Papa Haydn

Recommends

RoseColoredGlasses43

Joined 4 years ago

Got Dessert?. We typically enjoy lunch at Papa Haydn, and the food is beautifully presented and always good. But, oooh, the desserts! It's hard to decide which one to have, so it's great fun to go with three or four people to you can pass them around and enjoy them all.

The fresh berry choices are always winners.

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Sirisak

Joined 5 years ago

I hate to love this place so much. I haven't read the other reviews, but no doubt they're glowing. For once, the sheep are right, this place really is that good. Not just for the cliche cakes, which are nearly as good as they look - but dinners here are great, and i'm not one to be easily impressed with basic american fair on flair. Ingredients are superior, flavors are brilliant and well matched, lovely cooking is balanced for char when needed without a sacrifice to the crisp or fresh gods.

Your staff will probably be either lovingly attentive, or irritated that you came - its about a 50/50 on what you'll get there. Unfortuantely it is crowded, and often with middle class riff raff chuttering about their sprog and puppies at top volumes, so i highly recommend a glass of vino or three before facing the crowd unless you have ready access to valium. As well, you'll need a helicopter to wisk you to the place unless you happen to live there; parking is an anectdote for the insane.

So put in your earplugs, brush up on your sign language, cross your fingers for a good server and enjoy

Doesn't Recommend

ann_segura

Joined 6 years ago

slow service, bland food, expensive for what you get, but great desserts. Been a few times - never the best. Very slow service - very very slow! Food is bland. Last week - we had 4 different dishes among the group & all shared - all were boing - very little interest. Same with appetizers and salads. Also quite expensive - wine & food. However, good desserts. Eat elsewhere and share a dessert here.

Doesn't Recommend

veronicaone

Joined 7 years ago

What's wrong with the chef?. We had dinner there last night and it was very disappointing. The menu was totally different than on their website, the New York steak for $30, was devoid of fat and size, and way overpriced for those reasons, as if cut in pieces,and the $10 hamburger was a 1/4 inch grizzly flat piece of jerky. I had ordered it med. rare. The cesar salad was very good. The restaurant should have at least one nightly selection of by the glass local pinot.

Doesn't Recommend

mzmandy

Joined 6 years ago

Follow-up to Worst Customer Service Experience. I called Papa Haydn's in NW to explain the situation. One of the owners just called me and without asking me my version of what happened stated that he talkd to both the GM and the waiter and he feels there was nothing they could have done differently. I told him I was surprised to hear that and that our version and their version of what happened must be significantly different. He stated that this manager has worked for the owners for a long time and that he trusts in him completely...then he said "Obviously there is nothing we can do to please you and I don't think you should come back to our restaurant in the future!" I said "Wow, I am sorry to hear that." And he ended the call...I have never been black listed from a restaurant before, especially for getting bad customer service...

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nicky7899

Joined 7 years ago

Great Choc. Cake.. The chocolate cake is great here. The food is great too but if you are a big chocolate lover you will love the cake.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Ask a Portlander where to go for dessert and the response is automatic: Papa Haydn.. In Short
Compared to its sleek, bustling counterpart on Northwest 23rd Avenue, Papa Haydn East is quaint and relatively quiet. But the smaller, more discreet location doesn't deter people from driving across town for a slice of decadent triple-chocolate cake or velvety banana-cream pie. The menu features creative takes on contemporary and ethnic trends. Specials range from ravioli with black-pepper pasta to filet mignon with Italian spices to chicken breast marinated in apple brandy and mustard.

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pdx_r

Joined 7 years ago

First Class or Coach?. "Are you here for dinner....or just desert?". Careful how you answer this. At Papa's you are a First Class (full meal) or Coach (desert) customer. I love the deserts and food at Papa Haydn, but last time we went for desert they kept trying to put us "coach" parties in this cramped 2-person table (look to the left of the desert display). After 2 parties refused to stay at this table before us, we got it. We ended up not staying at the table either. The host shot us dirty looks all night afterward.

I don't think Papa Haydn wants you to stay unless you are getting a full meal. If you just want desert do everyone a favor and get it to go or find a place that wants your business.

Doesn't Recommend

asicellenl

Joined 9 years ago

WEDDING CAKE ORDERING A DISASTER!. Initially, I had to call 3 days before someone would call me back. 3 weeks before my wedding I called back to finalize the design, and left messages for 5 days, no one returned calls. Contacted East side location and found the new "wedding cake" co-coordinator (the one I worked with left). I explained to him that I called for 5 days and no one returing my calls. His first response was "Are you mad at us?" I was perturbed, but maintained my cool. We finalized the design, and I asked him to fax me the final contract. No fax the 1st day, called the 2nd day, and still no fax, called on THIRD day and asked for the co-coordinator, and found out he left for a 3 week vacation. His back up faxed it to me immediately. Thank you Natasha! Good but expensive cake, and VERY VERY bad service.

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tomj767

Joined 8 years ago

great dessert place. I've been to Papa Haydn several times for dessert with friends, and it has always been excellent. The German Chocolate Cake and the Panna Cotta are both terrific, as are the White Mint Chocolate Cake and the Black Velvet Cake. The prices are on the high side but the quality and large portions make it well worth it. An excellent choice for a dessert splurge when you're out on the town.