PFR No. 1

I talked up my Pie Field Research (PFR) earlier and now Jennifer, in her second post ever (welcome to the block, my dear), mentioned my planned PFR and now I actually need to do something about it.

Last Thursday Sharon and I went out for my first site visit, if you will. We went to Heaven on Seven, the original location on Wabash.

Heaven on Seven is a Lousiana-styled restaurant, found on the seventh floor of the Garland Building. Even before noon, when Sharon and I arrived, there was a line snaking out in the hallway. I enjoy coming here, I like the atmosphere at lunch, a good mix of folks: business people in suits to cops to students. Though I knew that I always overeat, so I had a gameplan for lunch. I was only going to get a side of beans and rice and the pie, knowing that I would probably be overly full by the time I left. (I was.) Sharon's eyes were bigger than her stomach, though, and had crab cakes, which came with some beans and rice, and a corn muffin. In the end, we only got one piece of pie, the peach. Thinking back, I should have gotten one of the pecans. Their pecan pies is a better choice. It was too heavy, though, and I got a peach pie.

Now I brought Sharon along because she considers herself a crust snob. We were both underwhelmed by the warm peach pie I was served. Sharon gave the crust a "low 3" and we both thought the filling tasted a lot like canned peaches. The crust was also a little burned and very dry. All in all, we were disappointed.

It was sort of a sorry way to begin things. But I won't be deterred. In fact, this evening on the L ride home from dinner, the cutest guy walked in the car at Fullerton. He was an earnest-looking young man, with sandy brown hair and plastic framed glasses and corduroy pants. In one hand were two bags: one with a six-pack (bottles) and one with a cherry pie. His other hand had some ugly purple daisies he kept nervously sniffing. Seriously adorable. Where can I get one that will get dressed up to bring me beer and pie?

I am looking for more people to join me in my pie field research, so if you're in the city and want to get your pie on with me, let me know. Jennifer, I may have to come out to the burbs and try some of your homemade pies!!

Comments

[blue girl]

Purple daisies and cherry pie. Yep. He's a winner, alright. Too cute.

Where can I get one

:)

Sorry to hear about the peach pie. Don't let it deter you! You must soldier on.

Off topic: Claire, what kind of camera do you have? All your photos turn out so pretty.

[Jennifer]

Claire- Your talk of Heaven on Seven brought back memories!

Sorry about the pie. We will have to find a way to get you better pie although I'm not sure I would ask anyone to sacrifice themselves by making them go to the burbs! :)

The guy on the train sounds wonderful.

And... thanks for the trackback! I feel official!

[KathyF]

Pecan pie! The perfect balance of textures.

There's a place in Louisiana called "Lea's Lunchroom" that has the most perfect pie. Wish you could go there!

[amy]

I love your PFR...and think it needs to be a nation-wide thing. People from cities all over the country (or heck! the world!) should sign up to be independent field researchers (IPFRs) and submit reports, so that when you (and others travel), there will be a resource for the best pies.

I only say that, because I want to be the Portland IPFR so that I have an excuse to eat pie. is that so wrong?

[Claire]

Amy, I *love* the idea. Except that I wish I could join the IPFRs, because that means I could travel more. Hm... I wonder if I could get a grant for my research...

Seriously, though, I love the idea of spreading the love of pie everyday. I could make badges for people who want to be IPFRs.

Oh god! I can't wait for March 14! Pie day!

[amy]

badges are a great idea. i would love to be the portland ipfr/iafr (alcohol - not all alcohols go with pie, but it is equally important to the travel experience).

[Sharon]

A slow start, but it'll be fun moving up from HOS! And, btw, I AM a crust snob--I was reared on Grandma Pearl's pies and nobody makes crusts like that woman did. Her hands should have been insured for millions!