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.

Rooting for Chip with a Guiltiful Feast.

There's a big Eagles game tonight and the town is stoked to the max. Win at midnight and the Eagles are in the playoffs. "Chip rules!"  Lose and the fans are devastated. "Chip choked!!" What a dramatic situation. 

We believe in Chip and his innovative game plans.  It's a Big Time moment in a town more than ready for the Big time spotlight.  Can you imagine what the Superbowl is going to be like with an army of Eagle fans a mere 90 miles away? OMG!!! 

Of course down in front, the Guilty Pleasures Club prepares for either outcome with many decadent delights. For the early games, our spread needs to match the passion of the fans tailgating all day in the stadium. parking lot.  Even though the game is in Dallas and even though the weather is miserable.  From the Blackberry Chevre stuffed French Toast with a Pecan encrusted Spiral Ham for breakfast to Kowaloneks' fresh Kielbasa and Juniper Berry Sauerkraut for a pre-game lunch, our GPC team sets the Game Day table for success.  "How delicious does that sound?"  

At 4 pm it's blanched vegetables with a Tzatziki sauce as we put the finishing touches on a  pre-game feast that features the Coho Salmon that we caught this past summer in Oregon . "We miss daybreak in Astoria.  Salmon fishing the at the mouth of the Olympia River is strictly front row. It just doesn't get any better than that." Grazing all day on fantastic food is our Guilty Football Feast .

With Philadelphia's beloved Eagles looking to clinch first place, playoff positioning has begun to take shape. My gut instinct tells me this is the year that the Birds quiet their critics and win the Super Bowl.

You have to pace yourself on Guilty Street. Stuffing yourself is frowned upon while grazing throughout the day is the Guilty Way. "Go Chip Go!!!"

Dreaming of Festivus Dinner while making a Big Time Holiday Breakfast. Guilty Pleasure x 2 . .

My lofty station as the Patriarch of a remarkable family makes everyday special. Nothing is more rewarding than being a Dad and that's especially true on a Holiday morning.  Everyone sleeps in and Guilty has the house to himself.  I can do a lot of damage before 7 am with a skillet and a dream. My gourmet breakfast will feature Chevre/blackberry stuffed French toast, eggs over easy and spiral ham from the best Ham recipe in the world.  Check it out. Preparing breakfast for the Guilty Gang with our dog on the assist, is a great way to start any day.

I went to bed last evening looking forward to a very Guilty holiday. Great Cinema, Great food and Great company.  AWESOME!!!  After seeing American Hustle, we will be hosting friends and family for a scrumptious Festivus Dinner.  And for all of you keeping scoring, Junior Mint and the Shifster are in charge of board games.  There is always a Scrabble controversy brewing when generations compete.  Love it!
We've asked Shiffie to roll 'dem magic bones first and pass on the knowledge.  No grudges allowed.

This year's feast will be our best secular celebration ever. Some people are Merry once a year. Other people share joy everyday.  We like that second approach to life much better. No exceptions are allowed!  When you start showing up in the front row, you must celebrate Living Well everyday. It's the Guilty Dogma and it's more than just mere words.  Invest in your key relationships and marvel at the results.  Sharing a Primo moment is always a Game Changer.  But don't forget, receiving a Guiltorious present from the family is even better.

It's great to be Dad.