USA, PA: Pocono Brewing Company to reopen

The Pocono Brewing Company, also known as PBC, is coming back. And it may feature beers like Big Pocono and Grey Towers, the Pocono Record reported on February 25.

The restaurant is reopening sometime in April under the new management of its owners after closing a year ago. It will spotlight Italian-American food offerings and a variety of on-site brewed beers in a family atmosphere.

Silvio Vitiello of Tobyhanna bought the restaurant in 2014 after his Gilbert restaurant, Luna Rosa, in Polk Township, burned down. He then leased it out to a third party.

"The major issue with the other owners, they were doing nothing different," Vitiello said. "The food was the old diner food you could buy anywhere."

The restaurant has undergone remodeling since last July. He's bringing in new equipment, including a new brewing system.

The food will range from homemade pasta to traditional Neapolitan pizza, fresh mozzarella, and a wood burning pizza oven that he bought in from Napoli, Italy. Vitiello's family has been in the restaurant business for over 30 years, also owning restaurants in New Jersey.

"We have our heart and soul into our business," Vitiello said. "We are from the area."

The marketing has a lot to do with it, he said.

"We need to plan and budget. We are willing to invest in the Poconos. The Poconos brand is what really excites me."

The beer menu will feature IPAs, stouts, porters and pilsners. He is even naming the beers after the Pocono Mountain's history and the local area.

The 150-seat dining room has a stage, and will feature duos and trios performing for guests almost every night. He expects to host large events with entertainment as the backdrop, though he said it will not be a night club. Vitiello is even considering bringing back the comedy club.

"We've gotten a lot of feedback on our Facebook page. It was really popular in the 1990s. A lot of people want the comedy club back in the Poconos."

The Pocono Brewing Company will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, and stay open until 10 p.m.

27 February, 2017