Papa Haydn

10/23/09

What's everybody raving about

by jaysdron at Citysearch

Finally had a chance to check out this supposed Portland institution for fine eating and DESERTS. I really don't get Papa Haydn.

Menu: limited food selection, somewhat pricey, and food just ok (at best). Then I was told, this really the place to go for desert - Ah...

My mouth started to water as I saw the options that were displayed. I was even more inspired (and later confused) when I was handed the full desert menu -how in the world do you choose. The waitress recommended five options and since there were four of us, we decided to try all five (you do the math)

Three of us, including yours truly, are desertaholics. None of us enjoyed any of the 5 options that were recommended - they were dry and flavored one-dimensionally - The waitress was kind enough to offer a few other options and replaced three of the five at no charge. Well, the other three were equally average. Frankly, I've had better tasing cakes at Albertsons - And I can get the whole cake for the price of two Papa Haydn slices. For a place that stakes its reputation on deserts, Papa Haydn needs to do a lot better.

• Pros: Bright pleasant atmosphere
• Cons: Mediocre menu, deserts are too sweet

05/15/09

good place gone bad

by gretchenschwinn at Citysearch

This place use to be one of my favorites. However, it has drastically gone downhill. The selection of entrees was pitiful. My mother choose an $18 pasta dish that was terrible. It was dry with no flavor. We mentioned it to the server and she said "oh, well I hope your desert is better." That's not really the service I'd expect from Papa Haydn or any place that cost that much. I won't be going back anytime soon.

• Cons: noisey, crowded

07/22/07

nothing pleasant about it

by fishberryjam at Citysearch

My partner and I stopped in for brunch with high hopes. 1st ~ we were ignored while waiting for a table 2nd ~ we had to send back dirty dishes 3rd ~ the food, while edible, was not tasty. Mine was tepid; hers was crusted over from sitting on the hot plate for too long 4th ~ the atmosphere was sterile and uninspired. 5th ~ the music was too loud for nice conversation 6th ~ the server cleared our plates as soon as she could and brought our bill without even asking if we'd like anything else, dessert etc. And we were very kind to the waitress. I felt like We were waiting on Her. Ugh! I really don't get the rave reviews. I will NOT be going back.

• Pros: umm ... the walls are painted a pretty shade of pale yellow
• Cons: Mediocre or less in most every respect

06/17/07

Don't expect good service out on the terrace.

by dfkrause1976 at Citysearch

A friend and I wanted to have a nice dinner and also felt like sitting outside in the beautiful courtyard. I felt like money was no object that evening... and to my disappointment the experience was not what I was expecting for such a popular and well-loved restaurant. The service started out great... until we realized the only focus from our server was the LARGE 15-20 top table to our left. Everyone that sat down after us ordered first, food took FOREVER (but was delicious), had to ask for coffee refills and another glass of wine. Everyone around us was returning food, standing up and filling their waters from the server station, canceling orders and probably feeling just as unimportant as we felt. Maybe next time I come with 12 of my friends and hope for good service then!

• Pros: Great location, beautiful outdoor patio
• Cons: Poor service.

05/22/04

Over hyped

by nwfoodie at Citysearch

The Papa Hayden dessert meme is done! I have tried several cakes and they were all very dry. I'm guessing the pastry chef doesn't know that cakes need simple syrup to moisten them up. The flavors were flat and the choclate tasted cheap to me. You'll have to try another restaurant if you're looking for good dessert.

• Pros: descent service, desserts look nice
• Cons: , dry cakes

01/20/04

Horrible rude staff !

by bellamouse at Citysearch

My husband and I stopped in for dessert to go. It was a horrible experience! The "chef" behind the counter was RUDE and he had the attitude that he was doing us a favor! They weren't busy at all, but it took about 20 minutes to slice a piece to cake and dump a cobbler from a icup into a to go container! When we arrived home the portion was small(cake) and he gave only a 1/2 scoop of ice cream! For 7.00+ a dessert they need to make it taste a lot better and not skimp!They should be happy to have our business...but instead they lost it! Go to Zupans for dessert instead they are all nice and know what customer service is!!!!!! Shame on you Papa Haydn!

• Pros: on 23rd street
• Cons: Rude staff, below expectations, no value

04/01/03

Mixed feelings

by PortlandFoodie at Citysearch

Great atmosphere and usually the wait staff is courteous/experienced. But weve also been highly disappointed on many occasions as well stale cake covered w/ ganache, poor food presentation, poor service (got coffee??), etc. Its a toss of the dice.

• Pros: location, atmosphere
• Cons: inconsistent, parking

05/28/02

Worst Brunch in Portland

by mateu at Citysearch

My girlfriend and I went to Papa Haydn's one Sunday morning for brunch. Sunday brunch has become something of a tradition for us, so we can compare Papa Haydn with easily 20 other places around town. This was the worst. Her Eggs Florentine featured two solid egg yolks on--no kidding--one piece each of spinach and mushroom, each sitting on limp English muffin halves. My french toast was dry. Like sawdust. We pointed this out to the waitress, who nicely comped us our lattes, and assured us that this never happens. The woman next to us had received likewise overcooked Eggs Florentine minutes after we did. I guess they get points for consistency, but we'll never be back.

• Pros: location, parking lot, pleasant decor
• Cons: horrible food, noisy