The American Pie Company––

Where No Meal Is Complete Without Dessert

The American Pie Company is a cozy and comfortable full-service restaurant and bakery located next door to the Sherman Post Office at the intersection of Routes 37 and 39. Bill Hunniford and Audrey Day, college classmates at the University of Connecticut and longtime friends, opened the establishment 11 years ago.

All baking is done on premises, under the supervision of Ms Day. In addition to the showcase of pies –– apple crumb, pecan, and peach raspberry are the best-sellers –– regular bakery offerings include breads, brownies, cheesecakes, cakes, danish, muffins, scones, turnovers, and a wide variety of oversize cookies. There are special offerings for various holidays –– chocolate babka, German stollen, and chocolate yule log were available during the recent holiday season for example –– and specialized desserts can be made to order.

A takeout coffee area providing five regular and decaffeinated choices and a refrigerator with a selection of cold beverages complement the bakery area, which is accented with a pie safe made by Ms Day’s father, who did all of the woodwork in the facility.

Offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner Tuesday through Sunday and breakfast and lunch on Monday, the restaurant seats 55–60 at its counter and 14 tables, with four tables for six or more located in a skylit loft area. During the warm weather additional tables are set up on an adjacent patio. With quilts hanging the walls and Americana and folk art décor, the restaurant has a homey country feel, and offers food to match.

“We offer home country cooking, large portions at reasonable prices,” said Mr Hunniford, who primarily oversees the restaurant. “Our chicken pot pie is probably our best-seller, but the shepherd’s pie, Yankee pot roast, and meatloaf dinner are not far behind. Our soups and wraps would be next in popularity.”

The above-mentioned house specialties are $8.95–$9.95; soups –– hearty split pea, hodge podge vegetable minestrone, and French onion –– are $3.50–$3.95; and crispy chicken, Caesar chicken, and Portobello veggie wraps are each $6.95.

The breakfast menu offers traditional fare, beginning with two- or three-egg, home fries, and Texas toast combinations for $3.50 and $4, respectively –– add bacon, ham, or sausage for $1.50 ––seven omelette suggestions ($5.95–$6.95), and Belgian waffles, plain ($4.95) or embellished with strawberries or blueberries ($5.95), as well as breakfast fajitas ($6.95). For those who cannot make up their minds, The American Pie Company offers the American Breakfast Sampler –– pancake, French toast, half a grilled muffin, home fries, bacon, ham, sausage, and an egg, all for $6.95.

Lunch and dinner patrons can select from a wide range of appetizers that include salsa and chips ($3.95), chili ($5.95), chicken fingers, regular ($5.95) or Buffalo ($6.95), pizzato wedges ($6.95), and a selection of quesadillas ($5.95–$7.95). And for the hearty of appetite or just indecisive, there is the appetizer sampler for $9.95, which could be a meal in itself.

A variety of burgers, sandwiches, and salads are also offered ($3.95–$7.95), as well as four or five daily specials.

And of course no meal at The American Pie Company would be complete without dessert, the selections of which vary and are posted on the daily dessert board.

The American Pie Company, 29 Route 37 Center, junction of Routes 37 and 39 in Sherman, next door to Sherman Post Office. Restaurant, Monday, 8 am to 2; Tuesday–Thursday and Sunday, 7 am to 8 pm; Friday and Saturday 7 am to 8 pm. Bakery opens 6 am Tuesday–Friday, at 7 on the weekend; 860-350-0662.

Pizzato Wedges

8 ounces homemade or store bought pizza dough

¾ cup of mashed potatoes

½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

¼ cup bacon bits or chopped broccoli

½ cup sour cream

1/8  cup scallions

Let pizza dough rise at room temperature for at least one hour or over night in the refrigerator.

Spread dough on greased pizza pan or cookie sheet. Spread mashed potatoes on pizza dough, leaving a half-inch of dough exposed on all edges.

Sprinkle cheddar cheese and bacon bits or broccoli on top of the mashed potatoes.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Garnish with scallions and serve with sour cream.

Serves 4.