Cardenas Vinegar & Olive Oil Taproom is an inspiring Guilty Pleasure

As you know, quality friendships stand the test of time. Two of Thin Mint's best friends from college came to visit this weekend.  The SUNY triplets had a blast reminiscing and laughing.  Everyone turned out just fine and with great kids. Of course any great weekend always includes a variety of Guilty Pleasures. While a late dinner at the Han Dynasty was a spicy symphony that everyone loved, their Italian Market Food Crawl earlier in the day was the real showstopper.  Luckily, Saturday's weather in Philadelphia was spectacular.  It finally felt like spring.

From Kermit's Bake Shoppe on Washington to S. 9th St., the city was alive with with upscale shoppers. After a long lunch at, Thin
Mint and friends, aka The Upstate Hotties, wandered into Cardenas Oil &Vinegar Taproom.  It's an epicurean oasis that rejuvenates the Guilty Gourmand.

The Olive Oils,Vinegars and salts at this premium specialty food store are so amazing. You can spend hours discovering new flavors and savoring every Guiltorious moment. Their Salt Bar will transport you from the famed Murray River in Australia to the Himalayan Mountains to the Crown of Creation Salt from Mediterranean Sea. Laurissa knows her stuff and she will  take excellent care of you.

There specialty products will make your food taste much more flavorful and adventurous. Shopping at Cardenas Oil & Vinegar Taproom is an inspiring Guilty Pleasure.

Thin Mint's Coca Cola Ham is destined for the top of Mt. Guiltmore

Crafting menus is one of the best parts of custom-to-the-client catering.  Each menu is different.  You listen, you research and you create.  It's a very exhausting and rewarding process.  Last evening, Thin Mint put together a terrific action station for a Wedding at the Olde Homstead Golf Club She put together a sensational selection of Guiltorious comfort that has greatness written all over it.

Her client now has a Biscuit Bar with Southern Biscuits, Sweet Potato Biscuits and Jalapeno Chive Biscuits.OMG!  They sound awesome, but the real showstopper are the two toppings that Thin Mint added.  Our Executive Chef went back into our culinary vault and chose two eternal classics. Thin Mint's client will have Chef Bruce's famous Chicago Bears sausage gravy. We have had many chef's over the years prepare this slice of the South and very few do it justice.  We're not sure why, but it's a good test of their cooking skills. No one even comes close to matching Bruce's heavenly creation.  It's incredible.

However, my beautiful bride climbed Guilty Peak with her Coca Cola glazed spiral ham. This slow-smoked Country Ham was worthy of being on Mt. Guiltmore.  The salty flavor combined with the soda's sweetness is the ideal accompaniment to the flaky biscuits. Thin Mint's Guiltness Greatness is always appreciated.

It's Primo Party Time Guilty Nation. Philadelphia has arrived!!!

Happy New Year GuiltyNation and welcome to the Front Row. It's getting a little crowded in this corner of Guiltytown, but we love having company. New Years Day is the perfect time to plan an exciting Winter or Spring party. Why wait for the Super Bowl to have Guilterrific Bash?  The NFL playoffs start this Saturday and there's four weekends of primo partying just around the corner. With or without Philadelphia's beloved Eagles, all of these thrilling games deserve the pleasure of Front Row Hospitality. Make this year's playoffs special with a chic and happening party catered by Provence.  Enjoying our Mardi Gras menu with The Birds and the Delta Blues is definitely a fantastic Guilty Pleasure celebration.

We love spicy Cajun food and NFL football.  Five percent of all of our football parties will be donated to Habitat for Humanity and their stellar efforts in rebuilding the Crescent City.

Here is the Ultimate Super Bowl Party menu-Cajun style. The entire Super Bowl experience is always a Guilty Pleasures Jubilee. Welcome to the show!

HORS D’OEUVRES

CAJUN SHRIMP

Gulf shrimp marinated in Cajun New Orleans spices, barbequed

and served skewered with a sweet chili dipping sauce.

DELTA LAMB

Ground lamb seasoned with fresh herbs, blended with

goat cheese, collard greens and toasted pine nuts

wrapped in puff pastry, baked until golden.

BAYOU CAKES

Crawfish, langostino lobster and white fish blended with sweet

Vidalia onions, red and green bell peppers, fresh garlic and herbs pan sautéed served with a spicy creole mustard.

BOURBON STREET BEEF

Tender strips of flank steak marinated in garlic, cilantro and tequila,

grilled and skewered, served with a teriyaki dipping sauce.

ANTIPASTO DE PROVENCE

An assortment of cheeses and meats to include Pepperoni, Genoa salami, kalamata olives, Vermont Cabot Cheddar, Brie and Swiss Emmenthal accompanied by roasted red peppers, grilled zucchini, yellow squash, marinated mushrooms, eggplant, red seedless

grapes, sliced French baguettes and Carr’s wafers.

DINNER MENU

CAJUN MAPLE SMOKED LOIN OF PORK

House smoked loin of pork marinated in dry spices and loin of pork

slow smoked over mesquite wood. Served with a Jalapeno Corn Salsa.

LOBSTER AND CRAWFISH PIE

Petite morsels of langostino lobster, Lousiana crawfish and applewood

smoked bacon baked in a pie topped with a flaky filo crust.

CHICKEN FRENCH QUARTER

Boneless breast of chicken seared with cracked black peppercorns

accompanied by a traditional brandy, shallot and mustard demi glace.

ORZO NOLA

Toasted orzo blended with roasted garlic moons, toasted pine nuts and fresh herbs

GRILLED SOUTHERN VEGETABLES

Roasted and grilled farm fresh zucchini, yellow squash, portobello mushrooms, sweet Vidalia onions, carrots, bell peppers, eggplant seasoned with extra virgin olive oil and fresh thyme.

SAVANNAH GREENS

Red leaf, romaine, radicchio and frisee lettuces tossed with cucumber, red Bermuda onions, grape tomatoes and candied pecans drizzled with a sweet and spicy tarragon vinaigrette.

COUNTRY BREAD BASKET

Served with sweet butter.

DESSERT

DUO OF CREME BRULEE

Traditional vanilla infused creme brulee served two ways:

Cayenne Pepper and Black Sesame seed.

BANANA'S FOSTER

A "Nawlins" classic. Cooked to order in a sautee pan.

CONFECTIONS

Blondies, brownies, cookies and bar style treats.

    Spicy Nawlins food, the red hot Eagles and BB King. OMG!!!  
   Let's cheer the Birds on in style Guilty Nation.