I might as well face it: I'm addicted to curry. My particular curry of choice is Chicken Tikka Masala, CTM for short.

My CTM addiction began when Brick Lane Curry House moved to Montclair. Chef Karthik Kumar gave me my first taste of quality curry and from there the addiction developed rapidly.

I began by simply having dinner at Brick Lane. Or, if I knew friends were going out for curry, I would meet them there. Occasionally I would pick up CTM for dinner to share with my husband, and soon, I was ordering the CTM lunch box all for myself. And shamefully, I will admit that there were video-editing sessions that drove me to make late-night CTM runs.

While my husband was stock piling batteries in preparation for Hurricane Irene, I made sure to order enough CTM, just in the event that I couldn't get out of the house.

My name is Melody, and I'm a curry junkie.

Yesterday morning, on my regular walk past The Pie Store, I was led inside by a hauntingly familiar aroma.

"What's that smell?" I asked.

"Oh, they're making Tikka pie."

"Really," I said, "Chicken Tikka Masala in pie form?"

"Yes." was the reply.

"Oh, I see. When will they be ready?"

For the remainder of the morning and all of afternoon I waited until 3 pm - the time I was told the pies would be ready. At 2:45, I put my son in the car, and drove to The Pie Store.

"We have your pie all ready for you," the counterperson told me as soon as I walked in.

Eeeexxxxcellent, I thought to myself in true C. Monty Burns fashion.

How was the CTM pie? Decadent, mildly spicy, and immensely flavorful. Tones on the tongue of tomato, onion, cinnamon, ginger, and just a little heat. The flaky, buttery crust that topped the saucy, savory interior was the perfect accompaniment to the chunky pieces of white, tender chicken! Completely satisfying!

Chicken Tikka Masala pies at The Pie Store are priced at $12.95. Call for availability, (973) 744-4424.

The Pie Store

100 Watchung Avenue
Montclair, NJ 07043