The Going Rate: Where to Find a Slice of Heaven

It's a debate that has been going on for centuries — are you a cake or a pie person? What if history got it all wrong and Marie Antoinette really meant to say, "Let them eat pie?" And let's face it, when you think of Americana, you don't instantly think of a big gooey piece of chocolate cake — a warm slice of apple pie à la mode probably was the first thing that came to mind.

Granted, if you put any sweet in front of me (especially if it's mint), I'm going to take a little bite. But there's just something about a fresh slice of pie that makes me feel all warm and cozy inside. It probably goes back to my first day of first grade when my mom picked us up and took me out for a slice. I felt like a big kid as we sat there and she asked about my day and we shared a piece of raspberry pie.

Unlike cake, which anyone can fake by adding some eggs to an instant box mix, pie is a tad more difficult to fake and bake. For a recent holiday, my cousin Lindsey and I thought it would be a great idea to make a homemade apple pie for dessert. After hours of cutting up apples, trying to get the crust just right and almost burning down her apartment (don't ask), we were ready to show off our creation. Thankfully, we didn't burn the bottom or have the middle cave in so, all in all, it was considered a success.

With that being said, I have a new appreciation for pie makers, now that I know how much time, effort, and, yes, love, goes into every tasty treat. Thankfully for those of us who don't have the time or energy to make our own pies but appreciate a home-cooked dessert, these local bakeries can whip something up for you.

Berolina Bakery & Pastry Shop, 3421 Ocean View Blvd. on the edge of Montrose & Glendale

Head over to Berolina Bakery and Pastry Shop for amazing treats with a European flair. Owners Anders and Youna Karlsson are from Sweden and Belgium, respectively, and they add their personal touches to everything from croissants and Danishes to European specialties like German Stollen bread or limpa, which is a Swedish rye bread (prices vary). They also make a plethora of pies ($12.99 and up) from traditional apple to cranberry tart. Stop in and treat yourself to a post-holiday treat. You know you deserve it!

2064 Verdugo Blvd. in Montrose

Masis Bakery has been around since 1961, and for good reason. They bake delicious treats for any occasion, from fresh baked breads for Sunday dinner to wedding cakes and dinner party pies. They offer an apricot or raspberry pie for $8.99 and can make smaller pies for around $5. If cake is more your thing, they can make a custom cake for any special occasion (call for pricing details). If you want a little treat that won't throw you completely off your diet, try one of their many tarts (apple, blackberry, lemon, mango, mocha, pear – the list goes on and on). At only 65 cents a tart, you will walk away with a smile on your face and money still in your wallet. Sounds like a win-win to me!

, 2200 Honolulu Ave. in Montrose

Imagine a place where you can eat yummy desserts without feeling guilt or shame. Well, imagine no more. The Slender Sweet Shoppe is full of tasty treats that are all non-fat and sugar-free. That means you can eat your piece of pie in peace without worrying about your sugar levels skyrocketing. And with options like chocolate mousse pie, lemon, and every fruit pie you can think of ($10.99 for a full pie or $4.19 a slice), it's easy to find something to satisfy everyone's sweet tooth. Plus, they won't even know what they're eating is good for them!