The Pies Have It At The Right Slice
Mango pie is a hit at The Right Slice. Daniel Lane photos
A big, fat, juicy pie, loaded with ripe Kaua’i fruit and wrapped in a flakey pastry crust does that sound good to you? How about the delicate aroma of roses drifting to your nose as you take a bite of mountain apple pie? Or maybe tangy pineapple, sweet coconut cream, soft blueberries and a crunchy coconut topping are more to your liking.
The Right Slice, Kaua’i Fresh Pies offers so many options that it’s hard to pick just one. Owner and baker Sandy Poehnelt handmakes more than 45 varieties of sweet and savory pies, and for those with dietary restrictions, she offers a gluten-free crust and no-sugar-added options.
Flakey blueberry pie
Just over a year ago, Poehnelt rolled and sold 20 pies a week. Her dedication to quality ingredients and freshness earned her a faithful following, and people are clamoring for more. She still makes everything from scratch, and still hand-rolls those flakey crusts, but she’s baking 200 pies a week, hiring new staff and opening her own bakery in Lihu’e.
Atter banana pie laced with organic peanut butter and dark-chocolate pudding.
Sticky, gooey, nutty, salty and sweet the flavors and textures of a classic pecan pie. Poehnelt remade this American favorite with macadamia nuts, pineapple and coconut, and I think she’s created a new Hawaiian classic.
Sandy Poehnelt is the pie lady
Her line of citrus piesvaries according to season, and today she has island lime with a top crust instead of meringue. The cool pie with its tangy and smooth filling is a divine complement to a hot summer day.
Poehnelt offers the classics: Belgian chocolate cream, lilikoi, apple, pumpkin, peach and pecan. But I can’t help it, I’m inclined toward unique flavor combinations, and the “tantric,” a chocolate cream with a cayenne kick, sounds enticing. And I hear the carrot pie, made with fresh local carrots, is as good or better than her pumpkin pie. It just depends on who you ask.
A pie to go bananas for
Imagine taking a freshly baked pot pie right out of your oven and serving your family a nutritious “homemade” meal. Call ahead and Poehnelt will have one ready for you, and if you don’t feel like baking it, she will.
The thought of used pie tins piling up in Kaua’i’s landfill inspired Poehnelt to use glass pie plates, with a $10 dollar deposit, that’s refundable upon return. The pie plates maximize golden crust and minimize waste.
I doubt I’ll ever get that 10 bucks back because I want to try the haupia purple sweet potato pie, and Omao lemons will be ready soon!
Mountain apple pie is sweet and tart. Daniel Lane photos
Now if I could just get her pie on the East side of the island.
The Right Slice pies can be found at: Kalaheo Steak and Ribs, Port Allen Sunset Grill, Hanapepe Art Night, Waipa Farmers Market, Kukui’ula Culinary Market, KCC Farmers Market, Kukui Grove Farmers Market.
The Right Slice, Kaua`i Fresh Pies
1543 Haleukana St., Lihu’e; 212-8320
RightSlice.com mlane@ midweekkauai.com
