Last weekend, in the midst of 104 degree fevers (his, not mine), midnight pharmacy runs and many a sleepless night, I got an email about this wonderful pie making class coming up in mid-June. Tempting. Verrrrrrry tempting since baking is not quite my forte and I’ve always thought that there simply must be an inner Joy within. But I haven’t pulled the trigger on the class as I haven’t decided yet if the evening hours will work with the little guy. But all that pie contemplation last weekend built up quite the craving for some pie of my own. So during our one expedition outside of the house last weekend, I made a beeline to an absolute Sonoma County gem: Petaluma Pie Company.
This place exemplifies so much of what I adore about living in Sonoma County: artisanal food products extraordinaire, crafted from local and organic ingredients by edgy entrepreneurs with the chutzpah to live their dream.
Let’s break that down in Petaluma Pie Company terms: Two local Petalumans (Graphic Designer/Pie Maker meets Documentary Maker/Farmer) baking delectable pies (Fromage Blanc and Organic Pink Lady Apple to name just two) from local and/or organic ingredients (Cowgirl Creamery & Petaluma Bounty Farm to name another two), changing up their menu daily and offering all this sweet and savoriness in an adorable little nook in Petaluma’s downtown plaza.
Petaluma Pie Company offers both sweet and savory pies and I can’t decide which I like better. Good thing I don’t have to decide. And since we’re being honest here, many times I simply can’t decide on which, so I opt to take both types home with me. A sampling of their menu today: Mushroom and Goat Gouda Hand Pie, Salmon Fromage Blanc ‘n’ Egg Brunch Pie (great for sharing!), Organic Pink Lady Apple Mini Pies and the quintessential Lemon Meringue Pie. They also offer side salads, Lagunitas brews and local wine. All this served up in a cozy little space decorated with mason jar lanterns and vintage hand mixers hanging in the windows. The best part besides the crust: watching them make the pies right behind the counter while you eat your Jamaican Curry Hand Pie.
And for the record: yes, it’s all about the crust. Petaluma Pie Company’s? Flaky. Rich. Buttery Goodness. One of best. Highly SCL recommended.
(PS – these guys do catering, full-sized pies, mini-pies, vegan pies, gluten-free pies, sugar-free pies and more. Check out their details here.)
