Oliebollen From Boonzaaijer's Dutch Bakery In Colorado Springs - 12/31/2013

It's New Year's Eve here in Colorado Springs, CO. What a way to end the year with a Oliebollen from Boonzaaijer's Dutch Bakery. It's a dough ball fritter filled with raisins, currants and apples.  They are rolled either in powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar.  They are 95 each or 3 for $2.50.  Here are two pictures of them.

According to Wikipedia, oliebollen is traditionally eaten on New Year's Eve and at fun fairs.  In the winter, they are sold by street vendors in mobile stalls.

Today was the last day of the downtown Colorado Springs location of Pike's Peak Chocolate & Ice Cream.  What I was told today that their new shop in Manitou Springs, Colorado will be open sometime around late Feb. or early Mar. 2014.  Also, The Olive Branch restaurant has closed their doors.  They were located on S. Tejon St. I don't know what will replace that restaurant.

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year of 2014.  Please e-mail me at mikea1@earthlink.net and follow me on Twitter: @uniquelymike  Take care and have a great day!

My Breakfast At Steak n' Shake In Colorado Springs, CO. - 12/30/2013

Today, I had the chance to go to Colorado Springs' only Steak n' Shake restaurant for breakfast.  There was nobody in the restaurant except the employees there.  I was seated in a booth.  Megan was my server.  I took a moment to look at the menu.  I ordered a short stack of pancakes and a fruit & yogurt parfait.  I had water to drink.

A few minutes later, my order arrived. The pancakes were freshly made and the parfait was in a old fashioned parfait glass.  There was syrup and granola on the side.  The cost of the pancakes was $1.99 and the parfait cost 99 cents.  The total with tax was $3.21.  I had left a 10% tip on the table before paying at the register.  I would say it is a cheaper breakfast than at McDonald's.  It is much quieter there than at any McDonald's I had been at in Colorado Springs.  I feel that this is one of the better breakfasts I had in quite some time.  I asked if they were open on New Year's Day.  They are open on New Year's Day.

On another note, the Coquette's Pop-up Bakery in Downtown Colorado Springs has now closed.  I went there Saturday for a Gluten Free chocolate chip cookie.  I am looking forward to their new location in early March 2014.  I'll give you more details as they become available.

Follow me on Twitter at @uniquelymike. E-mail me at mikea1@earthlink.net  Take care and have a great day!

Gingerbread Truffle Mousse Cupcake from Chef Sugar's - 12/21/2013

Hello to everyone out there.  Yesterday, I went to Chef Sugar's before work to have some coffee and a Gingerbread Truffle Mousse cupcake.  The cupcake had a gingerbread chocolate mousse filling enrobed in a layer of chocolate with a mini gingerbread man on it.  It almost looked like Mr. Bill.  Here's a picture of it.

Chef Sugar's is closed from Dec. 24-25 and will reopen on Dec. 26.  You better get this cupcake real fast as it will sell out.

Follow me on Twitter @uniquelymike and my e-mail is mikea1@earthlink.net  Take care and have a great day!

Update on Coquette's Colorado Springs Opening - 12/16/2013

I went in to Coquette's Pop-up Bakery yesterday.  I bought a lavender buttercream cupcake for $4 plus tax.  I found out that the earliest that the grand opening of the Coquette's in Colorado Springs, CO would be early March.  I hope that the new location will work out for them.  They will have patio seating as well as a bar and a retail store for their Gluten Free flour as well as croutons.

The Pop-up bakery on N. Tejon St. will be closing on December 30.  Make sure to go there and get some holiday goodies.

Follow me on Twitter @uniquelymike  You can also e-mail me at mikea1@earthlink.net

Take care and have a great day!

Apple Maple Bacon Doughnut From Chef Sugars - 12/9/2013

Hi.  On Saturday, December 7, 2013, I had my first apple maple bacon doughnut from Chef Sugars in Colorado Springs, CO.  It was diced bacon on top of an maple glazed apple doughnut.  The doughnut is available only on select days.  Contact Chef Sugars for more details.  Here is a picture of it cut in half.

If you want it, go and get it.  I enjoyed it with a 16 oz. brewed coffee with cream and Splenda.

I may go there to get a dessert for my church's Christmas Dinner on Sunday night.  Please follow this blog for more good stuff.  Take care & have a great day!

Brisket Burger From Jake's Wayback Burgers - 12//2013

Yesterday for lunch, I went back to Jake's Wayback Burgers in Colorado Springs, CO.  I decided to try the December Burger Of The Month.  It was the Brisket Burger.  It includes two burger patties, american cheese, Wayback Gold Sauce and sliced beef brisket.  I added mushrooms to my brisket burger.  It was very good.  Here's a picture of it before I ate it.

I had water with lemon juice and Splenda in it to drink.
You have until 12/31/13 to take advantage of the opportunity to have this burger.  The only Jake's Wayback Burgers location in Colorado is in Colorado Springs. Go there and check it out.

Follow me on Twitter @uniquelymike My e-mail is: mikea1@earthlink.net

I'll see you on my next post. Have a great day!

Happy Thanksgiving 2013 - 11/28/2013

I want to wish a Happy Thanksgiving Day to all of those that celebrate it in one fashion or another.  It is a time to reflect on the past year so far and being thankful for being alive.  Most people take that for granted.  It's a miracle that I get to live another day.  Tomorrow is promised to no one.

Last year on Thanksgiving Day, I spent my dinnertime at a Hometown Buffet location in San Diego, California all alone.  At that time, I was living at the St. Vincent De Paul Homeless shelter.  There were four reasons why I ended up there.

1. Lack of jobs
2. Lack of money
3. Bad life choices
4. Bad financial decisions made in the past.

By the Grace of God, I am now in Colorado Springs, Colorado with three roommates.  I won't be alone this Thanksgiving.  It may be the only one where I am not alone.

My family is long gone.  I don't know if I still have family east of the Orlando area.
I saw that there was a pumpkin pie downstairs.  When dinner is done, I'll have my Dublin Dr. Pepper that I had been saving for such an occasion.

In other news, I saw that the Pikes Peak Chocolate & Ice Cream location in Downtown Colorado Springs is moving.  I don't know where the new location will be.  When I do find out, I'll let you know.  Loaf N Jug is having a Black Friday sale from today at 12 Noon to 6 pm on Black Friday with 12 oz. hot coffee for 25 cents and a 32 oz. fountain soft drink for 25 cents as well.  Check your local location for details.

Follow me on Twitter @uniquelymike or e-mail me at mikea1@earthlink.net  Take care and I'll see you on my next post.  Have a great day!

Dutch Apple Pie Cupcake From Chef Sugar's - 11/22/2013

Hello, everyone.  Today, I went to Chef Sugar's Cakes & Confections in Colorado Springs, Colorado during one of my breaks from work.  I had the Dutch Apple Pie Cupcake for $2.99 plus tax.

Here are two pictures of it.  One before being eaten and the other one is with two bites gone.

I enjoyed this.  The frosting was very rich.  The apples on top and crumb topping goes well with the frosting.

I wonder if women in Denver and Kansas City want some of these cupcakes.  I bet they do and you should too.  I would be afraid of taking cupcakes on a plane because my fellow passenger will want them.  I would be surprised if some ladies would kiss me for one.  Women have to be told that they are beautiful every day for the rest of their lives.  Women should tell us men that we're handsome.  Ladies, how many times today did people tell you that you're beautiful?  One last note, a woman's kiss leaves a imprint on a man's soul.  It goes deeper than you'll ever know.

One note about my previous post on Jake's Wayback Burgers, they have free Wi-Fi.

Chef Sugar's is located at 6942 N. Academy Blvd. in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Their phone number is (719) 260-8600  Their hours are Monday through Friday from 9am to 6pm and on Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm.  They are closed on Sundays.  Please make sure that you have their phone number on your speed dial.  Their website is: http://www.chefsugar.com  I hope that this will help you in your holiday party planning.  If you do visit their store or website, tell them that the, "Goodie Guy" sent you.

You can follow me on Twitter at @uniquelymike My e-mail address is: mikea1@earthlink.net  Have a great weekend and I'll see you on my next post. Have a great day!

Jake's Wayback Burgers Arrives In Colorado - 11/21/2013

Hello, everyone.  I hope all is well with you and yours.

While I was on a break from work, I stopped by Jake's Wayback Burgers.  Today was the official 1st day for them in Colorado.  The location I visited is located at: 6964 N. Academy Blvd. in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

They are known for their classic burgers.  Their signature burgers come with two burger patties.  You can also create your own burger whether you want it single, double or triple.  Their signature sandwiches include a grilled chicken caesar, buffalo bleu crispy chicken, Very Veggie burger, turkey burger club and the gut-busting Triple Triple Burger with cheese, lettuce, tomato and 9 burger patties. They also have all beef hot dogs, fries, rings and side as well as fresh tossed salads.

Their milkshakes are hand dipped and in a variety of flavors.

I would like to see some Colorado College Hockey players try the Triple Triple Burger.

You can order online at http://www.waybackburgers.com  Ask about their burger and milkshake of the month.  Their hours are: Monday to Saturday from 10am to 10pm and on Sunday from 10am to 9pm.  Their phone number is: (719) 266-JAKE.

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter. @uniquelymike  My e-mail address is: mikea1@earthlink.net  I'll see you on my next blog post.  Take care and have a great day.

Creme Brulee Cake at Coquette's

Hello, everyone.  I hope you all had a good weekend.  I know that a lot of people in Denver, Colorado had a great weekend with their Denver Broncos defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Denver. 

Yesterday, November 17, 2013, I went back to Coquette's pop up bakery in downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado.  This time, I took a picture of their 'Soon to be Famous"...wait for it... Gluten Free Crème Brulee cake.  It is a beautiful cake to behold and better to eat.  This cake serves 8 to 12.  The cost of the cake is $42.  A slice of this cake is also available at $6.50. It is well worth it.  Here is a picture of it.

Coquette's pop up bakery is open from now until Dec. 31.  They are closed on Tuesdays.  On Mondays, Wednesdays through Saturdays, they are open from 10 am to 7 pm Mountain Standard Time.  On Sundays, they are open from 9 am to 3 pm. 

As always, you can follow me on Twitter at @uniquelymike  My e-mail address is: mikea1@earthlink.net  I know that Jiao Jiao Shen & Kalee Dionne from Kansas City, MO would love to have this cake in their newsroom.  If you really want something, sometimes you just have to reach out and grab it.  I'll see you on my next blog post.  Have a great day!

Coquette's Pop Up Bakery in downtown Colorado Springs - 11/16/2013

Today, I decided to take a walk in the downtown area of Colorado Springs, Colorado.  I saw a pop up bakery in the old Zeezo's location at 104 N. Tejon St.  It was Coquette's pop up bakery.  It is a 100% Gluten Free bakery.  It is open in this location from November 15 to December 31, 2013. 

I had a sample of their Gluten Free pumpkin cupcake.  It was very good.  It was so good, I took a picture of it.

I also took a picture of part of their bakery case that includes a gluten free éclair, a Boston Cream dessert and a lavender buttercream gluten free cupcake. 

I hope that you can stop by whenever you are in the Downtown Colorado Springs area.  I hope that Coquette's will have a second location open up in the future.  It is very popular up in Manitou Springs, Colorado. 

I hope that the City of Colorado Springs can make me a culinary tour guide to the Downtown area one day.  It has been windy here today.

Please follow my blog.  You can follow me on Twitter at @uniquelymike  You can also e-mail me at: mikea1@earthlink.net  I'll see you on my next blog post. Have a great day!

Cinnamon Roll from Kai's Konfections. - 11/14/2013

Last Tuesday, November 12, 2013, I went to Seeds Community Café in Colorado Springs, Colorado for a coffee and a cinnamon roll.  The cinnamon roll came from Kai's Konfections located in Colorado Springs, CO.  It had a nice cream cheese frosting on it.  It was good.  I had to take a few minutes to savor it.  Here's a pic of the cinnamon roll before I ate it.

I know that you would want this with your morning coffee. 

You can follow me on Twitter at : @uniquelymike  Also, you can e-mail me at mikea1@earthlink.net  I'll see you on my next blog post.  Have a great day!

Gluten Free Mint Brownie - 11/8/2013

Yesterday, I had a gluten free mint brownie for dessert at Seeds Community Café in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Today, I went back there to find out where the brownie came from.  I was told that it came from Sugar Plum Cake Shoppe.  Sugar Plum Cake Shoppe is located at 412 S. 8th St. in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Their phone number is: (719) 930-3343.  Here is the picture of the gluten free mint brownie.

Doesn't that look good?  I had someone in Denver, Colorado ask me about it on Twitter.  I hope that Sugar Plum Cake Shoppe will have to make a lot of these in the coming days to satisfy my audience. 

Monday, November 11 is Veteran's Day.  I'll be volunteering at Seeds Community Café on Monday from 11am to 2pm.  Come down and see me. The location is 109 E. Pikes Peak Ave. just behind Josh & John's Ice Cream.  They are open from 10am to 2:30pm. 

You can follow me on Twitter: @uniquelymike You can also e-mail me at: mikea1@earthlink.net  I'll see you on my next blog post.  Have a great day!  Take care.

Giving A Meal In Colorado Springs, Colorado - 11/7/2013

Hello, everyone.  Today, I volunteered three hours as a server at Seeds Community Café in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  I learned today that you can give someone a meal at Seeds Community Café.  Do you have friends or loved ones in the Colorado Springs area that could use a meal?  Do you know of a starving student at Colorado College, Pikes Peak Community College or at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, UCCS?  Seeds Community Café is selling meal tokens good for one meal for a $10 donation.  Here is what the token looks like.

I took a picture of the heads and tails sides of the meal token.  Two meal tokens were purchased today at the café.  I am hoping that more and more will be purchased.  I know that they will.

My lunch today after my shift was a turkey Rueben with no kraut, a cup of broccoli cheese soup and a gluten free mint brownie that I will share a pic with you in later posts. 

If you would like more information on the meal tokens, please visit the Seeds website at http://www.seedscommunitycafe.org  If you would like to send someone in the Colorado Springs area a meal, please contact me by e-mail at: mikea1@earthlink.net 

I hope that you have a great day and I'll see you on my next post.  Take care!

Green Chili Apple Pie - 11/4/2013

Today, I volunteered one hour at Seeds Community Café in Colorado Springs, CO.  I helped set up the café for opening.  I put out some tables and chairs in the patio, place salt and pepper onto the tables, folded aprons, swept and mopped the café and took down chairs.  After my shift, I sat down with some coffee and a slice of green chili apple Pie.  I had it slightly warmed up.  It was mildly spicy and not too sweet.  It had a crumb topping on it.  Here are some pictures of it.

I had it with coffee and apple cider.  In the second picture, you can see the slivers of green chili in it underneath the crumb topping.  I know that you want this.  I bet some Denver Dames and Colorado Cuties out there want it.  If a man brings this to his place of work, he should have it under lock and key.  This is especially true for those that work at 7 News in Denver.  You can thank (spank) me later. 

I'll be working on more good stuff in the coming days as long as I get funding from work and other sources.  I had someone last week inquire about sending my Nutella Filled Strawberries to Georgia.  I bet people all over Colorado want them as well. 

I'm without my phone until Friday because I'm out of minutes and don't have any money for it.  Oh, well.  You can still e-mail me at mikea1@earthlink.net, Twitter: @uniquelymike and Paypal at my e-mail address.  I'll see you on my next post and have a great day.

Gluten Free Pear Clafouties - 10/31/2013

Today, I volunteered for 3 hours at Seeds Community Café in Colorado Springs, CO.  I was scheduled to do salad prep but the assignment was changed to server.  I learned a lot today.  There is always room for improvement. 

After my volunteering, I sat down to lunch.  I had apple cider, beef stroganoff and loaded potato soup.  For dessert, I had a gluten free sugar free Clafouties pastry that was brought in from Olivier Gourmet in Colorado Springs, CO.  Here is a picture of it.

My review of it is this:  It was a nice, lightly sweet pastry.  The pears were soft and fork tender.  It is good either cold or warmed up.  I know that you want to try this.  Olivier Gourmet's website is: http://www.oliviergourmetfoods.com.  It is a local Colorado Springs company.  They also have classic made items as well. 

I would like to arrange a tasting of Olivier Gourmet products on one of my "Monday Night Food Ball" events coming up in November.  If you would like to participate, please e-mail me at mikea1@earthlink.net  My events are on a donation basis.  Happy Halloween to those of you who celebrate.  I'll see you on my next post.  Take care and have a great day.

Lavender Vanilla Bean Caramelized Bananas - 10/30/2013

Hello again.  This post is about Lavender Vanilla Bean Caramelized Bananas that I made recently. I sliced a banana. I coated both sides of the slices in Lavender Vanilla Bean sugar that I got from The Savory Spice Shop in Colorado Springs, CO. 

I melted margarine in a frying pan.  You can use butter if you so desire. Place the sugar coated banana slices into the frying pan and fry for about 1 to 2 minutes a side to get a good caramelizing of the bananas. 

Serve warm with your favorite ice cream, non-daily frozen dessert or Bananas Foster.  Here is a picture of the ones that I made.

I hope you like the picture.  I'm available this Monday, November 4, 2013 for "Monday Night Food Ball".  If you are interested in booking me anywhere from Colorado Springs to Denver, please e-mail me at mikea1@earthlink.net or on my cell/text at (303) 520-1170. 

This is a reminder not to eat yogurt with a knife.  I saw a picture on Twitter of a weather anchor in Denver eating yogurt with a knife.  That is so wrong on different levels.  Yogurt is meant to be eaten with a spoon.  Do you know what a mess kit is?  If you don't, contact me.  Never stop your culinary learning. 

Follow me on Twitter.  My Twitter handle is: @uniquelymike  I'll see you on my next post.  Take care, everyone.

Dole Whip Sundae - 10/29/2013

Hi.  I was going though some pictures today and wanted to share with my audience a picture I had from 2010 of a Dole Whip Sundae I had at Lappert's Ice Cream and Coffee in San Diego, California.  At the time, it cost around $7.00   I don't know what it cost now.  I hope you enjoy the picture.

 

I also have a link to the video that I made of it. Here it is: http://youtu.be/SVy7uX8dt0s
I am available for booking a cooking class on Monday nights called ,"Monday Night Food Ball".  Contact me for details. Twitter: @uniquelymike  E-mail: mikea1@earthlink.net or text at (303) 520-1170 if you are in the Colorado Springs or Denver areas. I know that lots of Denver Dames and Colorado Cuties are out there wanting my treats.  Locking up chocolate isn't a bad thing.  I'll see you on my next post.

Add Bacon To Jack In The Box Tacos - 10/28/2013

Hello, everyone.  I did one hour of volunteer work at Seeds Community Café in Colorado Springs, CO. today.  I made a video last year of adding bacon to Jack In The Box tacos.  Here's the link: http://youtu.be/mPzGc9x9YzM  Try it. You'll like it. 

In other news, I will be starting a Monday Night Food Ball event in the Colorado Springs area in the near future.  I hope to get some good interest in this event.  If you or your group is interested in hosting me for this event, please e-mail me at mikea1@earthlink.net  You can also tweet your request to @uniquelymike  I will do these events on a donation basis.  There is a possibility of doing events on select Thursday nights as well.  Contact me for details.

Remember, your kids will have to know how to cook someday.  Take care and I'll see you on my next post.

Honeycomb Mini Chocolate Bar - 10/27/2013

Hello there.  Here is a link to my video of a Honeycomb Mini Chocolate Bar that I got last year.  It was good.  I got it from Chuao Chocolatier in San Diego, CA.  Enjoy!  I bet you want one or more of these. http://youtu.be/AtMfoFL00hI

I hope you all have a great week and look forward to more posts from me, The Goodie Guy.

Spiced Vanilla Bean Grilled Toast - 10/26/2013

Hello there.  Last night, I made some spiced vanilla bean grilled toast for a snack.  I took sliced bread, spread margarine on one side, sprinkled spiced vanilla bean sugar from the Savory Spice Shop in Colorado Springs, CO on the buttered side and grilled it in a frying pan.  Here is a picture of it.

I put Nutella & chunky peanut butter on the other side.  It is so good.  I bet you would want to make this. You can make two slices of this toast and put peanut butter and Nutella between them and make a sweet breakfast sandwich. 

You can follow me on Twitter. @uniquelymike   I also accept donation by PayPal at mikea1@earthlink.net if you like this blog.  Have a wonderful weekend! I know that I will.

Chocolate Covered Belgian Waffle On A Stick - 10/25/2013

Today, I spent one hour volunteering at Seeds Community Café in Colorado Springs, CO.  I helped set up the restaurant to be open.  I set some table and chairs out on the patio, swept and mopped the floor and polished some silverware.  The people there are nice.  Seeds Community Café is located at 109 E. Pikes Peak Ave. behind Josh & John's Ice Cream in Colorado Springs.  They are on the web at http://www.seedscommunitycafe.org 

Here is a video link to my video that I did in 2010 of Chocolate Covered Belgian Waffles On A Stick from the Carlsbad Street Fair in Carlsbad, CA. http://youtu.be/_LSHcDeqNj8

I'll be working on some more good stuff for you to want.  I'm also accepting donations for this blog to keep on rolling.  I accept Paypal at my e-mail address: mikea1@earthlink.net 

Remember to exercise weekly to work off the goodies.  Take care and I'll see you on my next post.

Pancake Battered Banana Slices - 10/24/2013

Hi again.  Today's blog post is about pancake battered banana slices.  Most pancakes have a batter.  So, why not dip banana slices in them. 

All you need is prepared pancake batter and sliced bananas.  Dip each banana slice into the pancake batter using a fork.  Make sure that the banana is completely covered in the batter.  Pan fry the slices in a non-stick frying pan.  Flip the slices when bubbles start disappearing.  Remove from pan when they are done. 

These are best served warm.  It's an excellent breakfast idea for the kids.  You know that you want this because it's so good.

Remember, you can follow me on Twitter @uniquelymike  My e-mail address is mikea1@earthlink.net  You can leave me comments on here and by e-mail and Twitter.   

The Goodie Guy - 10/21/13

Hello.  I am Michael Alexander.  I am known as The Goodie Guy. I currently live in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  It has been said that people want what I have because it's so good.  Well, that's why I created this blog.  I'll show people what I have and they will want whatever it is I have. 

Here is a picture of a Nutella Filled Strawberry.

All you need for this is strawberries and Nutella.  The only kitchen tools needed are a knife and a tomato corer.  Cut the green tops off of the strawberries. Core out some of the inside of the strawberries.  Fill each strawberry with Nutella.  Chill if desired.  Set the filled strawberries out on a plate and watch them disappear. 

If you would like to know more about me, please e-mail me at: mikea1@earthlink.net  You can also find me on Twitter at: @uniquelymike  That is also my Youtube handle. 

Take care and I'll see you next time.