One of the best things about NYC is the range of cultures. You can go around the world with just a subway card in your pocket, from China, to Italy, to Greece, to Korea, and many more. Our second 4th of July adventure was Brighton Beach, also known as Little Odesssa. My first impressions were that it’s not so different from Chinatown, with its open storefronts selling produce, specialty markets, and surprisingly, a handful of sushi restaurants. The most noticable differences were, obviously, the signage and the spoken language. Thanks to Bret for planning a fun Russian adventure!

Mmm, dried and cured fish

Beer

Chocolates in giant boxes

Baked goodies

And fried yumminess

Piggy-shaped salami

Coney Island, just up the beach

Cookbooks

Romance novels

Fur coats aplenty

Arthur Ave. in the Bronx is upper NYC’s Little Italy. It’s a mere handful of blocks of cafes, shops filled with deliciousness, and of course, restaurants. I’d love to go back to shop for goodies, but our initial visit was for dinner. Of course, I had to take a few pics so I can remember what to go back for!

Fresh oysters, streetside!

Fancy goods

Salami

Tomatoes!

Infamous Mike’s Deli

Meats hanging over Mike’s

Giant 3 foot sandwiches of goodness

Cigar making thingy

Racks and racks of cigar thingies