
Comfort food of the week is chocolate cream pie at Mara's Homemade in Syosset

Chocolate cream pie is a signature dessert at Mara's Homemade in Syosset. Credit: Newsday / Peter M. Gianotti
In the realm of comfort food, all dishes lead to dessert.
This time of year, it means pies. Yes, pumpkin. Or apple. Maybe sweet potato-pecan. But the 12-month favorite to put you in a good mood now and forever is the chocolate cream pie at Mara's Homemade in Syosset.
It's deeply, devoutly, darkly chocolatey: a terrific mousse, with an Oreo-cookie crust, topped with freshly whipped cream. A slice is $9. You'll want to order a whole pie to bring home ... or eat on the spot. That will cost $40.
Mara Levi's upbeat, bon temps rouler restaurant also stands out with dishes such as jambalaya, Southern fried chicken, the quiche-like crawfish cheesecake, the crawfish boil, po'boy sandwiches, stuffed potatoes, and barbecue that takes in gloriously smoky beef brisket, pulled pork, ribs, chicken and hot link sausage. The essential sides: cheese grits, no-mayo cole slaw, corn pudding, sauteed collard greens, macaroni and cheese.
Just in case the chocolate cream pie vanishes before you order, try the coconut cream pie.
Mara's Homemade, 236 W. Jericho Tpke., Syosset (Muttontown Plaza); 516-682-9200.