Jan 2013

{swoon} Lemon Ice Box Pie at Hart & The Hunter

The Hart & The Hunter - Los Angeles

I swooned for nearly four hours straight last Friday afternoon at The Hart & The Hunter, a southern-inspired eatery tucked inside the Palihotel. Following a savory start of smoked trout toast and a shaved Brussels sprout salad, my friend and the restaurant’s pastry chef Sarah Lange treated me to a parade of desserts, including this unforgettable lemon icebox pie.

The Hart & The Hunter - Los Angeles

Sarah’s take on this classic southern dessert pairs a lemony semifreddo with a buttery, crumbly graham cracker crust. A lightly sweetened whipped meringue comes piled high and is blow-torched to order, offering the perfect finishing touch. Cool, light, smooth, and tangy; what could be better?

The Hart & The Hunter - Los Angeles

Next, Sarah brought out an equally swoon-worthy apple dumpling, a nod to her Pennsylvania Dutch roots. The dumpling, a cinnamon- and sugar-spiced apple enrobed in a flaky crust, was baked till golden and treated to a slice of melted Hook’s cheddar and a scoop of vanilla ice cream just before hitting the table. The results were sweet yet savory, cool yet hot. Pro tip: Sarah likes to douse her apple dumplings in cold milk before digging in. It’s how it’s done back home in PA.

The Hart & The Hunter - Los Angeles

After I sampled the restaurant’s dessert staples, Sarah took me on a tour of off-menu sweets that she is currently developing including a mocha icebox cake comprised of made-from-scratch chocolate wafers layered with coffee-tinged whipped cream….

The Hart & The Hunter - Los Angeles

…a genuinely boozy mint julep ice cream sandwich served with house-made hot fudge…

The Hart & The Hunter - Los Angeles

…and a three-layered coconut cake frosted with a touch of creme friache.

Sarah’s certainly got a way with sweets!

The Hart & The Hunter
7950 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Phone: 323-424-3055

One year ago: Mighty-O Donuts – Seattle
Two years ago: Mix – Las Vegas (Mandalay Bay)
Three years ago: Flip Burger Boutique – Birmingham
Four years ago: Vietnam House – San Gabriel
Five years ago: Minh Ky – San Diego
Six years ago: Eleven Eleven Mississippi – St. Louis

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10 thoughts on “{swoon} Lemon Ice Box Pie at Hart & The Hunter

  1. Coincidentally, I had this divine pie for the first time last night and was blown away. The other 2 desserts stood on their own too. The off menu desserts appear to be equally exciting, especially the mint julep sandwich! Thanks for the preview!

  2. I’ve had my way with the lemon ice box + apple cheddar dumpling, but I am DESPERATE for the other three — especially, that cute little coconut one.

  3. Cathy, thank you so much for this sweet write-up. Your support means the world to me. Consider yourself my official taste tester!

  4. Ice. Box. Pie. I love the sound of those words though I have no real idea of what one tastes like! I guess I have to make one to find out!

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