|  News Madison News
 MCHerald.com
Serving Madison County, Mississippi
March 27, 2010
Pie Works offers slice of creativity
Kara Kimbrough
"Not quite gourmet, but simply the best pizza" is the unofficial motto of Madison's PieWorks Pizza by Design, one of the city's newest pizza restaurants.
Living up to that claim is quite a feat for a relatively new business, especially one aiming to combine quick, friendly service with made-to-order food served with a dose of creativity.
After all, how many pizza places can boast "over 60 fresh, unique pizza topping choices," a claim manager Travis Tate is willing to prove to skeptics who visit the restaurant at 205 Colony Way. More specifically for those still searching for the coffee shop, the eatery moved into the spot formerly occupied by Jazz and Java Café next to Bonefish Grill and across from the Colony Crossing Kroger.
Add promises that you'll find equally appetizing food like oven toasted sandwiches, homemade pasta, fresh salads topped with chicken and shrimp and "the best muffaletta in town" and you have all the makings of a premier destination for pizza.
A desire for even more carbs is a condition that can be quickly fixed with a variety of pasta dishes made with the finest 100 percent durum semolina, Tate said.
Throw in the fact that Pie Works has been named "One of the Top 100 Independent Restaurants for 2008 & 2009" by industry publication Pizza Today and earned an even bigger award - "Best Pizza in America" - by Magellan Press and it's easy to see why national and local PieWorks officials feel they have something to brag about.
Accolades aside, Madison's version is a casual dining, specialty pizza restaurant featuring a comfortable, contemporary style with stone accents, intimate lighting over each table and tasteful, family-oriented décor.
In the bar area, flat screen TV's showcase sports and special events. The transformation of a coffee bar into a restaurant created an ambiance that is comfortable for families, young adults, couples and sports enthusiasts.
Tate said PieWorks opened to rave reviews from the community and has quickly become a popular restaurant destination. He feels the overwhelming variety and attention to detail is what sets PieWorks apart from conventional pizza makers. With more than 60 toppings and 12 varieties of cheese, there is no shortage of pizza combinations you can dream up and have the staff concoct for you.
Pizza lovers can also try PieWorks' specialty pizzas like the SeaHorse featuring a shrimp scampi and mozzarella topping. Or, there's Tate's personal recommendation, the Five Card Stud. Deemed a "winning hand" before it ever leaves the kitchen, this hefty pizza features five meats, including pepperoni, Canadian bacon, mild and hot sausages and ground beef combined with spices atop Romano, Mozzarella and Monterrey Jack cheeses.
"When you come to PieWorks, you are going to get a fresh and delicious pizza made to your specifications," said Tate. "Both our traditional and wheat dough are made from scratch, fresh everyday. Our fresh vegetables are sliced when the pizza is ordered and are never frozen. Many of our meats and sausage are hand-ground and are not processed, which really improves the flavors. Our main goal is for our guests to taste the flavor of each and every topping in every bite of pizza."
While the round pies are its primary claim to fame, PieWorks is notably not just about pizza. Sandwiches such as spicy Italian, basil chicken, roast beef and the classic club are made with PieWorks' fresh dough and are oven toasted, as are PieWorks' signature Breadstix.
When you place an order for this hearty appetizer, don't expect thin stalks that can be broken in one hand. PieWorks' homemade dough is rolled extra thick, then buttered and sprinkled with a special blend of cheeses and spices before baking to a crispy goodness that's almost a meal in itself. A variety of dipping sauces are available, but most find the buttery treats are equally good without the accompanying flavors.
And for those who love the classic Italian sandwich, the muffaletta at PieWorks is the next best thing to dining in New Orleans, Tate said. PieWorks' traditional muffaletta is filled with a Sicilian olive mix, Genoa salami, spiced meats and Provolone cheese topped with olive oil and a plethora of spices.
If it's pasta you're crazing, you can be sure that PieWorks' pasta dishes, which are made from the finest grade of durum wheat, will satisfy the desire of even the most discriminating Italian critic.
Pasta Alfredo, Roban and Marinara are three popular dishes, but perhaps the favorite is the chicken parmesan, prepared the classical way with hand-breaded chicken, Provolone cheese and marinara sauce over a bed of pasta alfredo.
PieWorks' lunch special, the Nooner, offers a 7-inch pizza, soft drink and side salad for $7.59 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. A kid's menu includes a variety of seven-inch pies for $2.99. Other choices are spaghetti and pigs in a blanket for $1.99.
The bar at PieWorks is yet another crowd pleaser, serving several varieties of beer and a selection of 25 different wines in a relaxed, upscale setting.
PieWorks has become a popular destination for children's birthday parties and other special events,Tate said. Parties can be held any day or night, but on Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., sections of the restaurant can be reserved for larger parties. Special group packages on food and beverages are offered during this time.
Appetizers range from $6 for an order of the famous Breadstix to $10 for a dozen Buffalo wings. House salads start at $6 and $9 buys a basil chicken salad. A small pepperoni pizza with nine slices costs $8, while a larger version is $16. Small and large versions of the popular Five Card Stud sell for $10 and $20, respectively.
Most pastas are priced between $7-$9, but the heartier chicken parm goes for $13. Expect to pay around $8 for one of PieWorks hot sandwiches. A muffaletta is a little pricier - a quarter sells for $6, one-half is $12 and a whole sandwich costs $24.
Additional Facts
Fare Facts
What: Pie Works Pizza
Where: 205 Colony Way, Madison, Mississippi
Best bets: Muffalettas, pasta and specialty pizzas such as the Sea Horse and Five Card Stud. The bar area includes a selection of 25 wines and offers a rainbow of martini flavors.
Specials: Try the Nooner - a 7-inch pizza, side salad and drink for $7.95.
Parties: Pie Works is a popular birthday party site. Parties can be held any day or night, but on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., sections of the restaurant can be reserved for larger parties. Special group packages on food and beverages are offered during this time.
Delivery: Pie Works offers carryout service, catering and home and business delivery for a nominal fee.
Prices: Inexpensive to moderate - pastas range from $7-$9, and sandwiches are about $8. A large Five-Card Stud pizza is $20.
Payment: The restaurant accepts cash, checks and major credit cards.
Hours: Hours of operation are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; and 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday and Saturday.
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