Dave Cook

Eating In Translation examines interesting, usually inexpensive food in and around New York, and occasionally farther afield.

[Dave Cook @EIT]

A lunch special serving of steam-table chaofan, ultimately delivering a half-dozen shrimp and nearly as much squid, and a side order of Dominican-style stewed chicken at Marea, Marble Hill, Manhattan (on the mainland, but not quite in The Bronx)

[Dave Cook @EIT]

A sunshine roll, starring (I believe) teriyaki salmon and pineapple, and a spicy shrimp roll outside Sushi Counter, Christopher St., Manhattan

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Marinara slice with fresh mozzarella, Pop's Pizza, Ave. B, Manhattan

[Dave Cook @EIT]

Seen in passing: Salsa en El Barrio, hand-painted artwork on the most colorful of four chimichurri and frituras trucks parked alongside Highbridge Park, in Washington Heights

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A signature bowl and a green peppercorn bowl, shared with two friends and ample rice, at Sauerkraut Fish, Third Ave., Manhattan

[Dave Cook @EIT]

Bizcocho piña, a rich Dominican cake with a seam of pineapple, from Rosarina Bakery, Marble Hill, Manhattan. Check.

[Dave Cook @EIT]

Greek, Egyptian, Polish, Puerto Rican, Korean, Indonesian, Filipino, Albanian, and more: New York-area food events, May 28-June 3 https://t.co/v9FJp9ZsIc

[Dave Cook @EIT]

Cendol (Chen-dull), shaved ice draped in palm sugar, with pandan jelly and red beans, at Singapore Social, Ave. A, Manhattan. Cooling enough for two. Also shown, from a long-ago visit to Malaysia: smaller servings and constant customers at Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul.

[Dave Cook @EIT]

A clam roll at Mr. Mac's Canteen, Monroe, Connecticut. Also shown moments before, in the company of onion rings, and minutes after.

[Dave Cook @EIT]

Seen in passing: "Is it Tuesday yet?", hand-painted artwork of Snoopy chowing down on a taco, in Mexican national colors, near the Tacos Cholula cart, East 2nd St. at Ave. A, Manhattan

[Dave Cook @EIT]

Armenian, Czech-Slovak, Filipino, Indonesian, Taiwanese, and more: New York-area food events for May 21-27 https://t.co/FisbqjaWn0

[Dave Cook @EIT]

Grilled pork neck with papaya salad, Asian Bowl, Forest Hills, Queens. More from the excellent, chiefly Burmese menu: squash, watercress, and onion-potato-carrot fritters; fermented tea leaf salad; garlic noodles with seafood.

[Dave Cook @EIT]

A three-egg omelette at the Kingsbridge, Bronx, location of IHOP, one of five in the borough with oxtail as an option. H/T, from the NYC discussion boards of Hungry Onion: small_h, who has a mighty appetite. So do I — but it's a good thing I didn't get a short stack, too.

[Dave Cook @EIT]

@cursedinternet The official address is 1061 St. Nicholas Ave. Snoeman has done his thing on neighboring blocks — 161 St., 162 St., and others — so "163 St." seems to be his way of keeping in rhythm.

[Dave Cook @EIT]

Seen in passing: Hand-painted artwork by Snoeman (2023), Archie Grocery, St. Nicholas Ave., Manhattan. Snoeman's festive colors decorate what must be dozens of storefronts and street carts in Washington Heights; you'll find his work in Coney Island, too.

[Dave Cook @EIT]

At Ricky Fruits, Vegetables & More, a Mexican grocery at the southern edge of Washington Heights, the ice pops known as bolis are stout and dense, almost like a frozen puree. This one, pica fresa, is flavored with the namesake spicy strawberry candy.

[Dave Cook @EIT]

Ngapi yay is a pungent dipping sauce usually reserved for crudités; to the amusement of Burmese friends like Hnin Nwe Chaw (who comped me), I use it to dress pasta, too. At last month's New York Burmese Water Festival, Parish house of St. James Episcopal Church, Elmhurst, Queens

[Dave Cook @EIT]

Greek (and Greek Jewish), Ukrainian, Burmese, Turkish, Norwegian, Indonesian, and more: New York-area food events for May 14-20 https://t.co/kbE7k6cVjV

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Olive pocket, Hoboken Farms, Riverview Farmers Market, Jersey City Heights. One dollar. Also shown: the eastward view from the market. Free.

[Dave Cook @EIT]

A chance of meatballs (the largest had a quail egg inside): mie bakso by Ida Zainal, Indonesian bazaar at Masjid al-Hikmah, Astoria, Queens. Also: lontong sayur, coconut milk-based vegetable curry; lupis (comped), sticky rice with brown sugar syrup. Another bazaar is coming soon!