In the tourist town of Boquete, in Chiriqui province, lies a story of perseverance for baking good bread and creating excellent cuisine. A project that began as a leap of faith, driven by the desire to build a community around it and honor a family legacy.
It All Began Baking Bread with Love
Morton, a retired lawyer and baking enthusiast, began baking artisan breads years ago in his home in Boquete. Over time, his passion grew and him along with his wife Barbara transformed it into Morton’s Bakehouse, a local bakery that gained popularity among the expat community residing in the area. However, in 2018, Jacob Poliwoda, a Venezuelan-born rabbi, and his wife, Hana, acquired the business through Barbara, keeping its name and converting it into a kosher bakery. The success exceeded all expectations that they began shipping bread to Panama City and other regions in the country.
Milk & Honey: A Restaurant Connected to Hebrew Traditions
After several years of baking breads and pastries with a deep love for the community, Jacob and Hana opened the only kosher restaurant west of Panama City in the same location. In November 2024, Milk & Honey was born, a restaurant with a Mediterranean soul and deeply connected to Jewish tradition. A place committed to quality, ethical food practices, and Jewish culinary traditions, offering 100% vegan bakery and dairy products.
A Historic Legacy in Every Corner of the Restaurant
Milk & Honey is located in a house with more than 80 years of history, a place that blends traditional architecture and nature in a cozy atmosphere that captivates the senses of all Visitors. Built between the 1940s and 1950s by renowned Panamanian engineer and politician Manuel Virgilio Patiño Samaniego, it was known as Casa Selva and was designed as a vacation home for him, his wife Blanche Sokoloski, and their daughter Selva Mary, whose name is still engraved on the front door. The architecture combines European and North American influences. In the past, the house has hosted prominent figures such as famous singer Erika Ender and former Panamanian President Ernesto Perez Balladares.
Gastronomic Experience That Attracts a Wide Diversity of Visitors
Today, both Morton’s Bakehouse and Milk & Honey attract a diverse clientele: from local visitors to nationwide and international tourists. The project’s story has resonated beyond Panama. Even foreign YouTubers have highlighted in their contents the gastronomic experience that can be enjoyed at this restaurant.
The Magic Happens Outside the Comfort Zone
For Jacob Poliwoda, what began as a project with doubts was transformed into a life lesson. He comments that magic happens outside the comfort zone, because following your heart and daring to dream has allowed both Morton’s Bakehouse and Milk & Honey to become not only thriving businesses, but a true family with a great historical legacy.
Today, they are a bridge between the past and the present. A celebration of bread as a ritual, food as a cultural dialogue, and family effort as the beating heart of the community.
Address: Central Street, Casa Esperanza Road, Bajo Boquete.
Information and Reservations:
+507-6622-4489 / +507-730-8499
www.mortonsbakehouse.com
Photos courtesy: Morton’s Bakehouse/ Milk & Honey
