Departure Restaurant + Lounge

We had a great experience at Departure, the restaurant on the rooftop of the Nines hotel downtown. Our server, Jesse, was very attentive and gave us a ton of recommendations of places to go to for the rest of our trip. He wrote a list of coffee shops and cocktail bars that he recommended which was much appreciated. We ordered the departure wings (done in lollipop style that were SO tender) and the crab sushi roll and a glass of wine. The views were beautiful and even though it lightly rained, we didn't get wet under the roof

Spent three hours here, seemingly against my will.Sat a large group on a weeknight, 6pm. It took 45 minutes to get our drinks. We didn't see food on the table for the first 90.The menu here is a travesty. Part prix fixe, part à la carte, with added guidance at the table that we could order any individual item from either menu. Trouble is, items that are not on the à la carte menu don't have à la carte pricing. It might've been a simple thing to remedy, but server sightings are rare and fleeting here. Alas.And besides, the prix fixe experience looks generous for the pricing. Sadly, several of the most enticing first/second courses were either poorly executed or just tasted bland. The entrees were solid winners though, making everything else - the food, the effort, the confusion, the time - seem like a complete waste.The real kicker? Practically everything was misbilled.

The 3- course fixed menu for $55 was a pretty reasonable price and a good way to taste different dishes. Some dishes that stood out were the departure wings (so juicy!) and the tomato salad. Honorable mention was the pork belly (the watermelon salsa and sauce was really good)! Ambiance was very intimate and nice, decor was pretty, service was great - definitely a good place for date night!

One of my favorite solo date spots. Personally I like the Departure Experience (three-course meal is $55). I didn't come here not to splurge so I think it's a fair deal. If I want to be extra, I'll even order a cocktail or two.The service has always been so wonderful, which is another reason why I like to come here for a self care dinner with myself.Oysters 10/10Pork belly 9/10Halibut 6.8/1075-ish lychee vodka cocktail 9/10Yuzu sake 8.8/10

If you're visiting Portland for the first time and would like a nice dinner with a view, I highly recommend Departure! My partner and I came here for dinner. They gave us the option of a la carte menu or the Experience Menu which is only $55 for three courses. We opted for the Experience Menu as we were a bit hungry when we arrived. You choose one item from their starter selection, one item from their Dim-Sum selection, and one entree. The first two items were small and we were worried that it would not be enough food; however, the entrees are very generous and we could barely finish them. We got the Thai glass noodles and the chicken karaage don buri-- both very tasty! I strongly recommend opting for the Experience Menu, it will give you a nice variety. The outside seating area was closed for a private event when we visited, but our host was very kind and offered a table next to a window. The views are just stunning, overlooking the Willamette River. Our server was also very kind and explained the menu to us. We will definitely be retuning to Departure when we're back in Portland! If you're only down for drinks, head to the lounge area that offers magnificent views of downtown Portland. The area is spacious, but keep in mind that it's an open rooftop, so be sure to bundle up if you visit on a cold, winter day.

If you're on the hunt for a dining experience that combines stunning views, a vibrant atmosphere, and tantalizing flavors, look no further than this rooftop gem. From the moment you step in, the energy is infectious, and Petra, our delightful bartender and server, sets the tone with her warm smile and expert recommendations. Cocktails: Rosa Rosa, Espolon Reposado, Aperol, Grapefruit, Lemon, Honey. Grade B+Lucky 7Duck Fat Washed Trail's End Bourbon, 7 spice Syrup, house bitters. Grade A-Coconut Hiwa, PorterA robust dark ale with toasted coconut and hints of mocho. Grade A Culinary Delights:Grilled octopus, Som tum, Charred lemon, mama's lil peppers, papaya samba. Grade A+Departure Wings, Herb sweet chili, pickled daikon & carrot. This signature dish didn't disappoint. Grade AHarami Beef Skewers, Wafu salad, crispy aromatics. Grade A+And let's not forget the views! Dining on this rooftop, surrounded by the city skyline, elevates the whole experience. So, grab your friends, enjoy the eclectic menu, and soak in the ambiance-you won't regret it!

We wrapped up an incredible date night with drinks at Departure and are already looking forward to our next visit. The ambiance was sleek and modern, with a vibe that felt both upscale and inviting. The service was top-notch, with the staff offering spot-on recommendations from the menu. For me, the standouts were the perfectly crispy wings and the flavorful pork belly fried rice. Highly recommend checking it out!

This is a nice airport lounge / airplane themed restaurant located at the 15th floor of the Nines Hotel, which is a 5 star hotel. Reservations were not too hard to book, but we made one just in case for Tuesday 6pm for a party of 2. As it was not too busy, we got the option to be seated indoors or outdoors, and we chose outdoors since the weather is nice and the rooftop offers nice views of the Portland cityline. We got the 3 course tasting ($55) with hamachi ($5 supplement), departure wings, and halibut, as well as a la carte pork belly. We Yelp checked in for a free order of the beef baos and because we are celebrating a birthday, we got dessert on the house (which we got the black sesame chocolate tart). For cocktails we got Lucky Number 7 (which is a strong whiskey based drink) and Fortune in a Bottle (a strong cocktail with tea). The hamachi is seared and has mango puree, raw onions, and chili peppers. This one was okay as the flavors did not fully mesh well together, and the raw onions overpowered the dish quite a bit. The departure wings were my favorite dish here - the chicken is quite juicy and the sauce base is very flavorful, with a sweet and savory balance. The beef baos were fairly solid and for a complimentary dish, they actually gave us a full order; the beef patty is well seasoned. The halibut is very fresh and somewhat flaky, and I loved the coconut based sauce within with the asparagus. The pork belly is okay - a bit fatty, paired with a kimchi sauce which is decent. For dessert, the chocolate tart had nice black sesame flavor and the sea salt further enhanced the profile of the dish. A candle was lit and a chocolate phrase "Happy Birthday" was placed on top of the tart, which was a nice touch.Service is excellent! The waitress checked up on us a few times and brought out dishes in a timely manner. They cleared plates regularly and even went above and beyond to clean our table between the dinner and the dessert course. Overall, this place is a nice rooftop restaurant and it falls within my favorite theme: airplanes. Food is a bit average and a bit pricey, but the experience is high up there.

We had a fantastic dining experience at Departure. The ambiance is modern and sleek, with a great view to match. The food was incredible! oysters were fresh, the beef and vegan steamed buns were flavorful, and the chicken wings with pork belly kimchi fried rice were a standout. The service was attentive and friendly, adding to the overall great experience. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a unique and delicious meal!

I loved the rooftop vibes and the view out the window The food was solid -- good strong flavors that felt Asian inspired but had unique twists. I especially loved the gochujang sauce in the snickerdoodle cookie dessert. The restaurant is located on the rooftop of the hotel. Service was solid -- I was seated quickly with a reservation and my waiter was attentive throughout the meal A good date night spot or spot for girls' night out in downtown Portland