Cupcake Royale’s Irish Whiskey Maple Cupcake is available through the end of March.Story Number 1: The PonderayThere used to be a little pot of heaven in West Bremerton called The Ponderay. Until the feds — or some local boys with guns and paperwork — shut them down, they boasted a diner (the owner was rumored to have once run a Mitzel’s), card room (black jack, etc.), and full bar in the back. What tied it all together is that this Wal-Mart of all-night vices (I haven’t even gotten to the alley yet) was open 24/7. It was comforting to know that any time of the day, I could stop in for some a solid meal, a hand of cards, and maybe a little something to help me forget. It was at The Ponderay that I discovered one of my three or four favorite meals: Whiskey and pancakes.Like the Ponderay, whiskey and pancakes has no concept of time. Pancakes are as much a part of dinner these days as whiskey is to breakfast. And mashing up the two is the peanut butter and chocolate of champions. But, the Ponderay is now closed, replaced by yet another Mongolian restaurant. And aside from the occasional, albeit reluctant stop at Denny’s, my whiskey and pancake days are all but over (making this at home just seems really, really sad, y’all). Enter Cupcake Royale’s Irish Whiskey Maple Cupcake. Story Number 2: Stealing Things From Jason SheehanOn Thursday afternoon I was making a trip out somewhere — my destination is not important — when I happened upon a conversation with a colleague in the lobby of our office. Mid-rant, a woman emerged from the elevators with a box of cupcakes and business to attend to. I gave her the floor, and I lingered. Long story long, the woman’s name was Kim, and she is an emissary of Cupcake Royale who was carrying a package for our new restaurant critic, Jason Sheehan. Being the nice guy that I am, I offered to deliver the package myself. On the trip back to Jason’s space I noticed that the box contained three cupcakes and a shot of Jameson. Maybe Jason didn’t need this box after all.I left the box on Jason’s desk, and made my way back to the lobby, and thought of something: Jason was out for the entire day. It was anyone’s guess if he was gonna be in on Friday. I told this to Kim. Well, she informed me, the cupcakes do not include preservatives (which means they must be eaten immediately), but they do include Jameson (which means they must be eaten immediately). I ate one immediately, and washed it down with the shot of Jameson.Sitting at my standard-issue cubicle, it was as if I’d been transported back in time and place. The maple of the frosting and the softness of the cupcake brought me back to Valhalla. There aren’t enough places to get a good glass of whiskey and a stack of pancakes. But I’ll be damned if these cupcakes (+ a shot or two) don’t get close.