1. Written by Thomas Hobbs
Images by Thomas Hobbs
DINING GUIDE
TESTING, TESTING: THE PERFECT PIE
156 ISSUE EIGHT
W
hen I was in my teens, my grandparents would
undergo an annual pilgrimage to a long-extinct
independent butchers in Northallerton,
Yorkshire, to bring back a steak and ale pie which simply
blew my mind. While others might measure their respective
adolescent years by memories of awkward failed romances,
I can only think of that pie and how it was filled with enough
tender beef to feed Napoleon's army. Will any of the market’s
current offerings recapture the magic?
Where? Ginger Pig
What? Steak pie
How much? £5.50
Verdict? When mankind is long gone, I
hope Martians will judge civilisation from stories of this
wonderful pie. Filled with succulent beef that falls apart
into tender shreds, the caramelised onions and subtle
cheesy dose to the boozy gravy form a taste you won’t be
able to – or want to - forget.
How much of a Good Thing? 5/5 - Grandma and
Grandad would approve.
Where? Selfridges
What? Cheese and onion pie
How much? £4.99
Verdict? Who needs the Oscars? This little wonder won
‘Best Pub Pie in Britain’ at the British Pie Awards 2014. Lovingly made by
the Great North Pie Co. with nothing but caramelised onions and Lancashire
cheese, this pie, although simple, oozes flavour.
How much of a Good Thing? 4.5/5 - With soft rustic pastry and a smoky
aftertaste, this is the perfect lunch pie.
Where? Harvey Nichols
What? Venison, red wine and
clementine pie
How much? £5.95
Verdict? Although this miniature pie
had a heart embedded into its pastry, it was difficult to
love. On the plus side the venison was moist and not
overly gamey, but the clementine and red wine filling was
so dry it left me running for a glass of water.
How much of a Good Thing? 2.5/5 - Unfortunately,
despite the wonderful list of ingredients, it misses
the mark.
Where? Harrods
What? Cheese and onion pie
How much? £2.49
Verdict? Far surpassing Butlins as Bognor Regis’ prime
attraction, this beauty by local seaside shop Turners has a moreish, creamy
blue cheese filling that goes perfectly with mashed potato.
How much of a Good Thing? 4.5/5 - Its generous helpings of tender pink beef
and flaky pastry make the battle with Ginger Pig worthy of a cup final.
Where? Forman & Field
What? Fish pie
How much? £19.95
Verdict? Filled with Dover sole, Scottish salmon, tiger
prawns, mussels and smoked haddock, and topped with milky truffle mash,
this pie brings together the greatest hits of the sea.
How much of a Good Thing? 5/5 - I’ll keep it simple: best fish pie ever.
With British Pie Week (2nd
-8th
March) fast
approaching, Good Things’ Thomas Hobbs finds
out which pie you’ll need to rush into the oven
TESTING, TESTING:
THE
PERFECT PIE
THE BOTTOM LINE: GET
FOUR OUT OF THE SIX INTO
YOUR FRIDGE TOMORROW.
NEXT MONTH
Thomas tests alternative eggs
for easter
4.5/5
4.5/5
5/5
2.5/5
5/5