Nestled within Overlook Park, between the driving range and the mini-golf course, the family owned and operated Stoner Grille is a welcome addition to a part of Lancaster County overrun with chain restaurants and fast food joints. In the short time since opening last fall, Stoner Grille has quickly become a destination for locals and tourists alike, which comes as no surprise once you realize the duo behind Stoner Grille, Gene and Anneliese Pelland, are half of the team that brought us McCleary’s pub in Marietta—a regional favorite known for its expansive beer menu, hearty bar food and live music.
The Pellands had a few years off from the service industry and no intentions of being involved in another restaurant. Gene continued in his role as the executive vice president of Clair Solutions, the company he’s been with for more than 46 years. Clair is known for designing, building and installing premier sound systems around the world and working with some of the biggest names in the music industry. But, as Gene points out, “neither of us are that enthralled with the idea of retirement; we both like to stay busy.”
Barny’s Grill, the previous establishment, struggled for years before closing in December 2014. The township began looking for a new tenant to turn the space around. The Pellands were an obvious choice. For one, Stoner Grille is literally in their backyard. “It’s true: the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. I grew up less than a mile from here on Delp Road. We now live less than a mile from here in Blossom Hill,” Gene says. In no time, a lease was signed, construction began and the doors opened.
The full complex, known as Stoner Commons, houses not only the full service restaurant and bar, but also Pelvo’s Putt Putt course and The Barn—a 255-year-old, 150-plus-seat private banquet space with beautiful exposed wood beams and 35-foot ceilings, a perfect setting for everything from weddings and receptions to business seminars and fundraisers. On the third floor, there’s another smaller space, known as the Hayloft, which is used for baby showers, birthdays or other intimate gatherings and celebrations.
But as the daylight lingers—as folks come out of their winter hibernation for a round of golf, a romp on the playground with the kids, or a game of fetch with their favorite four-legged friend—the real gem is Stoner Grille’s (dog-friendly) outdoor patio. They’ve expanded the interior bar to the outside and installed a 950-square-foot awning for covered seating. A mixture of heaters and fans provide temperature control, and no space that Gene oversees would be complete without a stage and high-end sound and lighting systems.
Patrons will be impressed by the rotating taps—24 draft beers at any one time, featuring brews such as Tröegs Nitro Chocolate Stout, Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA, and Stoudt’s Scarlet Lady ale. Stoner offers nightly happy hour deals and a fine selection of classic cocktails and wines.
The Pellands’ love of the sea and the Chesapeake Bay is reflected on the menu, which is skillfully carried out by executive chef Frank Brown. Brown honed his culinary craft at some of the area’s signature bygone restaurants (like Rockne’s and Doneckers). He’s also a master carpenter who lent a hand in the renovations—from building the bar to sanding the floors. In the kitchen, he’s preparing cod bites with chipotle aioli dipping sauce, baked lump crab dip, New England-style fish & chips, classic crab cakes, Jamaican shrimp quesadillas, a smoked-salmon BLT, and Stoner Grille’s most popular dish to date, the Rocko Tacos—blackened rockfish with wasabi-cucumber dressing and mango salsa in a grilled tortilla with the cheese nice and crispy on the outside. If seafood’s not your thing, not to worry—there are plenty of burgers, cheesesteaks, sandwiches and salads to choose from as well. One entire portion of the menu is devoted to “chips & fries”—Portobello, sweet potato and pulled pork bourbon cheddar fries, to name a few.
And just as McCleary’s has earned a reputation for supporting local musicians, the Pellands carry on that tradition at Stoner Grille by featuring local favorites like Lava Cave, the Violettes and Vinegar Creek Constituency. On weekends, Stoner Grille has been standing room only at the bar. “People are happy to cram in here; the place is jumping,” says Gene. He’s also masterfully arranged the sound so you can hear the band just as easily as you can have a conversation with your friends. Coming on the heels of their first successful Valentine’s dinner and dance party with Pocket Full of Soul, they are planning a number of upcoming events including a Latin dance night and a yoga “detox/retox” in the Barn.
Looking back on the past year, Anneliese says, “Gene knows everybody, but to see old friends in here from high school, to be part of the community, it’s been really nice.” Gene smiles and adds, “last summer, I was petrified, but the two of us, the staff, we couldn’t be happier.”
Stoner Grille
605 Granite Run Dr., Lancaster, PA stonercommons.com 717-208-6623
By Michelle Ciarrocca | Photography by Donovan Roberts Witmer
