Is it weird that my favorite pie is from a fish and chips shop? Perhaps. But Betty’s Lemon Cloud Pie is about as good as a pie can be, with a flakey crust, tart lemon filling and a crown of real whipped cream. Best of all, the coaster-sized pie is ostensibly just for one or, at least, that’s what I tell myself as I hover over it protectively and poke a sharp fork at anyone trying to steal a nibble. Get your own!
To celebrate Pi Day (3.14), here are some more terrific spots to grab a pie in Sonoma County.
Betty’s Fish & Chips: Besides the Lemon Cloud, they also sell fruit pies made on site. 4046 Sonoma Highway, Santa Rosa, 707-539-0899, bettysfishandchips.com
Criminal Baking Co.: This bakery and cafe cooks up ultra-creative pies, offering both sweet (roasted apple, triple berry) and savory (Bacon Cheeseburger! Meatloaf, and Potato!) whole pies and hand pies. Gluten-free crusts are available. 808 Donahue St., Santa Rosa, 707-888-3546, criminalbaking.com.
Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pie Bar: Just like your birthday, you can get both ice cream and pie! In Santa Rosa (539 Fourth St.) and Healdsburg (116 Matheson St.), 707-395-4426, thenoblefolk.com.
Village Bakery: Their berry pie has always been a huge favorite. 3851 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, 707-829-8101, villagebakerywinecountry.com
BurtoNZ Bakery: Tasty meat pies, a rare find in Sonoma County, are available from this New Zealand-inspired bakery in Windsor. 9076 Brooks Road S., Windsor, 707-687-5455, burtonzbakery.com
Sweet T’s: Famous Southern pecan pie served as it should be — with a crown of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel. 9098 Brooks Road South, Windsor, 707-687-5185, sweettssouthern.com
Petaluma Pie Company: Sweet and savory pies include Jamaican beef, chicken empanada and pulled pork, but we’re especially fond of the sweet Elvis Pie (peanut butter cream, bananas, chocolate cream, chopped peanuts and whipped cream), and Persian lime pie. 125 Petaluma Blvd. N. Petaluma, 707-766-6743, petalumapiecompany.com
Hazel: Every Friday is pie day at this Occidental restaurant. Co-owner Michele Wimborough’s pies are legendary, ranging from peanut butter and blackberry to Dutch apple and lemon meringue. You never know what she’ll be making, which is half the fun of your pie adventure. 3782 Bohemian Highway, Occidental, 707-874-6003, restauranthazel.com.
Mom’s Apple Pies: The scent of apples and cinnamon greets you in the parking lot of this classic roadside bakeshop. 4550 Gravenstein Highway N., Sebastopol, 707-823-8330, momsapplepieusa.com
And don’t forget the local hardware store!