Brooklyn Flea: Asia Dog and Kumquat Cupcakery

As you can no doubt see, the [official] flea market of Brooklyn is like no other.  It’s currently housed in the old bank within the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower, which is one of Brooklyn’s tallest, most phallic edifices.  For whatever reason the Williamsburgh Savings Bank abandoned this namesake astoundingly ornate structure so that a gaggle of fauxhemians could sell vintage clothes and tweet about their child’s achievements in soccer.  But I’m not complaining.  The literally underground food scene is showcased in the bank’s original vault.  It was tough to pick just a few places at which to eat – what with the Red Hook Lobster Pound calling out with its sweet succulent lobster rolls – but we settled on a hot dog and a cupcake.  Specifically, Asia Dog is mildly famous in Brooklyn, at this point, but I’ve yet to sample their wares.  I asked what the classic toppings were and was directed to the “Vinh,” which is in the classic

Vietnamese banh-mi style (aioli, pate, cucumbers, pickled carrot & daikon, cilantro, and jalapeno).  Washed down with a little hibiscus iced tea, this loaded dog was very satisfying.  Feeling refreshed but not bloated enough, we scoped out the sweets tables.  Immediately the tiny (and $1) cupcakes from Kumquat Cupcakery struck our eye.  With a healthy hunk of bacon on top of a maple frosted vanilla cake, how could it be any better than this?