The Madonna Inn is a California icon for many reasons, most famous of which might be its embrace of the color pink: pink walls, pink goblets, pink carpet—even pink tennis courts and pink lamp posts. Who made the decision to go pink? That would be Mrs. Phyllis Madonna, who co-founded the hotel and restaurant with her late husband Alex Madonna, a successful businessman, developer and contractor. Their over-the-top aesthetic and unique interpretation of luxury turned the inn into a destination for travelers driving Highway 101 through San Luis Obispo—and over the years, a whole new generation has adopted the Madonna Inn as its own. (Just search up “Madonna Inn” on Instagram and brace for impact.) But it isn’t just tourists who love the inn: we locals love it too, and have been known to argue about which is better: the Pink Champagne Cake or the Black Forest Cake. Interestingly, when I sat down with Marketing Director and longtime assistant to Mrs. Madonna, Amanda Rich, she spoke mostly about Mrs. Madonna’s Cheese Pie (whose recipe I share below) and her own favorite dessert, which I guarantee isn’t one you would guess.
Website: madonnainn.com
Instagram: @madonnainn1958
Madonna Inn Cheese Pie
(courtesy of Madonna Inn)
12-14 graham crackers
1/4 cup melted butter
4 3-ounce packages cream cheese (whipped)
2 eggs (whites beaten stiff)
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1 cup sour cream
3 1/2 tablspoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Crust: Crush graham crackers until fine, then mix with melted butter. Press and shape into a pie plate. Bake in 350-degree F oven for 5-7 minutes. Remove and cool.
Filling: Combine cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, egg yolks, 2 teaspoons vanilla and lemon juice. Beat until light. Fold in beaten egg whites. Pour mixture into graham cracker crust. Bake in 350-degree F oven 15-20 minutes. Remove and cool for five minutes.
Topping: Blend 1 cup sour cream, 3 1/2 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Pour over pie filling. Bake 10 minutes more. Refrigerate for 5 hours.
David Walker, co-founder, Firestone-Walker Brewing Co, Buellton + Paso Robles
Sarah Deiter, creative and owner, Makers & Allies, SLO
Antonio Diaz, filmmaker and publisher, The Migrant Kitchen and Life & Thyme Magazine, Los Angeles
Captain Mark Tognazzini, fisherman and restaurateur, Morro Bay
Father Ian Delinger, priest, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, and food journalist, KCBX, San Luis Obispo
Golzar Barrera, chef and caterer, All Purpose Flower, Solvang
Gray Hartley + Frank Ostini, winemaker and restaurateur, Hartley-Ostini Wines, Hitching Post II, Buellton
Jacob + Brooke Town, restaurateurs, The Spoon Trade + Grover Beach Sourdough, Grover Beach
Megan + Jeremy Raff, farmers, Dare 2 Dream Farms, Lompoc
Robin Wolf, mixologist, The Hatch Bar + Restaurant, Paso Robles
Sandi Sigurdson, community leader and recovering alcoholic, SLO
Brian Collins, chef and owner, Ember, Arroyo Grande
Alberto + Gessica Russo, chef and owners, Flour House, SLO
Matt Kettmann, Central Coast Editor, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Santa Barbara
Libby Parker, registered dietitian and eating disorder specialist, Not Your Average Nutritionist, SLO
Trevor Peterson, distiller and owner, Bixby Gin, Lloyd Distillery, SLO
Zack Andrade, farmer and owner, Spinaca Farms, Gilroy
Sheila Spector, home baker and food blogger, Dinner at Sheila’s, SLO
James Sparks, winemaker and owner, Kings Carey Wine, Santa Ynez
Hayley Cain, food writer and punk rocker, SLO
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