British Pie Week: London’s Best Pie CreationsBy Felicity Spector
It’s British Pie Week. Cue many arguments about exactly what constitutes a pie; pastry bottom, pastry top, can you have mash potato, is it still a pie? Whatever your preferences we love a good pie and here is a list of some of the finest in town.
1. For Iconic Pies: Holborn Dining Room
The Run-Down: Calum Franklin is quite frankly the master of pie. So famous, now, that the restaurant has constructed a special shrine to his pastry work, the newly opened Pie Room. We can’t get enough of his rhubarb pie with an intricate lattice top (hint – it comes with ginger ice cream but ask for an extra jug of custard). The apple pie is also masterful and for savoury pie fans – don’t miss the chicken and girolle.
Where: 252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN
2. For Savoury Pies: Quo Vadis
The Run-Down: Another venerable shrine to the art of fine pastry – these daily changing specials come in a dish with a flaky pastry lid and a portion of properly buttery mash on the side. Best of all, on Mondays they are half price. Save room, if you can, for one of the finest pudding menus in all of London.
Where: 26-29 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 3LL
3. For Daily Changing Pies: Rochelle Canteen
The Run-Down: A daily changing menu which you can see online, but the pie is always a sure fire winner – recent incarnations included a smoked eel pie which sounds all kinds of wonderful. The new ICA branch is bookable and open every evening – the original is a better bet for lunch.
Where: Rochelle School, Arnold Circus, London E2 7ES
4. For Suet Pies: The Drapers Arms
The Run-Down: There’s always a suet crust pie on the menu which is an extremely lovely thing – and Nick Gibson, who does many wonderful things for charity, gives 50p from each pie sold to Action against Hunger. What could be better?
Where: 44 Barnsbury St, London N1 1ER
5. For Breakfast Pies: Sparrow
The Run-Down: Terry and Yohini have created a really fabulous place in Lewisham with a brunch menu which includes a breakfast pie. We say all the yes to breakfast pie – and the cococut pancakes with pineapple to follow. Lucky Lewisham.
Where: 2 Rennell Street, London SE13 7HD
6. For Street Food Pies: My Pie
The Run-Down: A streetfood pie truck (follow them on Twitter for details of their daily schedule) which produces truly top quality pies. The chicken, mushroom and truffle one is glorious – also vegetarian choices include sweet potato, fennel and goat’s cheese. They also feature guest pies, and an award winning pork and ale pie. You can get them with mash and gravy (or salad, but c’mon – mash).
Where: Visit the website to see where the pie van is heading to next
7. For Traditional Pies: The Wigmore
The Run-Down: This fancy Roux owned pub always includes a pie on the menu, whether it’s chicken and leek or the current ham and parsley with a champ mash and house-made mustard. As you’d expect the pastry is excellent and the portion is generous – but if you are going with someone who shares then don’t miss the chips with bloody Mary salt (yes, I know, pie, mash, chips but I have done it and honestly had no regrets).
Where: 15 Langham Place, Regent Street, London, W1B 3DE
8. For US-Style Pies: Outsider Tart
The Run-Down: Sweet pies of dreams – pecan, apple, and pumpkin – if you spot these on their menu then get yourself to Chiswick for these are some of the finest American-style pies you will find. Generously filled, generously served. No one who goes to Outsider Tart will ever come away hungry.
Where: 83 Chiswick High Road, London W4 2EF
9. For an Institution: Piebury Corner
The Run-Down: Expect so many pies. From traditional meat to a range of veggie (and even some vegan options) – this place offers the widest choice of pies we’ve seen. Available to eat in at their King’s Cross and Highbury branches or take away to bake at home.
Where: Locations here
10. For Fish Pies: Bob Bob Ricard
The Run-Down: And for a pie that would win awards for looks alone, the fish pie at Bob Bob Ricard is exceedingly decadent. A luscious glazed puff pastry top covers smoked haddock, sole, salmon, cod, mussels and buttery mash.
Where: 1 Upper James St, Soho, London W1F 9DF