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Claybus 04/26/2011 2:51:00 PM
He's a racist because he doesn't like lousy pie?
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Brycenarches 04/09/2011 4:00:00 PM
I totally agree with you. I tried both places and if I had to write a review, it would be just like yours... word for word.
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shanzam 04/01/2011 10:57:00 PM
I don't think you'll be winning a James Beard Journalism Award for this article.
I see you can class your writing up for a classy review of Canlis, but not for a low-brow pie joint.
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piefan 03/28/2011 4:27:00 AM
The pie here needs serious work. Tried the coconut cream pie today and, while very creamy, was quite light on the coconut. Like someone had taken a cream pie and sprinkled on a bit of coconut, it's not even on the same map as the Palace Kitchen's version.
Would love to see this business succeed so I hope that rather than reacting defensively they will look to revamp their recipes (and whatever you think of Sheenan a lot of other reviews of this place have been lukewarm to bad).
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PCS 03/21/2011 5:56:00 PM
You know, mean though it is, this is the review I've been waiting for. My boyfriend and I went in to this place and got the only two vegan options---apple and cranberry walnut. If I recall, they cost more than the regular pie slices. "Not many vegans come in here," the woman at the counter told me, and it's no fricking wonder. It's kind ironic that the vegan apple pie was the only thing this reviewer liked, because I found it to be totally unspiced and bland and dry. The cranberry walnut was slightly more palatable by virtue of having a naturally tart fruit and a little variety of texture. I wondered if they were just shafting the vegans, but since we've talked to other friends who have been to this place, it looks like they're treating everyone to the same overpriced fruit-and-cobweb confections.
I know it's dumb to get mad at mediocrity, but EVERY time I pass this place I want pie and I have to constantly remind myself of just how bad they were.
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Jannarose2410 03/18/2011 9:59:00 PM
Barring all of the crazy comments you expect when people have the anonymous platform of the internet to play on - I will say that I picked up this copy of the Weekly on my way home the other night, and had my taste buds dance a little bit with the image of the cherry pie on the front.
But alas, I realized, this was yet ANOTHER article about the magical Dani Cone.
Don't get me wrong, the benefits and wonders of small business are not lost on me. They are vital to our community and our culture. And they usually can turn out some unique and tasty creations when they are food-centered.
But after hearing her obnoxious interview on NPR for the national Pie Day celebration, she pushed me over the edge.
Pie has been around for so long, no body can really agree on who figured it out first. Pie was created back before they had reliable cold storage that you could pop your ingredients into every five seconds while creating a great crust, it was before we had fancy food commentary, before the butter they made (at HOME) was considered organic and local and cost 6 bucks a pound, it was before people read about how pie was supposed to be - and instead they just MADE it. And they made it well. I think. I wasn't there, but the romantic vision of back in the day pie on the window sill sure flirts with me.
Anyway - so pie has been around. But people like Dani take pie and take an ownership of pie. Which drives me insane. I am a baker myself, but I am tired of the idea that my idea of a pie is everyone else's. So I bake pie, at home. I tweak, I play around, and I eat. Oh my I enjoy pie - but apparently so does everyone. That's great, but when three ladies get chosen to be interviewed about their vision for pie and they wax on about the magic we mere mortals cannot comprehend...well, it gets a little old.
Especially, because I finally TRIED Dani Cone's pie and it was miserable.
I went into this article expecting yet another person to be tooting the horn of our matron of pie, but was refreshingly sent into laughter and relief that someone else was as let-down by her products as I was.
In a time like it is now, where people are concerned about their food (hopefully most of us are getting that memo), where the big businesses suck the life out of our planet on a daily basis, and where we're finally realizing we can make our own eats - Dani is a pioneer. Pie is hard, really hard, but I was sick and tired of her being the BEST. THE GREATEST. Because when I walked...er, ran excitedly into her little store to try her offerings - I walked out sad and disappointed.
But then newly inspired to just go do it at home.
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Chief Ghandi 03/17/2011 8:31:00 PM
hahahaha! shit sundae!
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O Wolfe. 03/17/2011 7:02:00 PM
I don't know a single Seattleite willing to put up with crap. It's not about defending pies that need help, it's about the sensational manner of tearing down a small business. It's simply not okay.
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O Wolfe. 03/17/2011 6:57:00 PM
Dani Cone at High 5 knows & shows how classy people behave. Siyanara, Sheehan. Don't let the door hit your doughy, self-hating ass on the way out. http://bit.ly/pievolution
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Alexis Delgado 03/16/2011 11:29:00 PM
I'm sorry, but you can make a flaky pie crust using 100% butter, there's no need to add crisco if you want to make a good pate brisee, all you need is good technique
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Jennarenren 03/16/2011 5:18:00 PM
There are still plenty of bad reviews on Yelp. Mine being one of them. Every one of them mentions either bad crust, flavorless pie or snotty service. I wonder if High 5 read their Yelp. If they did, they might would have taken action earlier to correct their gaping flaws.
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Rob 03/15/2011 7:36:00 PM
I tasted High 5 Pie's rendition of a cherry almond pie. Cherry-Almond is a great flavor profile. High 5 Pie's effort with packaged slivered almonds and desiccated cherries combined with a bulky cardboard crust was an insult to the dish as well as all of us who make tasty pies at home. Such a tragedy to see so much money spent on the build-out and publicity of this highly visible shrine to pie. They really need someone who knows how to make pie. Maybe they will take a clue from Cupcake Royale who brought in Sue McCown to bring flavor and a better texture to a previously bland and dry product.
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Baldbearded 03/15/2011 7:22:00 PM
Oh yes... SHAME.... how terrible, calling a CRAP business on the carpet for selling CRAP!!
Pass me a Klenex....
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Baldbearded 03/15/2011 7:19:00 PM
Huh? What is with Seattle and everyone being so willing to put up with CRAP! If you are in business and you sell CRAP, people should be warned.
Gee "vespcachica" are you screwing the owner?
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vespachica 03/15/2011 4:55:00 AM
I haven't had High 5 Pie (yet) but I will say this review is devastating and unnecessary. There are plenty of ways to express one's dissatisfaction without resorting to the words "shit sundae". Jason Sheehan has shown that he lacks class and tact. Good riddance.
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O Wolfe. 03/15/2011 4:07:00 AM
Who are you to call ANYTHING stupid or offensive???
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ohreally? 03/15/2011 3:16:00 AM
Pdp- you're nuts...Fuel's coffee is awesome! I've only been to 2 of the branches (both Wallingford and Capitol Hill), and they both made me great drinks...and I'm pretty picky, I've been a barista for 7 years.
As for High5 Pie, I still haven't been- but their handpies, as sold at Fuel, are awesome. Now I WILL be going to see if this unnecessarily brutal panning is even remotely true.
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Jennarenren 03/14/2011 9:47:00 PM
Jason, at least when you went in there they had a variety of crappy pies to choose from. I went in at 7:00 in the evening on a busy Friday night on the hill and there were two 1/2 pies and one of the was mutilated. I didn't want a whole pie. I didn't want a pocket pie. I wanted a decent slice of pie. Call me crazy, but when I walk into a pie shop, I expect a selection of pies to choose from, because as a pie shop it's their freaking job to do that.
You made it farther than I did. I was so disgusted and let down by the shitty, empty case that I just walked out.
Thank you very much, but my money will be spent at Pie and Shoefly Pie. And if I want a whole pie for home, I'm calling up that magical genius at Ala Mode Pie, because Sweet Fancy Moses, that is what pie should taste like.
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Jason Sheehan 03/14/2011 6:38:00 PM
Sweet Tooth and Mary Anne: That Jason S. wasn't me. For one, my insults are a bit more clever. And for two, I think "a bit hyperbolic" was a perfectly reasonable reaction to the review. I don't agree--if anything, I think I undersold my disappointment--but I understand.
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Chloe 03/14/2011 4:45:00 AM
While I do agree that this review was a little harsh, it is sadly true. I was SO excited.. So so so excited for High 5 Pie to open (it is a mere block and a half from my house, and I love dessert.) I have been there three times. The first two times my pie was horrible. The third time I had the peanut butter chocolate cream pie, and it was pretty good. Honestly though, if you fuck up a graham cracker crust you are a moron.
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polaris 03/14/2011 4:29:00 AM
Nope, I was able to figure out that I'm not a High 5 Pie fan all by myself.
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Naomi 03/13/2011 8:19:00 PM
Thank you, Leonella! I am really surprised by some of the juvenile responses posted here. Sorry kids this is not band camp - this is about the business of taste and if you can't make delicious pie consistently then you don't deserve my money or my support.
Oh, and why does everyone think that the truth needs to be sugarcoated? Look, if Jason was trying to be mean-spirited he would not have returned for another visit. How many second chances does a place deserve? With the price of food going up would you risk $20 plus dollars for a pie that was less than stellar? If so, you are doing yourself and this city a disservice. People it time to raise the bar a little and stop whining when you aren't patted on the back for mediocrity.
If you want some tender, flavorful, homemade pie try Shoefly Pie in West Seattle. The women who work there are sweet and full of heart, but most importantly the pie is truly scrumptious! No hype, no high-in-the-sky pie market takeover strategy here - just a great place that knows how to make pie.
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Daff 03/13/2011 4:31:00 AM
I couldn't agree with you more, man. The cupcake joints need have no fear of these pseudo-pie places. If the people want a piece of pie, the only halfway sane thing to do is drive over to Magnolia to the Seattle Pie Company.
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Mary Anne 03/13/2011 3:51:00 AM
Gee, Jason. Calm down. It is ok for people to disagree with you.
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Eric Blair 03/13/2011 3:08:00 AM
You be Jason?
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Jason S 03/13/2011 3:07:00 AM
"a bit hyperbolic" - where did you hear that? in community college? you moron!
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Jason 03/13/2011 1:17:00 AM
Jason is still in Seattle? It's time to run this spineless, jerk out of the state. He belongs in the south with the other racist, rand, libertarians. Perhaps he should go cook for the repubs over there in the midwest. Scott Walker would appreciate his hate for people.
Eric
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Sweet Tooth 03/12/2011 7:28:00 PM
This review is unfortunately pretty true, if a bit hyperbolic. It does seem as if someone who doesn't like pie or has the taste equivalent of tone-deafness is making these. Very strangely underwhelming and not even near worth the price.
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03/12/2011 9:52:00 AM
Wow. I can't believe this review, and yes, as others have noted, it seems particularly mean-spirited. That said, I LOVE High 5 and have been there several times now, to great satisfaction. I will note, however, that I have only had the apple flipsides (mini, enclosed, hand held pies) and so I can't speak to the other flavors.
Here's my take: Pies are kind of like eggs. People have *very* strong preferences about what constitutes a "good" version of either. High 5 pies are not particularly sweet and their crusts are made with 100% butter. Many people have developed a preference for a sweet pie and a particularly flaky crust, and so even most home bakers will use at least some Crisco in their pie crust (this is what *really* makes the dough flaky folks) and probably are using a lot more sugar as sweetener than High 5 is using. This review seems blind to these things, and I hope it doesn't turn too many people off to the shop, because they'll be missing out!
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polaris 03/12/2011 7:37:00 AM
This review is spot on! The pie at High 5 sucks. I think it's really suspect that critical reviews on Yelp seem to magically disappear, and the remaining ones sound suspiciously like friends of the owner and employees. I wrote a one star review and a friend did too. Neither of them remain on Yelp, and neither had any objectionable content. The truth hurts... the place was filthy on the night I visited, the service was lackluster at best and the pies sucked and visually non-appetizing. The reference to shit is appropriate after eating their pecan pie.
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Clfountain42 03/12/2011 5:10:00 AM
this is awful... terrible writing and frankly a person I never want to know. Totally uncalled for... and even if it is true, the way you went about it was just awful. As a professional baker, I know a good pie is hard to find... but do you make pies? What is your problem? I am very turned off and shame on Seattle Weekly for publishing this and ever employing you.
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Guest 03/12/2011 4:49:00 AM
Hobo's? Stupid and offensive term.
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Pdp 03/12/2011 2:44:00 AM
Loved this review, totally spot-on. Oh, and also: Fuel's espresso is aggressively awful. How do they stay open!?
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03/11/2011 10:16:00 PM
Why don't you leave the country and not come back? Pretty please with extra corn syrup and trans fats on top?
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Sasquatch 03/11/2011 7:56:00 PM
Yeah, that's right, shut your piehole, Sheehan. The readers of SW didn't drive you off, you did it to yourself. So, no self-pity. Your character is none of our business, but your profession as a food critic is definitely a failure. Perhaps you should try doing something different?
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Leonella 03/11/2011 2:48:00 AM
High five, Jason. Thanks for having the guts to tell the truth about inferior food. Why do so many Seattleites go to the knee-jerk charge of "mean-spiritedness" when someone gives their honest opinion? Note to Rachel and the rest: Food critics don't exist to give pep talks to failing businesses. They're working on it? Maybe they should have done that before they opened up the new store (they've been making pies for Fuel for over a year, FYI). I tried two High 5 pies recently and had to spit them out they were both so disgusting. I had the same reaction as Jason - do any of the chefs every taste their pies/fillings? Yes, food assessment can be somewhat subjective. But, honestly, in this case I'd have to question whether the people who like these pies a) have taste buds, and b) have ever tasted a decent pie in their lives.
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03/11/2011 2:39:00 AM
This was really unnecessarily mean. Do you have some personal issue with Dani or High 5 that impaired your ability to write a professional review?
Personally, while I think they're pies are a little over-priced, and the cutie pies are under-filled, I have bought a few whole pies from High 5, and never been disappointed with the crust or the fillings (I stick to marionberry and mixed berry). It's on my walk home, it's a lot easier than baking my own pie in the middle of the week, and I'll happily continue to shop there regularly.
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Rachel. 03/11/2011 12:54:00 AM
What makes you a food critic? Anyone can be a food critic. Anybody can write a hateful, bitter article, but it takes some skill to write a postive piece. Your articles are complete, negative, juvenile trash and clearly show that you have absolutely no skills and no business writing for a paper, including the Weekly.
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guest 03/11/2011 12:37:00 AM
So bitter and hateful and doesn't even discuss more than two pie places in Seattle when there are about half a dozen or more if you count the ones without "PIE" in the name. Thank god you're heading east. Enough of this shit.
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Frannie 03/10/2011 10:44:00 PM
This was an incredibly mean spirited article. Maybe the pies at High 5 do need some work, but as Jason Sheehan mentions (buried in the middle) High 5 is tweaking their recipes. Why not be supportive of their efforts to revamp rather than damning them immediately? Seattle Weekly has lost me on this one.
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DP 03/10/2011 9:01:00 PM
Shame on you Jason Sheehan and Seattle Weekly. Your mean spiritedness makes you sound like a desperate blogger trying to gain some momentum any which way possible. You could have told this story about unfavorable crust and pie a million different ways without being spiteful and self righteous. Your article was downright gross. Grosser than eating a 100 unfavorable pies.
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03/10/2011 8:25:00 PM
I have to agree about High 5 Pie. The crust is terrible! I had a slice of chocolate cream, and I could not cut throught he crust with a knife! Something is definitely wrong here. The filling was also very odd- it did not taste like chocolate cream, but something almost chemical. Not a good choice.
May I suggest the wonderful Shoofly Pie in West Seattle? All their pies taste lie Mom made them, but even better. Their shop is more cozy, too. Go there instead.
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Jay 03/10/2011 7:33:00 PM
I took home three slices the other day, and was also pretty disappointed with the crust. The people working behind the counter were super nice, and the place is very clean and comfortable. (I'm trying to accentuate the positive)
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Love good 03/10/2011 6:17:00 PM
Its true, its pretty awful........I hate to admit this article is indeed fact.
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Geri 03/10/2011 5:15:00 PM
You gotta be kidding me! I've been to High 5 many times and licked my plate clean! The spinach/feta flipside is especially delicious, as is the mixed berrry slice. As for the crust, I never saw a morsel left on anyone's plate! What's your problem?
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03/10/2011 2:25:00 PM
Forget about micro gastronomy, a great pie crust is one of the most ethereal and difficult things to achieve -- for a commercial bakery as well as many home cooks. Almost anyone can produce a credible cupcake (the icing is what sets them apart). But without a good crust even the most splendid of fillings can't save a pie. When I'm scooping out the filling and leaving the crust behind because it's inedible, I'm not a happy customer.
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Debbarnesusa 03/10/2011 12:41:00 PM
lTest: eave the country, come back, observe the population....and weep. We are fatter, sadder and more sheeplike than our neighbors and Europe. Our own 'people' in 'American Agri Biz' (the big 4) are willing to sabotage the health of their neighbors, children ..everyone is exploitable.Please, help stop the subsidy of junk food basics (corn in everything!) and then pie might be a healthier thing, full of local organic fruits, healthier fats etc. Food critics please do your job and tell America some important truths. We need to teach each other, after all the big money is in exploiting!
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mo 03/10/2011 5:15:00 AM
P.S. Monday is Pi Day!
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mo 03/10/2011 5:15:00 AM
How can you write about pie and not mention 3.14 Bakery in White Center?
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K. 03/10/2011 5:04:00 AM
This review is crap, just like The Seattle Weekly. Did you date the owner of High Five Pie and she broke up with you? WTF!?
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Robin 03/10/2011 3:48:00 AM
I've had only great experiences at High Five Pie. Their savory dill and potato pie is one of my favorite light lunches in all of Seattle. The s'more pie is a decadent taste sensation. The staff has always been nothing but nice and the space is beautiful and full of light. I'll definitely keep going back for more.
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Quincy 03/09/2011 10:18:00 PM
totally agree - the pie at high five is awful, especially the cherry almond which is absolutely disgusting. shoofly pie in west seattle always gets it right!
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GoodEatsGuy 03/09/2011 10:11:00 PM
I will have to take exception with Jason Sheehan on this review of High 5. I have tried a number of the High 5 offerings and have found them, and particularly the array of choices, to be very satisfying. The Cherry Almond particularly is the best in town, and the savory handhelds very tasty. This review in Seattle Weekly totally missed the mark.
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KI2 03/09/2011 9:12:00 PM
This review is a load of shit. I have eaten at High 5 many times and have never had an experience like this. Agreed, the s'mores pies might need a little softening, but the berry and savory pies are flavorful and the crust is light without being too sweet. I also appreciate the variety of pies as there is something new to taste every time. Heard the reviewer is leaving the Weekly next week? What was this, one last chance to spew a bunch of crap?
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MoonBuster 03/09/2011 8:54:00 PM
I don't think they are HORRIBLE, but they do need a little work.
I think they definitely need to do a focus group to see how they can improve.
More sugar and salt are needed and flakier crusts.
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dr25 03/09/2011 6:38:00 PM
Agreed, I was so sad to realize how crappy High Five Pie was, I work around the corner went once and will not be going back. I have enjoyed the pies from Shoefly Pie in West Seattle.
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03/09/2011 5:48:00 PM
Oh shit! Glad to see a brutal review before you head East. Does High 5 have a suggestion box that you could stuff a tub of shortening into?
