Bart's Place is a Stunning Palace!

Great things are happening in Philadelphia.  With approval waiting in the wings, The Provence Casino is coming to the City of Brotherly Love.  This beautiful 5 star property is going to reshape North Broad Street in a very good way. One can only imagine how many jobs are going to be created by this exciting project.

With a top flight team in place, the remarkable vision of Bart Blattstein is coming to fruition.

Mr. Blattstein is Philadelphia's Michael Bloomberg. He's socially responsible and definitely has the Midas touch. Not to mention that he selected a fantastic name for his new casino and hotel. We encourage everyone to root for Bart and encourage city officials to fast track this important project.  Philadelphia needs to attract more upscale visitors. Philadelphia needs Provence.

When it comes to sampling, change is your Guilty Ally.

Change is your friend in Guilty Town.  We constantly want to try new recipes, new restaurants, new products and new ideas.  The evaluation process never stops and we love that. From Going Green to decadent sauces, we have a lot to explore.

At the request of vendors around the globe, we are making plans to attend the Fancy Food Show in New York this summer. They all want to be a certified Guilty Pleasure. The prestige and increases sales are their top priority. The Blog requests are getting so time consuming, we will be scheduling extensive interviews for one or two days in July.

Once the press is satisfied, I can't wait to try Sweet Corn Ice Cream.  OMG!!!  Thankfully, Guilty is an excellent interview and an even better sampler.

Gigi's Fried Fish is an Island vacation.

Food trucks in Philadelphia are really disappointing.  I have gone to numerous trucks around the city and almost everyone offers mediocre food that tastes old and boring.  What gives?  Do you have to live in Portland or New York City to get exceptional street food? This injustice needs to stop and stop soon.

I did find one exception although I have one major suggestion. I stopped at GiGi's Caribbean Soul Food truck. They have a popular restaurant and several food trucks located throughout the city.  I visited the one located at the corner of 38th and Spruce in University City. The truck manager in the truck gave me a tasting of all of their Soul Foods  I loved the Oxtail.  She was awesome. Their Jerk Chicken was had great spice, but ours is much better.  I think it's because the braised their Jerk Chicken.  I prefer Chef Greg's smoking method.  Their chicken wings were big and tasty, but seemed expensive.  Three dollars for 3 wings and 2 sides for street food was too rich my blood.

More importantly, their fried white fish was exceptional and I enthusiastically recommend it.  The fried fish was delicious. I particularly enjoyed the breading.  For sides, I had fresh green beans and french fries.  I was really surprised that they did not offer hand cut fries.  They definitely should. Maybe Guilty can suggest a menu upgrade.  All in all, I was quite pleased with the customer service(Great service is a rarity when it comes to Philadelphia food trucks.  Most people act like they are not happy to be working out of a truck), platter size and the fantastic fried fish.  It was light, delicate and flavorful.    I'll be back.

Working out Guilty style

Yesterday was a very successful day for Provence Catering at The Wharton School. Great Food! Great Clients! Great Caterer!  Zero Waste!!!  What could be better?  

Of course, being around such a bountiful and beautiful buffet means we need to workout more. Thankfully, Guilty has a plan.

No Mas No Mas

I feel like Roberto Duran.  NO MAS  NO MAS!!!   I've had more than enough of this deep freeze challenge. Nobody wants to play a round of Survivor without the tropics. Certainly not me. However, regardless of the temperature in Philadelphia, Guilty must carry on. That's because even on the worst days of the year, Guilty and the Guilty Pooch need to be walked.  We're inseparable on the sidewalk.

I am now back inside from an Artic blast that is almost indescribable. Let's just say it's six degrees outside and my eye lids were frozen shut?  TOTALLY SHUT. OMG Now ten minutes removed from the bitter elements and my teeth are still chattering. This weather is surreal and most unwelcome. I'm just happy to be inside, thawing out and enjoying the greatest Guilty Pleasure of them all, a HEATED HOME.

Others aren't so fortunate to be at home.  Have you noticed the hoards of people stranded at airports across the country because of the cold or Homeland Security concerns.  It's insane. Traveling this winter has been treacherous. There are so many travelers impacted by these frigid temperatures it's difficult to even comprehend.  I want no part of that nightmare.  Thankfully, I am attached to a massive shaggy dog with a cold nose and huge appetite.  Loving your pet is definitely a pleasure, guilty or not.

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.  

Winter Chills and Hot Chocolate Dreams

Without much warning, winter has arrived in Philadelphia with a bad attitude.  BAM!! Breakout the Kashmir sweater and fur lined slippers because the bitter cold has made itself quite comfy in our daily forecast. As we mature nothing gets old quicker than the piercing cold weather. The nose runs, the legs ache, and the shivering persist. Nothing becomes more of a Guilty Pleasure than steaming hot cocoa in my favorite holiday mug... but don't forget the marshmallows!  Chef Ameerah makes our own.  There is no better way to combat the chattering teeth, numb toes, and frost bitten fingers than a comforting mug of Thin Mint's hot cocoa.  She is a hot beverage Aficionado who knows that hot loves hot.    

Why not go beyond the powder and packets this year.  Living Well in Winter means savoring homemade hot cocoa and marshmallows.  It's always an awe inspiring Guilty Pleasure moment.  

Premium Taste: ALWAYS...Shop online:FAITHFULLY...Guilty Pleasure Club member: ABSOLUTELY

The Guilty Pleasures Club has very exciting news. The readership of our lifestyle blog has increased more than tenfold in the past sixty days and we are looking for luxury advertisers looking to market premium products.  We now have an avid worldwide audience that's wants learn more about the Guilty Pleasure Club and the self-indulgent lifestyle that we champion.  They window shop online and enjoy the premier products we savor as well.  "Do you take credit cards?"  Oh yes we do!

Based on the rave reviews and high web traffic we are receiving, our club members are affluent consumers who want to purchase luxury goods and services online.  Any businesses looking to reach our readership should email us at info@provencecatering.com. Banner ad space is available.  The GPC has a very passionate, successful and loyal club membership.  They are the epitome of New Luxury and only want to experience life in the first person.

From Philadelphia to Malaysia to the Ukraine we have adventurous club members who want their pursuit of Living Well to include all of their favorite Guilty Pleasures These key decision makers have strong character, high disposable incomes and love to shop.  Guilty Pleasure aficionados know their thrilling journey will be a winding road that requires a boundless spirit and insatiable appetite.  Of course, club members wouldn't want it any other way. Welcome to better days ahead Living Well on Guilty side of life.

Dancing poolside at Bluefields Bay is always a Guilty Pleasure.

Wow it's really bitter cold outside, especially for early December.  Unfortunately, the weather on the East Coast is about to get considerably worse this weekend. Remember last year when everyone was complaining that it was too hot for the Holidays. Too hot??  Were they serious?  It my world it's never too hot for the Holidays unless it's 90 degrees and I am dancing poolside with Thin Mint in Bluefields Bay, Jamaica.  But that's a different kind of hot, now isn't it?  Smokin' hot of course.

What could be better than chillin' underneath an Almond tree on December 25th, especially with an Ultimate Mudslide or two in hand?  And don't forget those tantalizing tropical breezes!  There is no greater Guilty Pleasure anywhere than being at these amazing Villas in Jamaica for Christmas and New Years.  The Moncure Family and their staff can anticipate all of your Guilty Pleasures. Their six pristine properties provide world class service and hospitality.  The delicious food at each Villa is a five star dining experience. Renting a Villa from the Moncure's is very similar to an opulent stay at the Ritz Carlton, but it's much more private and Guiltorious. Honeymooners should take notice of the Cottonwood Cottage. It's the perfect location for a very luxurious, active and romantic week in the Caribbean.  After 24 years, it's time to plan our return trip.

Remarking that it was too warm in December was last year's bellyache.  This year it's the other side of coin in the City of Brotherly Love and we need to be proactive. So lets light the fireplace on Pine Street, pass the steaming hot cocoa in Berwyn and share the Dancing Bear blanket in Trooper. Mercy me, we still have over three months to Springtime.

We definitely both need a vacation intervention by the Lords of Guilt.  Now wouldn't that be miraculous!!!

Snowy Day. Guilty Day. Chipper Day.......

When it comes to the weather, the new normal is pretty freaky.  Yesterday's fantastically fun snowstorm was only magical because it was Sunday and most of us were lounging at home by a roaring fire, safe and Guilty.  Is that the best or what? If it was on a Monday, it would have been a disaster.

We took full advantage of yesterday's blizzard-like conditions in Philadelphia and went totally Guilty.  We camped out in front of our massive HDTV to watch the Eagles kick butt.  While we cheer for another team to the north, we are big Chip Kelly fans.  The Eagles have been amazing under the new Head Coach and it seems like they are just getting started.  Coach Kelly must be a lifelong member of the Guilty Pleasures Club. (we will investigate further) Can't you just sense Chip's passion for the finest Guilty Pleasures when it comes to socializing and dining?  There are too many decadent delights in Oregon to ignore and even the healthy farm to table cuisine in the Northwest can definitely inspire the Guilty. You know he's living well and so are the Eagles.

And thankfully, so are we!!!  Guilty and Thin Mint capped off a relaxing Sunday with a sensational family dinner.  Everyone enjoyed:

Five Spice marinated Lamb Burgers on freshly baked Pretzel rolls with a Yogurt Red Chili dressing
Miniature Red Bliss Potatoes stuffed with New York Cheddar, Applewood Bacon and Green Scallions.
Charred Green Beans
Green Leaf Lettuce with Hothouse Tomatoes, Strawberries and stuff.  
Warm Pear Cobbler with Vanilla Almond Hagen Daz.  

The weather turns, the ice cometh and the Lobster Corn Chowder soup boils....December has arrived in Guiltytown.

Soaring temperatures plummeted this weekend as a ginormous ice storm has engulfed the entire country.  It's definitely affected the weekend plans for many Hobbits and Hobbyists. From Dallas to Las Vegas to Portland to Boston to Middle Earth, members of the Guilty Pleasures are fighting back against the Shivers with a time-tested array of personalized remedies.  As you know, nothing warms your soul or lifts your spirits more than trip to the Guilty side of life.

Deep in my hard drive I have developed many positive protocols for Living Well(okay, so my hard drive is really my cranium.  Thankfully my grey matter is still dedicated to proposition that Living Well is the only way to live). I have an endless list of top secret pleasures to rely upon for attitude adjustment.  In this case, when the weather's nasty, I conquer the cold with an incredibly flavorful soup. Not Campbell's, Lipton or Progresso mind you, but a delicious homemade concoction that makes your toes toasty and your smile bright.  No soup does it better in early December than Chef Greg's famous Lobster and Corn Chowder.  The rich creamy broth is made with love and chocked full of fresh Maine Lobster.  It's the best cold fighter ever. Especially when you share it by the fireplace with Thin Mint.

Not matter what you have planned today, you must take the time to curl up on the couch with a steaming bowl of Guilty Goodness.  Make sure you use a very large bowl.  No wimpy cereal bowls please. Size definitely matters when it comes to keeping warm and staying Guilty. Please make sure you share your Guilty Goodness with the Thin Mint of your dreams.

Too much Turkey for the Holidays? How about a change of pace with a Dim Sum Family Feast in Chinatown?

As always, our traditional Thanksgiving Dinner was wonderful and delicious. We celebrated the holiday on Wednesday because one of the founding members of the GPC had to be in Europe at the World Court on Thursday for a conference at The Hague. Our first cousin, aka Not Guilty, has been known to defend a War Criminal or two from the Eastern Block before a United Nations Tribunal.  To quote a wise man,"Even the worst of humanity needs great legal representation."

We decided to not have a second a Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday.  Too much stuffing and mashed potatoes can be one of Guilty's Holiday dieting dilemmas. So we decided to go rogue and meet in Chinatown for a Dim Sum family feast. Not that countless handmade dumplings and noodles are better for Guilty's never-ending diet, but they are awesome. 

When we arrived at 11:30 am, Chinatown was packed with people and Thanksgiving was nowhere to be found. With Shiffie leading the way, family members both young and not so young, sauntered into the Dim Sum Garden on Race Street for a celebration of our many blessings. We were practically the only Caucasians in the restaurant when we settled around the largest table in the place. It was Chinatown at it's finest.  Having just beaten the lunchtime crowd, we were fortunate to be there on so many levels. The service was great, the food was incredible and the company around the table was even better.  Everyone ordered two dishes each(Guilty ordered three dishes just to be safe) and sharing was required.  It was wonderful experience and we can't wait to do it again next year.  

It sounds like Dim Sum is going to be an After Thanksgiving Holiday Tradition!  Besides, you haven't lived until you seen Guilty use chopsticks!  OMG!!!

It's time to enjoy self-serving moments of Guiltorious pursuit

It's time to enjoy self-serving moments of Guiltorious pursuit

There have been many times where the Guilty Pleasures Club has been asked "What is the definition of a genuinely Guilty Act?"  Not criminal endeavors of course, but self-serving pursuits of pleasure in a "Moi" sort of way. Everyone has their own Guilty Pleasures and I have too many to count.

I have to ask myself, when and how did it all start.  Was it falling in love with the word Smorgasbord on vacation or could have been when I sneaked an ample sip of my dad's Crown Royal on a cruise ship to the Caribbean?  Looking back, the High School years offered many innocent and indulging moments of self-serving guilt.
When I am at work I have Guilty Pleasure moments all day.  Today's guilty pursuit might be looking for Thanksgiving treats in the pastry department while everyone is in a staff meeting?  The answer to that question is easy, "Guilty as charged." It's fairly well known that I have a PhD in sneaking food guilt. Besides, I make much more sense after eating two pieces of Chef Ameerah's outrageously delicious sour cream coffee cake. When it's still warm, there's a third piece calling my name.

I have been known to find personal satisfaction with an occasional case of "First in line Guilt."  When I am traveling, especially with family, my guiltorious behavior might include sneaking to the front of check-in line when you have only 20 minutes to catch a flight to Portland to go Salmon fishing in Astoria  And why not take drastic measures...the security line at Philadelphia International can be longer than a football field? "Me first" guilt never gets old. Anyway, missing that flight to Oregon was not an option. We both know that!

Then there is Summertime Guilt. Imagine stopping by a Wawa on a scorching July afternoon where the asphalt is 900 degrees and all that can cool you down is a ice cold milk shake or two? There's no time to drive to Ray's Drive-in for a fix. You need that liquid ice cream rush now! Heat salvation is always free pass anywhere on Planet Guilty.

Self preservation is a Guilty-filled experience. Accept the truth and join the club!