Foodie Blogroll

Saturday, April 10, 2010

4 & 20 Pasty Company - Sarasota


Maranda and I like to try all the little ethnic places around us. When we were on Spring Break we had some time to do this. We stopped at 4 & 20 Pasty Company.
Meat pies are popular in many countries and each having their own version of fillings and crusts. I first came across them when I was working on Mackinac Islands as a teenager. Of course very big in the Upper peninsula and northern Michigan. Introduced in the United States by Cornish miners who immigrated in the 1800's hoping to earn a good living in newly developing mines. Then continued on by the Finns and Swedes each adding their own touch to the pie. The shape and construct of the pasty made it not only portable, but if it should get cold, it would be relatively easy to warm up. In the mine, this was often done by putting the pasty on a shovel and holding it over a head-lamp candle. In the workplace, as pasty wasn't eaten with a fork; it was eaten end to end, held upright to keep the juices in.

We were greeted by the owner Richard Posner. He is a true foodie and is excited to talk about his business and good food. 4 & 20 was created and is run by Richard and his wife Barbara.

He was kind enough to pose for the photo. They offer a few selections of warm and ready to eat pie, and sausage rolls, along with some dessert pies. Most of them come frozen with complete instructions on how to heat them up and enjoy! You can order what you want to pick up, they do a lot of deliveries, and ship too!
I got the chicken Tikka Masala, and Maranda went with the Jamaican pie, the small one.

They have limited amount of seating, and a few tables out front. Most of it is for deliveries, or shipped. When he promotes his business he said he's not quite sure what category it really fits in. He has a few English canned goods, and a large freezer with his whole selection of pies. We got to talking what is the best Indian restaurant in town, and different curry blends, which led to all the good spices that I enjoy. He said his wife does most of the cooking and we were invited in the back.
His wife was joking about not giving out the the recipes! He showed me all their spices and a little how it's all done. I didn't want to intrude too much on them. They were all so nice, but she wouldn't turn for the camera (she said she didn'thave any lipstick on) hehe! I told them that I was going to post it on my blog. Maybe I'll go back for some baking lessons!
It was a beautiful day so we took ours home to enjoyed out by the pool. Maranda ate hers too quickly before I could get a picture of it.
We're off to see what goodies we can find today!

25 comments:

  1. That pie looks lovely!!!!!!! Its always nice to talk to the people behind the counters and the tills in shops and eateries!

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  2. Sounds great! Btw, what's the filling of your pastry? Looks delicious and the skin is so crispy too.

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  3. KB,
    It was fun, especially when two "foodies" get to talking!

    Kristy,
    The filling was Chunks of Chicken breast, marinated in Yoghurt & Masala Spices, oven roasted & mixed with potato & their home made Masala Sauce. It's so nice just to pick up some good food that you don't make yourself!

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  4. I've never been there but definitely going to find it and try it soon - maybe this weekend. Everything looks so good! Yummy!

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  5. I went over to their website to get the address and was ready to go tell the boys to get ready to go when I remembered the dollar a day challenge (duh!) I guess I'll have to wait until after April to check it out - can't wait!

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  6. Oh I'd love to visit this place. Sounds like a great place.

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  7. I have always wanted to learn how to make really good pastry! Great pics and everything looks so good!!!

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  8. oh yummy I want one what a neat little space and eating it by the pool heaven

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  9. Martha,
    I hope you get a chance to go there. If you do it's just around the corner from my house. I'll meet you there!

    Sook,
    I wish you could, I'd meet you there too!

    Susan,
    Maybe I'll get to stay in the kitchen longer next time and get some secrets!

    Rebecca,
    They could ship it to you:) But you'd have to come to my house to eat by our pool! ha ha!

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  10. What a fun experience! I would have loved that. Thanks for the review!

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  11. This is really a nice place to visit. Love all these pastries and they can conduct baking class too? So sweet.

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  12. Saw your profile on another page. Glad I checked out your informative and well-written blog. Look forward to following you here. Have a wonderful Sunday. Cheers!

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  13. I'd finish mine quickly too .. looks delicious!

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  14. Debbi,
    You're welcome, it has such a nice feeling with friendly people, which helps!

    Ann,
    No they don't give a baking class...I was just hoping that they would let me worm ny way into one someday!lol!

    Lazaro,
    Thank you that is nice of you to say! Happy you stopped by, and hope you continue to enjoy my space here! Now I am going to check out yours:)

    Zia,
    It is a nice, small, friendly space!

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  15. I think I'd have to go with the Tikka Masala as well! Looks like a great little place!

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  16. This reminds me so much of eating Cornish pasty's in Cornwall a few years ago. Now I'm starving for one instead of my cereal! Your pasty looks so good, especially with the extra sauce on the side.

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  17. That sounds like great fun! Funny with her lipstick! Thanks for the story!

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  18. How fun! I love places like this. They are like little gems.
    *kisses* HH

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  19. The pasty looks like good stuff - stuffed with fillings!

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  20. Sounds like a great place, yummy pasties!

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  21. yumm filling...am drooling looking at your pics...enjoyed your story too :-)

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  22. What a charming little place! Can't get my eyes off the last pic :)

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  23. What a fun little place and what nice people. The pies look delicious.

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  24. I love your blog Lyndsey! I can't believe the culture and good foods that are right here in our community!

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