Something For Dad

June 20, 2003 was the day Stu died. And that, my friends, is the extent to which I refer to him in the past tense.

Every time I hear and see your joyous reaction to Stu’s Cheesecake, Dad must be told about it. It brings him much happiness.

Many of you never met him though you know his name. You have a sense of who he is. How many of you call me Stu?

I crack open some cream cheese. I think about Stu. I bake the cake thinking of Stu. Because of my uncanny ability to relate any life experience to a Stephen Sondheim song, “Or am I just being kind? Or am I losing my mind?”

He resides in my heart; always available to speak. I get that concept. However, an experience happens. With the cheesecake, there’s something tangible. With all of you, there is a shared, visceral joy.

It brings Dad back in a way I can’t dream imaginable. Honestly, who needs a channeler? I have a cheesecake.

For helping to bring him here, I thank you.

Do I miss him. Yes. Am I sometimes sad? Same answer. It doesn’t last long.  Stu's Cheesecake is something I do for me and him.

It’s impossible to be sad, looking at a cheesecake crack. Stare into it and you can see your future.

This is the cake I baked on June 20 in his honor.

The two and only.  My mom and dad, Rae and Stu Mikelberg

On Father's Day, Hooray For Stu!

Stu died twelve years ago today, June 20. With good reasons, it is impossible to feel any sadness or to mourn him.

I had Kaposi's Sarcoma in early 2003. I nearly died three months before Stu really died.

I will never forget how we sat together in my hospital room on Saturday night March 29, 2003. Faced with the possibility of my death, it happened. "I'm sorry." "I apologize." "What the hell was I thinking when I said so and so." "I love you." These were the words we said. Forty-three years of rancor, anger, fear and sadness went right out the window. They were instantly replaced with respect, admiration and love, feelings we already had but were masked by everything else. Then my friend Cy O'Neal showed up. Cy and Stu were instant buddies. She dubbed Stu "Twinkle Eyes". The rest of the evening was sad and beautiful and joyous.

The last thing Stu and I said to each other was "I love you". In the hours following the call that he died, while sad beyond sad I remember this thought. There were neither any unresolved feelings nor anything left unsaid. My relationship with Stu was complete, with a nice David Mikelberg blue ribbon tied around it. Giving his eulogy two days later, I could speak of only the love he had for us all and how he was the definition of a larger than life character. Instead of goodbye were the oft-repeated words, "Hooray for Stu!"

My sadness was lightened a bit by the knowledge he died on June 20, the date of my prize losing appearance on The $20,000 Pyramid. How kind and thoughtful of Stu to leave on a day I already equate with loss.

When Stu's Cheesecake started, I had the belief of punching a hole in the Universe so Stu could be here to see it. There are no words to describe the feeling and its empowering result. Stu's been with me every step of the way.

Look at any online profile I have and his name is the first thing you see. For crying out loud, so many friends call me Stu. That's fine with me and again, Stu is here.

The joy and fun everyone experiences as they eat Stu's Cheesecake is the essence of what Stu is all about. I see it and that's everything.

Yes, I miss him. Sadness? Mournfulness? Out of the question.

Dad, I have a gift for you on this Father's Day. We're building, slowly but surely.  There are those who've helped us get this far over the past three years. To them we are forever grateful. We still need help. We'll find our needed assistance.

I'll never quit. I'll see it through. Impossible to do when you were here, I'll do it now, I promise. It is something worthwhile I can do for us both.

You get it, Dad. I know you do.

Six Degrees To David Letterman

We're misty-eyed over David Letterman's last Late Show.  Adding our voice to the many heartfelt tributes to Dave, we came up with our own game of Six Degrees.  To our delight, it is a true attachment of the heart.  Here we go.

Stu's Cheesecake- David Mikelberg - Stu Mikelberg - Bypass Surgery - Dr. O. Wayne Isom - David Letterman

Dr. Isom was Stu's surgeon for his bypass surgery in 1999.  It gave us four more years with Stu hence we are forever grateful.

We are grateful to Dave for many things, the laughs, the great broadcasts, the Top 10 lists and for bringing us Darlene Love singing "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" for 28 years.

Darlene Love states she won't sing that song on television for anyone else but you, Dave.  And so we have a request.  If you are so moved, please come back once a year for a Christmas Special.  There are still meatballs waiting to be knocked off Christmas trees and it's not the holiday without Darlene Love.

And Dave, after all this time you may want to do something different. We've got a solution.  We will happily provide a Stu's Cheesecake for you and Jay Thomas to knock off the tree.  We'll bake one for you, too, as we have for Darlene.

Have as much fun out there on the lake, fishing with your son as Stu did with his David.

It's our first video!

Seto McCoy loves Stu's Cheesecake!

Let us know how much you love the great taste of Stu's.  We'll put you on camera!

And the countdown has started to the launch of Seto's web site at www.setomccoy.com.

Joe Franklin's Couch - The Best Seat In The House

A New York original has died. Joe Franklin practically invented the television talk show, keeping his on the air for 43 years. He interviewed everyone whether in the mainstream or on the end of the fringe.

From memorabilia to LP's to pictures, his office is a repository of the entire 20th century. If it happened, Joe knew about it. He was referred to as "The King of Nostalgia". Friends call me the "National Treasure of Fandom." I'd lose a trivia contest to Joe in a heartbeat though he was genuinely surprised I knew some of the answers.

We could drink a toast to him, but you can't find a bottle of Hoffman Ginger Ale when you need one.

Like my dad, Joe made friends of everyone he met. Joe made you feel right at home in his presence.  I am happy to be included among those friends.

Godspeed, Joe.

January 1, 2015

Sometimes others can say things better than we ourselves.  In the words of the English author, Neil Gaiman:

"I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world.  You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something.

So that's my wish for you, and all of us, any my wish for myself.  Make New Mistakes.  Make glorious, amazing mistakes.  Make mistakes nobody's ever made before.  Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is:  art, or love, or work or family or life.

Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever."

Stu's Cheesecake is the happiest mistake we ever made.  We are grateful to you for enjoying it as you have.  We are grateful for your support.  We thank you.

Happy New Year.

It's Time For A Stu's Cheesecake Holiday Song We'd Love To Hear

The 8 Nights of Hanukkah (Marked Down a Little From Twelve)

On the first night of Hanukkah my Bubbe gave to me,

A sweet, creamy Stu's Cheesecake. 

On the second night of Hanukkah my Bubbe gave to me,

Two months of J-Date,

And a sweet, creamy Stu’s Cheesecake. 

On the third night of Hanukkah my Bubbe gave to me,

Three spinning dreidels,

Two months of J-Date,

And a sweet, creamy Stu’s Cheesecake.

On the fourth night of Hanukkah my Bubbe gave to me,

Four suf-gan-yiot (that’s jelly doughnuts, if you’re Goyishe),

Three spinning dreidels,

Two months of J-Date,

And a sweet, creamy Stu’s Cheesecake.

On the fifth night of Hanukkah my Bubbe gave to me,

Five Mac-a-bees (very handsome soldiers, I’m keeping them),

Four suf-gan-yiot (that’s jelly doughnuts, if you’re Goyishe),

Three spinning dreidels,

Two months of J-Date,

And a sweet, creamy Stu’s Cheesecake.

On the sixth night of Hanukkah my Bubbe gave to me,

Six chocolate gelt,

Five Mac-a-bees (very handsome soldiers, I’m keeping them),

Four suf-gan-yiot (that’s jelly doughnuts, if you’re Goyishe),

Three spinning dreidels,

Two months of J-Date,

And a sweet, creamy Stu’s Cheesecake.

On the seventh night of Hanukkah my Bubbe gave to me,

Seven deep fried latkes,

Six chocolate gelt,

Five Mac-a-bees (very handsome soldiers, I’m keeping them),

Four suf-gan-yiot (that’s jelly doughnuts, if you’re Goyishe),

Three spinning dreidels,

Two months of J-Date,

And a sweet, creamy Stu’s Cheesecake.

On the eighth night of Hanukkah my Bubbe gave to me,

Ocho Kan-del-ikas (My Bubbe speaks Spanish!?),

Seven deep fried latkes,

Six chocolate gelt,

Five Mac-a-bees (very handsome soldiers, I’m keeping them),

Four suf-gan-yiot (that’s jelly doughnuts, if you’re Goyishe),

Three spinning dreidels,

Two months of J-Date,

And a sweet, creamy Stu’s Cheesecake!

Happy Hanukkah from all of us at Stu's. 

 

Save the Cafe Edison

The Cafe Edison is a special place. It is a part of our shared experience whether you are a New Yorker or tourist.  We must do something to ensure its survival.  It makes me mad that one of the last great luncheonettes may close its doors.  I was this mad in 1978, when Radio City Music Hall was in danger of closing. I felt the same in 1982 when the Helen Hayes, Morosco, Astor and two other theaters were demolished.

What can we do together to save the Cafe Edison? We can't lose the Polish Tea Room to the mauling (that's a pun) of Times Square!

Special thanks to Jeremiah's Vanishing New York for the picture.  We chose it because there are Linzer Tarts in the cake stand at the bottom of the picture.  Stu loved Linzer Tarts.

Three Ways To Stu's

If The Mary Tyler Moore Show were on the air today, we imagine Rhoda Morgenstern would say, "Mare, cottage cheese solves nothing. Stu's Cheesecake can do it all."

Stu's Cheesecake is more excellent than ever, original recipe, reduced sugar or sugar-free, plain (to be honest, there's nothing plain about Stu's) or marble.  Contact us for information and availability.

Rhoda might say, "This is the best diet ever, kid!"

Less (Sugar) Is More (Stu's).

"Oh honey, it's incredible" is just one of the accolades we heard when friends tried Stu's new reduced-sugar cheesecake.  We've removed about 80% of the sugar and kept all of the great taste and creaminess of Stu's Cheesecake.

And it's still "beautifully cracked", just like us.

It costs a little more, but just think of how many times your waistline will thank you.

We happily introduce Stu's "You'll DI over ET" Reduced Sugar Cheesecake, now available in original and marble flavors.

Meet Stu.

The comedian and writer Spike Milligan said, "My father had a profound influence on me.  He was a lunatic."  I wonder, "Now what father would bring that quality to bear in a relationship with his son?"

Mine.

In the 43 years I spent with Stu Mikelberg, our relationship ran the gamut from calm to tempestuous and back again.  And there was never a question of the love between us.  It was always lively with Stu, the living embodiment of a larger than life character.  I happily spend my life living up to his example. Here's a story about him.  

Who has a profound influence on your life?  Who inspires you? Is it a relative, friend or mentor?  Please comment by clicking on the dialogue button below.

Stu died in 2003.  Years later it's heartwarming to know I have the pleasure of introducing you to my dad. He would have been happy to know you.

All About Stu

What can I say about Stuart Mikelberg?  He threw the best parties, from which his guests never wanted to part.  When he and my mom threw me a Bar Mitzvah party, the first guests arrived Saturday for a 7:30 PM cocktail hour.  Dinner followed at 10.  At midnight it seemed like the party was just getting started.  As it turned out, it was.  “Why have one meal when two would be more fun?” was how Stu did things.  At 2AM it was time for a full breakfast buffet.   Two hours later, the band played their last encore.  We did not get home until late Sunday morning.  Family and friends are still talking about the party, 43 years later.

When Stu liked a restaurant, he was their greatest supporter.  It did not matter if the restaurant was around the corner or across the state.  It was simply, “Let’s get in the car and go.”  Truth be known, he was a little more stubborn.  I remember him saying, “Let’s get in the car and go, NOW!”  Sometimes I thought we had to pack a meal for the ride.

He made a friend of everybody he met and everybody loved him.  In a heartbeat, he could make you feel as if you’ve known him a lifetime.

It did not matter if you called him Stuart, Stu, Stuie or Twinkle Eyes, as a dear friend of mine dubbed him on their first and only meeting.  To say that Stu was the life of the party is an understatement.  Stu was the party.

That’s my dad.

It was Stu’s dream to one day own a restaurant.  He died before that dream was realized.  I’m determined to make it come true.   I am taking his love of family, friends and food, adding my own and putting it into a cheesecake.

Stu’s Cheesecake is as much about love as it is dessert. 

Your enjoyment of something he had a hand in creating would make him happy and proud.  That his son was serving it to you would make his pride and joy infinite.

I imagine him smiling, his eyes at full twinkle.

It's time for a Stu's Cheesecake "TV Show Plot We'd Love To See"

If The Golden Girls was on the air today, they would be eating Stu's Cheesecake. Except for Blanche. Looking at Stu's face, she'd see the twinkle in his eyes. Then she'd look at the cheesecake, get confused over what she was there to eat and well... the plot thickens.  

My mom would have a knock-down, claws out catfight with Blanche. It would have been the funniest scene in the history of television.  It's too bad we'll never see it.

Dorothy, Rose and Sophia would eat a whole Stu's Cheesecake just talking about this! 

Would Blanche expect me to call her mom?!

This might have been the plot for the never before seen 181st episode. And even Rose would know the perfect companion for an episode of The Golden Girls. Stu's Cheesecake! Let's eat.

With love and affection for Beatrice Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, Estelle Getty and Susan Harris, who thought the whole thing up.  Thanks for the laughs.

What's your favorite episode of The Golden Girls?  Let us know in the comments section.

 

 

Welcome to Stu's

We bring you a blog about Stu's Cheesecake and who else is going to do that for you?

And if you want more, there is more, more family, more friends, more community and more of the things that bring us together. We'll have stories, contests, laughs, songs from Broadway musicals with parody lyrics (which we want you to sing and post online), TV show plots we'd love to see and at least one pitch for a reality show.  And yes, there will be cheesecake.

We want to hear from you.  Bringing us together is the reason we created Stu's Cheesecake.  At our table, everyone is welcome.

Welcome to Stu's News.