Simpatica Dining Hall

Stumbled upon this place for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed my experience for brunch. From what I gathered, they’re only open Sundays while doing private tasting/​pairing dinners by reservation only.
I am someone that enjoys the food options bunch can offer and this place hits a home run. The brunch menu wasn’t lengthy or too short with delicious looking choices. I ordered a shaved ribeye benedict with hollandaise sauce with 2 overeasy eggs over top. Absolutely delicious and I think it meets, most likely beats, anything Screen Door offers. There were at least 4 or 5 dishes I wish I could have tried too. My girlfriend got a bloody mary and said it was well made.
Besides the food, they hit on several other key measures such as service and wait time. 10 am on a Sunday and absolutely o wait. At Screen door, guaranteed an hour! The service was top notch and actually left very pleased.

Delicious from start to finish, and can’t wait to go back.
My girlfriend and I had a couple of variations of the fried chicken (waffles, biscuits and gravy), which were recommended here and by our waiter. Flavorful/​rich without being overpowering, definitely more going on spice-​wise than your run-​of-​the-​mill fried mix.
We arrived about 15 minutes before opening just to make sure we got a seat without waiting. I’d recommend this, as the place is quite small. Service was great and quick, even as the place filled up.

Simpatica in Spanish or Italian basically means nice. The name in Spanish meaning outstanding (Excepcional) doesn’t sound as suave as perhaps the name in Italian (Eccezionale), but then nobody would know how to say it, kind of like A Cena. So I guess the name Simpatica stuck.
The truth is, Simpatica is way more than just «nice.» It’s really is outstanding. It’s a small and cozy environment that fills up, so think ahead and make a reservation.
Brunch there is always stellar. We had a table of six and it was unanimous, everything was excellent. Several folks had the fried chicken with waffles as did I and I can assure you that chicken is bomb.
Service is always friendly and attentive, which is Simpatica.
2016 — Review # 3

We knew we would be getting FAT off of food when we visited Portland so we had to pick and choose all of our meals very carefully — we ended up picking Simpatica as one of our fancy dinners based on research and our Portland friend’s recommendation.
This is a farm-​to-​table catering company and they only have communal dining with 1 seating per night on Friday & Saturday (and brunch on Sunday! I’m bummed that we didn’t get to try it!). I thought it might be weird to have to sit with other people but it wasn’t too awkward and most parties just kept to themselves like they had their own table, ha ha.
Here’s our menu for the night:
— tuna carpaccio, toy box tomatoes, cucumber, micro greens
— sweet corn bisque with hazelnut pesto
— grilled flat iron steak, oil-​poached potatoes, runner beans, tomatillo salsa
— peach cobbler, housemade ice-​cream
My husband opted for the half-​glass wine flight — I loved that they have this option since he didn’t want to drink too much with the full glass flight and I still get to have a little sip of each drink! The food was superb and delicious — my only complaint was that the steak wasn’t as tender as I had expected them to be, but my husband still devoured it all (including more than half of mine because I was SO full by then!). Definitely was a great experience at a SUPER low price!!!

Dining hall with a convivial mood of hungry peep’s who know why they are here— to enjoy a very hearty brunch. The menu features breakfast, lunch and dishes in between. Waffles, french toast, fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, hash, steak, burgers, frittata’s, brisket, pork — and that’s just what I ordered. Just kidding! Sounds so basic. Not so at alI! I doubt anyone reading this, including me (a guasi-​good-​cook-​it-​up chef) cooking from scratch every day in my own «bitchin kitchen» too! What I’m saying is you won’t taste anything like it when they mix it up and serve it up with a smile. You’ll be smiling too when you leave the place with a few extra pounds.

Fresh and the epitome of Portland, artisanal, farm-​to-​table food. Those labels aside … it was f’in delicious.
Also, it PAINS me to say this: the chicken and waffles were better than the famous Roscoe’s in Los Angeles. Hopefully no one reading this in LA knows where I live. I’m sorry I let you down.
My arteries were good and clogged after Simpatica brunch but in the very best way possible. Thank you for your breakfast chicken.

Absolutely scrumptious brunch. The dishes when on the menu didn’t seem too creative. Once you put the food in your mouth, you realize it’s creativity is in its flavors and spices! Yumm

Short Story: We came here on a Sunday brunch and made reservations in advance.
Long Story: The place was moderately crowded. From the outside it looked inconspicuous and not like a restaurant. But inside was a world different. We were promptly seated and got menus. It’s a chicken and waffle place and the place was darn good. I got the chicken and gravy… but I ordered the chicken and waffles. I was about to ask them to remake my order, but I was so hungry I decided against it. My dish was still fantastic and well worth the money.
Everyone else enjoyed their dish as well. Be forewarned though, you’ll have to hit the gym after this place because it’s heart clogging! The service was fantastic and the décor and ambiance made it stood out. The tall windows and high ceilings made the place feel big. The restaurant is not that big though… I didn’t see everything but it looked to only hold about 25 – 35 people.
Verdict: I’m going back today!

We selected Simpatica to cater our wedding reception about a year before the event. Shortly after that, random and known people alike started complimenting us on the choice. We were pleased with the positive reinforcement, but we didn’t completely understand how wonderful a caterer could be until the day of the wedding. Yes, they were easy to work with throughout the planning process. Yes, they engaged our other vendors with a high level of professionalism and familiarity. And yes, we were thoroughly impressed when we went to a tasting at the dining hall.
Still, none of these good vibrations could have prepared us for the actual feast on the day itself. It began in the whirlwind immediately following the ceremony, when my beautiful bride and I were approached with a small plate of appetizers and two glasses of rosé. Early on in the planning, Simpatica had promised that we would be well taken care of despite being pulled in all directions on that day. This was the fulfillment of that promise, which was both welcome and calming amidst all the forces competing for our attention.
After everyone was seated, platter after family-​style platter floated via friendly and knowledgeable servers to land on the guest tables. With each one, we watched faces of friends and family light up with absolute pleasure at what they were tasting. Quality of food at our reception was one of our greatest priorities from the get-​go, and Simpatica exceeded our lofty expectations. Their nourishing and tasty contribution enhanced the sense of community, enjoyment, and love on that day, and we are grateful to have worked with such an expert caterer. We’ll be visiting the dining hall for brunch and dinner to revisit the sense of that day through culinary means long into the future.

I am a proud member of Portland’s religious brunch crowd, and for the first time in a long time I was not craving Screen Door. Simpatica was not the easiest to find, but as I wound myself down the hallway to the entrance, I knew the experience would be nothing short of amazing. We ordered the fried chicken with biscuits and gravy and the shrimp and grits.
I’m not sure how the chef built THAT much complexity in the gravy on the biscuits and gravy, but it was whacky delicious. After our first bite, we both locked eyes in utter disbelief. Then I got back to my shrimp and grits and didn’t take another breath until I had used my finger to wipe the rim clean (no one saw me, I promise).
It’s almost midnight as I write this post and I want to do it all over again. What time do they open? I must know.

We visited Simpatica for a friend’s birthday and we were not disappointed. Well, that is, my only disappointment was that I didn’t order the 18-​hour brisket. But don’t get me wrong, my frittata was delicious. Delicious food. The four of us took bites of each other’s food and everything was great. It’s not typical brunch food, and the menu, from what I understand, can vary depending on the chef and the season.
Wonderful service and friendly people. They checked with us often enough and we’re super friendly to the babies at the table.
When the opportunity comes, we’ll go again.

Food:
Apparently their menus change every week because their chefs change every week. So you have to always check their chef and menu before you go to make sure you are happy with what they are serving. It’s all served as one set menu.
The weekend I went, I was very happy with the menu. It was a four course meal:
1^st — Grilled Local Asparagus, Poached Farm Egg, Chimichurri, Meadows Sea Salt
2^nd — Salad of Foraged Greens, Chevre, Salt-​roasted Almonds, Pickled Rhubarb Vinaigrette
3^rd — Seared Arctic Char, Roman Gnocchi, Fiddleheads, Black Olive Jus, Sauce Grebiche
4^th — Crème Caramel, Candied Citrus, Hazelnut Brittle
Everything tasted delicious! I really loved the idea of the grilled asparagus and finishing it in the oven. In fact, I do that at home all the time now! Really makes the flavor and texture of the asparagus pop a little! The salad was light but flavorful. The arctic char was SO YUMMY! Tasted like salmon! Loved the crispy skin! The dessert was very rich but finished off the meal strong! The brittle was a great compliment to the dessert! Overall, I think the meal came together nicely and I was very happy with the quality of everything.
Ambiance:
It’s 1 story underground, a fancier, romantic lighting sort of ambiance. You can keep it casual or dress up a bit, I saw people show up on both spectrums. The décor was simple but classy. It’s small and intimate, seats probably no more than 30 people. Good place for conversations and a little romantic date.
Service:
Very professional and friendly. Attentive and caring. No complaints here.
Price:
Each set menu was ~$ 45 each person. I think it was very reasonable for the whole package: the quality of food, the service and the ambiance.
Overall:
The restaurant is run in a very fresh and interesting fashion. Because the chefs and menus are always changing, there isn’t any constant or any type of consistency, but not knowing what you are going to get is kinda fun and new. I liked my experience and I think it’s worth while to come and try it for yourself. I would definitely come and try this place again. It’s refreshing to try new rotating chefs with a constantly changing menu.

There are a couple of other places in town that claim to have the best fried chicken. Let me set the record straight: They’re LIARS! The best fried chicken in Portland can be found at Simpatica Dining Hall.
I’m a savory breakfast kind of guy. I’m a fan of breakfast burritos, biscuits and gravy, migas and most any other hearty morning meal that’ll stick to your ribs and start your day off right. My new favorite? The chicken and biscuit from Simpatica Dining Hall. The biscuit is more dense than what I’ve found at other spots on town, but the hearty gravy more than stands up to it. However, the real star is the perfect — perfect, I say — fried chicken. Three pieces, a breast, leg and thigh. All with a perfect crust, all perfectly moist and juicy. The breading has the tiniest hint of heat. The texture is just right when you bite in.
Now, I did sample their French toast, complete with whipped cream and kumquat syrup. It was rich and decadent and while a whole order would be too much for me, a few sample bites absolutely hit the spot.
Service was top notch. It seemed that everybody working as a team rather than having a single server focus on your table. That meant somebody was always there to refill my Stumptown coffee, somebody was there to clear off my plates, and somebody was there to make sure I was happy with what I had ordered. And all of this was done with a genuine smile. I like these folks.
It seems the menu changes regularly, so it would be hard for me to make firm recommendations to others. However, they handled everything so expertly on our visit that I can’t wait to come back soon and enjoy whatever they whip up next.

This place is another one of those gems, super inconspicuous, with food that knocks it out of the park.
We made reservations about a month in advance for when we knew we would be in Portland, this process was easy. One of us is a pescetarian, and the other with a sesame allergy and they graciously accommodated us with this request.
Simpatica creates the menu for the night based on what the Chef is feeling. That day, our chef had recently returned form the Yucatan and had created a menu based off his stay there. A beautiful beef broth soup, followed by a hearty meal of Achiote-​spiced chicken, rice, and beans, and a jicama salad. They subbed shrimp for the pescetarian meal, all spiced the same way, and they were delicious.
The portions were HEARTY. I was the only one eating chicken and they served me for 2 people. The thick juicy cuts were accompanied by the impeccably paired Half Glass Wine Flight; do not miss the wine pairing. We opted for the wine pairing after starting the meal off with cocktails, and we were not let down. The pairing was perfect to every course, our favorite being the 2013 Jezebel Blanc from Oregon Paired with the Chicken and Jicama.
The service was incredible. Their attention to detail and courteous nature was amazing, I am not used to this type of treatment for this price point.
That being said, if you are in Portland, DO try and swing by here for dinner on a Friday or Saturday (well, make a reservation in advance), its a must do, even in addition to all the other food options that Portland has to offer.

food was good. but.
wasnt too happy about our service.
our reservation was at noon but we got seated earlier than expected. yay! but while we were waiting for our other friend to arrive, the waitress seemed a little antsy to serve us. made us feel a bit awkward and rushed. she kept coming up to our table when she can clearly see our other party hasn’t arrived.
overall experience was meh.

Good food, and really cool location.
I did not like waiting for over an hour to order. At least the food came out quickly once we’d ordered.
I had the eggs Benedict. Good, but not 1-​hour wait good. My tip is to go during non-​rush hours, and maybe to bring a protein bar.

Sunday Brunch Review —
so f-​ing good. seriously, try any of their options that sound good to you — you won’t be disappointed.
prices hover around 10 to 12 dollars and is reasonable given the quality and taste.
one of the best brunch options in the city, not like your typical diner breakfasts.

HOLY CRAP.
We came to Simpatica for a 4-​course dinner on Friday night. We were met with:
— super friendly staff ie: nicest. peeps. EVAR.
— a glimpse into their open kitchen (I like to spy and watch what the chefs are cooking, ok?)
— an adorable space that I would like to have of my own. In my home.
— 4 fan-​fuckin-​tastic courses that consisted of:
1^st course — Spice-​crusted Oregon albacore, grilled onions, arugula, charred dulce pepper purée
2^nd course — heirloom bean salad, corn, sunburst cherry tomatoes, harissa, house-​herbed ricotta
3^rd course — cedar plank king salmon, roasted summer squash, fennel rouile
4^th — Grilled (?) lemon pound cake, whipped crème fraîche, and some berry something or other
I’ve never had cedar plank salmon that tasted so magical as I did Friday night. It basically melted in my mouth.
I rolled out of there super happy and promptly passed out when we got home. TOTES WORTH IT.

Wow wow wow !!!
This place gives me a modern rustic feel. The servers are nice and definitely take their recommendations because they know what’s up because the menu changes every so often — I don’t think it’s the same everyday? My waiter recommended several dishes and among them was the Bavette (?) steak… Medium rare square-​shaped steak was delicious, moist, and full of flavor! It was served with seared polenta, which was uh-​mazzzzz-​zing, and heirloom cherry tomatoes, which was even more uh-​mazzzzz-​zing. The polenta was soft in the center and had a nice crisp to it’s outsides — perfection. Okay, now I’m a person who doesn’t like tomatoes very much, especially eating them alone but THESE tomatoes are something else! They’re sweet, refreshing, juicy. Really meshes well the steak and polenta. Everything on this plate complimented each other well and was truly perfection. I’d recommend this if you see it on the menu! And I’d definitely come back to see what else is recommended to try!

Amazing place! I came here for brunch and really loved every bite. It was well worth the hour wait. Great food and service so I really don’t have anything to complain about.
FRIED CHICKEN AND WAFFLES ($ 12): Delicious fried chicken that doesn’t feel greasy when you eat it. Waffles are good too and the best part is this dish is served with Kumquat syrup. I’ve loved eating Kumquats since I was a kid but I rarely see it being used in cooking. As much as I enjoyed this dish, my favorite fried chicken is still from Screen Door though.
FRITTATA ($ 10): Frittata made with pancetta, broccolini, shittake, peppers, and fontinella. It was very fluffy and light and I loved all the ingredients that were used.
I’m dying now to come back for dinner sometime. It’s great because they post their menu for the next few weeks on their website and you can decide based on that before making the reservation.