1. American Pie Company
City: Sherman, CT
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (860) 350-0662
Address: 29 Route 37
Description: Although this is primarily a bakery, the American Pie Company serves so many other dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that it qualifies as at least a cafe, if not a large home-style restaurant. The eggs Benedict is the breakfast to go for here, and, of course, for any meal, get one of the pies. All are made from scratch with hand-rolled pie dough, and come in flavors like peach, pecan, mince, apple crumb, cherry, key lime, coconut custard, lemon meringue, pumpkin mousse, and black-bottom banana. The breads, muffins, cookies, cakes, and tarts are all made on the premises, too, fresh every day. This is home cooking in the tiny village of Sherman by Candlewood Lake—a welcome change from the big-city atmosphere of many Fairfield County restaurants.
2. White Silo Winery
City: Sherman, CT
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (860) 355-0271
Address: 32 Route 37 East
Description: White Silo Winery specializes in wine made from fruit grown on the property. The winery and tasting room are found in an old barn, and, yes, it features a white silo and also a gallery that showcases local artists. The rhubarb wine will surprise you, and you’ll fall in love with the raspberry, blackberry, and black currant wines. If you thought fruit wine was always sugary and powerfully sweet, try these made in the dry style. If sweeter is your style, and even if it’s not, White Silo offers dessert versions as well. Try the black currant Cassis or savor the puckering goodness of Raspberry and compare it to the dry version. Pick raspberries and blackberries on-site, and enjoy the picturesque family-run farm.
3. Sherman Playhouse
City: Sherman, CT
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (860) 354-3622
Address: 5 Route 39 North
Description: At the north end of Candlewood Lake in the tiny hamlet of Sherman, this playhouse continues the tradition begun in 1923. From Apr to Nov the Sherman Players put on gritty and moving performances in a renovated 19th-century church. They also sometimes include lighter fare, like fun musicals and kids’ productions. This is local theater at its best, something you’ll find brings as much pride as local sports in Connecticut. You’re so far out here, it seems more like Litchfield County than Fairfield, and there’s easier access if you’re in that area. Stop by White Silo Winery, just up Route 37, and the 1829 Federal-style Northrop House Museum on Sat or Sun afternoons from 2 to 4 p.m. (www.shermanhistoricalsociety.org).