When we go to the States we try to get our fill of things that we just can’t get back in Rome. Dim Sum, bagels, brunch and any other variation of American and/or ethnic food is high on our list. As are burgers and fries. And oysters. And things we didn’t even realize we missed.
Like Key Lime Pie.
On a whirlwind drive through the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn with our friend Edward and his son Sam, we stopped at an astonishing number of new places that have popped up over the last few years. Barbecue houses, lobster shacks, chocolate factories were all on our itinerary.
As well as this Key Lime Pie shop. Yes. A shop that sells just one thing, and one thing only: key lime pies. You can get them in a few sizes. They also sell a version on a stick, covered in chocolate called a Swingle (because in American you can get just about anything served on a stick).
The location? In a semi abandoned warehouse right at the edge of the water in Red Hook. No, there is no public transportation. And yes, it is awful hard to get to. Why is it there? I would imagine almost zero rent has something to do with it. Because how do you make a go of it by just selling key lime pies? (just asking)
The shop itself is minimal. A small room with a wooden counter in the back where you place your pie order. The bright orange walls are supposed to suggest some sort of Florida ambiance I guess, and the tank full of goldfish did make me think tropics. Kind of.
But if you do happen to find yourself in Red Hook, do try to get here. Because the crispy graham cracker crust, filled with custardy, creamy, sweet tart, key lime goodness is worth it. The secret: freshly squeezed key lime juice. And only key limes, with their distinctive aroma and high acidity. Makes all the difference.
That, and the incredible view of the Statue of Liberty across the harbour.
Now I have one more thing to add to the list of things I miss about the States when I’m back in Rome.
Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie
185 Van Dyke Street (at the very end)
Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York
P.S. If you don’t feel like heading all the way to Brooklyn, the pies are also available at several retail locations in Manhattan. Check the website for details. But really, getting there is half the fun.
Elizabeth, I know this place well. I live a few blocks away from it. He sells alot of his pies to local restaurants and is famous for the quality. Last year, during hurricane Sandy, the place was washed out and is now rebuilt in a new location. Red Hook is becoming very trendy, I do grocery shopping at the large Fairway market at the end of the main drag, and a new (or two or three) new shops pop up and apartment renovations take place every month or so! BTW, I loved the post on Jing Fong, I am there two or three times a month on the weekends when I shop in Chinatown.
I love that Fairway! And so glad to hear you are a Jing Fong fan too.
Nice. You were 5-10 minutes away from where I live as well. Glad to see that you got to this great little corner of Brooklyn & hope you were able to sample some of the chocolate at Prieto (as well as their local rhum and whiskey?). Red Hook is full of surprises and one of my favorite restaurants is right there (“The Good Fork”). Take care.
Yes, Prieto and Widown Jane report to follow, as well as a few other stops from our amazing day in Red Hook.