There are plenty of good reasons to make a trip downtown, but here’s one more: pie. Pie Maison, a European-inspired specialty pie shop that opened earlier this year, is bringing fresh-baked pies, generous slices and a little old-fashioned dessert happiness to downtown Bend. Locally owned and operated by Amy Bertram and Brittany Ellenberg, the shop offers a tempting assortment of signature pies, seasonal specialties and whole pies available for pickup. And with the holidays approaching, it’s worth getting acquainted with the place before your Thanksgiving baking list gets out of hand.
Pie Maison’s lineup includes several signature offerings, among them Marionberry Streusel, S’mores, Cookies and Cream, and Lemon Meringue. Gluten-free versions of the Marionberry Streusel and Lemon Meringue are also available. Seasonal offerings currently include Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Spice Latte Pie and Pecan Pie, with gluten-free versions as well. Whether you’re looking for something familiar or a little more indulgent, there’s a good chance you’ll find a slice worth bringing home.
I stopped by twice, opting both times to take my pie slices home rather than settle in at the shop. At $8 a slice, they’re a reasonably convenient way to sample the offerings before committing to a whole pie. If you’d rather enjoy your dessert on-site, there are a few small tables and chairs, and you can add a scoop of ice cream for an additional $4. The shop itself is bright, clean and modern, although the atmosphere feels a bit stark for a place devoted to comfort food. A little more warmth, softer seating and a cozier feel might encourage customers to linger over their slices. Still, I’m happy to have a downtown pie shop, especially one that stays open until 9 pm. It’s an appealing option when the craving for something sweet strikes after dinner.
As for the pies, the Lemon Meringue is my favorite so far. The lemon curd is bright and tart, with just the right balance of sweetness, and the generous layer of toasted meringue on top is both beautiful and delicious. It’s the kind of classic pie that doesn’t need much embellishment to make an impression. Pie Maison’s version gets the important details right.
The Marionberry Streusel is another signature offering, featuring a jammy filling of sweet berries beneath an oat streusel topping. It’s sweet without being overly so, with enough tartness to keep things interesting. The filling leans more toward a smooth, concentrated berry jam than a pie packed with distinct whole berries, so those looking for a more fruit-forward texture might find it a little different than expected. Still, the combination of berry filling and crumbly topping makes for a satisfying slice.
The S’mores pie, reportedly one of the shop’s most popular offerings, takes the campfire favorite in a decidedly decadent direction. A buttery graham cracker crust holds a silky chocolate ganache filling, finished with a layer of toasted Swiss meringue. It’s rich, creamy and unapologetically chocolatey. A small slice goes a long way, but for serious chocolate lovers, that’s hardly a complaint.
With Thanksgiving on the horizon, I also sampled the Pumpkin Pie and Pumpkin Spice Latte Pie. The traditional pumpkin pie is a solid rendition of the holiday classic. The pumpkin custard is smooth, with warm spices including cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves coming through nicely. A topping of vanilla bean whipped cream adds a lovely finishing touch.
The Pumpkin Spice Latte Pie puts a coffeehouse spin on the familiar fall dessert. It features the same warmly spiced pumpkin custard, this time finished with espresso whipped cream. The coffee flavor is quite pronounced, at least in the slice I sampled, and its slightly bitter edge didn’t win me over quite as much as the traditional pumpkin. If you’re a fan of coffee-forward desserts, however, this one might be right up your alley.
One thing worth noting about Pie Maison‘s European inspiration is the pastry itself. With the exception of the S’mores pie’s graham cracker crust, the crusts on the pies I sampled were buttery and sturdy, with a more substantial texture than the delicate, flaky pastry some American pie lovers might expect. They’re not especially light or fragile, but neither are they soggy or overly dense. Instead, they hold their shape beautifully and provide a dependable foundation for the fillings. There’s something to be said for a crust that keeps everything neatly in place, particularly when you’re transporting a slice home.
I haven’t yet sampled the gluten-free offerings, so I can’t speak to how those compare with the traditional versions. But having several gluten-free choices among both the signature and seasonal pies is a welcome addition for customers who need or prefer that option.
If you’re already thinking about Thanksgiving dessert, Pie Maison makes ordering easy. Whole pies can be ordered online at piemaison.com for pickup at the downtown shop. Pumpkin and Pumpkin Spice Latte pies, including their gluten-free versions, are $42 each, while the other flavors are $48. The shop is also taking Thanksgiving pre-orders for apple cider and pumpkin spice donuts, priced at $36 per dozen.
One of the nicest things about having a specialty pie shop downtown is the opportunity to stop in, sample a slice and decide whether you want to put your holiday dessert duties in someone else’s capable hands. After all, there’s no reason to spend Thanksgiving morning wrestling with pie dough if someone else can do the baking.
I, for one, am delighted to have a dedicated pie shop in downtown Bend. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a few more slices to try.
Pie Maison
Tue-Sat 1-9pm
920 NW Bond St., Suite 106, Bend
Entrance on Minnesota Avenue
541-241-8719
piemaison.com
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