Very Disappointing
DESCRIPTION: Attractive location, but substandard food. Spinach salad did not use young tender spinach and was oily, heavyhanded on the "honey" walnuts. The cajun ribeye was ordered medium rare but came well done, and the food was presented in an unattractive pile, and there was too much on the plate. The wine list is functional, but our first two choices were out of stock. Service very casual and just acceptable. The waitress asked us about the food, but made no remark when we mentioned the steaks were way overdone. Outdoor seating is pleasant, but stick with drinks.
DATE: 2001-07-04
FOODRATING : 2
SERVICERATING : 4
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 2

Actually, pretty good
DESCRIPTION: Living near the culinary relative wasteland that is Tualatin, I've been to Hayden's a number of times. I believe the previous reviewer had an atypical experience. On the whole, I have very much enjoyed my meals, found them to be reasonable value for the money, found them to be culinarily interesting, and found the service to be pleasant. (People coming at very off dining hours should be aware that sometimes wait staff is sent to do room service in the neighboring hotel, and that can cause delays.) Some particularly good things: The Nicoise salad. Lovely medium rare tuna slices on an otherwise tasty (and tender!) salad of mixed greens with the usual other Nicoise accoutrements. The roast chicken with sage gravy, cornbread-andouille sausage stuffing and spinach: my favorite of their 'roast chicken' entrees that I've had. Good balance between the spicy stuffing, the rich chicken and the cooling and unifying flavor of the gravy. And very inexpensive. The steak Diane over the cheese/bacon/potato cakes. Most decadent entree I have had in ages. Most of the dinners I have had there will 'stretch' easily for two meals, the portions are plentiful. I've never had a problem ordering steaks cooked correctly, and I like mine rare. I have noticed some disappointing entrees, that just didn't seem to be as good as they should be from the menu description. In general, Hayden's isn't somewhere to go for what might be considered 'palate challenging' food, perhaps the catering origin of the restaurant shows. But neither is the food bland or uninteresting.
DATE: 2002-02-07
FOODRATING : 6
SERVICERATING : 6
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Nicoise salad, steaks, roast chicken.

One of our favorites!
DESCRIPTION: My husband and I consider Hayden's one of our favorites and find ourselves there at least a couple times a month. The food tastes great and is prepared and presented well. The menu has a variety of choices and they always have specials of the day that are unique when you want to change things up. The setting and ambiance is the second reason we love Hayden's, especially in the sunny months when we can enjoy their lakefront patio. I also think the reviewer that called it disappointing had an atypical experience. The only time we were a bit dissatisfied was on Valentine's Day when the place was packed. They probably needed a few more servers and chefs to keep everything flowing, but we tend to find that same issue at most restaurants on that holiday. Also, for dessert lovers -- the selection is fabulous.
DATE: 2003-06-29
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Grilled Tenderloin Steak Sandwich, Cream of Potato Soup, Blackened Top Sirloin and Crawfish