Porch just makes me so angry...I want to like it, I really do. It's within walking distance to home, it has awesome outdoor seating and it's slightly more upscale than most of the Oakland restaurant. However, I can't like it. I just can't. The menu lacks variety and what they do have is overpriced and overcomplicated. They seem to be having a bit of an identity crises in that you pour your own water out of a glass milk bottle and use tea towels as napkins, but pay $19 for a tiny piece of salmon. Are we "country" or "upscale?" I'm still trying to figure that out.
Also, the happy hour is decent, but you are only allowed to enjoy it if you are seated in the bar. That might be ok if the restaurant didn't have an open floor plan. I've eaten there and have literally paid twice as much for the same drink as the person sitting within an arm's length of me. God forbid you try to order a drink at the bar and take it back to your table!
The pizzas are ok if you're buying them during dinner or lunch. If you're there for their night time 1/2 priced pizzas, the quality goes down significantly.
So far I've been here half a dozen times and each time, I'm left feeling disappointed and that I paid way too much for what I got. Unless things improve, I won't be going back anytime soon.