Hot Plate

Sweets sell by the seashore: Of all the wondrous pies prepared at Maddie's Gourmet Bakery [3204 Seawall Boulevard, Galveston, (409)763-1483], my favorite is baker Jose Garcia's luscious key lime. A sweet, cinnamon-spiced graham cracker crumb crust cradles the buttery-pale filling, authentically untinted; there's nary a trace of that hideous neon-green food coloring favored by impostors. Garcia's key lime is righteously tangy with fresh-squeezed lime juice -- but not too tart -- firm and creamy as a cheesecake. Whole pies, proudly unadorned, are sold at the bargain price of $11.95 each. Gild the lily with your own whipped cream, if you must.

BLASTED