After my car mishap, I thought I needed something to calm my nerves. The night before I had made some notes about possible restaurants to scope out, and one of them happened to be a couple of miles away from my blowout, and happened to be famous for its pie.
I pulled into Glen's Cafe in Florence, MT. It was a small diner that reminded me of a smaller version of the diner in Twin Peaks. (Being surrounded by evergreens helped that feeling.) I was a little shaky when I got in, due to the adrenaline burst after my tire got away from me, and I took a seat at the counter, looking into the tiny kitchen. Over my head hung a wooden sign with all of the types pies on movable parts, so they could be turned out or in, depending on availability. I felt like the only non-regular and ordered a slice of blackberry pie (a la mode) and cup of coffee.
I was feeling shy, partially because I felt like a tourist and because I normally don't do PFRs solo (the whole point is to share a pie experience with friends), so I didn't take any photos of the pie itself. (Mr. Mannion will probably be happy about that, as he always accuses me of trying to make him hungry.) I felt a little silly pulling out my camera, so it stayed in my bag.
Glen's Cafe: September 2, 2008: Slice of blackberry.
No guest judge, just me, a self-proclaimed pie-enthusiast.
Crust: Too blond - it seemed underdone and not browned enough or very flaky.
Filling: Good filling, nice subtle hints of cinnamon with the berries.
Ice cream: Excellent. I don't normally get pie heated up or a la mode, but I panicked when the waitress asked and went with it.
Coffee: I don't normally rate the coffee, but I have a deep love of diner coffee, so I ordered some. It was great diner coffee. The caffeine probably didn't help calm my nerves, but it went well with the pie.
Overall: 3 out of 5. The pie disappointed, because of the crust. The ambiance was perfect - classic side-of-the-road diner. The regulars seemed friendly and the food looked good.
Diner coffee!!! MMMMMMMMM!
Posted by: Jennifer | September 24, 2008 at 08:30 AM
but I panicked when the waitress asked
How funny, Claire. But, I know *just* what you mean. Don't you hate when you start panicking over dumb little everyday things? And all of a sudden you feel like you're not speaking clearly and that everyone is watching?
Even though your pie wasn't perfect, how great that you got to be in that diner. Really, really cool!
Posted by: blue girl | September 24, 2008 at 09:35 AM
Last time I had dessert (strawberry rhubarb cobbler), the waitress asked if I wanted it warmed up & with ice cream, and I too panicked and said yes. Which was so unfortunate, because I really, really didn't. Ice cream is a bad, bad thing for me (so severely lactose intolerant).
Sorry the pie wasn't the best ever. Next time you're in Portland, we'll have pie at the Daily Bread. Yum.
Posted by: Amy | September 24, 2008 at 01:06 PM