Feast your Pies on this…
Feast your Pies on this…
Pie Week
As it's pie week, I only found it fitting to write about all things pie related. So let's be real, who doesn't love a good pie?…and if you are telling me you don't – well, you are quite frankly, a liar. I'm not talking about your cold, pork pie with that awful jellied fat that your grandad would sit and eat because I, like most of the population, find those utterly offensive. I'm talking about a flavour-filled, juicy centre surrounded by flaky, buttery pastry! (my whole mouth just filled with saliva.) Now, I try and live a relatively healthy lifestyle, so granted, I'm not tucking into a pie three times a week, but when I do – it’s with pure and utter enjoyment, and zero regrets.
A pie really can be for everyone: meat lovers, vegetarians, gluten-free, vegan and yes, for those with a sweet-tooth. I would love to hear your recommendations for pies, but here are a few of my favourites.
The Pie Room at Holborn Dining Room. I feel this is the first place I should mention, as I would go as far as to say these pies are a work of art. The pastry work is genuinely incredible. You can either eat in or grab a pie to go – perfect for that lazy Sunday lunch. The room is utterly stunning and is en experience in itself. I would also highly recommend you sample a scotch egg while you are there; these are a thing of beauty. They do a vegetarian pie of the week too; I recently tasted the potato, comté and caramelised onion –the perfect combination of textures and flavour which gave the meat pies a run for their money!
M.Manze: This place couldn't be more of a contrast to the elegance and finesse of The Pie Room. Presentation isn't exactly what Manzes is all about - but tradition and flavour is, serving up classic, heart-warming pies! This is the oldest pie shop in London, which has barely changed since it opened in 1891, delivering a first-rate pie. It took me a while to bulk up the courage to try the stewed or jellied eels, because the name alone actually makes me feel a little ill - its safe to say, no, they were not for me. The Vegan pie however, really hit the spot. Sometimes when traditional recipes are tweaked to make them Vegan, I find them relatively disappointing – however, this was utterly delicious.
The Marksman: I recently dined here and enjoyed a roast – side note: the roast here is insane, I would highly recommend. Situated in east London, this rustic and traditional pub serves up some amazing food. While I was enjoying my whole roast chicken the table next door ordered the Chicken & Girolle pie for two - I had so much food envy I felt the need to return the following week to sample it myself. It did not disappoint! The pastry was perfectly flaky and buttery, and the inside was full of so much flavour, it also could have easily fed four people.
Chicken shop: I first sampled chicken shop a while ago on Deliveroo and was baffled as to why I had never ordered it before. A simple and delicious meal, perfectly cooked rotisserie chicken, am array of yummy sides – winner. I then, a few months later, I ate inside the restaurant and sampled the apple pie. One of the best desserts I've had, and that's a big statement. A traditional apple pie a crusty, buttery pastry, slightly caramelised with the apples cooks to perfection inside. If you are an apple pie fan, you HAVE to try this.
Putney Pies: These guys are just around the corner from my house, so I felt it rude not to visit them and sample a pie – to which they have claimed – are the best pies in the land. They have an extensive pie menu, from fully encased shortcrust pies, to various puff pastry pies. The BBQ pulled pork pie, I've got to say, was up there with one of the best pies I've had. I wanted to try something a little different to the traditional flavours you usually see on a menu, and this place has that; from butterbean, roasted onion and applewood cheese to a chilli pie, you won't be disappointed with the variety of options.
