Comments on: Visiting Aladdin’s Cave

By: Mimi54

Mimi54 — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:01:59 +0000

The aroma in the store was so spicy and heady…just a delicious smell. Thanks.

By: Mimi54

Mimi54 — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:01:00 +0000

Thank you, Sarah!

By: Mimi54

Mimi54 — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:00:48 +0000

Devo, I called Tony and asked him about the ceramic ware. He said that the slotted jars are indeed piggy banks and that the pear-shaped jars with holes at the “stem” end are meant to hang on tree branches to encourage birds to nest in them. Isn’t that neat?

Behind the cups you can glimpse a clay vessel with a heart-shaped hole – you’re supposed to hang it from a tree branch or sit it on a metal tray, then put a candle inside to make a soft illumination. So your guess was close.

By: Maya

Maya — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 06:27:49 +0000

Ah, I could almost smell the spices! Great post!

By: Devo K

Devo K — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:02:40 +0000

That top clay pot with the opening looks like it also has two smaller holes. Perhaps they’re oil lamps?

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:52:42 +0000

what a lovely post, you really brought the store to life!

By: Mimi54

Mimi54 — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:44:34 +0000

Those ma’amoul must have been spectacular, Yael. I’m getting all inspired now…I do have the molds!

By: Yaelian

Yaelian — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:33:48 +0000

Btw,the best maamouls ever I had in Caracas, in a Lebanese place called El Arabito. I can still remember how they tasted like…..

By: Mimi54

Mimi54 — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 07:52:20 +0000

I wish you could have been with me, too, Leda. You would have loved the store, and enjoyed the walk through the shuk, too.

By: Leda Meredith

Leda Meredith — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:55:40 +0000

Lovely! Wish I could have been there with you. Here in NYC we’ve got Kalustyan’s–nothing like the history of Tony’s location, but yes, bins of exotic spices, dried fruit, beans and grains. I love going in there just for the smells!