Torte Jeff Baking Fresh Pies In Port Jefferson

PORT JEFFERSON, NY — For those who have a sweet tooth, grab a fork. Torte Jeff is scheduled to open Thursday in Port Jefferson, bringing pies to the community.

Lisa Harris, the owner, told Patch that pie enthusiasts can expect confectioneries both traditional and those with a twist. Harris, 51, who has been living in Port Jefferson since 2016, said she's been baking her entire life and called it a passion of hers. She has been baking pies for her family on occasion. Now, she'll be preparing them for Port Jeff and beyond.

"Pies were always something I could bake, and they’ve turned out rather well, so I’ve always felt comfortable baking them," Harris said. "When this space became available, I just thought it would make a perfect little pop-up shop to test the waters, test the pie climate."

The space she's referring to is 218 E. Main St, where she'll be serving pies baked locally by her and her team.

Some of Harris' more traditional pies include apple, strawberry rhubarb, blueberry, pumpkin and peach. There will also be a few unconventional flavors, however. Southern Bourbon Pecan, Salted Caramel Apple Walnut, Toasted Coconut Custard Pie and Sweet Berry Blast to name some. A sweet potato pie is looming, though it's not on the menu just yet. She will also be preparing a few different crisps: blueberry, apple or peach with a buttery crumb and oat topping.

"We’re putting our own spin on a few flavors, just because it’s on-theme with the style in which I like to do things," Harris said.

Harris has already gotten requests for more kinds of pies after she posted the full Torte Jeff menu to Facebook, and said she's open to expanding upon her current rotation depending on demand.

"I’ll always try to rise to the challenge of meeting customer demands," she said. "If there are people asking for something particular, I will do my best to make it happen."

She said that the items on the current menu are all there to stay, provided they sell well during the store's first month in business. After that, Harris said she'd be willing to add more as people ask for different flavors or varieties.

"Everyone has a favorite pie. I think that’s one of the cool things about pie. There’s just so many varieties that people come up with, stuff that you never really think of, and it can end up being great. It’s a pie; it’s fruit and sugar. What could be bad about that?"

Harris is a familiar presence in the Port Jefferson community. She currently owns East Main & Main, a doughnut shop, and Prohibition Kitchen, a comfort food restaurant that offers "illegally good food served all dang day."

As for Torte Jeff, the pie shop will be open Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.