One Boss Cake

Yesterday my family went to a surprise 50th birthday party for my mom and dad's sister-in-law.  They thought about what kind of gift to get her - my dad wanted to give her fifty $1 scratch-offs (which he did end up doing) but my mom wanted to do something a little more meaningful.  The sister-in-law's family has a really great Italian restaurant in Southampton and they enjoy exceptional food and wine.  So, my mom thought it might be fun to take a ride to Hoboken, NJ and go to Carlo's Bakery to get her a cake!  If you watch TLC, you'll know that Carlo's Bakery is the backdrop to the show "Cake Boss."  If you've never seen the show - you should catch an episode.  Very, very funny and the cakes they make are incredible works of art.  We live about 70 miles from New York City and Hoboken is a straight shot across lower Manhattan and through the Holland Tunnel.  Traffic through the City was, to put it mildly, AWFUL!  When they got to the bakery there was a perfect parking spot waiting for them just around the corner.  The line to get in went to the end of the block (which was probably better than usual due to the very cold weather on Saturday.)  They waited on line, made some new friends, peeked through the windows, drank some Starbucks coffee, and after about a half hour or so had their turn to go in.  They were given a number when they walked in the door and, ironically, it was 50! 

They chose this cute pink polka dotted cake and bought a bunch of other pastries including lobster tails, cannolis, cream puffs and two red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.  Mom and Dad have been dieting but over the weekend they each had a lobster tail and my mom had a cannoli too! 

Well worth the cheating.  I thought I was being left out but I got to taste the cream filling from the lobster tail and I give it 2 paws up! 

While they were there they saw two of "Buddy's" sisters (the blond behind the counter is one) and the delivery guy who in one episode cracked up the delivery vehicle. 

Mom bought a sweat shirt (she's a sweat shirt FREAK - probably needs to go on "What NOT to Wear"!)  Everybody at the party, including the birthday girl, loved the cake and my family is already planning to go back in warmer weather.  All-in-all a very SWEET weekend!