Papa Haydn

11/11/06

Only go for dessert

by makeitgood at Citysearch

Fun place to meet . . . for dessert and coffee. I wouldn't have lunch or dinner here again. Too little for too much money. I had a great piece of salmon that was delicious, but felt ripped off since it didn't come with anything but some sprouts and the equivilent to half of a tiny red potato chopped up on a giant plate. It seemed soooooooo 23rd avenue. My husband's ravioli was below average. He had plenty of room for dessert. My suggestion is to go somewhere else and share one large portion of food then go to papa haydn and go crazy with dessert and coffee.

• Pros: desserts, atmosphere
• Cons: small parking lot often full, small entree portions

10/21/06

Surprisingly dull desserts, but with good service

by nicholelily at Citysearch

I have heard rave upon rave about the desserts here for several years. I have even made my own version of the Boccone Dolce, which is one of my favorite desserts. Sadly, the one here and the few other desserts we sampled were so overly sugared that no other tastes came thru. The wine (Merlot) and service were great, very nice and attentive staff.

• Pros: service, attentive and gracious wait staff
• Cons: overly sweet desserts, no longer the best desserts in town

09/19/06

bad food, beautiful space, yummy dessert

by peanutbuter at Citysearch

It is so sad when an old stand-by drops in to the land of restaurants gone bad. after repeated visits in the last few months hoping that eventually it would redeem itself, I have to say that this place has joined the ranks of restaurants coasting on a reputation built long ago. Desert is still lovely and delicious-- though of course with a list of desert options the length of a phone book, some are going to be better than others, like the amazing mexican chocolate cake!

04/18/06

What is the fuss?

by anthonybacker at Citysearch

I found the desserts very dry, the same as the review below. I have tried three things here and they where all average desserts. The dinner was average at best they said house ravioli and it was so obviously premade I was actually shocked. It is slighly amazing how busy this place is when there is a better cake at the new three lions bakery, better dessert at saint honore bakery and better meal at wildwood just down the street!

• Pros: Lively atmosphere, plenty of choices, wine list
• Cons: dessert, food, wait

02/12/05

Sad to not go back

by sarahlee5555 at Citysearch

I used to go to Papa haydn's regularly until I experienced bad service. Anyhow I visited the other location and found it to be a pleasant ambiance and the service was oh-so-much better. The dessert is to die for, that is the only reason I go here. I highly reccomend the dessert, but the other customers, and the staff, thumbs down.

• Pros: parking lot, best dessert ever
• Cons: crowded, noisy, bad service

12/23/03

A very average restaurant

by cwr707 at Citysearch

The sign in the window proudly proclaims that PH has served folks in Portland for more than 20 years. Sadly, this local landmark seems to be mostly resting on its laurels. A very unambitious menu not particularly well executed - though the customer service is quite good for this town.

Cheap wine glasses, dry, overdone entres, uninspired wine list and cheap frozen french fries all take away from the wonderful ambiance and attentive service.

Typical 23rd Ave eatery. Very little substance behind the reputation. Portland is clearly not a demanding restaurant town based on the ratings on this website.

• Pros: Nice room, Attentive service
• Cons: Boring menu, average quality food, Obvious cost cutting

10/29/03

Cake

by sroels at Citysearch

Despite how good it looks and how many times I keep going back to try various types of cake on the dessert menu (hoping it will improve), the cakes I have tried are always too dry, too sweet and lacking nice, rich texture of flavors. I have no idea why Papa Haydn's dessert keeps being so highly rated, but I find them lacking - at least where the cake is concerned.

• Pros: Many choices, Good service , Good beverage list
• Cons: Crowded, Noisy, Expensive for value

03/31/03

Got Milk???

by darkphoenix183 at Citysearch

I worked in a hotel that used Papa Hayden desserts when we were to busy to make our own. These were the only weeks we threw out cakes. I once opened a box and while it looked amazing, I took a bite and thought it was past its pull date. It was so dry and flavorless!! It had only been delivered the day before! I was shocked having heard so many good things before. Further encounters did little to change my first impression about their desserts.

• Pros: Presentation, Creativity, Good food
• Cons: Flavorless, Dry desserts, Overpriced

02/21/03

resting on its laurels.......

by DustyOR at Citysearch

Years ago I went to Papa Haydn's on Milwaukie. It was a pleasure to stop in and have a dessert or a meal. I have been to the one in NW also, but recently it has slipped. The last time the food was quite mediocre and the service needed some real work. I am sorry to say that what I experienced years ago seems now to be a thing of the past.

10/28/02

Cool desserts that are not-so-hot

by topspot at Citysearch

Papa Haydn has a few good desserts. Unfortunately, many of them are better to look at than to eat. The portions are often too big...that's right...too big. There are eateries in Portland where desserts are truly wonderful, full of citrus flavors and locally grown fruits and nuts; perhaps topped with an unusual ice cream or sorbet. Also, sponge cakes and pastry shells filled with light (OK, but high calorie) mousses or puddings and perhaps drizzled with fruit or chocolate sauce. Those are the desserts to die for (and not to die from). Papa Haydn is your place for desserts if you like a big piece of something heavy and dense - a "killer" dessert.

• Pros: Big portions
• Cons: Crowded