Sophie's Pi

Last week was my "last" day at the office (contract got extended. I'm still here, but didn't know that until after lunch), so I thought I'd treat myself to a very nice, quite spendy treat to celebrate. I have been walking past the "Pie Hole" at least twice a day on my way to work and every single time I have been intrigued by the sights and smells that come out of the small service window.

The Pie Hole is the service window attached to the Rosewood Hotel's Pie Room on High Holborn, just a two minute walk from Holborn tube station. The menu at the Pie Hole is limited, with the option of just 5 pies, a sausage roll, scotch egg or pate en croûte and sides of gravy and creamed potatoes. The limited menu means that they can really focus on doing the things they do well. And oh do they.

The idea was spearheaded by Executive Head Chef Calum Franklin, who remarks that he is "obsessive about pastry". The passion for pastry really shows through. The glass front to the Pie Room means that you have an unhindered view of the pastry chefs at work, rolling out pastry, filling the pie moulds. They truly make pastry an art. It's certainly not cheap, but it’s an experience.

The Pie Room is certainly a high end destination, and the way they present themselves clearly gives an impression of luxury. It's certainly not cheap, but for an extra special treat these pies fit the bill. The packaging is lovely, and each pie comes with cutlery, napkins, a menu and is wrapped neatly in greaseproof paper.

The pie itself was amazing. 10/10. I got the chicken, girolle & tarragon pie and can highly recommend it. The flavours were perfectly balanced, the pastry was beautifully flaky and it was just gorgeous to look at. I also got a side of gravy, for an extra 50p, and it was some of the best gravy I have ever had. In total this cost me £9.50, pretty steep, but worth it for a special occasion.

If you have an extra special occasion on its way, you can book the Pie Room as an exclusive dining room for up to 10 people. The kitchen that you see by day is transformed into a unique dining room, where you can enjoy a 3 course meal by Calum Franklin. And if you can't get enough of Calum, he also does 2.5 hour long Pie Masterclasses that you can book a place on.

Review:

Item: Chicken, Girolle & Tarragon Pie with gravy, £9.50

10/10 for taste, 6/10 for cost. Would get again, but only for a really special treat.

Pie Room Details:

Hours: Monday - Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Address: 252 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7EN

Website: https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/london/dining/the-pie-room