Simpatica
Portland has no shortage of culinary mysteries, including rare supper clubs such as Simpatica Dining Hall. We keep indulging on food since we don’t spend money going out to bars with friends here.
Inconspicuously nestled in a warehouse district in Southeast Portland, the “restaurant” has one family-style seating Friday and Saturday nights (online reservations required) and Sunday brunches that require quite the wait.
The chefs and hostesses treat the 30-some customers as guests at their intimate dinner party. For $40 a person, we had these simple yet succulet four courses:
Fresh Porcini Mushroom, Fennel and Arugula Salad (with shaved parmesan and the raw porcini were delicately shaved and marinated in lemon/olive oil)
Handmade Pappardelle with Rabbit Sugo (spiced with pungent fennel pollen)
Herbed Roast Leg of Lamb (thyme, rosemary, marjoram, garlic) with Braised Cavolo Nero (black kale) and Natural Jus
Glazed Viridian Farms Pippin Apple Bread Pudding with Warm Brandy Custard
Yum-Yum! We aren’t worthy. We’re living beyond our means I fear.
BaltimOregon to Maine 
This restaurant sounds amazing — very Pacific northwest. Is the place a well kept secret? Or do you get the feeling that everyone eats like that?
Hey, re one of your other posts, did you hear Mayor Bloomberg in NYC is suggesting a 6 cent surcharge for grocery bags? Something like bottle deposits…but really meant to encourage people to byob (bags, that is). Good idea!
m-i-l
November 8, 2008 at 10:39 am
Cool we should go when you are here! Though Dan thought the portions were smallish. It’s somewhat of a kept secret though Bon Appetit and others have discovered it. Interesting about the grocery surcharge. Everyone seems to think they should ban grocery bags outright here in Oregon since many people bring reusable bags anyway:)
baltimoregon
November 9, 2008 at 3:37 am
[…] front yard, especially at night, tempting us to consider them for dinner. We had a superb rabbit ragu sauce with pasta at Simpatica dining hall in Portland last fall. My few other rabbit experiences were not pleasant though. I […]
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