Departure Restaurant and Lounge

Review summary

1. g

   goldie

   San Joaquin

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   The online menu had the Valentine’s Day special menu as $55 a person which is why my husband & I booked dinner there. But when we got there our waitress said that the online pricing is old and that it’s actually $70 a person. I would have thought they would at least honor it since it’s on them that it’s not updated. I wouldn’t have booked a reservation had I known the price difference. It also took 45 mins just to come back after getting our drinks to get our actual order. We ended up ordering off the regular menu and the portions were extremely small for the price. Also the seating situation is not ideal there are no private 2 person tables.
   

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2. E

   Eva

   Miami

   2 reviews

   2.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   We went for valentines day 2025. Since 2021, we have visited the restaurant every year and always loved the ambience and food, specially the large selection of vegan options. However we were very disappointed in this visit and doubt if we would come back. -Service: Portland as a whole has a lower quality of service compared to other states, so given this I would say the service is still good. Staff is very friendly, however at all our visits they have forgotten or taken very long in bringing some drinks/dishes. This time they forgot one of our drinks. -Food: This was the biggest disappointment! First we noticed a change in the menu, where vegan choices were reduced. I'm not sure if there was a change in the chef, but overall taste/quality is down. I'm not sure who thinks putting a huge chunk of boiled/unseasoned beet in a sushi roll is a good idea. The Tom Kha soup had around 3 pieces of vegetables, and then the broth is poured at the table from a glass pitcher (I know its an effort for better presentation, but did not translate. The broth was room temperature and the arrangement in the plate was not attractive enough for this choice). -Ambiance: The restaurant is beautiful, specially with the views of the city. However, lighting in some tables is very annoying (lights are pointed directly to your eyes) and tables are too close to each other. We could definitely hear everything the two tables beside us were talking about which wasn't very romantic for valentines day. Given these points, the price point - quality ratio is just not worth it anymore.
   

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3. L

   Leslie

   Los Angeles

   2 reviews

   2.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   Service was not bad. Food started good with crunchy crab roll, then went down progressively as the kimchi fried rice was sent out, then the steak and cod. 5/10
   

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4. A

   Andrea

   VIP

   Washington DC

   18 reviews

   4.0

   18 reviews

   Dined on February 8, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   I always make it a point to revisit this restaurant whenever I'm in Portland. This marks my third visit, and the food quality and variety have never disappointed me. While the service could be quicker, it remains courteous and attentive. Given the restaurant's popularity and the weekend crowds, it seems to be a bit understaffed. Nonetheless, the overall experience is consistently enjoyable and well worth the visit.
   

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5. P

   Paul

   San Francisco

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on February 8, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Amazing experience! We celebrated our anniversary here and had the Omakase menu. We loved every bite! Highly recommended!
   

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6. R

   Rupert

   VIP

   Portland

   68 reviews

   5.0

   68 reviews

   Dined on February 2, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   A great place to enjoy the scene, the food and the drinks!
   

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7. N

   Natasha

   Portland

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on February 1, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Always enjoy the atmosphere, food, and views at Departures.
   

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8. D

   Dottie

   VIP

   Atlanta

   22 reviews

   3.0

   22 reviews

   Dined on January 27, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   The service was a little spotty. We first only got 5 oysters out of what should have been 6. The octopus was fantastic but the rest seemed overpriced for the quality.
   

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9. J

   Jean

   Portland

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined on January 25, 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 2

   I've taken my grown children to Departure for special ocassions for years and I probably won't go back. The service was excellent but the food was sub par. Nothing special - kind of a bummer.
   

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10. H

    Hillary

    Portland

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on January 25, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Gorgeous view! Loved watching the sunset admiring the lovely Portland skyline. Food was innovative and so delicious! Drinks were tasty too. Our server Jesse was amazing with knowledge of the menu and suggestions to try. While we were leaving, my husband and I stumbled onto the Patio. Oh my! We will request to be seated here next time. It is open to the elements but heated and a glorious view of the city.
    

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