435 152nd St. (84th Rd.-84th Dr.), Jamaica, Queens
www.Facebook.com/photo/?fbid=883226907181193&set=a.461067616063793
Free admission

Halal Ribfest
Friday through Sunday, June 28-30, various hours
Queens College, 202 Melbourne Ave. (near 150th St., in the science building parking lot), Flushing, Queens
www.HalalRibfest.com/tour-2024/newyork
See website for ticket details

Dominican Taste Festival
Saturday and Sunday, June 29-30, 10:00-8:00
Quisqueya Plaza, Dyckman St. just west of Broadway, Manhattan
www.Eventbrite.com/e/dominican-taste-festival-2024-tickets-931945121947
Free admission

New York-area food events, June 20-27

Swedish Midsummer Festival
Friday, June 21, 5:00-9:00
Rockefeller Park, along the Hudson River near Chambers St., Manhattan
https://BPCA.NY.gov/news/events/special-events/swedish-midsummer-festival/
Previously: www.EatingInTranslation.com/2008/06/swedish-midsumm.html
Free admission

Season opener: Chinatown Night Market
Friday, June 21 (weather permitting; rescheduled from June 14), 8:00-11:45; repeats periodically
Forsyth Plaza, Forsyth St. at Canal St., Manhattan
www.ThinkChinatown.org/nightmarket
Previously: www.Flickr.com/photos/eatingintranslation/52290597851/lightbox
Free admission

Dragon Fest
Saturday, June 22, 10:00-6:00
Washington Square North, Manhattan
www.Eventbrite.com/e/dragon-fest-new-york-2024-8-tickets-926838738617
Free admission

Indonesian bazaar at Moore Homestead Park
Saturday, June 22, 11:00-5:00; repeats periodically
45th Ave. at Broadway, Elmhurst, Queens
www.Instagram.com/p/C8U0FnsuO8S-i
Previously, by the same organizers, at various locations: www.Flickr.com/search/?user_id=61177627%40N00&sort=date-taken-desc&text=indonesian%20gastronomy%20association&view_all=1
Free admission

Festa Junina: Arraiá na 100th St.
Saturday, June 18, noon-6:00
East 100th St. between Lexington and Third Aves., Manhattan
www.Eventbrite.com/e/festa-junina-2024-arraia-at-100th-sreet-tickets-903318910177
Free admission

New York-area food events, June 13-20

P.S. 109 Food Truck Night
Thursday, June 13, 4:00-7:00
1166 Neill Ave. (Hering-Yates Aves.), Morris Park, Bronx
www.Instagram.com/p/C7_mT0vu8Mn
Free admission

Uptown Night Market
Thursday, June 13, 4:00-10:00; repeats monthly through October
"Under the famous Harlem arches," West 133rd St. at Twelfth Ave., Manhattan
www.Eventbrite.com/e/uptown-night-market-tickets-76764001093
Previously: www.Flickr.com/search/?user_id=61177627%40N00&sort=date-taken-desc&view_all=1&text=%22uptown+night+market%22
Free admission

World Travel: Revisiting Anthony Bourdain's Favorite Places
Thursday, June 13, 7:00-8:00
Museum of Food and Drink, 55 Water Street (at Dock St., 2nd fl.), Dumbo, Brooklyn
www.MOFAD.org/calendar/world-travel
Tickets: $30, or $52 including a copy of the book

Zoodohos Peghe Greek Festival
Concludes Thursday through Sunday, June 13-16, various hours
Zoodohos Peghe Church, 3573 Bruckner Blvd. (Buhre Ave.-Arnow Pl.), Bronx
www.ZoodohosPeghe.org/zp-festival-2024
Free admission

Feast of St. Anthony
Friday and Saturday, June 14-15, 3:00-10:00
Parking lot of St. Francis Roman Catholic Church, 308 Jefferson St. (at 3rd St.), Hoboken, New Jersey
www.HobokenGirl.com/hoboken-feast-saint-anthony-block-party-2024
Free admission

Yonkers Ukrainian Heritage Festival
Friday through Sunday, June 14-16, various hours
Grounds of St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church, 21 Shonnard Pl. (at North Broadway), Yonkers, New York
www.YonkersUkrainianFestival.org
Previously: www.EatingInTranslation.com/2017/06/yonkers-ukrainian-heritage-festival.html
Free admission; "all net proceeds from this year's festival are once again being donated to humanitarian efforts in Ukraine"

Down to Earth Farmers Market: Deep Local Roots

"I've lived in Fresh Meadows all my life, and I never knew this was here.”

Kevin Sims has heard similar sentiments many times. He's the manager of the Down to Earth Farmers Market in Cunningham Park, which hosts some 20 vendors on Sunday morning and early afternoon, from April through December, at one edge of the park. Considering that Cunningham comprises 358 acres of athletic fields, hiking and biking trails and picnic grounds, and is just one part of a 2,800-acre corridor of greenspace in the wide-open spaces of eastern Queens, a once-a-week farmers market might easily be overlooked.

On our first visit, however — even before we enjoyed a blueberry scone, crisp samples of apple and watermelon radish, a pair of hearty empanadas, a vegan "brookie" and an essential morning cup of coffee — we quickly saw how the market has cultivated a relationship with the community. Or, at least, with those members of the community who know where and when to find it. Read more on Culinary Backstreets.

New York-area food events, June 6-13

The Brooklyn Greek Festival of Sts. Constantine and Helen Cathedral
Concludes Thursday through Sunday, June 6-9, various hours
Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 64 Schermerhorn St. (Court St.-Boerum Pl.), Brooklyn
www.Facebook.com/StsConstantineAndHelen/posts/pfbid02b5QvSZ4FcKNd89ACJBrAv4MHiyvby3Cjk5ZDZkXhPP2Zfb56vJaVBKQqJtwY4pS2l
Previously: www.EatingInTranslation.com/2008/06/sts-constantine.html
Free admission

Feast of St. Anthony
Concludes Thursday through Sunday, June 6-9, various hours
Vicinity of 187th St. and Arthur Ave., Belmont, Bronx
www.BronxLittleItaly.com/events/the-feast-of-saint-anthony-2
Free admission

Bloomingdale Bites
Thursday, June 6, 6:00-9:00
Ballroom of Hostelling International, 891 Amsterdam Ave. (103rd-104th Sts.), Manhattan
www.Instagram.com/p/C7pgkCMvrDX
Sampler plates: adults, $10; children, $5; limited to the first 100 attendees

Westchester Magazine's Burger & Beer Blast
Thursday, June 6, 6:00-9:30
Kensico Dam Plaza, Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla, New York
www.WestchesterMagazine.com/events/wine-and-food
Tickets: $81.75; ages 21 and over only
Part of Westchester Magazine's Wine & Food Festival

A Feast for the Books
Thursday, June 6, 7:00-9:00
Housing Works Bookstore Cafe, 126 Crosby St. (Houston-Prince Sts.), Manhattan
www.Eventbrite.com/e/feast-for-the-books-tickets-886246997627
Tickets: $108.55, or $161.90 for hour-earlier VIP admission; proceeds benefit Housing Works

New York-area food events, May 30-June 6

Ethos Stamford Greek Festival
Thursday through Sunday, May 30-June 2, various hours
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 1230 Newfield Ave., Stamford, Connecticut
www.EthosGreekFestival.com
Free admission

Long Island Greek Festival
Thursday through Sunday, May 30-June 2, various hours
Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St. Paul, 110 Cathedral Ave., Hempstead, New York
www.LongIslandGreekFestival.com
Free admission

Three Hierarchs Greek Orthodox Church Festival
Friday through Sunday, May 31- June 2, various hours
Three Hierarchs Greek Orthodox Church, 1724 Ave P. (East 17th-East 18th Sts.), Brooklyn
www.Facebook.com/photo/?fbid=753453200266896&set=a.497603432518542
Free admission