It’s good to know people in high food places like the dynamic, sweet, talented, and award winning Irene Wong. Big thanks to Irene for extending an invitation to the 7th annual Pie Night (attended September 29, 2021) at THE James Beard Award- winning Pastry Chef/Owner Dominique Ansel Bakery (Creator of the Cronut®. See below.) at his Soho, NYC location. We enjoyed unlimited slices of pie – 10 kinds with a travel theme, including sweet and savory, Grand Marnier craft cocktails, and à la mode.

As we entered the bakeries backyard garden, our eyes beamed with excitement at the sight of the long table with the beautifully displayed pies. We started with two plates, one with savory treats and the other with sweet. All included the obligatory perfect crust. FYI: October 7 is the last day of Pie Night.

My top three pies were:

~Spanish Spicy Chorizo Pie with Squid Ink Black Rice: Spanish chorizo with a hint of smoked paprika, squid ink basmati rice with onions, tomatoes, and garlic

~Portuguese Bacalao Pie with Herbed Breadcrumbs: Portuguese bacalao (salted codfish), mashed potatoes, garlic, mozzarella, and crunchy herbed breadcrumbs

~Japanese Yuzu Curd and Salted Meringue Pie: Fragrant Japanese yuzu citrus curd, lime zest, and light-as-air meringue topped with a hint of Maldon sea salt

~Bonus Mention – All American Apple Pie with Salted Caramel (Because, there’s nothing like a perfect apple pie.): Pie Night classic, made with fresh honeycrisp apples, gooey salted caramel, and a golden lattice-topped crust

It was a beautiful and tasty night hanging with my longtime dear friend Dereine (HUUUUU…) and making new foodie ones all in the name of connecting over the love of a salivating meal. Mmmmm… Bon Appetit! Cheers! Enjoy! #BeDoLove #FindYourZen #LivingOutLoud #BeDoLoveSAVOR #IDineToWriteAboutIt #BonAppetit #Yummylicious #Yummyliciousness #Foodie #FoodieLife #FoodPorn #ExpandYourPalate #OffTheBeatenPath #DominiqueAnselBakery #DABPieNight #SohoEats #SohoDining #JamesBeardFoundation

About the Cronut®:

“Perhaps what has been most widely reported on is Chef Dominique’s creation of the Cronut®, his signature croissant-doughnut hybrid pastry that first launched at his eponymous Bakery in New York in May 2013, soon becoming the world’s first-ever viral pastry.” It was named one of TIME Magazine’s “25 Best inventions of 2013. — https://www.dominiqueansel.com/chef/