This past weekend I went to Brooklyn (not NYC…Brooklyn) to visit my beloved Kayte (and Sam!) in their new place. I had the best time. We had no agenda and less than 48 hours together, but managed to accomplish an amazing amount of eating, drinking, and walking everywhere while sweating profusely…but it was a great time, and it was great to see Kayte.
I lied…there was actually one thing on our agenda. PIE. Kayte told me about a pie place in her neighborhood that had just opened up in April and had pie to die for. That place was Four and Twenty Blackbirds. Since I have been on a major pie kick lately I thought I thought it only fair that I share this latest chapter in ALL THINGS PIE 2010. We stopped in on Saturday…and went back for breakfast on Sunday. The bakery/cafe is beautiful, with tin-tiled walls and ceilings, hardwood floors and lots of sunshine. The pies of the day are written on the chalkboard, along with drinks and some other traditional cafe fare like scones, sweet breads, and their unique spin on ”Egg in a Nest”. The shop is owned and operated by two South Dakota sisters, and I am a sucker for sister business ventures (especially bakery-themed ones) since Courtney and I often joke we should do the same thing.
Saturday’s pie slices were berry crumble and apple ginger. Kayte was a good sport about all of my picture-taking…even when it meant she had to wait to eat.
Sunday’s slices were blueberry lavender and salted caramel apple (double blog reference there).
The Egg in a Nest was not the “toast with a hole with egg in it” that I was expecting. Instead it was like a delicious sweet biscuit wrapped in a soufflé-like egg and cheese puff. Delightful.
The crusts were buttery and flaky. The fruits were flavorful and fresh. The ginger had bite. With teeth. The girl behind the counter recognized us on Sunday and had great feather earrings. I will absolutely go back here every time I visit going forward. Their pies change with the seasons and I want to try them all.
For further reading visit their writeup on Serious Eats.
Or better yet, visit them and taste for yourself! They are located at 439 3rd Ave in Brooklyn and they are doing it right.
