Nothing personal towards Thanksgiving, but now is the real holiday time and what better way to start celebrating than with some pie! Mini sweet potato pies from Charlie Frank Pies to be exact. Located in Oakland, they sell mainly at farmer's markets and such, though seems you can order directly and in larger sizes from them. I came across their booth one day and who can resist a handful of pie. And at $4.50 a pop, these mini ones are just as big (or larger) than single slices you get which can run $6 or more in the city. The one on the left was a sweet potato peach, a pie that is supposedly their specialty. The pie had some nice flavors of sweet potato and it was on the creamy side, which you can probably chalk up to the cream cheese mixed in--a pleasant touch. The crust was also slightly flaky and a little buttery. Though as far as tasting any peach in here, it was lost on me. I think I was expecting small chunks throughout or something, but seems the peach was pureed and swirled in with the sweet potato. That doesn't make it a bad pie, on it's own, it is a nice little sweet potato pie that is very tasty. The ingredients list also had pineapple on it and I totally missed that too. If you sweet potato, this is good to go, if you are looking for some peach, it was a tad lacking in that. The other is a Caribbean ginger sweet potato pie. I was kind of looking forward to this and some great ginger flavor. However, I have to say it was a little light on the ginger. While it wasn't totally absent like the peach, it was really subtle, which I found surprising considering the dark color. Maybe that was from cinnamon or nutmeg? Couldn't tell, as those were also on the soft side. The pie filling is nice and smooth (cream cheese again) and the crust was also good as before. Thus as a sweet potato pie on it's own it is good. The ginger part, not so much. I think in the grand scheme of things, the base recipe for a sweet potato pie here is works perfectly well. I just wish some of the stated flavors--peach, ginger--could be brought up several notches and boldly proclaim themselves in each bite. I would't say no to having one again, I would adjust my expectations though to expect just a good little sweet potato pie instead.
- It's more than just Christmas, there's also Hanukkah, and here's some treats.
- The latest Bay Area restaurant closing list.
- And this is being sold, eventually, and may possibly close after being sold. Or not.
- Craftsman and Wolves also finally opened a second location.
- And a taco/tequila bar is coming to Lower Nob Hill. Because they need one?
- It's where to eat in the Sunset. You know, when you need a little fog in your life?
- It's holiday beer time for the hipster in your life (or you).
- A chef more interested in food than fame? I guess no Top Chef for you!
- Seems the titans of coffee and French pastries are not merging after all.
- Not all rosy holidays as Magnolia Brewery files Chapter 11.
- This giant restaurant space, formerly owned by a female chef who was more interested in fame than food, can be yours!
- Time to revel in the San Francisco bagel and stop complaining that they aren't New Yawk ones.
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