Tuck-in to a Pie

Hi there,
Tomoko and I got back from LA very early Friday morning but we haven't written anything about it yet. We have many stories and photos to blog, but before we can get to that I have to tell you about the meat pie I had last night. It was good, and not just because I was a couple of vodkas shy of collapse.

We all know the immense pleasure of biting into a wonderfully flavourful, altogether beautiful meat pie - or maybe you don't. Even in Aussieland the above mentioned can be an all too distant, possibly extinct phenomena, a fabled creature akin to the bunyip - something to tell the grandkiddies about. But not any more - at least if you know where the Tuck Shop is. Yes, New Yorkians, your time in the sun has arrived and you can now enjoy what must be regarded as one of the best culinary pleasures available for human consumption... the good MEAT PIE.

Not even in Aus does the meat pie get such careful, first class attention. The lovely juicy flavour, the correct balance of meat and gravy, the flaky but not overly abundant pastry, the way it burns your mouth as you try and eat it as fast as you can - all elements were executed beautifully. I think that in Aus the "humble pie" is severely being eaten. Every bakery makes them there. There are dedicated pie shops, meat pies are everywhere, and yet the only pie I can remember ever tasting as good in my 25 years of pie eating experience in Aus was at Harry's Cafe De Wheels in Potts Point Sydney - that's a great place and they even give you mushy peas.

The Tuck Shop (NYC) even sells Tim Tams (they were out when we went), and some other Aussie confectionery. They also have many other varieties of pies. Steak and Guinness, and Chicken Curry were the other two types I knocked back last night after a very fun night out for Tarlan's birthday. So if you're in the mood for a pastry encased protein you'll be in luck if you're around 1st Ave and 1st Street. Tell them I sent you - and they'll probably give you a quizzical look (I don't know them). I'll wager all the pies are good but if you're looking for an authentic and bloody great treat go for the traditional "Meat Pie".

Adios (I'm practicing Espanol)
XXX David