As “disheartening” as it is to see the turnover of businesses in Allentown, Jesse Haik said he hopes to more permanently fill a dining gap in the city with his new Italian restaurant.
Haik’s restaurant, Simpatico, will ideally open in May at Allentown’s ArtsWalk at 27 N. Seventh St., he said.
It’ll replace the Blended restaurant that closed in December, and will offer pasta, pizza, porchetta sandwiches, fish, pasta and pizza classes, live music, a bar and outdoor seating.
Haik, who also co-owns Pennsylvania Rye Co. with Dan Gonzalez, said it was a long-term goal for him to open an Italian restaurant and that he felt encouraged to do so after serving pasta at his other business.
“I think Italian food is fun, comfortable, and approachable, and I feel like it’s fast enough to appease the everyday business life of downtown Allentown,” he said.
The restaurant will open in an area that has experienced turnover in the last few months — not only Blended that due to a decrease in clientele, but also the handmade crafts market The Hive that moved for more space and vendors at the Downtown Allentown Market which closed like Mis Raices Restaurant & Bakery, Grab N’ Go and Bo Sai Sushi & Noodles.
When asked about the turnover and how he hopes to stand against that trend, Haik said he will leverage the lack of lunch options in downtown Allentown, dedicate himself almost exclusively to running the business and making sure he hires people he can rely on.
“I’m truly not worried about it,” he said. “We’re going to get in there and do what we do best and do what we all love to do together, and we’re going to create another fun space just like we did at Pennsylvania Rye Co.”
The restaurant will operate for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 or 3 p.m., Haik said, and serve dinner 4-10 p.m.
In a statement, City Center Group Vice President Jill Wheeler said, “We are thrilled to have a successful restaurant owner-operator opening an Italian restaurant and bar in downtown Allentown. His other concept, PA Rye Company, has been well-received and is thriving. We look forward to seeing the menu for Simpatico and enjoying a cocktail there at the bar on the ArtsWalk.”
Haik recommended people to visit Simpatico’s Instagram page to follow its progress.
Originally Published: March 31, 2025 at 4:47 PM EDT