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.

The Country Cat is a Guilty classic

We saw the most amazing butchering skills and butcher block food last evening while watching Dinners, Drive-ins and Dives. Chef? Owner Adam Sappington of the Country Cat in Portland Oregon is a legend and his food looked Guiltorious.  Adam and his wife Jackie are definitely members of the Guilty Pleasures Club.

Their pork and fried chicken dishes are legendary. The Whole Hog platter is definitely a game changer. Talk about dedication and love, they cure their Hams for four months.  FOUR MONTHS!!!  Is that a pork lovers fantasy or what? We're planning another trip to the Rose City this summer and the Country Cat can expect multiple visits from Guilty, Thin Mint, Junior Mint and Guilty too. 

We can't wait to sample the Butcher Block portion of their impressive menu:

FROM THE BUTCHER'S BLOCK

Entrées

 

Molasses & Hickory Smoked  Duck Leg 
with Dried Cherry Braised Kale, Butternut Squash Puree, & Sherry 19

Two Pieces of Cast-Iron Skillet Fried Chicken 
with Mashed Potatoes & Gravy 15

Braised Lamb Shoulder
on a Stew of Tomatoes, Fennel & Roasted Garlic with Fried Butter Beans, & Gremolata  18

Red Wine Braised Beef 
with Butter-Braised Potatoes & Wild Mushroom Steak Sauce 19

The Country Cat's Whole Hog
with Brined & Grilled Loin, Roasted Belly & Braised Shoulder 23

Heritage Burger 
with Onion Rings 10
Add: American Cheese, “Judy” Spread,
or Blue Cheese 1.50; House Bacon 2

Sides

Bacon Braised Collard Greens 7

Mashed Potatoes with Sausage Gravy 7

Barbeque Baked Beans 7

Guilty's favorite dessert

 Everything about this deliciously gooey dessert is incredible.  The look. The taste.  

The handwork.  

Thin Mint is a Guilty Genius.