I finally went to Departure with about a dozen workmates last week, and was pretty pleased with my experience there.

The service is much like Saucebox's during HH, and our primary waitress was on the ball, and accommodated moving us to a larger table and splitting the check (not happy, but accommodating, which is more than I can say for numerous other spots in town.) The $5 special martini was quite good, and "honest". The two apps I had were tasty (cool takes on chicken wings and pork buns) and a good HH value.

The place wasn't that busy, whether it was due to mid-week, grey weather, the economy or the buzz dying off, and we didn't encounter any issues others have mentioned. I'll definitely go back.

I have been to departure twice, and both times I have been disappointed. Unfortunate because I have every time loved Urban Farmer and The Nines Hotel... My boyfriend and I had made reservations for 7:30 on a Friday. We get there, and 1st the elevator person checked out my ass...not impressed. 2nd, we go up to the hostess (by the way, have been a portland hostess for 3 years, and have never given someone such disrespect) and tell her our reservation time and name. She does not smile, she does not say that our table is ready, she does not even say that it will be just a moment. She just takes our info and says nothing...so we stood there for 5 min. Still nothing, excpet she keeps looking at us, not smiling, and then looking away at the computer...I wanted to leave. My lover and I decide to walk around the restaurant, check it out, I wanted to see the view. We finally, after 15 min of waiting with no clue what is going on, get seated. It was a nice seat, and our waitress was very nice...but not very attentive. It seems like they tried to take the 5star appeal by having multiple servers doing different jobs (drink guy, food runner guy, etc etc), but it's like no one communicates and they are all out of sorts. The waitresses wear 1960's flight attendant-like dresses, and the hostesses wear bitchy flight attendant-like attitudes. I would love to return simply for the beautiful view and outdoor terrace, but I don't think that I will because the experience was so awful. On that note, if I do return, I'll be having a "kind" word with the general manager.

Showed up to Departures on a Friday night, had never been there before. Me and my girlfriends walked right in no problem. It was around 11p and the place was pretty empty. The view is fantastic. Other than that I got the feeling of being stuck in a pin ball machine with a bunch of senior citizens. The crowd sucked, the wait-staff was pretentious not returning.

The first time I went w/some girlfriends, and thought it was great - good service, great food, helpful waitress, etc.

So I decided to take my husband for our anniversary. We walked up to the hostess, and got a blank stare, and the "once over" look. I was in a dress, my hubbie in a suit, so....

I said, "we'd like a table for two, please." More staring. "Do you have any tables available?" She says "we're full." Finally...an answer. No apology, no request that we come back later, or get on a list to wait, nothing. More blank staring though. So, we left. She did not smile once.

I'll give it a third chance, as the atmosphere is cool, and the food is good. But, the hostess was rude, unfriendly, and unhelpful.

Having had great experiences at The Nines Hotel and The Farm the past few months we were looking forward to checking out the new departure. As we approached the velvet rope and the two rather puerile employees, we could only hope the 'bouncer' in the ill fitted cheap suit would sum us up as acceptable...would he take notice of our designer jeans...would our shoes qualify as 'up to par' for entry into the night spot? It was 7:30pm on Saturday and we were told the bar was full and we should try some other venue...c'mon, the place was filled on a Saturday at 7:30? We weren't even offered a later reservation or to be put on a wait list for entry to the water hole.

It's going to be a big turn off to be turned away from the velvet ropes from a over coiffed lioness after she gives you a once over. I suggest buying a buying a neon light like the one at Krisy Kreme (hot one's available) and you can light up the sign on the front window if you have any openings.

I just recently moved here and while I haven't had the chance to explore Portland's nightlife too much, this place is becoming one of my favs for the atmosphere as well as the amibence.

The place is by far the most sleek and modern of places I've seen. It's quite a small area so you may have to wait before being able to get up there if they're busy. It's well worth the wait though. The atmosphere is really chill and laid back.

A large majority of the staff as well as the patrons are pretty good looking as well. There were a lot more women than men if you'll be out looking for that, but all around, I think it's a great place to just go and chill with anyone.

The great thing about it is if you do have to wait for Departure, Urban Farmer is in the same building. Also becoming one of my favs; great atmosphere. Departure is a bit more "intimate" than Urban Farmer, but love the atmosphere for both places.