I’m a sucker for pies, especially flaky, lattice-topped fruit creations with a hint of spice and crumbly cinnamon toppings or those stuffed with the riches of the season (hello pumpkin and sweet potato!). Served warm, pie, the queen of comfort food, offers the ideal ending to a holiday meal. Some sweet suggestions:
The pies at Flourish (160 Summerfield St, Scarsdale 914- 725-1026) taste like California, which, in the midst of winter, feels pretty darn good. Everything here is made with organic flours and butters, whole-wheat crusts, and locally grown fruit and veggies—and yes, the husband-and-wife owners lived, cooked, and baked at some of the top restaurants on the West Coast. It’s such a tough choice between the pumpkin, apple cranberry, and maple walnut. Each version is extraordinary with a buttery texture ($16-$24).
My husband loves pecan pie, which is why I head to Meme’s Bakery (208 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains 914-948-7673) for its pecan wrap, prepared à la beggar’s purse, and loaded with nuts ($22).
Galloway’s Country Kitchen Bake Shop (69 Harney Rd, Scarsdale 914-725-4074) is synonymous with pies, thanks to a reputation that goes back to the 1950s. Classic apple crumb, made fresh every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (they start at 12:15 am!) remains the big seller and my personal favorite—I love its mixture of Granny Smith and McIntosh apples. The pie’s topping, cinnamon and brown sugar, adds a subtle dimension to a popular favorite ($12.25).
Dave Tuttle of Tuttle’s Pies, (tuttleshomemade@optimum.net) schleps to area farms like Stuart’s in Granite Springs and Wright’s Farm in Gardner, New York, to get the freshest fruit for his pies. The lifelong Croton resident, who sells his pies at Garrison Market (1135 Rte 9D, Garrison 845-424-6300; garrison market.net), prides himself on farm-to-table food and his double-crusted, simply good, seasonal pies. His bourbon apple walnut pie is worth the drive. This pie in particular, with raisins soaked in bourbon, toasted walnuts, what feels like a basket-full of fresh apples, and a cinnamon/brown-sugar-crumb top is why I tend to work out come winter—but it’s worth it ($20).
While Lulu Cake Boutique (40 Garth Rd, Scarsdale 914-722-8300) may be renowned for its cakes, there’s a pie on its holiday menu that’s a showstopper: Victor’s Famous Organic Caramel Apple Pie ($45). With four pounds of Golden Delicious apples per pie, spiced gooey caramel throughout, and a luscious crumble streusel on top, count on this being one of the most delicious apple pies you will ever eat.
Every Wednesday is Dangerously Delicious Pie Night in The Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester (3 Renaissance Sq, White Plains 914-946-5500), where you can pair a savory slice of apple crumbler, pumpkin pie, or chocolate pecan with an apple hot toddie or The Lounge’s signature Pumpkintini. You can order a variety of slices ($4 to $7) or an entire pie ($35 to $45) for pick-up.
I’ve been a fan of Riviera Bakehouse (660 Saw Mill River Rd, Ardsley 914-693-9758) since it did my daughter’s Madeleine cake back when she turned six. Ideal with a hot cup of tea, its sweet potato pecan pie, with its rich and flavorful potato-to-pecan ratio, hits the spot. Even better: if you don’t want to serve it for dessert, it works double duty as a savory dinner side ($15).
