Departure Restaurant + Lounge

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

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!!!

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

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

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.

Cons: 8 wait staff talking at the bar 0 taking my order

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.

Pros: Happy Hour, atmosphere, light, view, service, food

Cons: hmmm, have to think about this one

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.

Pros: atmosphere, food, view, decor, well dressed patrons

Cons: sticker shock:))

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.

Pros: great views, fun ambience, decor

Cons: food is expensive and not that great

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

Pros: View

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!

Pros: Nice views... interior

Cons: What about us "Straight" Folks???

Located inside the Nines Hotel on Morrison Street in Downtown Portland on the 15th floor, this is where those wanting to be scene flock and frequent. The implication is dress to impress - this is not a casual fine dining restaurant. Very trendy and very spendy (even for those who don't mind throwing down some cash). The portions are VERY small but taste good. The servers and bartenders seem indifferent, which no one seems to mind. THE VIEW from the outside patio or windown dining seats are INCREDIBLE! My recommendation: take a date here for pre-dinner drinks to enjoy the design and the fabulous views, or gather up your girlfriends or buddies for a couple Friday/Saturday night drinks. Esthetically pretty, but not down to Earth. TIP: If you expect to get in after 9pm on a Friday or Saturday be prepared to drop a $50 or $100 bill to the hostest near the elevator or you will wait in line indefinitely - this comes from personal experience of myself and friends. Enjoy!

Pros: Great inside design, Patio is fabulous

Cons: SMALL plates, overpriced, wait forever in line on weekends

Was disappointed in the extremely small food portions for the price, and each meal came out for our table of four at different times. Maybe the way it is supposed to be, but just so you know what your getting. . .Kobe meatballs ordered for dinner ($15). Served on a tiny appetizer plate with "only" 3 meatballs. Lamb chops ($21) - two little chops, mostly bone and sized for a toddler. We also ordered sashimi for an appetizer ($15), a total of 5 small pieces of tuna and yellow fin.

My wife ordered the Harami Garlic skirt steak which was very tasty. The meatballs had good flavor.

There were 4 of us having dinner - -my meatballs came out first, then about 5 minutes later, another meal, the a few minutes later, another meal and then my wifes, which was about 10min after my meal.

Maybe we mistaked how this place works and everything is really appetizers and shared at the table at different times. Still not sure.

Again, just so you know what you are getting into. The view from the outdoor bar is quite nice.

Pros: Nice view

Cons: Food portions, food service