Hoda's Middle Eastern Cuisine
Portland, OR 97214-4246
Phone: (503) 236-8325
02/08/2008 Posted by lucythomas
My first experience of dinner at Hoda three years ago was delightful. The Mezza was spicy, hot, and delicious, the wine perfectly acceptable, and the service competent and attentive. Each subsequent visit has, however, been a disappointment; and this evening, downright depressing. The service was rushed, distracted, and unprofessional; the food bland, unspiced, and utterly tasteless. The hummous had all the zest and flavor of libary paste. The uninspired salad of iceberg lettuce flanked by two lonely tomato slices was liberally drenched in pure vinegar without benefit of oil (I am still attempting to unpucker my lips). This was outdone, however, by my "sauteed" eggplant, which consisted of about four small pieces of flaccid BOILED eggplant in a gelatinous brown sauce of chickpeas evidently flavored with an Oxo cube. The fact that I gave up after three disgusting mouthfuls did not spare me the stomach upset I consequently suffered. My postprandial dose of Pepto-Bismol was the most flavorful thing to pass my lips all night.
Pros: It's the only Middle Eastern restaurant in my neighborhood
Cons: It's the only Middle Eastern restaurant in my neighborhood
Write a review and share your thoughts with others
