Rubbernecker’s Delight

In addition to restaurant ware and collectible dishes, the well-loved New York shop named Fishs Eddy sells plates, bowls, mugs and so forth with the New York City skyline imprinted on the borders. It’s all there: the Brooklyn Bridge, the Woolworth Building, the Empire State Building--even the Chrysler Building, despite a brief legal wrangle over whether reproducing its famous spire was copyright infringement. Now the skyline pattern is available by mail order.

“212”--New York City skyline bowls and plates, $6.95 to $18, from Fishs Eddy, (888) FISHS-EDDY.

Instant Flavor

Foodies may pride themselves on doing everything from scratch, but practical cooks around the world like the convenience of ready-made flavorings, such as the canned sauces and curry pastes sold in ethnic markets. A Costa Mesa woman named Janet Rosener Ridley sells five sophisticated, upscale versions of these, representing Thai, Chinese, Cuban, Indian and Moroccan flavorings. We wouldn’t say they’re all equally authentic, but they’re certainly delicious. Each jar holds about 1 1/2 cups, and most of her suggested recipes serving four call for 1/4 cup.

Dahlias Exotic Flavor Pastes, $8 to $9.50 a jar, at HomeChef, Newport Beach, and Neiman Marcus department stores.

Oceanic Chocolates

It’s a candy sea-floor riot here, not just the obvious scallop and marine snail shells but starfish and sea horses, all made of white, dark and milk chocolate and filled with hazelnut cream.

Belgian Chocolate Seashells, $2.99 for a 7-ounce box, at Trader Joe’s Markets.

The Key Is Lime

By now, the whole world knows about Key lime pie, with its filling of lime-flavored custard. From Florida, here comes Stewart’s Classic Key Lime, a cream soda (definite vanilla flavor) with a loud dose of lime; it’s more or less Key lime pie in a glass.

Stewart’s Classic Key Lime, $2.99 to $3.19 a four-pack, at Bristol Farms, Vons and Pavilions stores and selected Albertson’s.