Bravo for Brunch

PORCH & PANTRY PERFECTS THE FINE ART OF BREAKFASTING AND BRUNCHING IN MOUNT GRETNA

BY KAREN HENDRICKS PHOTOGRAPHY BY KARLO GESNER

There’s nothing like a big front porch. It’s a classic spot that invites friendly neighborhood gatherings and conversations. And at Lebanon County restaurant Porch & Pantry, the neighborhood is one-of-a-kind.

“There aren’t many places like Mount Gretna in the world—this place has so much history, and it’s fun to say it’s where I grew up,” says Forrest Borod, 33, one of Porch & Pantry’s three new co-owners, including his wife Christina, also 33, and chef Guido Michael, 45.

Together, the trio has set out to create a seasonal scratch kitchen serving up some of the most unique breakfast and brunch dishes in the Susquehanna Valley.

Home Cooking

Mt. Gretna is a tiny community that’s big on arts, culture, and recreation. Founded in the late 1800s as a Chautauqua community, Mt. Gretna is home to the Gretna Theatre—known as America’s oldest summer theatre, the annual Mt. Gretna Outdoor Art Show— set for August 19-20 this year, as well as a sparkling little lake and beach. The community is nestled in a wooded setting—indeed, tall trees give Porch & Pantry’s visitors a side of nature to accompany their meals.

Meanwhile, local agriculture is the star of nearly every plate.

“I try to source as much local fresh produce as possible,” says Guido. “I walk around local farmers’ markets for inspiration, and I like doing twists on old traditional things.”

Fresh local flavors are incorporated into everything from omelets to quiches. Sandwiches are served on sweet potato buns (such as the pulled pork Sando featuring wasabi slaw), and apple sausage hash features maple bourbon glaze. House granola lends a satisfying crunch to several dishes including the coconut mango parfait. Grain bowls include a roasted squash bowl with maple tahini.

Porch signature Items include biscuits & gravy, fig ‘n pig Benni (eggs Benedict), and grilled sticky—a house-made sticky bun that’s a nod to Porch & Pantry’s birth as a bakery in 1987. Nostalgia, like much of Mt. Gretna, is intertwined with innovative ideas at Porch & Pantry.

Delicious Backstory

“I’m still running into people who say, ‘I knew you when you were five riding around here on your bike,’” says Forrest.

Not only did Forrest grow up in Mt. Gretna, but he also worked at Porch & Pantry (in a previous iteration) when he was fourteen. Today, both he and Christina work in the banking industry—and it was through those channels that the couple learned Porch & Pantry was up for sale back in 2018.

“I always wanted to open up a restaurant,” says Forrest, “so I texted the owner, saying I was interested, but they had just signed the paperwork the day before. Then, last August, I found out it was for sale again, and things worked out perfectly because Guido had just left Mt. Gretna Brewery, and I knew he had an unparalleled work ethic to let his vision unfold here.”

Guido, who grew up in the nearby Palmyra-Hershey area, worked his way up in the restaurant industry since his humble beginnings as a 14-year-old busboy.

His career took him across the country, even to Food Network competitions, and back home again. Christina says he’s “like a brother,” since she’s known him since childhood.

A Hot Sauce for a Cool Cat

One of the skills Guido picked up was fermenting—and his talents are fully displayed on shelves just inside the front door—the “pantry” of Porch & Pantry. Large glass jars hold fascinating fermenting concoctions—along with labeled bottles of Porch & Pantry Hot Honey and Hank’s Red Hot Sauce.

Wait—who’s Hank?

“Hank is our best customer,” says Christina with a smile. “He lives a couple blocks over, on Mulberry.”

Hank never comes inside—but he loves to hang out on the front porch. That’s because Hank is a tiger-striped tabby cat. And when he visits Porch & Pantry, there are pats and purrs. If you’re not lucky enough to meet Hank (he occasionally has off-days), just look for his framed photo inside.

“He’s kinda become our cool little mascot,” says Guido. Also on the pantry shelves: Lebanon County’s Ancestor Coffee, roasted into a one-of-a-kind breakfast blend, only available at Porch & Pantry.

Full Circle

“Our pancakes are crazy popular,” says Guido, who whips up stacks of blueberry, strawberry, chocolate chip, maple bacon, and cherries jubilee pancakes featuring Hidden Still Bourbon compote. One more option—Cakes for a Cause—is a rotating seasonal flavor benefiting local charities.

Sous chef Jason Greathouse, inspired by summer campfires, created the current flavor, s’mores pancakes—which benefit Cocoa Packs, providing food-filled backpacks to children in need.

“I spent the first 22 years of my life living here, and one of my fondest memories is making pancakes every weekend with my dad,” says Forrest. “The Mt. Gretna community is so unique, so tight-knit—it’s a great group of people. As a business owner, I think it’s our responsibility to give back to our community where we can.”

Porch & Pantry

106 Chautauqua Dr, Mt Gretna, PA 17064 porchandpantry.com

@porchandpantryrestaurant

Tips

• You can also cut a checkered pattern in the rind and leave the top on! The edges will curl up while it cooks and leave great pockets to absorb all that honey chorizo goodness!

• This makes a great charcuterie board centerpiece. Try surrounding it with sliced apples, baguette, grapes, fresh herbs, cured meats, and crackers!