Simpatico proved to be an exceptional venture from the moment Jesse welcomed us to his restaurant. The establishment is open yet maintains a comforting and warm atmosphere. The seats are comfortable and the tables are welcoming. Our waiter, Grant was kind, patient, and helpful with all aspects of food and drink. Barbara, the bartender, created phenomenal martinis and limoncello cocktails. The food was exceptional. The golden beets were fresh with hearty flavor on a bed of rich balsamic vinegar that had the smoky essence of a reduction sauce. Perfectly cooked salmon and its crispy skin rested on cannellini beans and kale. The flavors were strong and extremely satisfying. For dessert, the tiramisu was remarkable. Fresh, creamy, and drenched in espresso, it capped off the meal in grand fashion. Many thanks to Jesse, Grant, and Barbara for their hospitality and care. The goal is to return as soon as possible! read more

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My first visit to Simpatico while traveling for work was disappointing. I went because of the stellar rating on Yelp. I was alone and chose to dine at the bar. The bar area is a handsome space, and I was surprised to see that there were barely a handful of people dining. It was a Tuesday night, however. I ordered a cosmopolitan and asked for Cointreau instead of triple sec, but they didn't have any. The cocktail was fine nonetheless. I started with the agrodolce and Parmesan Brussels sprouts. They were fried until almost burned and were very greasy. The bartender graciously took them back and returned with another order. They were less burnt and greasy, and I ate them all, but they weren't great. For my entrée, I ordered chicken Marsala with fettuccine. The menu says that all pastas are homemade. The pasta and mushrooms looked beautiful and were cooked perfectly. The chicken was overcooked, but just barely, unfortunately. The entrée had almost no flavor. The pasta was tasteless, along with the mushrooms and chicken. The rich, silky Marsala sauce you'd expect was absent. I asked the bartender for salt and pepper, which he provided, and that did make a big difference in the flavor profile. I ate everything on the plate, and the food was satisfying, but it was mostly unremarkable. I enjoyed a delicious John Sloat Cabernet Sauvignon offered by the glass. The tiramisu I enjoyed for dessert was the best part of the meal. It was delicious and everything you'd expect. The bartender was exceptionally professional and gracious throughout my dining experience; it appeared to me that he's an asset to this business. On my next return trip here for work, I'll look to dine elsewhere. The food warrants 2 stars and the service warrants 5 stars. It's too bad, this is a great location, a handsome space, and a great bar. read more

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Stopped by Simpatico while on a business trip. I ordered the Pappardelle Short Rib with Burrata, and I have to say the ribs were cooked perfectly; very tender and flavorful. However, the portion size was quite small, and I actually left the restaurant still feeling hungry. It's a nice atmosphere, but if you have a larger appetite, you might want to order an extra appetizer! read more

Simpatico - Parppadelle short rib - Italian Near Me - Allentown, Pennsylvania

Great food and atmosphere. Service is outstanding. I highly recommend dining at Simpatico.

Homemade pasta! The short ribs pappardelle and eggplant parmigiana were fantastic. My black walnut bitters old fashioned was perfect and actually had bourbon in it!!! Great prices, great service, great food!!! read more

Simpatico - 4/5 Stars Just visited Simpatico during their soft opening, and I'm genuinely excited about what this place will become! Owner Jesse (co-owner of the beloved Pennsylvania Rye Company) has created something special here - an Italian-inspired restaurant with a little New Orleans flair that showcases his exceptional beverage expertise. The Highlights: The space itself is impressive - over 300 seats thoughtfully sectioned into different areas so it never feels like a cafeteria. The square bar area is particularly striking, with outside seating and completely open doors that connect to the Arts Walk area. I can imagine this being absolutely beautiful in the evenings with that indoor-outdoor flow. The cocktail program is absolutely outstanding. The Jungle Bird was a revelation - ingredients you'd never think to combine creating perfect harmony with smooth rum and pineapple. The Affumigato (Campari, lime, bitters, agave, reposado) was so delicious I had to exercise serious self-control not to order three more. Jesse's sommelier background really shines through the entire drink menu. The food showed real promise. The focaccia with olives, tomatoes, and roasted shallots was excellent with perfectly baked bread demonstrating solid pastry skills. The mushroom arancini was even better than Shelby's version (high praise from me!). The Margherita pizza with fresh mozzarella was extremely flavorful - a bit different from traditional Italian style but in a way most Americans will actually prefer. Areas for Growth: Being a soft opening, there are some kinks to work out as they continue to train their kitchen staff. The polenta cake bruschetta needed more seasoning and umami depth. The gnocchi was slightly doughy despite good searing. The pappardelle with short rib lacked flavor, and the chicken piccata's roux was grainy rather than smooth. My main concern is portion sizes - we ordered entree-sized pasta dishes that honestly wouldn't satisfy anyone as a standalone entree. The prices are fair for the market, but the quantity needs to increase to match the value proposition. The Team: The service was fantastic. Assistant GM Yolanda clearly knows her stuff, GM Clint stopped by multiple times seeking feedback (showing they truly want to improve), and server Raul was a absolute highlight - knowledgeable about every menu item and passionate about the experience. I love the vibe they bring- they truly love what they do. Bottom Line: This is a restaurant I'm genuinely rooting for. The bones are excellent - great cocktails, solid food foundation, caring staff, and contemporary decor with Italian charm. Once they dial in the seasoning and portion sizes over the next few weeks, this could easily become a 5-star destination. I'll definitely be back soon to try the linguine in clam sauce and see their continued evolution. For cocktail lovers and foodies willing to support a promising new spot while they hit their stride, Simpatico is absolutely worth visiting now. This Arts Walk area needs restaurants like this to thrive, and I believe they will. read more

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amazing restaurant. service was professional, friendly, and fast. House pasta was amazing, as was the crispy crust pizza and housemade gelato. we were visiting Allentown from New York City and this compares to any restaurant back in New York at half the price. it was an amazing meal and an amazing deal. read more

Overall great food and ambience. Their menu fits us more than the previous restaurant that was at this location. Loved the fresh pasta and arachini. The seasonal vegetables with the fusilli was bitter which was the only fault to us. Otherwise the rest of the meal was great. My favorite was actually my custom mocktail. It was a mix of pineapple, cranberry, and lemonade. It wasn't too sweet which was perfect. read more

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Drinks are great food is tasty. Could use a bit more salt. Bar and outdoor space is cool. Finally a nice restaurant that's not a sports bar! read more

Simpatico - Bar and outdoor area - Italian Near Me - Allentown, Pennsylvania

Got the chance to try Simpatico and it was amazing. The owner greeted us at the door and spent some time talking to us. We ordered the breaded mozzarella and the meatballs as an appetizer. Both were amazing. The meatballs were delicate and the sauce complimented it nicely. My son then had the fettuccine which he loved. For me the highlight was the pappardelle with short ribs. It was delicious! Waitress was outstanding as well. Overall, great atmosphere and meal. Definitely worth a try if you are in the area. read more

We spent about $250 here for a family dinner and were very disappointed. My husband and I both ordered the chicken parmesan, and both pieces of chicken were so tough, fatty, and fibrous that they were hard to cut with a knife. The manager walking around noticed us struggling and did acknowledge it was not up to their standards and offered replacements, which I appreciated, but by then my appetite was gone. My son's short rib was also mostly fat, which was especially disappointing given the price. For a nicer restaurant, the quality of the meat was far below what we expected. At this price point Management really needs to rethink the quality of the meat they are purchasing. I would not return. read more

1. Fresh pasta made daily 2. Truly elevated pizza 3. Best calamari I've had in the Valley 4. Not pretentious, but confidently ambitious 5. Great service read more

The service was great. We went on a Thursday night and there were only 2 other tables seated. Our server was attentive and informative. The 3 stars is for the food. I ordered the vodka sauce and shells. The vodka sauce was just marinara with extra oregano. The table also ordered an eggplant parm that came with spaghetti marinara so I was able to see the similarity between the vodka sauce and marinara. The Bronzino was just ok. The fennel that came with it was overwhelming to me but others at my table enjoyed it. The whipped ricotta was very creamy and yummy, but we needed more crostini. Overall the food was just ok. The flavors were not impressive. The food was not hot, but just lukewarm. The bar had more activity that night with about 4-5 people seated. Maybe it's more lively on the weekends or when the ppl center has a show. read more

Simpatico is going to be a food hit in Allentown!!! My daughter and granddaughter joined me for dinner last night around 5.30 for dinner. We started with the burrata with heirloom tomatoes and fresh cucumbers. We shared the papperdelle pasta with short ribs and the margherita pizza. Our meal was delicious. Our server, Grant was so friendly and accommodating to my 2.5 year old granddaughter. She loved her pasta and vanilla gelato. The tiramasu was one of the best I ever tasted. It was perfect!! Yay Jessie and crew. I'm so excited for this restaurant. read more

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Poor service, poor attitude, poor food quality. Completely disappointing and overpriced.

Newly opened and amazing - def recommend checking out! Our bartender, Barb, was incredible. Gave us great recommendations and made us native New Yorkers feel extra welcome in Allentown! To start we got the Polenta Bruschetta, Mushroom Arancini, and the Raddichio Salad w/ Goat Cheese and Pancetta; and for entrees we got the Short Rib Farfalle and Mushroom Gnocchi! Flexible portion sizes make it perfect for either a quick bite or a long stay. With the great ambiance of this place, I would have wanted to stay all day. Everything from top to bottom was insane and you'd be dumb to miss out on this hot new spot. read more

This is without a doubt, the best Italian restaurant that I believe I've been to. I ordered chicken parmesan and it was really amazing. The breading on the chicken was crunchy and tasty, their house salad I could not stop eating it. I don't know what the dressing was, but it was very good .Everything was fresh. The pasta is made in house. You can't get any fresher than that and the service is extremely friendly and the atmosphere is absolutely beautiful. There is a section of the restaurant opened up to the street where there is acoustical music being played very relaxing and enjoyable place. Too bad I'm working from out of town and I can't come to visit this place more often. I highly recommend this restaurant. read more

Simpatico - Chicken Parmesan with a glass of Cabernet. The hell salad is not showing, but it was amazing. - Italian Near Me - Allentown, Pennsylvania

We absolutely loved it! New find for our in town visits. Calamari was great and loved the polenta as well! Drinks were yummy and the staff were friendly. Fun vibe and atmosphere as well! Can't wait to go back! read more

Went to PPL center for event Made reservations for dinner before event The food was very good but the service (server Raul) was sporadic at best We had to ask for bread & water & for used plates to be removed from the table also the entrees came out one at a time there were 4 of us... very disconcerting for the rest of us at the table read more

Pappardelle rib was greasy, overly salty, and the spices were terrible. Service was slow, asked for Parmesan and never got it. On top of that, completely overpriced for what you get. Very disappointing for this location. read more

Simpatico - Italian Near Me - Allentown, Pennsylvania

Great visit to Simpatico last night! The house made pastas were awesome and can be ordered in half sizes so you can try a few. They also have an extensive cocktail and wine list and delicious pizza and apps if you want something simpler. They have outside seating on the arts walk, easy parking, and private dining room for events. read more

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Can't wait to go again! Fantastic food! Jersey /Brooklyn Italian food in the Lehigh valley !

Don't waste your time or money eating here. Serve and food was horrible. Ordered the linguine with clam sauce and got fettuccine Alfredo with a few clams on the side. Will not be recommending this place to anyone​​​ read more

WOW! What an under appreciated place in Allentown with great ambience, drinks and food! The pizza, with homemade sourdough crust and homemade delicious sauce, was amazing! They even make their own pasta from scratch for their Italian entrées! Very reasonably priced, great atmosphere, and right up the road from PPL Center, if you are attending any of their events! Highly recommend - reasonably priced!! read more

Awesome atmosphere and food was so good!! Definitely coming back!! And the waiter was so nice. read more

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My two daughters and I celebrated my older daughter's birthday here. Barbara, our waitress was super! The food choices are very different than the cocktails were excellent. I would definitely go back. read more

1st time there and know it's rather new, so this is completely constructive criticism and not meant to not recommend a visit. First - the place flat out has potential - no question. Very nice inside....very "airy" with an outdoor patio area...very nice! If you're doing dinner before an event at the PPL Center....you really can't be in a better location. Our waitress was very sweet, but seemed rather new at her job. There were several mistakes - our appetizer never came until after the main course was served and all but consumed. She missed several drink re-fill requests. When I asked for a spoon for my coffee, she gave me the spoon grasping the spoon and not the handle. The meal kind of dragged on longer than anticipated trying to make a 7pm show @ PPL....I had to cancel the desert order even though we had been there for 1.5 hours. The food was "ok", but arrived like it was sitting under the lamp a bit too long. All of our meals were kind of like that.....they need to tighten this up. I ordered the Chicken Parm....the spaghetti was rather overcooked....not al dente. The chicken was too thick (my personal pickiness) and lacked sauce on the top. The sauce was a tad too acidic also. The octopus appetizer was quite tasty, but was a little "tough"....minor complaint though. Another person in our party ordered the Chicken Piccata over polenta and it was served in a "bowl" rather than a plate....pretty difficult to eat a dish like that in a bowl. We had a party of 6....two of us (tied to the dishes referenced) are extensive travelers and have eaten at countless restaurants and have pretty strong opinions when it comes to restaurants/dishes. I'd give this place a little time to settle in, but absolutely will give it another shot....their sister restaurant PA Rye Co has really good food, so I'm sure they'll get this figured out. read more

I've literally never left a review for a restaurant before but I was surprisingly impressed with this place -- incredibly fresh in house made pasta, the best pistachio gelato I've ever had & delicious cocktails rooting for this place to do well, definitely worth the visit!! Service was great! read more

Food was great! The arancini were an amazing appetizer and the pasta tasted fresh and delicious. Great service as well