a study in no. 3 // the pie hole
Sep
07
Question: Where can I find a slice of pie that would make grandma proud?
Hypothesis: Granted, Los Angeles has many pie shops—some ancient institutions that employ lovely people named Bea, we’re sure—but as the saying goes, “Promises and pie crusts are made to be broken”. This means, save the stale ol’ apple concoction for others and explore a place where they bend the rules of pie, filling and of course, crust. (As for the promises, perhaps keep them). The Pie Hole, a name that’s an ode both to how small (and charming) this place is and to what they’ll fill when you get here, is an Arts District must-visit. But will it satisfy both the epicurean traditionalist and the pie renegade?
Findings: Absolutely—and everyone in between we might add. From the baking-brain/founder, Rebecca Grasley, comes forth a long list of both interesting sweet and savories like the epic Crostata pie, a salted-caramel brownie-like middle meets flaky, buttery crust, to the Vegetable Curry Pie served with fresh chutney, and the Mac-and-Cheese pie, a stellar mashup of two comfort foods. Each creation, hand-formed and lovingly crafted, has the perfect amount of filling-to-crust ratio (very important when it comes to pie) and a twist that makes you forget the classics. Plus, on any given day, you’ll find a special fresh from the bounty the team hauled in. On our visit, we were lucky enough to try the stuff-it-in-your-face-it’s-so-good Cream Cheese Beet Pie which may veer to the side of renegade, but grandma, this one is for the books .
Data:
The Pie Hole
(213) 527-0115
714 Traction Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90013
a study in no. 2 // milk
May
17
Question: Where is a good stop for an original summer (or anytime) sweet?
Hypothesis: A cornerstone of Beverly Boulevard, Milk has long been serving up buckets of freshly-made ice cream, their famous ooey gooey cookies and blue velvet cake the color of Cookie Monster to Angelenos for half a decade. Whether it’s in their chewy cookie sandwiches or cupcakes shaped like ice cream cones, this is an institution that perhaps goes through a boatload of sugar a day. So should you put aside your visions of wicked sugar plum fairies just to enjoy a scoop on a sunny afternoon?
Findings: Get in line and relax. Practically a rite of passage to claim Angelenohood, you’d be silly not to spend at least one Sunday with blood orange sorbet dripping down your chin. With goods all made in house, the grocery store dessert freezer section will become a lot less appealing once you’ve tried (or retried) any treat from this place. Plus, it’s located on one of the most walkable streets in Los Angeles so you can easily burn a few calories post fill-up by exploring the neighborhood. Worth it, indeed.
Data:
Milk
(323) 939-6455
7290 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036
