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We are playing “the Balkan game.” It’s 7 p.m. and Selo has Oliver Dragojević on, musical hero of the Balkans, while bottles of moonshine rakija clink as they pour. And yet, the restaurant Selo is quiet enough that our presence in Astoria, Queens, is, with a few stares, decidedly announced. My friend Šime Luznik, a […]
Food
Eight New York City Bars to Spend Your St. Patrick’s Day
The Irish community is one of the most prominent and significant cultural groups in New York. Since the late 19th century, they have made their home in the city, sharing their language, music, and food with thousands. Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was honored here in New York long before their arrival when […]
Gentrification is Slowly Killing Little Poland, but Polish Culture is Being Kept Alive
Gentrification is slowly killing Little Poland… When exiting the Greenpoint Avenue subway station, Greenpointers and visitors are immediately greeted by the stereotypical image of contemporary America: a McDonald’s across the road and a Dunkin’ Donuts just a slight left turn away. However, a mere two minutes down the road from the station, there is a […]
Luis Flores uses TikTok to empower immigrant small business owners
It’s sunny in Hunts Point, the Bronx, on a late Spring morning. A gentle breeze brushes against my skin and makes the leaves sway. Despite the sunshine, it’s chilly and two layers of clothing are necessary to walk around comfortably. This Bronx neighborhood is far from the glittering backdrops often seen on the social media […]
New Mexico Comes to New York: How The Misrepresented Cuisine is Getting Its Time In The Spotlight
When Covid hit in 2020, many New Yorkers found themselves stuck in a locked-down city, searching for comfort — Melissa Klein, John Watterberg, and Eric See included. After some thought, See and Watterberg, both Albuquerque natives, looked to fill that void with hometown comfort food, like smothered green chile chicken enchiladas. However, being roughly 2,000 […]
Debate over the continued use of streetside dining sheds heats up
Amid shifting attitudes to the Covid-19 virus, New York City residents are increasingly labeling many relics of pandemic-era lockdowns obsolete. Streetside dining – once a popular method to preserve both restaurant business and socially-deprived residents – has recently joined the relegated ranks of KN95 masks and Clorox wipes. Policymakers responded to initial positive feedback on […]
Tips for enjoying Korean BBQ in the most Korean way
When I worked as a server in a Korean barbecue restaurant in Koreatown, customers used to ask the following question after they ordered their food: “Does it come with Banchan?” They would look at me expectantly, as if they’ve already heard about the unlimited, free Banchan — small side dishes that will come with their […]
Finding home in a bowl of borscht
“Not everybody likes this joke” Alexander Martynov, the 48-year-old owner of Prague’s Ukrainian restaurant The Borsch says, his smile widening. “I’m saying they lose their borscht virginity here.” If you happen to wander into The Borsch, located in the Vinohrady area of Prague, you’ll find a colorful display of culture and cuisine. Printed pillows hang […]
QR codes: More than just a menu
Walking along Hell’s Kitchen’s jam-packed Restaurant Row, the QR codes on every table mark a significant transformation in an industry that has changed very little in the last 70 years. Aside from “bottled or tap,” clientele are now asked whether they know how to use the formerly obscure tech, designed as the New York Times […]
Turkish Immigrant Restaurant Owners in New York and London
This short documentary is a manifestation of my interest in Turkish culture, immigration and food. The video aims to capture the stories and personalities of restaurant owners across the world.