How does author Wes' use of imagery help develop tone

Imagery is used quite effective by the author to draw a distinction between the sights and sounds of the Bronx compared to downtown Manhattan:

“a fog of food smells…beef patties and curry goat from the Jamaican spot, deep-fried dumpling and chicken wings from the Chinese take-out joint, cuchifritos from the Puerto Rican lunch counter…immigrants in…embroidered guayaberas and flowing kete and spray-painted T-shirts…the air rang with English and Spanish in every imaginable accent.”