by Natalie Maynor on Flickr
There are pie people and there are cake people. I once fell in the cake camp but when my son was born on Pi (π) Day I knew the kid was destined to eat a lot of celebratory pies and I’d be happy to help. As a mother, I’ve vigilantly keep my eye on the pie (who could resist?) and have conducted some research. Grab a slice in honor of Pi Day tomorrow, or rather a whole pie — it’s circumference over diameter after all.
Just a refresher: Pi Day, the annual celebration commemorating the mathematical constant π (pi) is observed on March 14, since 3, 1, and 4 are the first three significant digits of π in decimal form. In 2009, the United States House of Representatives supported the designation of Pi Day.
There are tasty pies to be found across the neighborhood, both traditional and extravagant. Generally, a slice will cost you $6-8, whether you can stop by a bakery and take one home, or order a slice after you sup, or stop in just for pie and coffee.
On the top of my list is the cherry pie at Dangerously Delicious Pies. It’s obvious that the H Street outpost of the Baltimore bakery is pretty much the first place to start on a pie quest. Forget the goopy red filling, these cherries are piquant and delicious, and the vegan crust has just the right crumble. The menu includes three different kinds of apple pie and lots of chocolate options too. People feel strongly about the Baltimore Bomb, a chocolate concoction made with Berger cookies, a Charm City staple. Tasty, but plan on an Alka-Selzer later. DDP’s savory pies look almost as tempting as the sweet pies, and I’m anxious to try the steak mushroom and onion pie, but the sausage tomato fennel combo looks amazing. Don’t worry if you can’t make it to the shop tomorrow, just keep tabs on their Pie Truck on Twitter.
There a number of strong contenders close to Eastern Market. Ted’s Bulletin is known for its poptarts and shakes, but you’ll also find Mile-High Chocolate Cream Pie as well as Mile-High Banana Cream Pie. Creamy pies are really not my thing, so I plan to check out the Key lime pie at Hank Oyster Bar’s Key Lime Pie instead. Pecan pies can be too gooey for my taste, but Matchbox, which serves it up with bourbon sauce and ice cream, might make me reconsider.