Sarah BennettMarch 14 is Pi Day, a celebration of the never-ending fractional number derived from dividing a circle's circumference by its diameter.
This year, however, is being billed as “the Ultimate Pi Day” because the date (3/14/15) follows the first five digits of the number pi, an occurrence that only happens once every century (and for most, once in a lifetime). Understandably, number nerds are freaking out. But so are L.A.'s pie shops, pizzerias and, oddly enough, breweries, which are planning their own set of specials for Saturday's dorktacular holiday.
Here's a few places to make the most of the Pi Day of the Century:
Blaze Pizza
With 11 L.A. locations and counting, Blaze Pizza's rapidly expanding chain of assembly-line (and surprisingly good) pizzerias are using the number pi as the price point for its Pi Day deal. From open to close, order a whole pizza at any Blaze Pizza and customize the hell out of it — and still only pay $3.14. (By comparison, cheese pizzas usually start at $5). As if that wasn't enough, the 314th person to post a photo of themselves with their Pi Day pizza on Instagram (#blazepizza) will receive 10 free pizzas. blazepizza.com
Delicious Pizza; Credit: Sarah Bennett
Delicious Pizza
Delicious Pizza, the new West Adams slice joint with deep connections L.A. hip-hop label Delicious Vinyl, is so excited about Ultimate Pi Day, it's making it the shop's official grand opening party, complete with free pizza and the unveiling of an adjoining street art exhibition. In addition to being the flavor master behind Delicious' naturally leavening sourdough crust, Travis Sutherland (son of co-owner Fred Sutherland, of Fred 62 fame) is also a major math geek, so it was his idea to use as many of pi's digits as possible for Saturday's pizza special. Therefore at 9:26 p.m. on March 14, there will be free pizza for 53 minutes — a riff on the decimal expansion of pi: 3.141592653. Of course, there will be golden-era hip-hop vibes and plenty of Funky Cold Sangria. Delicious Pizza, 5419 W. Adams Blvd.; (323) 424-3014; deliciouspizza.com
Smog City Brewing
The self-admitted nerds at Smog City Brewing started their Pi Day celebration early with the Wednesday release of Chip Shot coffee porter, a beer made with orange, vanilla and cinnamon. The pie-themed porter releases get more intense as the weekend goes on, though, with Apple Pi, Banana Creme Knuckle Pi and Coconut Cream Knuckle Pi versions of the coffee beer all being tapped at the Torrance tasting room at noon Saturday. Brewmaster Jonathan Porter is known for his creatively flavor-infused cask ales, so the limited quantities of these pi-themed beers will most likely go fast. 901 Del Amo Blvd, Ste B, Torrance; smogcitybrewing.com
The Pie Hole
Touted as the place that made pies hip and modern again, The Pie Hole is using Pi Day as a jumping off point to try some one-off and new seasonal pies, like the strawberry rhubarb and gluten-free Almond Joy pie, both of which will start a several-week run on the rotating menu Saturday. A Thai Iced Tea pie, which will only be available on Saturday and Sunday, is also planned for Pi Day. 714 Traction Ave., Los Angeles; 213-537-0115, thepieholela.com
Credit: Republic of Pie
Republic of Pie
Over the last few years, Republic of Pie has built a community around its North Hollywood spot not only by providing the irresistible combination of house-made pie and coffee, but by offering support for local musicians, who play nightly at the Arts District coffee shop. For Pi Day, live music from Timothy Davis, Quinell and Soulfreq will keep you and your cheesecake-berry pie company, and you can also sign up for the annual pie-eating contest, which will leave your face messy but your stomach full.11118 Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood; (818) 308-7990; republicofpie.com
King Harbor Brewery
Saturday is the first Pi Day since King Harbor Brewery opened last year, and it's a great excuse to visit the Redondo Beach brewery's taproom if you've only been drinking beers like The Quest pale ale from tap handles elsewhere in the city. Studio City's roving Pi Bake Shop will be parked outside, serving sweet and savory pies made with King Harbor beer — like a pecan pie that uses The Swirly, an American brown ale meant to evoke chocolate-vanilla swirled ice cream, and a s'mores pie made with the brewery's brown ale — and you can get face-deep in some of it at the pie-eating contest (email jenn@localitela.com to sign up). Winner gets free tickets to King Harbor's first anniversary party on April 11, plus a growler and, of course, a take-home pie. 2907 182nd St, Redondo Beach; (310) 542-8657; kingharborbrewing.com
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