Knights of the Ice Cream Table

SPRING BREAK! One of the all-time high points of the spring semester and well deserving of a celebration.  Already halfway through the semester!  Sick!

Now I know some people observe this festive occasion by heading down to the beaches of Florida...

...(which got nothing on "da Jersey Sho'."  Just fyi to you crazy people who somehow think the show is a real, true-to-life documentary, umm it's not.  Also, in NJ, we call it the "beach" not the "shore" - except for those from north Jersey who should really just be annexed to NY)...

...or some other really warm place while a few who consider themselves outside the box and creative thinkers head up to the mountains for some skiing (crazy people, what are you smoking!?). 

Me?  I also like to celebrate.  And by celebrate, I mean eat.  And by eat, I mean eat.

Like most spring break plans, I too have been planning mine for quite a while.  A friend was going to pick up my brothers and me and drive us home.  Except!....instead of heading straight home, we were going to drive 30 miles in the opposite direction through rush hour traffic.  What a way to celebrate!  All for this!

This is the Green Knight sundae from the Charcoal Pit in Wilmington, Delaware.  This medley of deliciousness boasts vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, marshmallow fluff, banana slices, walnuts, whipped cream, and a maraschino cherry. 

Notice how it's overflowing the sides of the gigantic goblet - a goblet by reason of its ridiculous size and the fact that the name of this sundae hearkens back to the medieval days of chivalry - and puddling at the bottom.

My heart went out to the waitress.  Her hands were covered with the fudge, marshmallow fluff, and melting ice cream that was dripping down the sides, and then she washed it off.  How can you not lick your fingers!!?  Poor girl.

Oh majestic mountain of marvel!  How dost I love thee!

Ever felt the need to break out into some good, old, Old English after reading about King Arthur's knight's?

I really wasn't as excited about the break aspect of spring break as much as I was for the opportunity to devour this beast.

Every knight needs his sword, and this Green Knight sundae comes with its own.  It is not for the faint of heart nor the weak of arm to wield such a weapon.  It's balance, perfect.  It's design, flawless.  Long enough to pierce deep into the flesh of the ice cream beast and slay him where he stands and yet strong enough to withstand the fierce battle that must precede such victory.

This dessert has a second bonus in addition to just tasting great.  It requires skill, planning, and an intimate understanding of physics to eat.  Notice that primordial soup of chocolate and vanilla gathering at the bottom.  Resorting to the traditional method of carving out a spoonful with a downward sweeping motion results in swelling sea of chilled cream that threatens to break the boundaries of the goblet.  Care, delicacy, and patience - that's the ticket.

Finally beyond the danger zone...

...and down to the godbite...errr "godslurp."

Mission complete.

And the crazy thing about the Charcoal Pit is that the sundaes aren't the only outstanding thing on the menu.  In fact, this place is probably better known for their milkshakes.  These are no Mickey D's, weird colored shakes.  They are premium shakes made with real ice cream.  Go to the Charcoal Pic, get a shake (or two), and finish off your meal with a sundae - it's all part of a healthy and well-balanced diet.