You probably thought that Maine was famous for its lobsters. Indeed, it is, yet at one Maine inn, pie outweighs lobster in popularity. Rockland Maine’s Berry Manor Inn, one of BedandBreakfast.com’s newer Diamond Collection members, serves home made pie 24-7-365. Every day, Berry Manor Inn guests are treated to a wide variety of fruit pies, often complimented with their signature savory pies at breakfast.
There’s no doubt that the Berry Manor pies are an attraction for guests. In fact, Cheryl Michaelsen, innkeeper and co-owner, often regales listeners with stories about how guests have been known to hide pies, auction off pieces of pie, and invite friends from other inns over for pie. Served up with vanilla ice cream, always available in the guest freezers, who wouldn’t want to top off the night with a warm piece of pie a la mode!
The Berry Manor pies are a family affair. While the inn is owned by Cheryl Michaelsen and her husband Mike LaPosta, the operation is actually a family affair. Cheryl’s Mom and Mike’s parents are both involved in helping at the inn, and both Moms are the official pie makers. Yet, heaven forbid that they’re in the kitchen at once! There’s not a single aspect of pie making the Mom’s agree upon! One uses butter, the other uses shortening; one uses sugar the other prefers none. Put them together on pie making duty, and its curtains. The only time they’ve ever made a pie in unison is when Bobby Flay challenged them to a Throwdown and together they went rolling pin to rolling pin with the king of the Food Network. In keeping with their incongruity, they succumbed to the vote of the judges for Bobby’s Peach Pie. Click here to watch the Pie Mom's show Bobby Flay how to make a pie!
The Berry Manor Pie Moms are ready for another showdown with Bobby Flay, and are ready and waiting for guests to come try their fabulous pies throughout the year. Once at year, in celebration of National Pie Day (celebrated on January 23 each year), the Historic Inns of Rockland, a group of four premier Rockland inns including the Berry Manor Inn, host Pies on Parade, when Rockland turns into Pie Town, and restaurant and businesses join the inns to serve up pie samples. Mark the calendar for next year’s tour, celebrated on National Pie Day, January 23, 2011.
Berry Manor Inn, 81 Talbot Avenue, Rockland, ME 04841, 800-774-5692.
Experience historic grandeur at this Midcoast B&B, named among the top ten inns by TripAdvisor in 2008 and the only AAA four-diamond historic B&B in Maine’s Midcoast. Located in Rockland’s historic district, walking distance to Rockland's renowned museums, world class restaurants and harbor, eco-travelers will appreciate the certified green approach to sustainable tourism here. Guest rooms feature fine linens and antiques complimented with modern conveniences including whirlpool tubs, private fireplaces, free wi-fi and flat screen TVs.