Full disclosure: The Reading List sent me pancakes last weekend. They were wonderful–cinammony, fluffy, and when the signature maple glaze was added, heavenly. I ate them in my bed, and because I’m generous, my roommate got part of one. But what was special were the little touches: the melon, the Alice In Wonderland quote handwritten on the box, the cheerful delivery right to my door. “We really want to perfect our product–every little detail–and we’re focusing on a well thought out image,” explained Mona Cao CC ’14. Mona and three other juniors (Nicole Ivey DC ’14, Cora Ormseth MC ’14 and Yohanna Pepa BK ’14) founded The Reading List last month, a startup that delivers affordable brunch anywhere on campus.

I had dinner with Nicole, Mona, and Yohanna last week to learn more about The Reading List process. Every week, Nicole buys fresh ingredients from the Union Square Farmer’s Market in New York on her way home from work. They cook in the Davenport kitchen and run around campus Saturday morning with delivering delicacies such as chocolate hazelnut pancakes with espresso-chocolate ganache. “Yalies like convenience,” Nicole said . “We’re also thinking about having a pop-up brunch on Cross Campus sometime on a weekday so people can pick up their food on the way to class.” They’ve found a winning combination. A majority of Yalies are lazy, hungry foodies, and 9am lecture would definitely be improved by a “zesty carrot-cake pancake,” also known as the Watership Down.

What’s next for The Reading List? In their recent YDN interview, they discussed the possibility of opening a brunch restaurant. “We want to reach people outside the Yale community and hopefully give back to New Haven,” Yohanna said. “In the mean time, we’re working on getting established here.” The Reading List is working on hosting a formal Easter Brunch, so keep a lookout for that (and me… I’ll probably be there).

In the end, it’s about community as much as pancakes. “We’ve all worked for organizations that emphasize service and food,” Yohanna concluded. “Food brings people together.” Sounds like brunch done right.

Order pancakes from The Reading List here. Or stalk them on Facebook or Twitter. Happy eating!