Local Eatery Celebrating National Pie Day With Flair

When National Pie Day rolls around on Jan. 23, Kingfield's Grand Cafe is planning on celebrating with gusto.

The eatery is offering a $25 prix fixe menu, served once at 6 p.m. and a second time at 8 p.m., created and baked especially for this event by local "style maker and pie baker" Christine Hoffman. From the restaurant's invitation:

The pie flight will include:Chocolate Chess, Honey Bourbon Apple w/ Rosemary Whip, Salty Honey, and other delectable varieties to be announced.

Preceding the pie, and offering the perfect counterpoint to their flaky goodness, Chefs McIntosh and Schroeder will prepare a Duroc Pork Duo: seared pork tenderloin and braised pork belly served with escarole sautéed with garlic and guanciale, roasted squash puree and kumquat marmalade.  A salad of fresh greens, radish and capers topped with a creamy fennel vinaigrette rounds out the meal.

The vegetarian entrée for the evening is a housemade mushroom pastie with potato puree, caraway pickled red cabbage and dill crème fraiche.

As of Monday night, fewer than 50 tickets remained between the two seatings.

Not to be confused with Pi Day on March 14th, National Pie Day was dreamed up by the American Pie Council—yes, even a staple of home cooking has big backing, these days—a group trying to to "raise awareness, enjoyment and consumption of pies." Its sponsors page lists industrial food companies like Karo corn syrup and Crisco shortening.