Departure Restaurant + Lounge

Recommends

Sarah S.

Joined 1 year ago

It's a transporting experience up there-the views are stupendous and the drinks not too shabby either. Upscale interior draws ire from the locals, but that's okay. Being out on the deck makes you feel like you're on a cruise ship. Decent service and cool bathrooms. I like it here.

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sophe

Joined 3 years ago

Eating at Departures is one of the best dining experiences in Portland, OR.

I am vegan and I go there with friends who are Gluten Free, Vegan, and meat eaters. The Pan Asian style cuisine is diverse inventive, creative, and delicious!!! The service is amazing!!! The drinks are also innovative and taste incredible. The view and interior is stunning. The vibe is trendy, but with the down to earth vibe of Portland. I have been in similar places in LA or NYC and the wait staff can be snotty. Not at Departures! The wait staff, management, and host are all the kindest and warmest people you'll meet.

This is my new favorite restaurant in Portland. Thank You to everyone at Deaprtures for making my life happier!!!

And PS: Deaprtures is an amazing place to throw a party. My friend had a Birthday bash for his wife at Departures on March 16th. They rented the room off of the balcony. The views were gorgeous. The staff handled the party beautifully. Everyone was commenting on how great the party was, and the birthday girl had an evening she will never forget.

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cityslicker007

Joined 2 years ago

Amazing View & Trendy Vibe. Go here to see and be seen. Taking a chance at sounding snobbish, this is where the "pretty people" go. If your vibe is casual or hipster, this place will not make you happy. If you like some flash, a kick-ass 15th floor city view atop a great patio, and you're trendy you'll enjoy it.

Trendy, young, with a small LA sort of vibe. Wear your sexiest shoes and dresses here. If your wearing jeans, dress them up with lots of accessories, a fabulous top and a stylish coat.

Pick and choose your food wisely and ask your server what portion sizes are like. Usually food is smaller than you'll get elsewhere and definitely more expensive. I recommend coming here for a couple of drinks , socializing, taking in the view and moving on. . .that is, if you can get past the very long line to get in.

Doesn't Recommend

NotFrom PDX

Joined 2 years ago

Snobby waitress. The place and the food was enjoyable, except for the snobby waitress, Amy. What a disappointed attitude!

Doesn't Recommend

dentedhouse

Joined 4 years ago

So many better places in Portland. I found this place to be dirty and worn our for being fairly new. The bathroom felt like I was in prison and not in a good way. Drinks were fine once we were able to order them. I thought the patios were small and unconfortable looking for having such a great view they could do so much more with them. Also they need more windows and a good cleaning of the entire place including the elevators. I probably won't go back there.

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Leswha

Joined 3 years ago

Why have a Footlong when You Can Have a Cockatail?. My sisters and I went twice for happy hour on a recent PDX trip. They have an "Everything's $5.00" gig from 4-6 (ish) Great food and service. The wait stuff were adorable (fun and kind and also cute) We split 4 plates, a little too much for 3 but it was fun to try so many things. The miso eggplant is amazing. The cocktails were inspired and got the job done. It got noisy as the night wore on but I'd go back in a snap. Nothing wrong with trendy if it's good and affordable, in my humble opinion.

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zuzanka77

Joined 3 years ago

Love the atmosphere!. Well, yes, it is pricey. But that might be a good thing, really. It keeps certain types of people away and encourages you to dress up and enjoy the evening.

The food was delicious, we shared each plate. The portions were small but that way we could taste more items! Drinks were quite original. The atmosphere is trendy and fun.

What a great gem this place is.

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erin314

Joined 7 years ago

"I don't mind it". I went here for a work happy hour a few months back, and was excited by the fun atmosphere. I remember the skewers being pretty tasty. Its pretty neat that a East Coast/LA vibey place like this exists in the Portland area. I took my husband about 2 weeks ago on a Friday night for dinner/drinks. Drink menu is fun and inspired. Dishes are of course overpriced but not that unique. My husband said he "didn't mind" one of the dishes. Not "this is delicious!" or "tastes great" but he didn't mind the taste of what he was eating (aka this is bland and wasn't worth ordering). If you're wondering, it was the Crab Fried Rice for $16. Fried Rice is about $8 at any other Asian restaurant. You are definitely paying twice as much as what you would for food elsewhere - here you are paying for the atmosphere, people-watching, and downtown location. Fun to check it out, but you might be disappointed.

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mmi79

Joined 4 years ago

Good for the view, too pricey, food just alright. I went there for happy hour, which is the only time I would ever return, since prices are a bit better then. Food is asian inspired, "fusion", and pretty good but I've had better at other asian restaurants. Wine of the day and bubbly of the day are 5 bucks for happy hour so thats good. Wee bit pretentious.....Good view though

Doesn't Recommend

Foodytoo

Joined 4 years ago

Not Everyone is "Open Minded".... Felt like a gay bar... Our server went on and on about his boyfriend... I am very open minded but took business partners to dinner/night out. I figured this place would be upscale representing PDX, etc... Several in my group couldn't handle it and left. Sorry kids.... I would go there again with girlfriends (don't bother looking for a single straight guy!, lol) but never with couples or anything business related. Nooooo way!