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NYC Guide: 48 Hours in Lower Manhattan

May 21, 2017 By Chandra Bonine 1 Comment

Just before Thanksgiving, my sister traveled to NYC for a few days on a work trip, and I decided to join her for a little girl time. Our sister trips to the Big Apple usually consist of staying Uptown and schlepping all over to our favorite spots. What we’ve realized, though, is that many of our fave haunts are in Lower Manhattan, far away from much of the hustle and bustle, so we switched it up this time. At the risk of sounding like SNL’s Stefan, I’ve put together a guide of our go-to places to eat, stay, shop, and play in lower Manhattan. I have no clue about “New York’s hottest nightclub,” but I’m well-versed in shopping and eating!

View of the Statue of Liberty from Ritz-Carlton Battery Park

WHERE TO STAY

Of course there is no shortage of awesome hotels in NYC, but sometimes narrowing them down can be overwhelming. We’ve done the work for you! These are a few of our faves in Lower Manhattan.

Ritz-Carlton Battery Park
2 West Street | 212-344-0800
My sister’s meetings were in the Financial District, so we booked the Ritz-Carlton in Battery Park. Due to an annoying flight delay, we didn’t arrive at the hotel until after midnight, but our travel woes disappeared when we realized we had been upgraded to a fabulous corner suite with views of the Hudson, the Statue of Liberty, and downtown Manhattan! Our room was even equipped with a telescope to check out Lady Liberty and beyond. The Ritz-Carlton Battery Park truly provides an uptown dose of pampering in a laidback downtown locale.

The Beekman
123 Nassau Street | 212-233-2300
For more of a “scene,” The Beekman manages to mesh its painstakingly restored 130-year old architecture with a hip artsy vibe and spacious (relatively speaking) rooms that are actually comfortable. No easy feat! The library-inspired Bar Room serves inspired craft cocktails in a cozy lounge illuminated by the Insta-famous pyramidal skylight at the top of the open atrium, and both on-site restaurants are impressive enough to justify never leaving the premises. Part of the Thompson Hotel portfolio, The Beekman just gets it right!

NoMo SoHo
9 Crosby Street | 646-218-6400
Located in the heart of SoHo, NoMo is a gem of a hotel within walking distance to all of the curiosities this quirky neighborhood has to offer. The picturesque entrance and courtyard restaurant feel as if you’ve stepped into a magical fairy garden with twinkle lights and ivy-covered everything, and the lively ambiance and spot-on service make NoMo a destination in itself!

Gramercy Park Hotel
2 Lexington Avenue | 212-920-3300
Perhaps it is not technically considered Lower Manhattan, but Gramercy Park Hotel is close enough for me! We adore everything about this hotel, from the imaginative decor and impressive art collection to the chic Rose Bar and exclusive guest access to the private Gramercy Park.

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK

Basically, we go to New York for all the French food!!

Le Coucou
138 Lafayette Street | 212-271-4252
Located in the 11 Howard Hotel on Lafayette in SoHo, Le Coucou feels at once vintage and contemporary, and I can’t help but think this recently crowned James Beard winner for “Best New Restaurant” will become a classic staple for upscale French dining.

Augustine
5 Beekman Street | 212-375-0010
While the vibe at Augustine (one of two eateries in The Beekman) is decidedly Parisian, the food definitely has an all-American flair — the whisky burger, to my surprise and delight, was served with a shot of bourbon! Along with the requisite frites and aioli, it was easily my favorite meal of the trip.

Balthazar
80 Spring Street | 212-965-1414
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Balthazar (yes, another brasserie…NYC just does them so well!) offers comforting faves like French onion soup and reliably delicious steak frites in a cozy neighborhood setting. You may have to get over the fact that the strangers at the adjacent table are so close they could feasibly split your meal, but that’s part of the fun at Balthazar. Besides, it could be a super cool celeb, like Isla Fisher, who was at the bar next to us!

Tortilla Flats
767 Washington Street | 212-243-1053
For a carefree, dancing-on-the-table kind of night, head to Tortilla Flats. This kitschy cantina boasts weekly bingo and hula hoop contests, and the Mexican fare is surprisingly very solid…especially for New York!

Bobo
181 W. 10th Street | 212-488-2626
Although we didn’t make it this trip, Bobo is always a favorite. With its gorgeous decor and elegant French menu (are you noticing a trend?), this West Village spot is a design lover’s dream!

Other notables include Jack’s Wife Freda (224 Lafayette Street | 212-510-8550) an understated American-Mediterranean bistro, The Bao (13 St. Marks Place) known for their delicate Shanghai-style soup dumplings, Raoul’s (180 Prince Street | 212-966-3518) a timeless NYC bistro that will having you feeling like a character in a Woody Allen film, Carbone (181 Thompson Street | 212-254-3000), a glam red-sauce Italian joint, and Waverly Inn (16 Bank Street | 917-828-1154), infamous for serving the “worst food in New York” according to Donald Trump! Waverly Inn may be considered passé to some, but to me, it’s timeless. I love feeling as if I’m eating my delicious meal in a good friend’s home. And the people watching is next to none….I sat across from Uma Thurman during my last visit! Last but not least, no trip is complete without a stop at Ladurée (398 West Broadway | 646-392-7868) for a box of beautiful macarons!

Shot of bourbon served with the whisky burger at Augustine

WHERE TO SHOP

While my sister attended her meetings, I took full advantage of the glorious fall weather by walking around and poking my head into all of the adorable shops SoHo has to offer! I adore the Old World vibe of this neighborhood, from the cobblestone streets to the unique merchants and galleries. Without an agenda, I tried to just explore without the aid of my phone. I did go in a few circles, but it’s not a trip to New York without losing your way once or twice! Here are a few of my favorite discoveries:

M. Crow
16 Howard Street | 212-625-1797
This fabulously quirky boutique is filled with bespoke wares created in M. Crow owner Tyler Hays’s Philadelphia workshop. The meticulously hand-painted wooden jigsaw puzzles are true works of art and kept me browsing this gallery-like shop for close to an hour!

Purl SoHo
459 Broome Street | 212-420-8796
If you know me, you know my creative skills are…let’s just say underwhelming. Knitting is not on my resume, but after perusing the lovely, colorful display of yarn at Purl SoHo, I just may need to schedule some lessons. The rainbow of raw materials on display is inspirational, and the helpful, friendly staff makes this a place to which you want to return.

Rudy’s Music Shop
461 Broome Street | 212-625-2557
My son has recently taken up guitar playing, and Rudy’s Music Shop is such a fun place to poke around for him. Full of Fenders and Gibsons, both vintage and new, this is a great stop for any music lover.

Michele Varian
27 Howard Street | 212-343-0033
For the design lovers, Michele Varian is a fabulously eclectic home and lifestyle boutique, featuring stunning wallpaper and lighting designed by Varian herself. Great stop for a unique gift or conversation-starting accent.

MoMA Design Store
81 Spring Street | 646-613-1367
Though the Museum of Modern Art is located in Midtown, the MoMA Design Store has an outpost in SoHo, conveniently located directly across the street from Balthazar. The MoMA Store has so many cool and unique items that make great gifts or souvenirs. I had several friends celebrating big milestone birthdays immediately following my trip, and I chose to gift them each with a set of Kaleido modular trays by Swedish designer Clara von Zweigbergk. So fun!

For the fashionistas, SoHo is heaven on earth! Walk to favorites Isabel Marant (469 Broome Street |212-219-2284) for effortless, upscale Parisian-designed items with a Bohemian flare, The Reformation (23 Howard Street | 212-510-8455) for California-cool “killer clothes that don’t kill the environment,” Zimmermann (55 Mercer Street | 212-226-6440) for sophisticated and feminine frocks designed by an Australian sister duo, Marissa Webb (104 Grand Street | 212-334-1853) for accessible yet edgy pieces, and of course Intermix (98 Prince Street | 212-966-5303) for all of it!

Clara von Zweigbergk’s Kaleido tray, available at the MoMA Design Store

WHAT TO SEE

Eden Fine Art Gallery
470 Broome Street | 212-888-0177
Galleries abound all over the city, but Eden Fine Art Gallery has an identity all its own. Featuring colorful pop-art pieces from a handful of Israeli artists, this outpost is the ninth location by this husband-wife duo — locations include Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, San Francisco, and St. Barth. What I love about this place is that you simply cannot leave here in a bad mood. The art itself is lively and uplifting, and the cheery curators and directors will make you feel right at home.

9/11 Memorial and Museum
180 Greenwich Street | 212-227-7931
I am usually not one for the big tourist attractions in New York. I’ve not been to the Empire State Building, I’ve only seen Lady Liberty from afar, and I steer clear of Times Square at all costs, but I have wanted to visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum for years. Because it was within walking distance from where we were staying in Battery Park, my sister and I headed there on our way to dinner. It was sobering and emotional, but it felt like an important thing to do. It is tastefully done, and although I did not personally know any of the victims honored here, I felt like I was paying my respects in a way. I hope to go back next trip and spend more time in the museum.

Hamilton
Richard Rodgers Theatre, 226 W. 46th Street | 212-221-1211
I totally realize Broadway is nowhere near the geographical limitations of this Lower Manhattan favorites guide, but I’m throwing this in here because Uber! It took us about 30 minutes to get to the Richard Rodgers Theatre from our dinner at Augustine, and it was worth every minute of the drive. Hamilton is the real deal, and although I sometimes have trouble staying focused during musicals, I was captivated by this show and its brilliant use of hip-hop numbers to tell the story of Founding Father, Alexander Hamilton.

Jacket: Allsaints | Waxed jeans: Citizens of Humanity | Sneakers: Adidas | Bag: Nordstrom | Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Motivation Monday

August 24, 2015 By Chandra Bonine Leave a Comment

The kids are off to school, and we’re having the first cool(ish) front of the season…I feel like there’s no better time to get motivated than now! Summer is hard for most moms. The kids are home ALL DAY LONG for three months, and that means less time to get to the gym, more snack foods filling the pantry, and, if you live in Texas, less physical activity because it’s just too hot to do anything. I always feel drained and lethargic at the end of the summer, and I’ve decided to nip it in the bud this time, starting today!

I am not a dieter. I really don’t believe in them. There is no magic cabbage soup that will change your life, and clearly eating Subway sandwiches exclusively was a poor trend. I am, however, a fan of the Whole 30 program. It is not meant to be a diet but rather a lifestyle, a way of eating whole, healthy, non-processed foods. You may not have heard of Whole 30, but I’m sure you’ve heard of Paleo. (How do you know when someone is practicing a Paleo diet? They will tell you! 😉 ) Whole 30 is based on the same premise as Paleo but takes it a few steps further.

In a nutshell, Whole 30 prohibits all grains (including quinoa, corn, and rice), dairy, legumes (including peanuts, soy, and chickpeas, which sadly eliminates hummus), added sugars, artificial sweeteners, alcohol, carrageenan, MSG, and sulfites. So, what’s left to eat, right??? The answer is REAL FOOD! Chicken, beef, fish, shellfish, and pork, if you dig swine, plus any and all veggies (yes, even potatoes) and fruits are fine. This is really how we should have been eating all along, no?

I have completed two Whole 30s in the past 14 months. I was the most committed with the first round, and for one whole month, I ate only real, fresh, non-processed foods. During the second half of the Whole 30, I felt amazing! My energy was significantly up, I did not feel bloated even a tiny bit, my skin was clear, and I slept like a baby. I lost a few pounds to boot, but losing weight wasn’t really my primary goal. I just wanted to feel better, and I did!

It’s easy to fall off the wagon though, and I wasn’t sure I even wanted to keep up the regime. Like everyone else, I wanted to enjoy the occasional slice of birthday cake and glass(es) of red wine. In an ideal world, I would practice this clean eating program 80% of the time and enjoy a few indulgences during the remaining meals. For now, though, I want to kickstart my health, so I’m going full throttle! I promise not be annoying and post pictures of my meals every single day, and I won’t shove Whole 30 down your throat. I’m not really even promoting it. But if there’s anyone who needs just a little nudge in the right direction, I hope this motivates you to get on the ball. There is no time like now to start feeling better!

As a bonus, here is a recipe for one of my favorite Whole 30 approved snacks:

Baked Plantain Chips

4 Plantains, thinly sliced
1/4 c. coconut oil
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/8 to 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. sea salt

1. Spoon coconut oil into a large mixing bowl. Add next four ingredients, and stir to combine.
2. Toss sliced plantains with oil and spice mixture.
3. Arrange the plantains on two parchment-line baking sheets in an even layer.
4. Bake for 15 minutes. Flip the plantains and bake for 4 more minutes or until golden brown.
5. Remove from oven and sprinkle with the sea salt.

Enjoy!

Easter Brunch With Our Bunch

April 7, 2015 By Chandra Bonine 4 Comments

We hope you all had a wonderful Easter and Passover weekend! For us, Easter is always such a special time to come together and reflect on the ultimate sacrifice of our Savior, and rejoice in the dawning of a new spring season. It is such a joy to see everyone in their most beautiful pastel frocks at church and to watch the children’s sweet faces as they eagerly learn about Christ’s resurrection. Of course it would be remiss not to mention their excitement over the Easter Bunny and the delicious fruits of their egg hunting labors!

This year, we decided to celebrate Easter by having a brunch and egg hunt at home after morning church services. Brunch is one of our favorite meals to serve when we are hosting parties. After all, it is rare you find anyone, adults and kids alike, who doesn’t love bacon, pastries, and juice (with or without Prosecco)!

Brown sugar bacon crackers are always a hit, no matter whether you serve them for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner! They are deliciously addicting and one of the easiest things you’ll ever create in the kitchen. To make these yummy treats, simply line a baking sheet with foil or parchment and arrange club crackers on the sheet. Cut bacon into fourths and place a slice of bacon on top of each cracker. Sprinkle a little brown sugar over each cracker, and bake at 300 for about 45 minutes. Some recipes will tell you to drain them on paper towels. I did this once, and it made a huge mess because the paper towels stuck to the bottom of the crackers. It’s not necessary to drain them; the crackers soak everything up, which is part of why they are so yummy! You really won’t believe how incredible these little treats are!

In my opinion, breakfast casseroles are a no-brainer for brunch parties. Most all of them can be (and should be) made the night before, so you can pop them into the oven to cook while everyone arrives. The basic blueprint for most of these dishes is the same: torn bread placed in a casserole dish, topped with cooked crumbled sausage or bacon, and covered with a mixture of beaten eggs, milk, and cheese. My most recent discovery is this combination of croissants, sausage, parmesan cheese, Gruyere cheese, and green onions. I think the nutty cheeses and buttery croissants in this casserole send it over the top and make it taste extra special!

To make this super easy and DELISH casserole, you will need:

24 mini croissants, torn into small pieces
1 lb hot ground breakfast sausage
1 c. shredded Parmesan cheese
6 green onions, thinly sliced and divided
5 large eggs, beaten
4 c. milk
2 c. shredded Gruyere cheese

Spray a 9X13 baking dish with nonstick spray and arrange torn croissants in the bottom. Cook the sausage in a skillet over medium, stirring to crumble, until no longer pink. Toss with Parmesan and 5 sliced green onions, and spread mixture over the croissants. Whisk eggs together with milk, and pour over the sausage mixture. Cover and chill at least 8 hours. Preheat oven to 350. Sprinkle the Gruyere over the top of the casserole, and top with remaining sliced green onion. Bake 45 minutes or until set and golden.

Enjoy!

We always have a good time setting the tables, and the kids’ table is no exception! These precious melamine Easter egg plates with Peter Rabbit quotes and white plates serving as chargers were a big hit. We used stuffed rabbits from my daughter’s room, and the kids were thrilled to have a dessert centerpiece. That made decorating super easy! We also had a platter of Rice Krispie Treat nests filled with Cadbury mini eggs (the absolute best candies in the whole world!). I browned the butter and added a pinch of sea salt when making these, and it quickly turned them into a dessert fit for the most sophisticated of palates!

No great bash is complete without a party foul or two, and I can take all of the credit for this one. I love making blueberry muffins, and they are usually pretty foolproof. This weekend, however, I just wasn’t on my game and completely forgot to spray the muffin pan with nonstick spray. I also overfilled them, so the whole thing was a big mess. Not to be defeated, though, I decided to just go with it, and instead we had blueberry muffin parfaits with Greek yogurt and fresh blueberries on top!

A fun time was had by all — as you can see, the kids didn’t even mind being in their “fancy clothes,” at least for a short while anyway! It was the perfect way to celebrate this holiest of days!

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” — John 11:25-26

Smocked Pink Dress: Luli & Me, purchased at Bering’s and not available online (here for similar) | Metallic Jacquard Dress: Zoe, Ltd., sold out (here for similar) | Chastiti’s Dress: Nordstrom | Necklace: here for similar | Seersucker Suit: Janie & Jack, sold out (here for similar jacket, here for similar pants) | Blue Shirt: Janie & Jack (here for similar) | Blue Bow Tie: Janie & Jack | Navy Jacket: Zara Kids | Purple Gingham Shirt: Ralph Lauren | Blue Seersucker Pants: Ralph Lauren | Pink Bow Tie: Nordstrom | Chandra’s Dress: Zara, sold out (here, here, and gorgeous splurge here for similar) | Tan Seersucker Suit: Janie & Jack, sold out (here for similar jacket, here for similar pants) | White Shirt: Janie & Jack | Navy Bow Tie: Janie & Jack (here for similar)

Brasserie 19 Birthday Fun

April 1, 2015 By Chastiti Horne Leave a Comment

With five kids (all participating in numerous activities) between us, trying to find a moment to even grab lunch can sometimes be difficult. On Chastiti’s actual birthday there was (1) a summer camp orientation; (2) an elementary school academic meet; (3) a little league t-ball game, and (4) a little league pee wee level game — whew! But we do not allow a birthday to go unnoticed, even if it means we must get creative with when or how we do it! Score one for Chandra for setting up a belated birthday dinner on the following Monday at Houston’s Brasserie 19 where French classic meets American modern with a dash of luxury thrown in.

Brasserie 19 has the perfect ambiance for any special occasion (or even just an impromptu night out) with its trendy — and perfect for people watching — location and unique menu and wine selections. Nights out with just the two of us and our husbands sans children are rare, but oh so fun when we can make them happen. We sampled everything from the burgundy escargot to the Brasserie 19 charcuterie to the famous house salad featuring truffle honey vinaigrette. YUM! Following those fabulous starters, great minds were thinking alike and it was filet mignon all around – heaven called and wants its Robuchon potatoes back. We had such a great time together and even ran into one of Chas’s great friends from law school.

Brasserie 19 birthday wishes top the cake. Our sweet waitress brought out a huge cotton candy extravaganza complete with a lit sparkler to cap off the evening. From the champagne to the food to the family fun, the night could not have been more perfect, even it was a Monday night! Better late than never is the In the Loop Style motto when it comes making time to celebrate those special events.

Stella & Dot Jewelry – Susanne Nelson, SD stylist

Cold Weather Chicken Pot Pie

March 5, 2015 By Chandra Bonine Leave a Comment

We are having what I hope is the last blast of frigid winter weather before spring makes its appearance. The temps in Houston went from highs in the 80s yesterday to hovering near freezing this morning! I actually don’t mind the cold, but I don’t particularly enjoy being out in it. I prefer staying in, bundling up, and watching movies…and EATING! This recipe for Chicken Pot Pie is one of my favorite things to make on chilly days. It is hearty and comforting and just right for cold weather — it is the perfect comfort food!

This recipe comes from Rebecca Rather’s cookbook “The Pastry Queen.” Rebecca previously owned Rather Sweet Bakery, a fabulous restaurant and bakery in Fredericksburg, Texas. She served delicious pastries and sweet treats that lived up to her nickname, but she also offered daily lunch specials. According to her cookbook, on the days she served her All Sold Out Chicken Pot Pie, so many people would call ahead to reserve their pot pies she would sell out of them before lunch even commenced! While I never had the chance to enjoy one at her restaurant, I have made this recipe dozens of times, and I can see how the name of this menu item came to be. It is so yummy!

The recipe comes in three parts: the filling, the cream sauce, and the crust. I have actually only made the crust one time. It was indeed delicious and not too much work, but I find it much easier, and just as tasty, to just use a frozen puff pastry sheet. I think it turns out so pretty too!

The filling is pretty straightforward and can be modified to include your family’s favorite veggies. I love the suggested combo, but carrots, asparagus, and corn would be great too. If you include potatoes, make sure and dice them small and cook until they are soft. I prefer to do the veggies in batches so they actually sauté instead of steaming in a crowded pan. I sometimes even cook the mushrooms in a separate pan to ensure they brown up nicely. Also, if you use the skinny haricots verts green beans, you can just toss them in to sauté with the other veggies, skipping the microwave step completely.

I think making a homemade cream sauce is so much tastier, and definitely healthier, than using canned cream soup. This sauce holds everything together and gives it a wonderful richness, but it is not heavy at all.

The wonderful thing about this recipe is that you can modify it to your family’s taste. It’s like an outfit that can be dressed up or down. When I make it, I often replace the regular salt with truffle salt and serve it with a light salad and a crisp glass of Sancerre to jazz it up a little. I think adding fresh herbs, perhaps thyme, would also add a nice extra layer of flavor. However you choose to make it, this recipe will likely forever change your opinion about chicken pot pies — it is definitely not the frozen TV dinner pot pie of the 80s!

Fredericksburg holds a special place in my heart, and it is one of my husband’s and my favorite Texas towns. I miss stopping in for a chocolate-dipped coconut macaroon at Rather Sweet, but my fingers remain crossed that she will set up shop again. In the meantime, I pretend I have a fraction of her kitchen prowess and make as many of her recipes as I can! Rebecca Rather’s amazing “The Pastry Queen” cookbook is available on Amazon. Her holiday cookbook, “The Pastry Queen Christmas,” another favorite of mine, is also available on Amazon. Featuring items both sweet and savory, her Christmas cookbook offers complete menus for each holiday event.

Rebecca Rather’s All Sold Out Chicken Pot Pie

Filling:
3 Tbs. unsalted butter
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 large russet potato, peeled and diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, diced
8 oz. button mushrooms, sliced
½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 rotisserie chicken or 1 whole stewed chicken, cooled and chopped into bite-size pieces
8 oz. fresh green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 (8 oz.) pkg. frozen peas

Cream Sauce:
½ c. (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 c. all purpose flour
2 ½ c. chicken stock, preferably homemade
½ c. heavy whipping cream (optional)
Dash of hot pepper sauce, such as Tabasco
Salt and freshly ground white pepper

Crust:
1 c. (2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter
3 c. all purpose flour
10 oz. chilled cream cheese
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. freshly ground white pepper
1 large egg

To make the filling:

Melt the butter in a large sauté pan set over medium heat. Add the onion and potato; sauté for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, bell pepper, and mushrooms; sauté about 15 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. Stir in the crushed red pepper and add salt and pepper to taste.
While the vegetables are cooking, place the green beans in a microwave-safe bowl and add enough water to cover. Cover the dish and microwave on high power about 10 minutes, until the beans are tender (if using the skinny hericot verts, you will only need to microwave them about 2 or 3 minutes). Drain thoroughly.
Stir the beans, cooked chicken, and peas into the vegetable mixture. Set the filling aside.

To make the cream sauce:

Melt the butter over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add the flour and whisk until smooth. Whisk in the chicken stock and cook the sauce over medium heat until it thickens to the consistency of a cream soup. Add the cream, hot pepper sauce, and salt and white pepper to taste.
Pour the cream sauce over the chicken and vegetable filling, and stir to combine. Fill individual 1 ¼ cup capacity oven-safe bowls three-quarters of the way to the top with the creamed chicken filling.

To make the crust:

Preheat oven to 375.
Cut the butter into 16 pieces. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade, pulse the butter and flour until crumbly. Add the cream cheese, salt, and white pepper. Continue pulsing just until the dough forms a ball.
Set the dough on a flat surface dusted with flour. Use a floured rolling pin to roll the dough out to ¼-inch thickness. Measure the diameter of the pot pie bowls and cut out dough rounds that are 1 ½ inches larger in diameter.
Whisk the egg in a small bowl. Lay the dough rounds on top of the pot pies, making sure the dough hangs evenly over each bowl. Brush the dough lightly with the beaten egg.
Bake the pies for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown. Serve immediately.

Serves 6.