Simon's Cliff House — Restaurant in Hood River

We had dinner here the night we were in town. It was absolutely delicious and our server Tim was absolutely amazing. He was extremely friendly, attentive and made the child with us feel included too. He was knowledgeable and kept our table smiling. The pictures included are from dinner as we had a relaxing, comfortable and enjoyable dinner.

After such a great experience at dinner we were excited to eat here for breakfast. Unfortunately it did not live up to the expectations due to the service that was received. We were seated by the hostess who was friendly and welcoming and told our waitress would be over soon. Within two minutes the waitress was at our table and ask "are we ready to order" while standing back about 10 feet from the table. We had barely even had time to look at the menu so we asked for more time. The way she asked made us feel extremely rushed and she didn't even ask if we wanted to start with drinks or the normal "how are you all doing today" before she walked away. We were able to flag her back down to ask for water while we looked over the menu. While seated at our table we were asked to put a mask on every time she approached the table, even though our table and no other table was asked to do this the prior night. I understand being cautious but this felt extremely over the top and made the experience uncomfortable. She was very short with us and we very much felt like we were being rushed out. So much so we didn't even order the bloody Mary's we were craving to go with breakfast to avoid another uncomfortable interaction with out waitreas. Even though there were only about 4 or 5 other occupied tables and she was not the only server. We ordered our food which was delicious but we watched many other tables walk out without attention from her for over 15 min. We felt bad for them, we weren't enjoying ourselves and felt like it was just a weird start to our day. The most common phrase at the table was that we missed Tim, our server from the night before. In my opinion, Tim's service should be your gold standard. May want to have him teach an etiquette and customer service workshop and...

I arrived today for lunch expecting the quality that has been long known for this beloved historic establishment. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. I ordered the grilled chicken avocado sandwich; I was presented with an overcooked chicken breast in said sandwich and while the required avocado spread and goat cheese were present along with the obligatory lettuce there were no other condiments or expected garnish to complete the presentation. As a person who hails from Oregon, specifically from the Portland area The Columbia Gorge Hotel and it’s dining facilities have always been held at great acclaim. Today’s dining experience left me rather dissatisfied with the only exception being the service given to me by my server Michal and her exceptional talent for a perfect Spanish coffee. My sister who accompanied me was equally dissatisfied with the meal presented to her which was the salmon melt sandwich. This dish was presented with a dry salmon patty, a thin slice of melted cheese (May I suggest decoupage) and absolutely no condiments, garnish and upon an exceedingly dry English muffin. This dish was returned to the kitchen in exchange for a cup of clam chowder and packaged oyster crackers which was tolerable. It is heartbreaking to discover that such a beloved dining establishment has come to such a state of disrespect for its history and clientele. The only experience that attempts to save this excursion for lunch was again the expertly created Spanish coffee by our waitperson Michal May she ever reign.

Best regards, Pamela...

Sadly I can’t recommend the restaurant. My selection- fish and chips- was mediocre at best. My table mates enjoyed their selections. The serving was generous. I will hazard the guess that the modest dessert offerings are manufactured offsite and delivered frozen? Our server did her best, but the restaurant (even with very few customers) was short staffed and management seemed to have planned poorly in hosting a wedding while failing to provide adequate staffing for dinning room customers. I remember the Columbia Gorge Hotel and Restaurant from its reopening in the early 80’s (where I, incidentally, tended bar for two years) when both service and food were held to very high standards. Those fine dining days are long gone as is the fine decor- elegant tables and chairs, beautiful chandeliers and plush red carpeting. I’m not sure what the current theme is. The tables are Formica and the chairs a washed out lavender, something one might see in a low budget sitcom strip mall restaurant scene. The hotel’s setting, fortunately, can’t be altered and so that remains a highlight. My distinct impression is that the current operation is in a no man’s land; the operator seems unwilling or unable to invest the capital and take the risk to create the fine dining venue of the past which the location and building would seem to dictate and has chosen instead to offer a mediocre dining experience in a low budget atmosphere which accentuates the restaurants shortcomings. I will not return. The hotel’s storied ambiance has...