by Carole Dixon
Zagat
April 16, 2012

The cupcake craze in LA seems to have given way to pies, but not so much the apple pie that mom used to make. Rather, it’s savory meat pies that are turning up on menus everywhere from Downtown to the Westside. In fact, when Karen and Quinn Hatfield open their new Sycamore Kitchen this spring, they’ll be offering a sausage fennel pie and also a sweet potato, roasted onion and goat cheese crostata. Can’t wait? Here are eight dinner-ready pies to dig into right now.

The Charleston

This 1930s-style nightlife venue in Santa Monica might look like another typical lounge space with nightly live entertainment, but chef Jet Tila – who you might recognize from Iron Chef America or the Wynn in Las Vegas depending on your turf – is in the kitchen putting a twist on American comfort food. Being billed as a ‘gastrolounge’ the menu features shepherd’s pie with braised short rib and seasonal vegetables, topped with whipped potatoes. No, this one is not baked with a butter-laden crust, but you won’t mind a bit.