HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!
I've got a St. Patty's Day birthday. Yes, it makes for some epic stories and celebrations, but it's also a day when almost EVERY place to eat is serving the staple Corned Beef and Cabbage. This year was a SPECIAL treat because I finally wandered into a place I've driven by for YEARS: The Old Canal Inn. This is a spot that I've always been curious about, but never had the opportunity or inclination to wander into, but for SOME reason, it was suggested for family dinner on birthday night. Wow...this place did NOT disappoint. By the time I left I was conceding that this may be my new permanent go to for traditional tavern food. What a spot. A divided, ground floor area with a full bar, shuffleboard and darts on one side with a sit-down restaurant and a stage for live music on the other. I'll be damned if this didn't check every box on Fat Mike's list for must haves in a place to chill. I was impressed from the moment I stepped in. Thankfully, when the food came out it stood just as tall as the kick-ass space I was sitting in. The corned beef was soft and delicious, sitting in a pool of cabbage juice and meat fat. I'm salivating just thinking about it. It melted in my mouth with the crunchy, soaked cabbage and all that flavor did a dance in my face. I was impressed. As a St. Patty's expert, I've consumed my fair share of CB&C, and I'm telling you that this stood with some of the best of 'em. Sure, I may have also tried the nachos, and some of my wife's Fish 'n Chips (which were ALSO amazing... go get 'em), but I was sure to save room because I knew there was a treat (or treats) waiting for me at home. NEXT!!!
This was big year for cake at Fat Mike's house. My amazing sister showed strong with a special treat that has started becoming a go-to on special occasions. This, ladies and gents, is a BURGER cake. No, it's not a cake with a burger in it (although I'd eat that too), but it's a traditional, double-stacked yellow cake that is built to look like a legit burger. Those are legit sesame seeds on the top of that bun, people!! As I hope you can see in the pics, the 2 layers of cake are divided by a generous helping of chocolate filling (the burger) and then multicolored frosting to represent tomatoes and lettuce. *because there's GOTS to be some veggies to balance this out, am I wrong??* As I mentioned, this isn't the first time that this cake has graced our household. Does anyone remember Father's Day 2015 (click if you want to reminisce) Yep, the cake was there, too! HDP and burger cake anyone? Mmmmm... Sis, you're the best.
As an added anecdote, there was controversy stirred up this year with the addition of the "Fat Mike" messaging. Apparently, bakers don't think it's "PC" to write Fat Mike on a Hamburger Cake. My sister had to pull some serious strings to get that part executed. That's love, folks... and I love her right back.
I know what you're thinking... "That's GOT to be it, Fat Mike." Nope. I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine.
I know what you're thinking... "That's GOT to be it, Fat Mike." Nope. I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine.
COOKIE PUSS!
It's become clear to me recently that the world is unaware of my ice cream composed friend pictured above. Back when Fat Mike was just a little tyke, this loyal dairy confection stood beside me through thick, and thicker, and thicker still. Cookie O' Puss only peeks his head out for the St. Patty's holiday, and he is the distant overseas cousin of Cookie Puss.
Unfortunately, Carvel Ice Cream stores are not as frequently found as they were when mini-Fat was running loose in the 80s. There are few of the recent generation who even know of his existence. Cookie Puss used to have a public stage and people would come from far and wide to shake (and then eat) his had. CLICK FOR PROOF . However, once franchises started being overrun by fancy-shmancy ice cream vendors, compatriots like Cookie Puss faded into the shadows. The glorious figure once featured in coolers across the nation vanished, and now he can only be summoned via special order. Believe it or not, there are some Carvel franchise owners who don't even know who Cookie Puss IS?!?! Nevertheless, Fat Mike gets a Cookie Puss for his birthday EVERY year thanks to a loyal, dedicated, doting and beautiful lady who foolishly committed her life to the Fat many years ago.
What washes burger cake down better than opening up a box and eating a friend you've known your whole life. That's right. Although Cookie Puss is celebrated, he's fervently and methodically consumed. This year was special in that "the boy" was an active participant. We stood over Mr. Cookie O' Puss, thanked him for his sacrifice and carved into his lovely, gloved, green hands. "Why the hands first" you ask? This is to ensure that The Puss is unable to fight back. Step two is wiping that smug smile off his face (via consumption) and then we work the way up. Very rarely is a Cookie Puss consumed in a single sitting, but the carving and eating process is well thought out. Over the course of the next couple days, we move around the face and rip through that glorious cone nose. The LAST thing to eat are those supple, all-seeing, flying-saucer eyes. Cookie Puss has to watch the whole time, poor soul, but his sacrifice is noble and his heart is strong. We should all hope to achieve the level of poise, strength, and courage that Cookie Puss shows year, after year, after year, after year.
Now, you've been introduced. Should you see a Puss in your local Carvel Ice Cream cooler, give him a wink. Purchase him for a friend, or even yourself. Look into those eyes and see the happiness that he knows his sacrifice is bringing to so many. Relish in that moment, then eat your (and his) heart out.
Unfortunately, Carvel Ice Cream stores are not as frequently found as they were when mini-Fat was running loose in the 80s. There are few of the recent generation who even know of his existence. Cookie Puss used to have a public stage and people would come from far and wide to shake (and then eat) his had. CLICK FOR PROOF . However, once franchises started being overrun by fancy-shmancy ice cream vendors, compatriots like Cookie Puss faded into the shadows. The glorious figure once featured in coolers across the nation vanished, and now he can only be summoned via special order. Believe it or not, there are some Carvel franchise owners who don't even know who Cookie Puss IS?!?! Nevertheless, Fat Mike gets a Cookie Puss for his birthday EVERY year thanks to a loyal, dedicated, doting and beautiful lady who foolishly committed her life to the Fat many years ago.
What washes burger cake down better than opening up a box and eating a friend you've known your whole life. That's right. Although Cookie Puss is celebrated, he's fervently and methodically consumed. This year was special in that "the boy" was an active participant. We stood over Mr. Cookie O' Puss, thanked him for his sacrifice and carved into his lovely, gloved, green hands. "Why the hands first" you ask? This is to ensure that The Puss is unable to fight back. Step two is wiping that smug smile off his face (via consumption) and then we work the way up. Very rarely is a Cookie Puss consumed in a single sitting, but the carving and eating process is well thought out. Over the course of the next couple days, we move around the face and rip through that glorious cone nose. The LAST thing to eat are those supple, all-seeing, flying-saucer eyes. Cookie Puss has to watch the whole time, poor soul, but his sacrifice is noble and his heart is strong. We should all hope to achieve the level of poise, strength, and courage that Cookie Puss shows year, after year, after year, after year.
Now, you've been introduced. Should you see a Puss in your local Carvel Ice Cream cooler, give him a wink. Purchase him for a friend, or even yourself. Look into those eyes and see the happiness that he knows his sacrifice is bringing to so many. Relish in that moment, then eat your (and his) heart out.
