pomegranate martini cake

Cardona's pomegranate martini cake: Bringing back the martini lunch

I’ve never been a sucker for pretty, especially when it comes to lovers and food. I fall in crush with character actors, wry smiles, and cracked, stained, workman hands. When it comes to food, most of my favorite meals swim in sloppy sauces or spill over from big piles of rice with stuff sticking out. Sweet vs. savory? Cute vs. saucy? I choose saucy-savory every time.

But yesterday, I found myself star-struck by the cake equivalent of Gwyneth Paltrow – elegant, blond, totally together perfection. I walked in to Cardona’s and wandered by the dessert window to flirt with the cannolis, and there in the upper right corner was the prettiest piece of cake I’d ever seen. And for a moment I forgot all my geek-girl aversions to cheerleaders and Britney blonds, quaint kitsch and Stepford confections of flavorless fluff.

It was so pretty. Creamy white and bejeweled by pomegranates. Enchanting.

And so even though I don’t like cake, especially cake that doesn’t have the decency to have any chocolate in it, I bought a piece.

If nothing else, I wanted a picture.

When I got home and opened the package, the cake wasn’t what I expected.

pomegranate martini cake

Underneath the smooth exterior, the inside – layers of custard, oranges, and spongy cake -- was so moist it oozed. The whole thing was soaked in sweet vodka.

If the folks from Mad Men ever need a cake to go with their show, this is it.

Something about the pure decadence made me laugh out loud and momentarily abandon my common sense. I poured myself a cup of coffee, grabbed a fork and sat down.

I had a piece of cake for lunch yesterday. Not with lunch, for lunch. Yup, I did that. All that was missing was the cigarette.

posted January 8, 2009 | link | comments (8)

filed under: Essays, Ingredients, Places, Cardona's, pomegranate martini cake, vodka

AllOverAlbany.com

Comments

So would this be considered a good halfway point of prettiness? Kind of like a flapper of cakes, if you will: both quality and style?

How much was it? It looks mighty fine!

- by Albany Jane on Jan 9, 2009 at 3:53 PM | link

If I recall, it was $3.95. And it was great!

Also, in response to a couple of emails and questions that I got....

It was a little like rum cake in consistency, but rum cake can be over-the-top sweet, and this wasn't. It was plenty sweet, don't get me wrong, but not in that make your teeth burn kind of a way.

Oh, and if I were to order this cake, I would ask them to leave the oranges out, just a little funny on the texture end of things.

- by celinabean on Jan 10, 2009 at 4:39 PM | link

after reading this review i had to try a piece of that cake. i shared it (and a couple cannolis) with some friends. i literally licked the plate clean. good.

- by leah on Jan 16, 2009 at 7:55 PM | link

This morning I overheard two women discussing this very cake; one of the women was raving about it to her friend. As a cake baker, I am always intrigued by new recipes. Would there be any way to get the recipe?

- by flo on Jan 17, 2009 at 7:21 PM | link

This morning I overheard two women discussing this very cake; one of the women was raving about it to her friend. As a cake baker, I am always intrigued by new recipes. Would there be any way to get the recipe?

- by flo on Jan 17, 2009 at 7:21 PM | link

I don't know. I'm out of town right now, but when I get back I can ask the guys at Cardona's.

- by celinabean on Jan 17, 2009 at 9:29 PM | link

I can' t wait to try this recipe. If I know my sister this has to be good. Congrats on your new great cake. Your the best.

- by Amber on Jan 26, 2009 at 9:40 PM | link

ok, so THIS is what I want for my birthday cake.

- by Erin on Jul 2, 2010 at 12:44 PM | link

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