On this Pi(e) Day as I’m finishing this post, I’m also checking my Quicken records for restaurant names I have forgotten. It’s surprising how many.
In addition, I am contemplating how frivolous it seems to be talking about pie and dessert when our county and the world seem so enmeshed in hatred, embattlement and war. On the other hand, I realize that this is what so many people long for – quiet, simple pleasures in an atmosphere of peace. That’s my goal is here, to remind us of such desires, even as we take action in our lives to battle the wrongs we see. I hope to remind us of lovely little pleasures in life and perhaps direct you to one or two of them.
The first year I submitted this blog post was the once in a lifetime occurrence of Pi(e) Day. On March 14, 2015 at exactly 9:26:53 am (and pm) it was the long-awaited Pi time. (These numbers: 3/14/15, 9:26:53 are the first 10 digits of Pi (π) the mathematical constant.) I wrote then that we wanted to celebrate this Pi(e)…but with the tasty ones that we shouldn’t indulge in constantly.
That year I started a conversation with my husband about favorite places for pie. He is more enthralled with pie than I am and may have a different list. But our conversation opened up many memories of cafes and vacation stops. I rather believe it is more the experiences than the combined food ingredients that stand out for me. Thus, as before I’m sharing some of my memorable pie places – new ones – and would be happy to hear about yours.
Small Pleasures – Occasionally
Reading this you may believe I think otherwise, but pie is not THE most salubrious ingredient to aging. Yet, it might be essential to the ‘Pizzazz’ part of our spirit for enjoying the small things in life. So as before, my intent is to consider just that and recognize that we occasionally get enjoyment in places that a self-controlled disciplinarian may criticize. For pie, I’ll stick to moderation.
I’ve shared that I once had a nutrition professor who often proclaimed, “I eat to live…I don’t live to eat.” I respected that (and him) – BUT it is a goal beyond my reach. I love some bad things. I don’t overdo them, but sometimes use them as rewards.
Honestly, readers who are strict with their diets are commendable and may wish to stop reading now. Those of a more moderate ilk might both continue on and add their favorite. Let’s agree to agree however that ‘sugar’ IS a bit of an enemy. There is little doubt about that, but we might also agree that moderation is a good thing and reminds us to avoid foods that are less than wholesome unless they are truly filing up the spirit. For me, if pie is exceptionally tasty, then it’s a treat. But for my husband pie is a treasure to celebrate and a MUST for Aging with Pizzazz.
I offered endorsements in my post entitled Pi(e) Day is Coming – a Celebration of the Ages (2015) and in Pi(e) Day Revisited (2018). I reviewed them again and still recommend a visit.
A reminder that my list is not in ANY order because in reality the best pie is either the next one to come or one of our past dreams.
Fresh Pie-zzazz
1. Schat’s. This may be first on my list purposefully, although they are not all in order of preferences. I suspect anyone who has ever traveled Rt. 395 in California has either stopped or considered a stop at the hard-to-miss Schat’s Bakery in Bishop California. I can’t say enough about this German bakery, café and sandwich bar. Don’t let the long lines or (sometimes) parking issues dissuade you. Not only does this place have incredible bread, like the original sheepherder bread, but even gluten free options. The breakfast, lunch, and (early) dinner menus are quite nice BUT the crowning glory (besides their breads) is the vast array of freshly baked desserts. They have pies, cakes, crumbles, strudel, pound cake, pull-a-ways, fruit tarts, danish and more. I’ve sampled too many to pick one, as well as hefty sandwiches. On occasion, we have changed our trip route to reach this bakery before closing, stayed in Bishop and visited it again for breakfast and take-outs. If you look it up, search for “Erick Schat’s Bakkery” (not a misspelling).
2. Havana Café. While there are loads of pie shops in the Arizona Valley of the Sun, I want to mention a restaurant with wonderful pies and cakes. Havana Café, Cuban cuisine, has two inviting, quaint locations in both Phoenix and Scottsdale. Two of my favorites on the dessert menu include Tarta de Lime, an almond-crusted lime pie, and the well-known Tres Leches (soaked cake with mandarin oranges and pineapple). The Cuban cuisine is outstanding, but in the restaurant mecca of this valley, the desserts here are worth the extra trip.
3. Piefection. Also in Arizona (Old Town Scottsdale), this cafe opened just before we were planning our leave of the state. Wished I had more time to compare it with others. They have traditional pies, but fancy up-scale ones as well, and pies-to-go. Café in Scottsdale is very cute.
4. AJ’s Fine Foods. Finishing off in Arizona, I can’t pass up mentioning the pies (and cakes) of a grocery store – AJ’s Fine Foods. Yes, a grocery store, but it can compete with the best of them, and offers a place to enjoy the pie and coffee at reasonable prices.
5. Blue Benn. In Bennington Vermont there is a café famous near and far. Located on North St., anyone in town can direct you there. The food is simple in this old diner style restaurant that you only find in the east. Same goes for the desserts, but the homemade pies vary everyday and are always good. While this is not exactly vegetarian heaven, anyone can find something on the menu. I suggest it be more than the pies, although that might be satisfactory. The clientele probably does not boast too many from Bennington College, except those thinking it would be fun to ‘slum it.’ Expect casual and down-to-earth. This is a hop-skip-and-jump from the Bennington Museum, which features the Grandma Moses collection.
6. L.A. Burdick. I thought I was going to share a secret little place in Walpole, New Hampshire. Friends of ours brought us to the L.A. Burdick Café on a rainy day and we so enjoyed the beautiful little café with so many pastry and pie options (and of course chocolates, which are their specialty). But looking up their link for this post, I found out lots of people know about this little secret in other locations. Namely, people in Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chicago, New York City and Washington, DC. Famous or not, the place was delightful.
7. Garvan’s Restaurant (previous Lotus Tree). When I used to live in New Paltz, NY I couldn’t afford to dine at a fancy restaurant like the Lotus Tree or Quilted Giraffe. I’m still cautious with pennies but try to enjoy life a bit as well. On our last trip back east (not a common occurrence), we had lunch at Garvan’s Restaurant. Of course, the food was sublime, but this is a post about dessert and pies. Luckily, they won a place in the sublime category as well. They offer traditional items, but I had the Leonie’s Famous Banoffee as I can’t resist anything with bananas and Tia Maria. My husband took the Guiness Chocolate Cake. We’ve had that before in other places, but this was exceptional. Garvan’s is easy to find on the historic Huguenot Street in New Paltz. (Lots of good history around as well.)
8. Pie Town and Pie-O-Neers Pie shop. I included this selection on a previous post and wanted to update it since I’ve heard about a pie which makes my mouth actually water. While not yet writing from personal knowledge, I am hoping that one day I might try their pie described as New Mexico Apple with Green Chilis and Pine Nuts. Whoa. To remind you of this place…
Pie Town in New Mexico (established in 1920) went years without having a pie shop. Now it has 2 or 3; meaning there is one open every day. The town name was born from a famous dried apple pie, which I confide does not create a savory longing in my taste buds. Times are now different; the selections are astonishing. Located off Rt 60, out of Show Low Arizona, or turning off Rt. 25 between Albuquerque and Las Cruses, it’s rather in the middle of nowhere (north of Gila National Forest). CBS Sunday Morning did a ‘pie piece’ on this (unincorporated) town several years ago. If you can watch this (updated) video and not drool, perhaps you need read no further.
9. Big Dipper (Missoula MT). In a previous blog I mentioned The Orchard House another ‘out of the way’ place in Caldwell, Idaho. Not far from Boise, nor too far from the Oregon Border, it’s near the beautiful Snake River. Scenic drives are abundant in this part of the country. At the Orchard, you can enjoy a casual stop for (let’s say) Triple Cream Coconut pie. Indeed, it’s good. BUT I realized that I have to deviate from my list rules again and share another important stop on that same trip. At the Big Dipper (Higgins Ave Missoula) I had cardamon ice cream for the first time ever. I was a bit in love. It made my top-5 (ever) ice-creams. We were staying in town and after the cones the night before, waited until the shop opened the next day to buy a quart. Even though some melted on the way home, it was STILL delicious.
10. Longacres Modern Dairy. For those who might visit the Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania (Kennett Square), I have a suggestion if traveling north from there. There are many farm and Amish shops in the area; pie and especially ice cream are easily available in this dairy country of the states. About an hour from the Longwood Gardens is Longacres Modern Dairy. While they have other food and desserts, I am cheating on this list to talk about ice cream again. It’s terrific, and their menu of flavors is special. I can vouch for the Banana and Rum Raisin.
If you happen to be touring around Pennsylvania on Rt 329 and headed east toward the Delaware Water Gap, you might stop at another nice location that also caters more to ice cream than other desserts, the Crystal Spring Farm in Schnecksville.
More Far Afield
11. The Right Slice. On the Island of Kauai in Hawaii, try The Right Slice. I can recommend two pies there and NO, I didn’t eat them both, I shared! Really good is the Carmel Apple and Macadamia Nut pie.
Before leaving Hawaii however, I have to speak about ice cream again. There are several dairies founded in Hawaii, like Lappert’s. However, one of my top-5 favorites of all times is from Roselani, who does not ship to the mainland. They have good varieties, but it was Pa’uwela Sunrise that made us swoon. It’s a vanilla orange “Dreamsicle” flavored ice cream with wonderful chunks of Maui Pineapple. We stumbled across it at a farm festival and later found it in the grocery stores.
12. Serendipity Gardens Café. On the Trans-Canada Highway, not exactly in the middle of nowhere is Rossport, Ontario. It’s located on highway 17 through Thunder Bay District of Northwestern Ontario above Lake Superior. Admittedly, this suggestion is not something you are going to go too far out of your way to visit, yet it’s a delightful little treasure. This café (which also has lodging) is warm and cozy and welcoming to vegetarians or pescatarians. Dessert was indeed terrific, but other than a picture I had (somewhere) all I can remember is that it had lots of raspberries. Or was it blueberries?
13. Migros. For anyone who has been (or may go) to Zurich, Switzerland, you will see Migros. It is considered a “hypermarket” department or grocery store. Smaller versions are all around Switzerland. But if you visit Zurich and want an inexpensive meal (difficult to find in the country) AND a fantastic dessert, keep this on your list. Once again, I scooped up a strudel, and my husband got a pie or cake dish which I can’t remember. Easy to use public transport will bring you to the vicinity of this top-floor café (at the Migros Department Store) a (long) walk from Pestalozzi Park on Lowenstrasse. The desserts that I wasn’t able to sample looked fantastic and other customers seemed to be savoring them. Granted, there are wonderful desserts around Switzerland, but I warn you they are costly; that’s why a place like Migros is good to know about.
14. Petit Royale. A wonderful dessert café in Zermatt, Switzerland might be a destination if you hope to visit the famous Matterhorn. [BTW, don’t forget the Matterhorn Museum.] A local bar tender gave us the tip, before receiving his tip, and he wasn’t wrong. This is a cozy and warm (albeit perhaps crowded) café on the second floor, up from their display cases. Coffee varieties were better here and in most of Europe than the states.
15. Café Flair and others. Along the Rhine River in Germany, for any who may take one of the many river cruises in the area, cafes are plentiful, but some better than others. Apple strudel (which I am including in a pie category) are both abundant and unique. I admit I compared many. I will mention these two as they are easy to find. Café Flair is in Old Town Cochem and the other (the name escapes me) is right on the dock of the river in Bernkastel (Mosel River part of the Rhine). BTW, if you were to pick the wrong café, I suspect the strudel would be just as good. Also, there is a “kaffee café” located above Bernkastel accessed by a chair lift and small walk that has views of the river that calls on many a photographer to make the small trek. [Guess what dessert it has.]
16. Grindelwaldblick Restaurant. Finally, in the Jungfrau Mountain region of Swiss Alps, as a treat while hiking the Eiger Trail between Grindelwald and Wengren, is a café at the top of the world. Dessert WAS very good believe me, and there was at least one strudel, but the real reason for including it here is you just can’t beat the scenery, which while not in the pictures looks out over the snow-capped mountains for which Switzerland is known. What a place to enjoy. [Can you find me in the pic?]
Final Thought
Something to look forward to. I will close with the similar thought as in previous posts that there is more to come. Perhaps in another 3 years (or so), I will discover more locations – unhealthy and dastardly temptresses. [I’ve admitted that I don’t know the male version of a word for “temptress.” That seems unfair in this particular scenario, since men certainly carry their weight in the pie-eating arena.]
For now, we have notable new entries to add gastronomic pizzazz. Hope you can agree that it’s not time to say Bye, Bye to our American Pie (or international Pie).
